Planks have been called “The Perfect Exercise” to change your mind, your attitude, and your mood. There is plenty of value to be found in so-called minimalist exercise. Planks are one variety of exercises that are both old-fashioned and highly-effective. This writing focuses on (a) the importance of core strength, (b) why planks are a useful core exercise, and (c) how to perform the “classic plank.” Let’s get to it! Where Is Your “Core”? First, let’s discuss what comprises yo

So excited to announce the second Team Maggie Baby is on it's way! Katie is 16 weeks pregnant and did not have to use her frozen eggs. This is one tough lady. After a cancer diagnosis in March 2017 and a grueling fight to ward off cancer she fought back to wellness and competed in a triathlon. You see chemo can cause infertility but how soon after treatment is not always know. Infertility could be immediately, or 1 year or 2, or 10. That is why having your eggs in storage

Earlier this year, I heard a voice tell me to get the BRCA Gene Mutation test. A test that I had never gotten. My Aunt, who tested positive, was diagnosed and survived breast cancer 15 years ago. Since then, many family members have also tested positive. Maybe it is because I have always felt healthy, and honestly I didn't understand how high the risks are for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer with this mutation. So I listened to that voice, had the blood test and the r

Today as we count each day down to the 5 year cancer free mark I look back over some awesome memories of love and support our family received. There is no way to mention all the support we received and for each member of our family we all talk about different incidents of love and support and how much everyone of them have affected our life's even today. You see that's the cool think about cancer, you find out you are loved and supported through life, people are strategical

We have an applicant right now that needs our help. She is only 24 and engaged to be married. Her and her husband to be have talked about how many children they wanted to have when she was diagnosed with cancer. She has been working hard on her master's degree and they are living on one income while she is in school. Her cancer diagnosis was devastating of itself but the thought of the treatment taking away her ability to have children was even more devastating. Please d

My name is Gemma and I am 30 years old. I live in Mattoon, IL and work for the United States Postal Service as a Letter Carrier. I love my job and I love the people I work with and meet while I walk various city routes. Last year though my customers noticed that I started to walk various city routes. Last year though my customers noticed that I started to walk with a limp. I thought that I had just pulled a muscle but In late February 2017 a tumor was discovered behind my kne

In February of 2017 I was diagnosed with Acute Promgelocytic Leukemia (APL). I was 11 weeks pregnant and lost the baby as a result of my treatment. I have always felt that being diagnosed with leukemia is something I could deal with and fight and win. The thought of losing our baby that we have wanted and planned for at the same time was a whole different story. It has been the hardest card we have been dealt, harder than cancer.., its the thing that keeps me up at night. W

Cancer is a scary word and being diagnosed with cancer will immediately change your life. Until I was diagnosed, I had no idea just how invasive cancer could be. Up until 3 months ago, I was healthy and active and my biggest complaints in life were about too much traffic and having an extra 10 (ok, maybe 20) pounds to lose. My symptoms came out of nowhere and quickly increased in severity. After suffering through a week of vomiting 2-5x/day the doctors found a mass in my s

Imagine graduating from College or even high school and having a doctor tell you your test came back positive for cancer. Let's see what are you doing at that age. Thinking of what you want to be when you grow up? Getting butterflies when you go out with your handsome boy friend? Looking for the next party? Dreaming of getting married? How many kids do you want? Yes that is what most kids are thinking but that ends abruptly when you are diagnosed with cancer. When you

In Sept 2014, while studying for my Chemistry final in my dorm room I had a seizure and ended up in the hospital. I was so grateful I was not studying alone that night and my friends knew exactly what to do. I woke up in a hospital. The doctor diagnosed me with Oligoastrocytoma which causes seizures. After 2 brain surgeries I was told they removed all the cancer cells they could see and there was no guarantee the tumor will not come back. I was thankful to be alive so I