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Month: October 2020

A Lasting Friendship – Through Unplanned Pregnancy News & After

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An unplanned pregnancy. The news is enough to cause anyone, in any situation, to be thrown off balance. But no matter the news – no matter the decision – what is important is that you aren’t alone during this time. Friends play a huge part in how we can deal with the surprises of life.

Do you have that kind of friend?

(The following was written by a long-time supporter and staff member of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid))

Friends are one of the most important things in our lives. There are different levels of friendship and even certain seasons of life that seem to move us towards a particular type of friend. I remember confiding in a friend when I started thinking I wanted to marry my now-husband. At another time, it was a different set of friends who were there when I was getting ready to have my first child. It was that set of friends who blessed me with a baby shower as I got ready for this new little person.

As I have gotten older, new friendships continue to emerge to the point that at times, they become family. They are the first call you make when you receive difficult news. They are the shoulder you lean on when you get laid off from a job. Those “friends-become-family” are the ones you call when your child is struggling and you need parenting advice or even just sanity words.

Friends are there to laugh with you, to listen to you, to cry with you,
and to do life with you
no matter what.


Sometimes, those special friends aren’t simply a person, but a place made up of special people. One of those places that has become a friend to women in our community is right here: Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center). They are there for families facing an unplanned pregnancy. They are there when a woman gets that positive line on a pregnancy test and feels like her life has just ended. They are there when she comes in to the center wanting another pregnancy test to double check that it really does show a positive result. Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) is there to listen as she wrestles with what choice to make about this unexpected news that she has yet to share with anyone else.

Like a friend, Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) doesn’t expect anything back from this friend. If she decides she wants to continue with the pregnancy, they are there along every step of the way to encourage during that journey. If she chooses to abort, they are there to love on her and wipe away any tears she may have after she goes through that decision. And if that baby comes and she needs help with the things necessary to take care of a newborn, they are there too, showering her with practical help so she can succeed in this new role.

Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) is much more than a place . . . it really is a friend; a long-lasting friend. For the past 30+ years, Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) has been there helping women and men during a season of life that could be considered a very rough time. They do it every day, without judgment and with lots of love.

Just like a close friend.

Additional articles on how Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) can help during an unplanned pregnancy:
You Are Not Alone
When Pregnancy Wasn’t Part of Your Story
Where Do You Go For Answers When You Are Pregnant?

If you, or someone you know, is in a situation where an unplanned pregnancy is throwing you a curve-ball in life, then perhaps a visit with a good friend is exactly what is needed.

Simply make an appointment online, and when you come, you will meet with your very own Client Advocate – a friend who will walk with you, cry with you, laugh with you, and be there to answer any question you have. For the long haul!

There is true and lasting friendship here. We’ll be waiting!

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Breast Cancer – The Facts You Need To Know

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – so we wanted to give you some facts that you need to know regarding this invasive cancer. Any kind of cancer is intimidating, but breast cancer tends to hit a little too close to home for women. When should you go in for your first mammogram? What is important to look out for on your body? What are the facts? We asked Dr. Chuck Horner (Radiologist) to fill us in and answer some of these questions for you. Take a look at what he has to say regarding breast cancer – it could save your life!

What are the chances?
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur both in women and in men, but it is far more common in women.

The rate of breast cancer has increased significantly since I was in medical school. The occurrence statistic was around 1 out of 11 back in the mid 80s. This number has risen since then with around 1 out of 8 women experiencing breast cancer.

Mammography
The number of deaths from breast cancer are decreasing however, thanks in part to mammography. The goal of mammography is to find the breast cancer when it is smaller which allows for much more effective treatment and less harm to the patient. When breast cancers are found earlier by mammography, there is a better chance that the cancer cells have not spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes in the arm pit area. Often when the breast cancer is large enough to be felt by the patient or physician, it has already spread to the lymph nodes and possibly other parts of the body, decreasing the chance of survival. There is a 30-40% decrease in death from breast cancer in women who have mammography performed in both breasts starting at the age of 40. The vast majority of women who die from breast cancer have never participated in the getting annual screening mammograms. Seventy-five percent of women who have died from breast cancer are women who did not get their annual mammograms.

Mammography is not perfect in finding all breast cancers early, but it is much better at finding cancers before they can be felt in the breast. The chance of dying from breast cancer is much lower if you are getting annual mammograms. It should be known that sometimes after getting your screening mammogram, you may have to go back and get some extra mammogram pictures or an ultrasound to help clarify some of the findings identified on the original mammogram.

Though there is some discrepancy in recommendations, the American College of Radiology recommends getting a mammogram every year beginning at the age of 40. The original mammogram is often obtained at the age of 35 as a baseline study. If everything is okay with the original mammogram, a mammogram every year beginning at age 40 is recommended.

Obviously, if there are concerning findings in your breast before the age of 40, you should consult your doctor immediately. Some of the potential symptoms include a breast lump or thickening, change in size, shape and appearance of the breast, skin dimpling, newly inverted nipple and skin changes around the nipple including scaling, crusting and an orange color to the skin.

Though not perfect, mammography is the most helpful tool in increasing your odds of surviving breast cancer. I would recommend talking to your primary care doctor for help in making decisions in your breast care.

Are you concerned about the possibility of breast cancer? Do you need to get a checkup but aren’t sure where to start?

Don’t wait until it’s too late – call your doctor today to schedule an appointment. Every day that you wait could have a negative impact on your health!

If you don’t have a doctor and need some suggestions, we’re here to care for your needs as a woman. Just give us a call and we can recommend some of the best doctors around!

When Pregnancy Wasn’t Part of Your Story

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Stories.

Everyone has a story . . . the story that is their life. Some stories are like fairy tales. Happy endings, fulfillment and bliss seem to hang on to some people. Their lives, while occasionally sidetracked by the unexpected, never seem to experience the deep darkness that others face. This is not written for them.

This is for the woman whose story is shaded by dark colors, disappointment and unmet goals. This is for the one whose story simply isn’t turning out like they wanted it to.

It’s important to understand that, while your story is uniquely yours, it does bear some of the same elements as the stories of others. There are countless women whose story has gone just like yours . . . the unexpected happens, and suddenly, their lives are thrown completely off course. With one small positive on a pregnancy test, all of their life planning and direction seems to be in jeopardy. Their story is suddenly taking a turn that they didn’t anticipate. Fear, depression and a sense of uncertainty flood over them.

Sound familiar? With a life that is completely out of control, it’s easy to see how someone can consider what seems to be a quick, easy way out of a problem in order to get their story back on track.

But what if the story isn’t over? What if the story is just being re-written with a different ending? What if the story is far more beautiful than originally thought? What if, with the right help, the right encouragement, the right people by your side, your story turns out to be one of fulfillment and happy endings?

You need to know Stacie’s story. You just may see yourself some in the beginning of her story. But listen closely – her story ends in a good place . . . and yours can too!

Want more stories from Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)?
Some have a happy ending . . . some are still being written.
Perhaps you’ll see some of your own story in one of these:

Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Stories

And if you wish to have a story like Stacie’s, one where real help, options, answers and support play a big role, the next step is both the easiest – and the hardest – that you will ever have to take.

You simply have to show up.

Take your first step today towards taking back control of your situation. Make an appointment with us. No pressure, no agenda – simply information, an understanding friend, and hope!

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