🎉🎉 Homecoming Has Started!!! 🎉🎉

 

I hope you are as excited as we are to be here at Homecoming again. I have to say this is one of my favorite series of events that we do, although for me, it is more than just a series of events. These series of events are in a effort to raise money for Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. This is a disease that directly affects my real life, I see it and I live it!

This year we have some great sponsors that have decided to be apart of this fight with us. Please take a look at these organizations and look into them. While you are checking them out, give them a warm thank you!

Check Out Our Sponsors!!

Meet

Best of SL Magazine ~ BOSL

Best Of SL Magazine is the oldest publication. It’s a mixture of what is the Best in SL, covering the Arts, Fashion, Entertainment, Travel, etc. It is also mixed with a Modeling Academy, Modeling Agency, Miss Virtual World Pageant and one of the top blogging syndicates reaching over 1 million viewers a month with over 40k subscribers and growing daily.

Meet

Slept On Beauty

A secondlife skin store dedicated to POC women.

Meet

Xi Gamma Xi Fraternity Inc...

ΞΓΞ Xi Gamma Xi Fraternity was founded on July 21st 2018 By Bryson J. Riley with a vision to make a change in the Greek Community.ΞΓΞ

Meet

 Sigma Gamma Sigma Sorority Inc.

Sigma Gamma Sigma Sorority Inc, formerly known as Divas Inc. Sisterhood, was founded by one phenomenal woman; Tray Ferrentino (MzLadyT), on February 2nd 2009​​​​​​​​​. In July of 2012 she felt it was time to become greek and be apart of the second life greek community. The foundation of our sorority is based on the principles of unity, loyalty, individuality, independence, and trust. We, Sigma Gamma Sigma sisters are women who are hardworking, independent, strong and sophisticated. We strive to give back to the second life communities, as well as to real life communities by doing fundraisers and charities for existing real world causes. The women that we recruit are women of high moral standard and exemplify integrity. Our sorority is not about competition nor drama. We are mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, and friends who have formed a bond that cannot be broken. We are strong...We are leaders...we are Sigma Gamma Sigma Sorority Inc.

Meet

 Xi Omicron Xi

Xi Omicron Xi, the sisterhood of love, was founded by Luna Claire Narciso, Big Sister Cherish, on January 4th 2014. She did not found XOX on greed, popularity, or "pretty colors." Founding a sorority takes drive, wisdom, & support, and Big Sister Cherish was finally tired of postponing her dream. She no longer wanted to settle with corruption, deceit & disappointment. She aspired to build a foundation on strength, love, & trust. A place where women could bond, support, uplift, & love unconditionally. An organization now known, adored & respected as,
Xi Omicron Xi Sorority Inc

Meet

 Lake Geneva Camp and Resort

Lake Geneva Camp and Resort is located on the banks of Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Lake Geneva Camp and Resort offers a wooded setting overlooking the lake. The resort offers great amenities, such as Roleplay, swimming, canoeing, tug of war, bike riding, The Lost Game, The Escape Room, Kids Playground, horseback riding, fishing, archery, wine tasting, movie theater, bumper boats and s'mores on the beach.

Meet

Hillman University

Our motto "A Different World - We Collectively bring about change to new and challenging Ventures........Standing together to bring about change to a new and different world to the perfection of one - A Different World to enhance us All."

Meet

Sacred Heart Medical University SL 

Sacred Heart Medical University SL was founded on April 26, 2018 when Dr. Cassie Shaw (Founder and physician @ Family Luv Medical Center) enthusiastically decided to give in to the many requests for her teachings, and formed a school of her own. With this school she wanted to make sure she gave her students not only the knowledge of Second Life to become a great physician, but also real life learning to give their patients the most realistic experience possible. This has since become a great challenge and a great experience for her.

Dr. Shaw thrives on helping others excel and become better.

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Meet

 Family Luv Medical/Birthing Center

Family Luv Medical/Birthing Center was founded in November 2011 by Destiny Brongniart and Candi Highmist. The Center is a family oriented practice that believes in giving the patient the best care and experience possible. We at FLMC care about you and your health and our motto is a "family’s love is good medicine". Not only do we care about our patients as if they were our own family but we also have trained professionals who are caring, loving and have the knowledge base to provide your every need.

We are reasonably priced and have the best role play a person could ask for. Ask previous patients about their experience with FLMC. Get the real dish on us from our patients. We give you a very realistic experience and no hassles.

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We sincerely thank all of our sponsors!

If you want to support other ways, we do have clothing for sell at the events. Here's a look into what we are selling. 

