Columbia Basin Herald

November 14, 2017 2 a.m.

Chicken thighs underrated but loaded with potential

Chicken thighs aren’t the most glamorous pieces of the bird. Most people don’t clamor for them, hoping instead for the wings (think bar food) or breasts. Wing pieces are extremely popular, but I think there isn’t much meat on them for the trouble involved getting it off. I can think of one company making wing-like portions out of much cheaper and meatier thighs. Bone-in breasts are generally breaded and deep-fried, but I find that most of the time these white-meat portions are overcooked and chalky. The boneless and skinless versions are handy, but they too can be overcooked in a flash.

June 28, 2018 3 a.m.

Kindness to all

Here I am whirling around in philanthropy care in the Tri-Cities for the Corvettes in the Columbia annual fundraiser, graduation party, then Seattle for another graduation party and to help with the children co-op programs and Refit breast cancer awareness, to come home to a thank-you letter from the U.S. President and getting ready to volunteer for the Presbyterian vacation Bible study, only to hear the news of a 13-year-old child committing suicide.

October 18, 2017 1 a.m.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but with nearly a quarter-million women in the country impacted by the disease annually, it’s a topic that should and does receive the utmost attention at Columbia Basin Health Association.

October 18, 2016 1 a.m.

Mammograms important to timely detection of breast cancer

Catching it early

MOSES LAKE — Doctors and a diagnostic imaging technician talked about what women can expect when they undergo a mammogram, and what happens if something is found during a seminar about breast cancer Oct. 12.

April 16, 2024 11:27 a.m.

Afton Reynolds Richards

Nov. 26, 1985 – April 11, 2024

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Afton Reynolds Richards, 38, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Born November 26, 1985, to Layne and Elaine Reynolds in St. Anthony, Idaho, Afton grew up on the family farm in Echo, Oregon.

October 14, 2016 1 a.m.

Breast cancer survivors stress regular exams, taking control

MOSES LAKE — Stephanie Maiers-Chambers said the diagnosis of breast cancer was a horrible moment, but the outpouring of support after the diagnosis was overwhelming. “I’ve never felt so much love,” she said. Christin Boisse said she learned to speak up when she thought something was wrong. “Definitely be your own advocate when it comes to your health care.” Maiers-Chambers and Boisse were among the speakers on a panel of breast cancer survivors at “Breast Friends Forever,” a seminar Wednesday on breast cancer detection and treatment sponsored by the Samaritan Healthcare Foundation. A panel of physicians and an imaging technician talked about what patients can expect if they receive a cancer diagnosis. Stephanie and Christin were joined on the panel by Shirley Bartalle, a two-time survivor. “Real heroes,” said Angel Kneedler, director of the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. “My message to all of you is early detection,” Bartalle said. Early detection is the reason she was sitting there Wednesday night, she said. Bartalle said he first diagnosis came in 1999, when she was 53. “It showed up again on the other side” in 2011. Her doctors gave her a range of options for treatment, and she decided on a double mastectomy, with reconstructive surgery at the same time. In Shirley’s case, when the cancer recurred it was found before it spread to her lymph nodes. When the doctor gave her that news, “that was a huge day,” she said. Maiers-Chambers said her first indication something was wrong was being tired all the time. She had a mammogram, a follow up was required, then she received the diagnosis. “I couldn’t believe it was happening to me.” Her cancer had spread to some lymph nodes. “Nobody respects the lymphatic system until you have some removed,” she said. Her treatment included chemotherapy and radiation, and it was rough. But she received an outpouring of support. “My family was insanely amazing. Especially my husband,” she said. Friends rallied around, “people who didn’t know me very well sent me text messages.” Boisse developed inflammatory breast cancer, which affects about 1 to 5 percent of breast cancer patients in the U.S. It usually gets diagnosed later (stage 3 or stage 4), because it’s different from other breast cancers. She was pregnant when her symptoms appeared, she said, and her doctors suspected - and treated - other illnesses. That was when she learned, she said, that it’s important to find experts in her disease and ask as many questions as necessary. She ended up seeking treatment in Texas. “This is life or death stuff.” If people want to give to cancer causes, Christin said, she would suggest supporting research. Her type of cancer means “I will be in treatment for life,” she said, but advances in research mean the treatment won’t be as debilitating. “I’m here and can have a normal life,” she said. Support of family and friends has been vital while she was fighting the disease, she said. Christin and Stephanie said the support that helped them the most were the gestures people made - offering to care for their children for a few hours, volunteering to do some housework, fixing and dropping off a meal. “There are so many little things,” Boisse said. When people tell a cancer patient to call if they need anything, “we won’t call,” she said. “You just come.”