Category: Women’s Health

Posted on by

My cancer, my blessing – Lessons and advice from a cancer survivor.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

It was a sunny July day 2017 when my journey began, my life changing episodic events, which I now see as blessing, a chance for me to change the trajectory of my life.

I am now mentally and physically stronger, able to fulfill my life’s purpose with more vibrance and love than ever before.

When I received the diagnosis of a stage 3 colon cancer and the results of the 63 removed lymph nodes showed only 1 of them had cancer cells, I saw it as a wakeup call to change my daily mental and physical habits, and to prioritize the importance of a well-balanced life.

If I had listened to the signs my body was telling me and acted in accordance with the recommended screening for colon cancer prevention, my cancer may have been prevented. But I tried to focus on being happy that I had not taken even longer, or it could have been too late.

To my family and friends, I have always been seen as one who would always help them through their hardships. For the first time, they saw me vulnerable, someone who also needed them. My cancer brought us together as family, each took a part giving a helping hand and heart. We learned that “it takes a village”, we are a team, I am not alone.

Workwise, I have always been considered an unstoppable locomotive working long hours and remarkably close to patients and therapists. My passion to support and guide with my experience would often last from dawn to midnight.

It was only during my treatment, when I could no longer really work as much as I liked, and with the suggestions from my family, that I transferred much of my knowledge and expertise to others by hiring supportive supervisors and creating trainings through video. This proved to be a very effective endeavor, allowing me to help more people through an online platform, successfully treating, consulting therapists and patients and completing therapy-based projects to reach patients globally.

These past few years have been focused on listening to my body, my mind and what makes my heart beat faster with joy. I realized how close I came to my end of life, I also realized I had so much more to do, so much more to give.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1629387752423{border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1629386826543{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #edf7de !important;}”]

My Cancer… My Blessing: A New Beginning

Like tiny particles of sand whirling into the gusts of air
each one landing to form a fresh blanket a new surface.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

Like a lightning bolt spitting a tree
and a new sprout grows in its place.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

Like a train full speed ahead
stopping before a fatal crash.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

Like a Harsh winter’s snowstorm
before the new day of spring.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

A New Beginning.

Amee Cohen

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]If I could give you some advice, these would be it:

1. Listen to your mind and body. If you feel something is not functioning as it is supposed to, do not wait. Contact your physician.
2. Don’t stress over small problems. If you can only count to 10 and take deep breath, there is always a calm solution.
3. Be grateful. Practice looking at everything as a miracle, even in tiny simple things like feeling the breeze on your face, opening your eyes in the morning, or hugging your child.
4. Build meaningful relationships. Work is important but the people around you are paramount.
5. Have a purpose. No matter what you do, make your career about touching people’s lives.


Amee Cohen, President and founder of AC&Associates

You can also find us on our Social Media Channels: Instagram  |  Facebook |  Twitter
We look forward to helping you and your family through your wellness journey![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Posted on by

Identifying Postpartum Conditions

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD) affect up to 20% of women who gave birth, had a stillbirth or a miscarriage within the last 12 months.

This silent and severe condition not only impacts a mother’s mental health but also interferes with her ability to care for her baby and other daily basis tasks.

Babies require around-the-clock care, so it’s normal for mothers to feel tired or overwhelmed sometimes. However, Postpartum Depression is a more long-term condition, and it is not the mother’s fault.  Its possible causes vary from physical to emotional factors, such as family changes, lack of rest or sleep, physical pain or discomfort and hormone levels.

Some studies suggest that one of the causes of PPD may be the rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone after delivery. During pregnancy, those hormones levels increase tenfold and drop back to pre-pregnancy levels about only 3 days after labor.

Some factors that might increase the risks of having PPD can be limited social support, marital conflict, ambivalence about the pregnancy, history of depression during pregnancy, history of PPD.

There are three different kinds of Postpartum Conditions that affect the mother’s mental health, which differ in duration, symptoms and severity:

  • BABY BLUES:  A very common condition that affects up to 75% of women after delivery, the Baby Blues usually begins in the first week after delivery and goes away within two weeks without medical treatment. However, it is important to have a lot of support during this phase as well as help with the baby and chores. To help you recover, you should ask and/or accept help from friends and family, sleep and rest much as possible, eat healthy food, go outside for a walk in fresh air. If you are having the Baby Blues, you might experience mild mood changes and feel worried, unhappy and exhausted.
  • POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: This is a more severe condition than Baby Blues that affects 1 to 10 women after delivery. Mild to severe symptoms of mood swings, crying, irritability, fatigue, guilt, anxiety and inability to care for herself and the baby may appear within days of the delivery or gradually and may last up to a year. Treatment with a psychotherapy is pivotal for recovery.
  • POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS:  This is a quite rare and extremely severe form of PPD that affects about 1 in a thousand women.  Postpartum Psychosis requires immediate emergency medical attention, which usually includes the mother being admitted to a hospital as there is a risk of self-harm, suicide and harm to the baby. Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, insomnia, paranoia, delusions, hyperactivity, rapid speech, severe agitation, feelings of shame and hopeless.

May is Maternal Health and Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s help women who suffer from these silent conditions by raising awareness of Postpartum Depressions.

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms or if you know a woman who is, recontact us to reach a diagnosis as soon as possible and initiate treatment.

Click here to schedule a consultation with Mental Health Therapist.

Help a family grow happy and healthy!