Don't miss out and come join us for the rest of  homecoming this week! 

See you there!!!

Signing Out

Dr. Cassie Shaw

                        aka

                            Big Sister On Point

🤦‍♀️ PCOS Awareness Month 🤦‍♀️

Warning... If you do not like read about girly parts, blood and things of that nature please exit the blog 😉. Before getting into the facts about what PCOS is, let me just tell you a little facts about myself. When I was pregnant and was having a lot of different issues in my pregnancy starting with my hormone levels, to bleeding at a lot of different points in my pregnancy, to high blood pressure to ending up with preeclampsia, to finding out I had poly-cystic cyst that the doctors swore to me would go away on it's on, I knew something wasn't right. After the birth of my son, my menstrual was never the same, sometimes I got my menstrual and sometimes it wouldn't come for months. When it did come the longest it lasted was a two months and I bled so bad that I became anemic. During that time test was done on me and I kept getting the run around about what need to happen versus what was going on. Two years ago I found another doctor and began the testing again and I found out I had PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and of course I had no idea what it was except that it was something that was causing problems in my everyday life.  Mostly all of the symptoms listed below I had and it is no fun living with this.  A lot of people do not know about this and the fact of how many women actually suffers from it. I chose to do this blog because it represents me, as well as some of my sorority sisters, and I had a chance to give my voice on it and to educate other women. 

Last year (14 1/2 years after having my son),  I finally found the right doctor for me. This doctor took care of me and looked into everything that was happening to me as I had been bleeding since the beginning of August 2019 and when I met my doctor it was toward the end of September and I was still bleeding. She did all kinds of test and procedures to try to stop the bleeding and find out what else was causing it. I had Fibroids as well as PCOS so this contributed also to the pains and the excessive bleeding. Throughout the different procedures I underwent I was still in a lot of pain and still bleeding. This year in the end of May I had a hysterectomy as this was at this point, the only option. Of course like any woman would, I had reservations about it but I knew I wanted the pain and consistently being sick and fatigued to go away. Good thing I had the hysterectomy becaause during the surgery it was made aware that I not only had PCOS and Fibroids but I also had stage 4 endometriosis. 

So yes I wear teal for me and my sisters because I fought and they will continue to fight. 

What is PCOS?
Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine system disorder impacting hormone production in women, often causing irregular menstrual cycles. It disrupts fertility health for these women in many ways! Why PCOS happens is still somewhat of a mystery. It could be a genetic condition, yet is believed to be a result of hormonal imbalance and the body’s inability to properly regulate insulin, which is made worse by poor diet, excess body fat, and an inactive lifestyle. Each woman with PCOS presents differently, beyond irregular cycles, many often experiences any combination of symptoms: anovulation, excess male-patterned hair growth, thinning hair or hair loss, acne, has multiple cysts on her ovaries, may be overweight or obese, yet may be thin, insulin resistance, and this list could probably go on.
With PCOS, women typically have:

• High levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, though females also make them.
• Missed or irregular periods (monthly bleeding)
• Many small cysts (sists) (fluid-filled sacs) in their ovaries

What is the cause of PCOS?

The cause of PCOS is unknown. But most experts think that several factors, including genetics, could play a role. Women with PCOS are more likely to have a mother or sister with PCOS.

A main underlying problem with PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. In women with PCOS, the ovaries make more androgens than normal. Androgens are male hormones that females also make. High levels of these hormones affect the development and release of eggs during ovulation.

Researchers also think insulin may be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. Many women with PCOS have too much insulin in their bodies because they have problems using it. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. High androgen levels can lead to:

• Acne
• Excessive hair growth
• Weight gain
• Problems with ovulation

Want to know if you possibly have PCOS? Check out the symptoms

The symptoms of PCOS can vary from woman to woman. Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:

• Infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating. In fact, PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility 
• Infrequent, absent, and/or irregular menstrual periods
• Hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um) — increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
• Cysts on the ovaries
• Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
• Weight gain or obesity, usually with extra weight around the waist
• Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
• Patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs that are thick and dark brown or black
• Skin tags — excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
• Pelvic pain
• Anxiety or depression
• Sleep apnea — when breathing stops for short periods of time while asleep

How can you get tested?

There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will take the following steps to find out if you have PCOS or if something else is causing your symptoms.

