Well, here I sit blogging/procrastinating/ignoring the fact that I have 1 week to get ready for Christmas before surgery.....AAARRRGGHHH!! And I can't seem to get motivated! On a subconscious level, I am hoping that this is a walk in the park and I will rush about with all the last minute shoppers on the 24th! .....if I had a $ for every "oh, it's laproscopic! You'll be up and running in days" I would hire someone to bake, decorate, etc. (Not really....just a bit of sarcasm.) However, my doctor told me to expect a 6-8 week recovery period because of recent surgeries and complications. Anything sooner will be a bonus. .....panic mode really hasn't set in.....yet! I am just thinking about it - hahahah!
I need to get exercising to get those happy holiday endorphins flowing and to church for patience and more patience.
Eat, pray, walk! Shelley xo
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
2012 ending soon
Today I got the call for my upcoming surgery! Waahoo! Can't wait to get this done... 2012 started with cancer surgery and is ending with cancer prevention surgery...what a year!
2013 can only get better from here....I am looking forward to the new normal...one without doctor appointments, surgeries, and all that comes with that stuff!
Eat, pray, walk! Shelley xoxo
2013 can only get better from here....I am looking forward to the new normal...one without doctor appointments, surgeries, and all that comes with that stuff!
Eat, pray, walk! Shelley xoxo
Monday, November 12, 2012
One more surgery....then "home free"
One day at a time.....I am starting to get this...one more surgery....
In order for me to continue hormone therapy to further reduce recurrence, I must be post menopausal. The only way to guarantee post menopause is "one more surgery".....thank goodness it will be laprascopic. Although I was hoping this would occur in 1-2 year's time, it is recommended that this happen as soon as possible. So I am to expect a call from the General Hospital in the near future to book for Dec/Jan. Yikes! Just when I was hoping to start focusing on returning to work....This surgery is to allow for alternative hormone therapy due to my clotting issues.
Although the physio sessions have been really positive and scar tissue movement and arm swelling have really improved, my greatest frustration continues to be lack of energy! For example, a good day consists of exercising, vacuuming/floors, laundry and supper with no napping OR exercising and grocery shopping. Grocery shopping almost does me in for the day...this is crazy! I am soooo not used to this pace! After one or two of these days in a row, it's like I take a step backwards and struggle to complete one task in a day and I need to sleep...there is no gas left in the tank....not even fumes. Hahaha! I can't believe I call a "good day" one that includes house work!! Times have most definitely changed! Similarly, Patience is a virtue - one that I continue to learn and pray for on a daily basis. On a positive note, the Reiki healings from my brother Trent have been awesome and energy levels are remarkably higher! I am now able to self-reiki on a "good" day and it feels GREAT!
Well, I hope to be "home free" after this next surgery.....well, almost home free.....reconstruction is still a ways away and I welcome that surgery with open arms!
:-)
Love to all, Shelley
In order for me to continue hormone therapy to further reduce recurrence, I must be post menopausal. The only way to guarantee post menopause is "one more surgery".....thank goodness it will be laprascopic. Although I was hoping this would occur in 1-2 year's time, it is recommended that this happen as soon as possible. So I am to expect a call from the General Hospital in the near future to book for Dec/Jan. Yikes! Just when I was hoping to start focusing on returning to work....This surgery is to allow for alternative hormone therapy due to my clotting issues.
Although the physio sessions have been really positive and scar tissue movement and arm swelling have really improved, my greatest frustration continues to be lack of energy! For example, a good day consists of exercising, vacuuming/floors, laundry and supper with no napping OR exercising and grocery shopping. Grocery shopping almost does me in for the day...this is crazy! I am soooo not used to this pace! After one or two of these days in a row, it's like I take a step backwards and struggle to complete one task in a day and I need to sleep...there is no gas left in the tank....not even fumes. Hahaha! I can't believe I call a "good day" one that includes house work!! Times have most definitely changed! Similarly, Patience is a virtue - one that I continue to learn and pray for on a daily basis. On a positive note, the Reiki healings from my brother Trent have been awesome and energy levels are remarkably higher! I am now able to self-reiki on a "good" day and it feels GREAT!
Well, I hope to be "home free" after this next surgery.....well, almost home free.....reconstruction is still a ways away and I welcome that surgery with open arms!
:-)
Love to all, Shelley
Sunday, November 4, 2012
4 Weeks Post Chemo
Wow! Where did the month go?? I have been busy but I really haven't accomplished a whole heck of a lot!
Every week there are two physio appointments....that and daily walks with a nap and the daily exercises for mobility, hand therapy and lymphedema pretty much take care of the day.....The odd load of laundry, vacuum and dusting are mixed in there too.
This past week there was more frustration than anything.....I need to find some more patience. Initially my thought was "survive chemo - the rest is easy". However, after 4 weeks of no chemo, I still struggle with energy, no eyebrows and no eye lashes. Yup! They all fell off!! And I lost a couple of toe nails to boot!! These are all side effects of chemo and mentally I was prepared for this DURING treatment.....it has been a bit of a blow to have this happen one month AFTER treatment. At physio, the gals there tell me this is normal and I 'm not losing my mind....post chemo aches and pains are very common. The good thing is that I didn't have to do much for Halloween this year....there was a strong resemblance to Uncle Fester this year. Remember him from the Addams Family? HAHAHA!Yes, things could be worse but really.....after 4 weeks?? I am really trying to stay positive here!
I am also please to report that I havent' craved a steak or hot dog since chemo ended! LOL!! Chicken is in!
The Sunday Leader Post had some great articles on Breast Cancer Survivors called Battle Scars It puts into words what I cannot.
Also, I finally located Jeff's picture on Bob's phone.....thanks for thinking of me!! xoxo
Stay safe as the weather is trying to decide what to do! Shelley
Every week there are two physio appointments....that and daily walks with a nap and the daily exercises for mobility, hand therapy and lymphedema pretty much take care of the day.....The odd load of laundry, vacuum and dusting are mixed in there too.
This past week there was more frustration than anything.....I need to find some more patience. Initially my thought was "survive chemo - the rest is easy". However, after 4 weeks of no chemo, I still struggle with energy, no eyebrows and no eye lashes. Yup! They all fell off!! And I lost a couple of toe nails to boot!! These are all side effects of chemo and mentally I was prepared for this DURING treatment.....it has been a bit of a blow to have this happen one month AFTER treatment. At physio, the gals there tell me this is normal and I 'm not losing my mind....post chemo aches and pains are very common. The good thing is that I didn't have to do much for Halloween this year....there was a strong resemblance to Uncle Fester this year. Remember him from the Addams Family? HAHAHA!Yes, things could be worse but really.....after 4 weeks?? I am really trying to stay positive here!
I am also please to report that I havent' craved a steak or hot dog since chemo ended! LOL!! Chicken is in!
The Sunday Leader Post had some great articles on Breast Cancer Survivors called Battle Scars It puts into words what I cannot.
Also, I finally located Jeff's picture on Bob's phone.....thanks for thinking of me!! xoxo
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