Yeah, that's right, this cake has "cleve" (cleavage). You probably don't expect to see breast cancer prevention in a post about vegan cake, but here it is! One of my staff recently organized a celebration lunch pot luck for a beloved friend and team member who was nearing her 10-year anniversary of being cancer-free, and it was a fun occasion to make a themed party cake as well as spread the word about prevention. What a great way to launch October, Cancer Awareness Month...
When I asked Mado if she minded sharing her very personal story with my blog readers, she answered of course, since it's rare we share and celebrate good news related to struggles with cancer. To learn more about her story, scroll to the bottom of this post. I've also included a link to learning about breast self-exams, early detection is critical so show your "girls" some support by checking them out regularly, or pass the link along to the women in your life...And now a little about cake, specifically using packaged mixes to save time. Whipping up a party cake in a jiffy is challenge enough, but if you're hosting an event for someone with particular needs (ie, vegan or intolerant/allergic to dairy) it can be even more intimidating if you don't know that suitable products exist. You may not always have time or even know how to make something from scratch...the bra cake above was made with "accidently vegan" Duncan Hines products. Simply use egg replacer when making your cake mix!
Great resources for foods suitable to vegans and those with dairy intolerance/allergies:
http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/accidentally-vegan.aspx
http://www.isitvegan.com/2011/07/05/are-any-duncan-hines-cake-mixes-or-frostings-vegan/
http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/accidentally-vegan.aspx
http://www.isitvegan.com/2011/07/05/are-any-duncan-hines-cake-mixes-or-frostings-vegan/
Breast self-exam, check out your girls on a regular basis!
Madeleine's story - a celebration of life...
In was in 2000 when my husband was taking a nursing course. This section happen to be on how to do a breast exam and that night decided he would practice what he had learned that day and discovered I had a lump. The next day I made an appointment to see my family doctor. As a result of my first appointment, because I never had lumps before, my doctor indicated that it was most likely normal. As I was close to my menstrual cycle, she asked me to wait about 2 to 3 weeks after it was finished and if it was still there, to make a second appointment to which I had to do. She decided to send me for an ultrasound to which I did. As the lump was a certain size, they decided to remove it and have it tested. They removed the lump and no cancer was present at that time, however, the tissue was a little yellow, thus, to be on the safe side, they decided to take more tissue out. It was successful as they were able to confirmed to me that no cancer was present.
One month after my daughter Bryanna turned one years old, I noticed another lump at the same place. I had to go through an ultrasound, as they did not like what they saw, sent me right away for a mammogram that same day. At that time, they decided to remove the lump and this time it was cancerous. About two weeks later had to go through another surgery and this time removed over 30+ lymph nodes. On this happy note, the cancer had not spread and was located only were the lump had been removed. In light of this, as I was in the first stages of breast cancer, I had to visit a Radiologist and Chemotherapist at the Cancer Centre at the General Campus. They recommended radiation and for chemo, it was not at must, however, as this was not the first time I had lumps and could have more that was not detected, I decide to make that treatment as well.
One month after my daughter Bryanna turned one years old, I noticed another lump at the same place. I had to go through an ultrasound, as they did not like what they saw, sent me right away for a mammogram that same day. At that time, they decided to remove the lump and this time it was cancerous. About two weeks later had to go through another surgery and this time removed over 30+ lymph nodes. On this happy note, the cancer had not spread and was located only were the lump had been removed. In light of this, as I was in the first stages of breast cancer, I had to visit a Radiologist and Chemotherapist at the Cancer Centre at the General Campus. They recommended radiation and for chemo, it was not at must, however, as this was not the first time I had lumps and could have more that was not detected, I decide to make that treatment as well.
I received my first chemo treatment one week before X-Mas of 2001 and lost my hair within the first few days. I had to receive 5-6 treatments every three weeks or so, depending if my sells were back to its normal strength. I was very nauseated. My first treatment was not so bad and was spending a couple of hours at the Cancer Centre, however, as the treatment continued, it got worse and by my fifth (5) treatment was spending most of my days at the Cancer Centre because they had to give me medication before and after treatments for nausea, than, to come my nerves and to flush out what needed to be removed from this treatment. Had lost of problems placing the intervenes to which had to put warm towels to help my veins get to the surface. Even thru these treatments managed to still go to work, however, by the fourth (4) treatment, could only work about two (2) days a week. Once finished, I started radiation in May 2002 and had to go three (3) times a week for a period of four (4) weeks. I was lucky, as some people loose their appetite and burns very easily to which I didn't.
The only thing that I have been experiencing with all this ordeal, is that I have lost feeling under my right armpit and sometime, when my arm is swelling and hurting, I have to wear a special arm band to help reduce these systems. Also, I've gone through several cellulites episodes in the last three (3) years to which had to get a central line put in to be able to give me my antibiotics through intervenes.
I can honestly tell you, with all the positive support from my husband, my girls Crystal and Bryanna, my mother, my in-laws and being positive myself, was able to survive this ordeal and do not wish this on anyone and I don't know if I could go trough it again.
I am getting close to celebrating my 9th years being cancer free. I have been blessed with a third daughter named Anastasya to which just celebrated her 7th birthday recently. It is very hard for me, every time I hear of someone been touched by this complicated disease, as it always worries me that it will come back.
The only thing that I have been experiencing with all this ordeal, is that I have lost feeling under my right armpit and sometime, when my arm is swelling and hurting, I have to wear a special arm band to help reduce these systems. Also, I've gone through several cellulites episodes in the last three (3) years to which had to get a central line put in to be able to give me my antibiotics through intervenes.
I can honestly tell you, with all the positive support from my husband, my girls Crystal and Bryanna, my mother, my in-laws and being positive myself, was able to survive this ordeal and do not wish this on anyone and I don't know if I could go trough it again.
I am getting close to celebrating my 9th years being cancer free. I have been blessed with a third daughter named Anastasya to which just celebrated her 7th birthday recently. It is very hard for me, every time I hear of someone been touched by this complicated disease, as it always worries me that it will come back.
Mado, 2010
