This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

One of my famous quote is from Marilyn Monroe, "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world."

It's not easy being a princess but if the glass slipper fits...it'll be the best companion to see the world & experience life!

Almost every little girl growing up read about the Cinderella fairy tale story: the fairy godmother, the pumpkin carriage and of course the "glass slipper". All of us want to experience the feeling of being a princess. Playing dress up with mom's clothes and trying on all the shoes even though they were too big for their little feet.

When we become adults, we all like to buy shoes, lots of them. Simply because they look pretty even though at often times shoes are not comfortable at all. Even if we all like to own multiple styles, colors & materials in order to mix and match with all the outfit in our closet...yet...we convince ourselves that we still need one more pair of shoes!

With the new year 2013 here, I would like to share with you my modern version of how the "glass slipper" travel...as Marilyn said: "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.

Find out what's happening in San Marinowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

My first shoe-rack stop was spending a morning with Dr. Jeannie Shen at the Huntington Memorial Hospital to learn about some of the approaches to making Huntington Hospital the best choice for Chinese patients with not only breast cancer, but all of the service lines.  As a breast cancer survivor myself, I volunteer for the American Cancer Society. One of my role is serve on the California Chinese Unit Leadership Council which focus on building awareness and bi-lingual services to the Chinese community through out California.

Dr Shen shared her point of view and noted the challenges as follows.

Find out what's happening in San Marinowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"When talking about humanizing breast cancer, and making it less scary, I think you are right in that much of the reticence for Chinese women to get screening mammograms, do self breast exams, comes from not only a lack of awareness that they can get breast cancer (many still think it is only hereditary so they don’t think they need a mammogram if they don’t have a family history) but also from being scared of what the treatment might be if they are diagnosed with breast cancer.  Many are worried about the long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment.  This is an increasingly recognized area of importance in the oncology world, known as “survivorship.”  

Given the advances in early detection and treatment, more and more women are surviving breast cancer and living with the long-term effects of their treatment, and there is an increased push towards helping our survivors deal with these issues, which include: 

Hot flashes/night sweats (occurs in both pre-menopausal after chemotherapy and post-menopausal women on anti-hormonal therapy)

Loss of libido

Vaginal dryness/pain with intercourse

Anxiety/depression

Self-body image issues

Questions about diet and exercise

Lymphedema

Bone density issues

Painful or stiff joints

Chemo brain 

Dr.Shen continue to explain, "As oncologists, we can address some of these issues at a routine follow-up visit, but often don’t have the time to go into detail about the patients’ symptoms or solutions.  Many cancer centers are now developing survivorship clinics specifically to help breast cancer patients who’ve completed surgery/chemotherapy/radiation deal with their particular ongoing symptoms.  At UCLA Pasadena Oncology (with Dr. Applebaum), we are launching our own pilot program to women completing chemotherapy, and hope to expand this program as we get feedback and gain experience.  Huntington Hospital is also looking into developing such a clinic.  

In the meantime, Huntington Hospital has recruited Suzie Lee-Kline, an NP who is a doctor of Oriental Medicine, who comes to us from the UCLA East West Medicine program in Santa Monica.  She will be working with me to develop an Integrative Oncology program here at Huntington which will include acupuncture, and help integrate these complementary treatments into patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.  Initially, her services will be free of charge to all Huntington Hospital breast cancer patients.  I believe these complementary therapies are going to be an essential part of our survivorship program as well.  

While some of the survivors’ symptoms can be partially treated by prescription medications, many of them may be significantly improved using complementary therapies, without any of the cost or side effects of medications.  This new program is yet another free service that Huntington Hospital provides to women undergoing breast cancer treatment at our facility. I look forward to continuing to work with you in bringing awareness and understanding of all that Huntington Hospital has to offer the Chinese community, and am counting on your experience, leadership, and relationships with other Chinese community leaders to make this happen." 

I believe and hope that you agreed that language and cultural barrier is an issue that should be addressed for providing quality and equal access to the intend audience. In this case is the medical health care access to the area community members, not just Chinese alone but ALL.

As an immigrant from Hong Kong, I attended Alhambra High School as an ESL student not speaking a word of English. I know how important it is early on, having a voice truly does matter in order to make a difference.

With all the hurdles we have to jump over to achieve, the cultural definitions we have to live up to in order to be “successful”, where do we find time to take care ourselves and our love one. My oldest daughter, Stephanie reminded me while I'm face with more challenges on my health recently that "I...ME" have to survive first, be healthy and happy before I could give care, support and LOVE to my family, friends & my community. 

Dr. Shen pointed out that the importance of a well managed "surviorship" program is the essence to maintain the quality of life. And it all start with you!

"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path." one of my late mother favor quote from Buddha. Just remember you are not alone and there are many help & support along the way.

Go ahead...wear your favor pair of comfortable shoes to live a day, see the world & experience life just for yourself and have an absolutely beautiful day ! 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

Patch Mayors are trusted local users who help moderate the Patch platform by promoting good local stories and flagging unwanted content. To learn more, click here.