Final Post

After 108 blog posts and over 200 medical appointments, I happily, respectfully, thankfully, and prayfully write the final post of this chapter in our lives.

It has been almost four week s of “return to work” life and strength training.  And I am happy to report that things are going well.  Those first two weeks were tougher than I ever imagined!  Actually tougher to the point where I thought I wasn’t ready to return.  Tough you may ask? How so?  Well, I actually swelled up across the chest to the point where it was too sore to wear prosthetics and absolutely too sore for physical therapy on the left side of my body.  With creative dressing, laser therapy and acupuncture the swelling subsided and I am starting to feel more normal.  It will be interesting to see how the ol’ body adapts to increased work hours next week.  I will be working every day for four hours for the next two weeks. I still look forward to weekends and tend to sleep a little more now but time will help readjust to the pace of life.

Bobby, Alycia, Mikayla and Robbie still have mixed emotions regarding my return to work….however; it is because I think they were spoiled with hot breakfast, lunch and dinner, baking and laundry on a daily basis. With that said, it was/is time to reclaim some of my former life. Poor Zoe….she seems a little lost when I come home from work.  So far walks and snowshoeing are a priority for us both.

This past year and a bit has given me the opportunity to rethink life, love and happiness…..I am thankful for the awesome opportunity. As this is my final post to “we can with love” I thought I would share my final thoughts and promises:

I promise to be kinder, more patient, and more attentive to myself and to my family.  I promise not to get caught up in work life to the point where it takes over my home and family life.I promise to be thankful for every day….with and without snow and -40 wind chills.I promise to be a good friend, colleague, mother, wife, sister and daughter.

Please continue to pray or send good vibes and positive energy,  to all who are battling cancer  or other diseases and for a cure.

Thank you again for being a part of our crazy journey!

Much love, Shelley, Bob, Alycia, Mikayla, Robbie & Zoe

P.S. I found an App that will convert this blog to a book that I will cherish each and every comment/post and all posts in its entirety.  It will be on our end table when you come to visit! xo

Prayers & (a few) Swears

It has been a busy past few weeks with tests, assessments, physio, exercise.... and, tomorrow marks the beginning of a return to work plan! Waahoo!  I am actually excited about this! The plan involves three four-hour shifts a week for four weeks.  This will allow me to adjust to the new activity and better manage the expected swelling and discomfort of doing things different.  Along side these work shifts, I will continue with physio therapy and strength training.  It will be busy!

My oncologist appointment last blog post was uneventful really.  I am to continue the course of Tamoxifen and Fragmin every day for the next two years.  At which time I will be switched to Letrozole and Warfin/Pradac. Everything else is fine and I will be monitored every four months for the next bit.

Today I will organize my thoughts on things I am thankful for and things that well, just irked me a bit ;)

Prayers....I am truly thankful for....

• Return to work plan
• Uneventful oncology appointment
• Physio therapy with Tracy, Allissa and Karen
• Strength training with Jenna
• Energy to get through the day without the burning desire to have a nap (hmmmm, I may have spoken to soon on this one!)

Swears....(just a few)

• Eyelashes...my lovely long eyelashes all fell out!  There is a bit of growth once again....it could be worse. 
• Eyebrows....they are itchy but I am scared to scratch them in case they follow my eyelashes to the floor
• Clothes....it has been over a year since I wore a suit and heels to work.  Finding things to look and feel good in is a challenge
• Snow....weather is brutal outside!  We are to expect 20cm of snow tonight!  Hahaha! It might be a snow day on my first day back......(like that would ever happen in Saskatchewan!!)

More Prayers.....I am thankful that eyelashes, eyebrows, clothes and snow do not define who I am or limit me in any way. These are little set backs in the grand scheme of things.

Cheers to reclaiming a bit more of my former life with renewed "joi de vie"!

Love, Shelley

P.S.
The Pink Earth Angels are hosting a pancake/brunch breakfast at The Copper Kettle this coming Sunday from 9:00 AM - Noon.  Tickets are at the doors for $15. 
100% of proceeds go to support women and men dealing with breast cancer.  Hope to see you there!