• Medical history. Your doctor will ask about your menstrual periods, weight changes, and other symptoms.
• Physical exam. Your doctor will want to measure your blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist size. He or she also will check the areas of increased hair growth. You should try to allow the natural hair to grow for a few days before the visit.
• Pelvic exam. Your doctor might want to check to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen by the increased number of small cysts.
• Blood tests. Your doctor may check the androgen hormone and glucose (sugar) levels in your blood.
• Vaginal ultrasound (sonogram). Your doctor may perform a test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the pelvic area. It might be used to examine your ovaries for cysts and check the endometrium (en-do-MEE-tree-uhm) (lining of the womb). This lining may become thicker if your periods are not regular.

What are some risks with having PCOS?

Women with PCOS have greater chances of developing several serious health conditions, including life-threatening diseases. Recent studies found that:

• More than 50 percent of women with PCOS will have diabetes or pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) before the age of 40.
• The risk of heart attack is 4 to 7 times higher in women with PCOS than women of the same age without PCOS.
• Women with PCOS are at greater risk of having high blood pressure.
• Women with PCOS have high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Women with PCOS can develop sleep apnea. This is when breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep.

Women with PCOS may also develop anxiety and depression. It is important to talk to your doctor about treatment for these mental health conditions.

Women with PCOS are also at risk for endometrial cancer. Irregular menstrual periods and the lack of ovulation cause women to produce the hormone estrogen, but not the hormone progesterone. Progesterone causes the endometrium (lining of the womb) to shed each month as a menstrual period. Without progesterone, the endometrium becomes thick, which can cause heavy or irregular bleeding. Over time, this can lead to endometrial hyperplasia, when the lining grows too much, and cancer.

Get educated and get informed.

Signing out

Cassie D. Shaw MD 

             aka Big Sister On Point

PCOS

🚑 Sickle Cell Awareness Month 🚑

 

Like I always start off, this is a month that is dear to me but before we go into that, let me just explain to everyone just exactly what is Sickle Cell Disease, who it affects and why is it so important that we try to help to find some kind of solution or cure.

What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a condition that affects people around the world. Due to the serious health problems associated with SCD there is a need to know more about the disease.

Among those with SCD, their red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a "sickle". The sickle-shaped cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. When a person doesn't have enough red blood cells, they have a condition called anemia. Also, when these misshaped blood cells travel through small blood vessels, they can get stuck and clog the blood flow. Whenever this happens, it results in severe pain and organ damage and can cause serious infections.

People with SCD can live productive lives and enjoy most of the activities that people without SCD do. These are some things that people with SCD can do to stay as healthy as possible:

• Get regular checkups ~ Regular health checkups with a primary care doctor can help prevent some serious problems.

• Prevent infections ~ Common illnesses, like influenza quickly can become dangerous for a child with SCD. The best defense is to take simple steps to help prevent infections.

• Learn healthy habits ~ People with SCD should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day and eat healthy food. They also should try not to get too hot, too cold, or too tired.

• Look for clinical studies ~ New clinical research studies are happening all the time to find better treatments and, hopefully, a cure for SCD. People who take part in these studies might have access to new medicines and treatments.

• Get support ~ People with SCD should find a patient support group or other organization in the community that can provide information, assistance, and support.

However, there are also stages to this disease and those with the more severe stage find it hard to participate in everyday lives because going through Sickle Cell "Crisis" also cause organ damage and this also affects the person's quality of life.

How do you get it?

People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait (SCT). People with SCT usually do not have any of the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), but they can pass the trait on to their children.

SCT is diagnosed with a simple blood test. People at risk of having SCT can talk with a doctor or health clinic about getting this test.

How Sickle Cell Trait is Inherited

• If both parents have SCT, there is a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance that any child of theirs also will have SCT, if the child inherits the sickle cell gene from one of the parents. Such children will not have symptoms of SCD, but they can pass SCT on to their children.

• If both parents have SCT, there is a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that any child of theirs will have SCD. There is the same 25% (or 1 in 4) chance that the child will not have SCD or SCT.

-- Know your body especially before having children. Although I do not have the disease, I deal with this on a very regular basis due to someone in my family. This disease is lethal and very painful. It causes organ damage and failure and leads to death. I am being blunt because it's just that serious. 

If you know someone in your life with the disease then you understand what I am saying.

Every year, Eta Sigma Delta does their annual Greek Homecoming which is a set of week long events, while this is fun it is also to serve for a very important cause, Sickle Cell Awareness. We raise money to donate in the hopes of one day they will find more effective ways to help our loved ones. Help in the cause... This year those events will be held from September 28th - October 3rd.

Signing off
Cassie D. Shaw MD
                       aka
                           Big Sister On Point