Category: Health
The Heart of a Survivor
Ten years ago my life changed profoundly. Not only did I become a first-time mother, but I also became a mother to a child with a congenital heart defect. At 3 weeks old, my daughter Lucy was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. During her first year of life, Lucy had 10 surgeries. It was shocking [...]
Meet Dr. Michelle Stafford from World of Smiles
Dentistry for children has changed a lot since we were kids. Janna chats with Dr. Michelle Stafford and discovers how the World of Smiles Dentistry’s gentle, fun approach to dental care sets kids up for a lifetime of good oral health.
Learning from Children with Life-threatening Illnesses
We had no idea our lives would change so significantly. Up until January 7, 2005, my family enjoyed the “perfect life.” Okay, maybe it wasn’t perfect, but let’s just say it was normal. But things changed drastically overnight. My daughter Karla was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor at the age of 14. She was in [...]
Safe Haven, Positive Changes
The Salvation Army White Shield Center Somewhere between the bustling movement of northwest Portland’s industrial district and the immense, peaceful landscape of Forest Park lies a large, mostly
This is Why I Fight
It is now over 14 years since I lost my dear sister, my mentor and my friend to breast cancer. Terry was just 35 years old when this terrible disease took her life. Unfortunately, my family is all too familiar with breast cancer as almost everyone in the family has been diagnosed with the disease—my [...]
Like Water for Chocolate
I have been drinking Diet Coke since, well, forever. Years and years I’ve bowed to the Queen of Coca-Cola. My carmel-carbon guzzling ways probably started in the 1970s with TAB, which morphed into Diet Rite, then, eventually, all soda rivers spilled out into the ocean of Diet Coke I’m sure I’ve consumed since then. And [...]
Listen for the Pounding
Watching the minute hand on the clock creep by, I hid my surprise that there were still 40 minutes left. Concentrate on her hands, I told myself, but they moved like a magician’s, nimble and too quick. The woman’s few words did not make sense. I banged on the table. She did not hear me. [...]
