Welcome!

One of our reader’s letters (page 24) reminded me of a story we ran in many years ago. It was shared by a gutsy young woman who’d been paralysed in a windshield, she’d remain calm and pull over when it was safe to do so, then call for help. That very scenario did occur and because she’d rehearsed the moment, she managed not to panic and did just as she’d planned. A few years ago, another reader wrote that an item in our mag had saved her husband’s life. It was just a small list of facts on how to recognise a heart attack (for the record, it’s pressure, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back; nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain; shortness of breath; cold sweat; fatigue; light-headedness or sudden dizziness). The relevant issue of our mag was still sitting on their coffee table when her hubby said he was feeling a bit crook and was heading off for a lie-down. Remembering what she’d read, his wife questioned h›m a bit further, decided to take him to hospital and found that he had indeed suffered a heart attack. This week, Ruth from Queensland wrote to thank a recent Medifile case study, Helen, for sharing her story of finding out that she had Lynch syndrome, an inherited disorder that increases the risk of certain types of cancer. Ruth found out that she also has the syndrome. ‘There is not much known about it,’ wrote Ruth, who is glad she found out early, so she can now have regular tests. I am also glad that because of you, our readers, we are able to share so many stories that make a difference.