NED year 2!

Today marks my second year of No Evidence of Disease. Three more and I will be officially Cancer Free! So of course that means time to sample the Russian Imperial Stout I am aging for 5 years.

Fancy Grolsch bottles with wax for extra aging protection

Beautiful beer!

Notes:
Appearance: 2 finger head subsided to 1 finger off white mostly medium bubbles. Pitch black, no sediment visible in pour all the way to the bottom of the bottle.

Aroma: Chocolate, coffee, ashy.

Taste: big smooth chocolate up front with a hint of coffee, the chocolate turns to dark chocolate at the end, and a burnt flavor at the end, not overpowering

Mouthfeel: Thick and chewy, not a big carbonation bite but a bit there.

Drinkability: Single beer only, will blow your taste buds out with big flavors. Not to say it is harsh, it is very smooth, just a very complex beer with bold flavors that would wreck a pale ale drunk afterwards. Drink this beer as a relaxing sipper.

Overall: I wouldd pay for this at a bar and be happy with my purchase. It is hard to believe i brewed this one, it is so commercial like. I really want to chill another bottle to drink, but no, you must last another 3 years for a big celebration.

Aging: The flavors are really melting together well. No sign of oxygenation. The flavors are smoother than last year. No issues yet. See you next year RIS.

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Does colon cancer run in your family? Got a relative that had cancer at a young age? Do you know when you should get a colonoscopy?

If you have a family history, get screened 10 years younger than the youngest case of colon cancer in your family. I was 38 when diagnosed. Had I waited I could easily have been a sad cancer story instead of a survivor. Lynch is just one of several genetic cancer diseases and it isn’t just colon cancer, that is just the biggest one.

Living with Lynch

I am learning to live with Lynch Syndrome (HNPCC, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer), a genetic disorder resulting in a higher rate of certain cancers.

What is Lynch Syndrome?

In other words, colon cancer tends to strike early and often.  Lifestyle changes can help reduce the impact, here are the suggested lifestyle changes:

• Persons with high risk of CRC should consider a low fat diet with limitations concerning red meat, but with bran and rich in cellulose.
• Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables for your diet. Select whole-grain products when possible.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If you haven’t been active, talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise program. Try gentle exercises like walking or biking to get started.
• Maintain a healthy weight. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, talk with your doctor about your options. Eating less and exercising more can help you lose weight. Aim to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week.
• Colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy exam allows your doctor to see inside your entire colon and look for areas of abnormal growth that may indicate cancer. Removing precancerous growths called polyps can reduce the risk of colon cancer. People with Lynch syndrome typically begin colonoscopy screening every other year starting in their 20s.

Colon Cancer Awareness

I have begun making things for Colon Cancer Awareness.  Some of the funds I raise from the sale of these items will go towards worthy Colon Cancer charities such as the Blue Note Fund or the Colon Cancer Alliance .  I will be covered for 53 hours out of work which almost gets me to July when Aflac kicks in if I am out another 7 days.

In other words, things are going to be tight.  And with furlough days already hitting our wallet, and two vehicles about broken down, things are really tight.  Fortunately, we found a van for Sarah so we can get back and forth to Boston reliably.  With my check engine light on, little left on my brakes, and a leaf spring shackle gone (spring lies on the bottom of the truck bed), we are just waiting for the other shoe to fall.

I don’t like handouts so I found a way that will help me, help others, and raise awareness of colon cancer.  The prices are higher than I would normally expect, but some of it goes to a cause, and the remainder will be helping me and my family.  Colon Cancer is a totally treatable and beatable disease when colonoscopies are performed when they should be.  If someone in your family had colon cancer, get  colonoscopy as early as possible.  If nobody in your family had colon cancer, get a colonoscopy as early as possible.  Removal of a polyp is nothing, letting it turn into cancer because it wasn’t found will turn your world upside down.

My Etsy shop for Colon Cancer Awareness:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScottSchluter

Check back often, many sizes and designs are in the pipeline.

If you are local I am also working on some Colon Cancer Awareness Angels.  I will be able to send these via mail once we figure out the costs.  For now, local pickup or delivery only at $5 each.  I will be adding halos to them.  The hangers are long enough to put around a rearview mirror or can be shortened to hang in a window.  I thank you if you feel inclined to help me or others.  I hope you learned how easy it is to potentially save your life by getting a simple procedure.  I hope you spread the word.