How I told my family and friends about my cancer
In this installment of what I call my 'living with dying' series, I'm going to share how I told my friends about my terminal diagnosis. As with all of these pieces, one size does not fit all. But I hope others might snag something useful from it.
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Fox News
33 minutes ago
- Fox News
California pastor John MacArthur hospitalized with life-threatening illness as church community rallies
John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, California, has reportedly been hospitalized with pneumonia following years of health complications. The announcement regarding the 86-year-old's health came as the congregation was celebrating Sunday service over the weekend, according to The Roys Report. "This week, Pastor John contracted pneumonia," associate pastor Tom Patton reportedly announced at the church's 11 a.m. service on Sunday. "He was admitted into the hospital and may be in the presence of the Lord soon." Patton reportedly asked the congregation to pray for MacArthur, along with his wife, four children and fifteen grandchildren. The pastor previously made national headlines after a California judge ruled he could continue holding in-person services despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide coronavirus restrictions. MacArthur has suffered from years of health complications while in the spotlight, including a sudden onset of illness during a 2023 service. Since 2023, he has reportedly undergone numerous surgeries to treat atrial fibrillation and other conditions. He was reportedly hospitalized earlier this year while undergoing a "second procedure" on his lungs, according to the outlet. "That procedure was successful, and (I) am now back at home," MacArthur previously said in a statement at the time, according to The Roys Report. "The doctors are optimistic about my recovery, and I am eager to return to you once I regain my strength." However, MacArthur's prognosis reportedly created uncertainty regarding his health among the church's congregants, with Patton telling members of the community that the pastor's recovery from "three surgeries in the second half of 2024" was "slower than expected, and saw "occasional setbacks affecting his heart, lungs and kidneys." MacArthur has led GCC's congregation for 56 years and is president of Grace to You, a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing nearly 400 book titles authored by the pastor, according to the church's website. "We place our dear pastor at the feet of the glorious Savior," Patton was quoted as saying during Sunday's service. "Whom he has served so faithfully for so many years and now awaits His final command to be in his presence forever." Grace Community Church did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Vogue
an hour ago
- Vogue
5 Natural Sweeteners That Won't Spike Your Glucose
There's no way around it—many of us consume far too much sugar. Though the maximum recommended daily amount of sugar is 9 teaspoons, most adults in the United States average a whopping 17 teaspoons each day. Of course, a lot of that sugar is consumed accidentally. Often, it is hidden in plain sight. According to research, between 60% and 80% of packaged foods and beverages sold in grocery stores contain added sugar. And it's not just in the obvious 'sweet' foods like cookies, cakes, and chocolates either; even so-called savory foods like dips, sauces, and soups are often covertly laced with sugar in some form. Think: high fructose corn syrup, fruit juice, and aspartame. Sugar is so omnipresent in our foods that it insidiously creeps into our diets and becomes addictive. Luckily, there are some things you can do to cut back. First, learn to read ingredient labels and remember that anything that ends in '-ose' is usually a form of sugar—i.e. glucose and sucrose. Next, avoid processed foods as much as possible. And, lastly, find substitutes for white sugar that won't cause blood glucose to spike. The latter isn't as hard as it sounds. Many natural sweeteners come without the glucose-spiking qualities of conventional white sugar. Here, we've listed some favorites along with their glycemic indexes (GI)—a.k.a. the rate at which the glucose level of the blood is raised on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being pure glucose. After all, sometimes you need a little something sweet. Life is short—and a life without the occasional treat would be no fun at all. 5 natural sweeteners that won't spike glucose 1. Agave syrup (GI 15) Agave syrup is a natural sweetener extracted from the sap of the agave plant, which is the same plant that tequila is made from. Agave has a fluid texture and a sweet flavor thanks to its fructose concentration, but its glycemic index is three times lower than that of white sugar (GI 15). It can easily be used in drinks, desserts, dressings, and other dishes that require a little sweetness. 2. Honey (GI 55) Though vegans may want to stay away, raw honey is a great sugar substitute. With a moderate glycemic index (GI 55) and distinctive flavor, it's the perfect compliment to healthy breakfasts and snacks. Most honey—especially Manuka—also contains medicinal properties and can be used for everything from soothing sore throats to healing wounds. Win-win. 3. Coconut sugar (GI 35) Coconut sugar is the natural sweetener obtained from the sap of coconut blossoms. Less refined than white cane sugar, it has a fairly low glycemic index (GI 35), making it a sensible alternative for curbing cravings. It also contains a significant amount of inulin, a prebiotic fiber beneficial to digestion. And its unique, sweet, caramelized flavor makes it an indispensable part of the culinary repertoire, especially in pastry-making. 4. Monk fruit (GI 0) Monk fruit is 250 times sweeter than cane sugar, yet it contains no calories or carbohydrates. Derived from the fruit of the monk fruit plant, this natural sweetener contains mogrosides that do not raise blood sugar levels—it does not contain any glucose or fructose. Thus, the glycemic index of monk fruit sugar is 0, which means it does not raise blood sugar levels. 5. Date syrup (GI 47) Dates are like nature's candy, with a sweet, caramel flavor. But despite their confectionary conjurings, the fruit's glycemic index is around 47, less than half that of conventional sugar. Same goes for date syrup, which contains essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron as well as antioxidants and fiber. Have a beauty or wellness trend you're curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue's senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Epstein-Barr Is More Dangerous Than You Think
Hi it's Karoline in Singapore, where one in four people will get cancer in their lifetime. A recent study found a common virus could be more powerful in causing cancers than previously thought. More on that in a moment, but first ... The Epstein-Barr virus is one of the most common human viruses, with more than 90% of people in the world being infected at some point of their lives. It's spread by saliva and causes mononucleosis, known as the 'kissing disease.' Though EBV generally causes mild flu-like symptoms, it has been linked to immune dysfunctions, lymphomas and nose and stomach cancers.
