The Nest — #Health

When I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in April, 2011, I immediately hit the panic button. Not only was my body under attack, but I was an emotional and spiritual train wreck! Once I gathered my wits, I made a plan; a plan which I referred to as my Survival Plan. A very important part of this plan addressed the needs of my physical body. Since the body is better able to heal and recover in a relaxed state, though, an equally important part of my Survival Plan involved creating a sense of peace and harmony in my...

With summer upon us, fire service members must now contend with additional demands due to extreme summer conditions, from high temperatures and humidity levels to more people on the streets during a response. Firefighters can overcome these hazards and complications by understanding and properly preparing for them beforehand. Roadway and Construction Hazards Summer marks the peak of road construction season in most of the U.S. Are your crews familiar with what roadway projects are taking place and where? How will response times to areas be affected and do crews have alternative routes to take to these areas? How are homes/businesses...

Mindful of an evolving health crisis among volunteers, the Firemen's Association of the State of New York is calling for a 'presumptive law' that would provide volunteers with many of the health benefits afforded their career counterparts. Firefighters are more likely to develop cancer than the general population -- and those who do the job as volunteers often lack appropriate gear, are exposed to numerous cancer-causing agents in the line of duty and don't have health coverage associated with their work, experts said Wednesday.Mindful of an evolving health crisis among volunteers, the Firemen's Association of the State of New York...

Cancer-causing agents can reach a firefighter, even one in full PPE; here are simple steps to reduce your risk There was a time when dirty bunker gear was a badge of honor. In fact, firefighters often complained when they were forced to clean their gear and sometimes even became creative in finding ways to avoid having PPE appear newer. Similarly, many firefighters delayed wearing SCBA during a structure fire and removed their facepieces as soon as they could get away with it. Fortunately, these practices have diminished significantly. Yet, the dangers of firefighter exposure to carcinogens and other hazardous materials...

Bob, a firefighter and EMT didn’t realize he had breast cancer until he was in stage 3. He didn’t want to admit anything was wrong. “It’s that bravado, ego. We don’t go, ‘Hey, my boob hurts.’ You don’t say anything about your body because it just feels like whining.” He says he waited too long to have the pain in his right breast checked out. “I knew six months ago I had a problem. My nipple actually started to dimple.” After that he felt a lump in his chest. Luckily his wife, who is a nurse, insisted he get checked...