If you have later stage cancer or if surgery is not your preference and you have stage I cancer, talk to your doctor about radiation therapy. Radiation therapy requires multiple visits, but the advantage is that it is not invasive like surgery (i.e. it does not require cutting into you to remove the cancer). There are two types of radiation that are commonly used to treat cervical cancer. The first is called external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), in which the radioactive beams are emitted from a source outside your body and directed toward your cervix and the surrounding area. The second type of radiation therapy is called brachytherapy — rods containing radiation are inserted through the vagina up against the cervix. They are then left there for one to two days and emit local radiation which works to treat the cervical cancer. This is done in the hospital.  Again, the extent of radiation as well as the effectiveness of this mode of treatment depends upon the stage and severity of your cervical cancer. Radiation treatment can have significant side effects. EBRT may cause fatigue, upset stomach, diarrhea, skin damage, bladder discomfort, vaginal pain, anemia, and menstrual changes (including early menopause). Brachytherapy may cause irritation of the vagina and vulva. Fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, irritation of the bladder, and low blood counts may also occur.  Long-term effects of radiation treatment may include vaginal scarring, which may make vaginal sex painful. You may also experience vaginal dryness, swelling of the legs, and it may weaken your bones. Radiation is most commonly combined with chemotherapy. This is because, for cervical cancer, the combination of radiation and chemotherapy is synergistic and provides significant additional benefit (rather than simply opting for one or the other). When chemotherapy is combined with radiation, as described above, it is termed "chemoradiation." This can be a very effective mode of treatment, because the chemotherapy has what is called a "sensitizing effect" on the tissues on and around the cervix. What this means is that the tissues then become more susceptible to the radiation, and it is as such that the combined modality of treatment gains its synergistic effect. Unfortunately, many of the most effective methods for treating cervical cancer can have deleterious effects on one's future ability to have children. As a result, your doctor may recommend that you freeze some of your eggs prior to undergoing treatment such as radiation, so that the eggs do not become damaged due to the treatment. Most women will need to have a surrogate carry the pregnancy if they freeze their eggs.
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One-sentence summary -- Inquire about radiation. Undergo chemotherapy treatments. Understand that you may need to have some of your eggs frozen prior to treatment.


In two separate microwave-safe bowls melt the white chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in the microwave for about 2 to 3 minutes each in 30 second bursts, and stir the mix regularly. Pour the melted chips into separate small plastic bags. Let the melted chocolate fall to one side of the plastic bag, and cut a small hole in the opposite, empty corner with scissors. Don't cut the corner with lots of chocolate or you may accidentally lose some of the melted chocolate. If your spoons are a gift for somebody else, find out what kind of hot drinks they like and include a drink mix with your spoons. You can put them all into a little straw basket, or if you include a large mug with the spoons, you can place the spoons and drink mix in the mug itself as a self-contained gift. Wrap the whole gift with a red or green ribbon, and voila — the perfect gift for the coffee or hot cocoa lover in your life.
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One-sentence summary -- Melt white and milk chocolate to drizzle over the spoons with a plastic bag. Cut a small hole in one corner of each plastic bag. Pair your spoons with drink mixes and mugs for the perfect holiday gift.


Don't wear any type of balm or cosmetics on your lips. Either brush your teeth first or gargle with mouthwash before you play your bassoon. Otherwise, food and bacteria residue can build up on your reeds and affect how they play. Keep your instrument at a 45 degree angle across your body. Holding it straight up can interfere with fingering and playing the lower register. Embouchure refers to the placement of your mouth, lips and tongue when playing an instrument. Place the reed in your mouth. Cover your teeth with your lips, keeping your lips relaxed. Don't bite down on the reed or flatten out your lips. Imagine that there is a drawstring in your lips, and someone is pulling the string towards the back of your mouth, forming a cushion over the reed with your lips.  Your upper lip should almost touch the first wire. Keep your chin muscles stretched downward and your cheeks smooth.  Practice in front of a mirror to make sure your embouchure is correct. Use the tip of your tongue for articulating; for example, accent and staccato. Think of the way you would move your mouth to say the word “dough.” If you are playing very fast, there is a special method for that called “double tonguing.” Repeatedly make the noises of the letters “d” and “g” in succession inside your mouth, up against the reed. Breathe in with your diaphragm and out with your abdominal muscles. To better grasp this technique, try relaxed breathing by lying on your back on the floor (without your bassoon). This is a simple way to observe how you properly breathe with straight posture. Consult a fingering chart and keep it nearby for reference while you are still learning. The whisper key is your left thumb's home base. Don't rest your right thumb on the bassoon. If you want to play sheet music, you'll need to learn music notations. You can learn how to read music and play the bassoon simultaneously by taking lessons. Practice fast and slow air flow. This will help you to observe how air stream affects pitch. Blow into the bocal slowly. Then increase your air flow without changing your embouchure. Practice vibrato. Vibrato is when you add pulsing to notes. Try not to use pressure from your jaw to make a vibrato effect. Use your abdomen primarily and your larynx secondarily to create vibrato pulsations.
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One-sentence summary -- Make sure your mouth is clean. Position the bassoon. Practice embouchure. Place your tongue properly. Breathe comfortably. Learn fingering. Try different air techniques.


Choose an area with good lighting. Cover your work surface with newspaper or a cheap, plastic, tablecloth. If you will be working with spray paint, it would be best if you work in a well-ventilated area; outside would be best. If there are any places on your plastic you do not wish to paint, cover them in painter's tape. Spray paint works especially well for plastic, but you can use acrylic or enamel/model paint as well. It would be even better if the paint is meant for plastic. Check the label, and look for words such as: "Plastic" or "Multi-Surface." At this point, your project is complete and ready to use. If you'd like to add some details or a top coat, read on to the next part. If you applied masking tape earlier, you should remove it now. Peel it away carefully so that you don't accidentally chip the paint.
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One-sentence summary --
Set up your workspace. Choose a paint that is suitable for plastic. Let the paint to dry completely after your final coat.