Wow! Can you believe one year since first surgery is on the horizon? We remember Dr. Meyers informing us that the recovery from my surgeries and pending treatments would be 8 months to a year. Both Bob and I thought 8 months sounded reasonable....why wouldn't we? I had no prior medical problems, was fairly healthy....things looked like they were stacked in my favor for a great recovery! Hahahaha!! How naive we were!
These past few weeks have been sort of a turning point for me. I finally feel like doing things versus "making myself do" things. And it truly feels great! With this renewed level of energy of course comes the "return to work" plan. So it's official, I will resume work with the Ministry of Education on March 4th. It will be a gradual return to work plan with the hopes of full time status by May. This is to give my body (and mind) the opportunity to adjust to work life and find the new normal required to adjust. I am to expected fatigue, swelling, yaddayadda throughout this adjustment period. It will be important to recognize limitations and pull back when necessary. Hmmm, this is easier said than done I think! Part of my work plan is to start strength training so that I can "buff" the ol' arms up.....right now they are wet noodles.....hoping to get to "al dente" then the "gun show" ....hahahaha!
I will be posting one final blog after my February 21st oncology follow up..... Happy Family Day!
Love, Shelley xoxo
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Wet Noodles & Fuzz Cuts
It's been a while since my last blog.....
Physio is still going strong at two sessions per week. We are now in a position to start strength training to try to regain some of the muscle and strength I had.....I am currently operating with two arms that at times feel like wet noodles. Cutting semi-thawed meats is a challenge at best....one pound weights are as much as I can lift over head...it just takes a little more time and effort. I can do it though....with love and a lot of patience! My scar tissue is beginning to move which is also good news. This will get me in shape for reconstruction ...in about a year's time.
I had my second "fuzz" cut since chemo ended in October. Jenn actually used a comb on my hair this time! Lol! It's still very short and rather grey but is becoming more "salt & pepper" as the days go on. Six months is the recommended wait time for colour....should be interesting!
My energy level is slowly rising....I can now "make" it through a movie without sleeping! The kids are impressed! Walking feels like it should....a great work out without a nap.
I will have my first oncology follow up appointment on the 21st and really don't anticipate a whole lot. The pathology report from the hysterectomy was normal. Tamoxifen and Crestor are keeping me warm at night. (Had a near naked run through the snowy streets the other night....good thing the high winds kept me inside!) So really at the end of the day I must focus on healthy living - eating and exercise, mindfulness and on matters near to my heart....my family and friends like each of you.
With love, Shelley
Physio is still going strong at two sessions per week. We are now in a position to start strength training to try to regain some of the muscle and strength I had.....I am currently operating with two arms that at times feel like wet noodles. Cutting semi-thawed meats is a challenge at best....one pound weights are as much as I can lift over head...it just takes a little more time and effort. I can do it though....with love and a lot of patience! My scar tissue is beginning to move which is also good news. This will get me in shape for reconstruction ...in about a year's time.
I had my second "fuzz" cut since chemo ended in October. Jenn actually used a comb on my hair this time! Lol! It's still very short and rather grey but is becoming more "salt & pepper" as the days go on. Six months is the recommended wait time for colour....should be interesting!
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| JAN 2013 |
As for return to work, I am really hoping that these next 3 weeks give me enough strength to return in March on a gradual basis. If all goes well I will be back to full time in no time! It's exciting to think that I can reclaim some of my former life!
My energy level is slowly rising....I can now "make" it through a movie without sleeping! The kids are impressed! Walking feels like it should....a great work out without a nap.
I will have my first oncology follow up appointment on the 21st and really don't anticipate a whole lot. The pathology report from the hysterectomy was normal. Tamoxifen and Crestor are keeping me warm at night. (Had a near naked run through the snowy streets the other night....good thing the high winds kept me inside!) So really at the end of the day I must focus on healthy living - eating and exercise, mindfulness and on matters near to my heart....my family and friends like each of you.
With love, Shelley
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
January Update
This month has been a bit frustrating at times. Not only are the cold, cloudy days a bit nerving but my progress on the medical front (or lack there of) is slower than I would like it to be. Actually it isn't all doom and gloom as I really am progressing well... just really really slow.
There are more days of feeling well than not. That is a good thing. However, after 2 or 3 "good" days, I am exhausted! And that is without doing a whole lot of extra! When I am tired, I swell.....yup, good ol' lymphedema rears its head ever so slightly and I sleep. This past weekend, after grocery shopping, I had a crazy allergic reaction (at least I think that is what it was).....Initially I thought I was having a mega hot flash. Then I started to dry heave....itch, break out in hives, vomit,....not a pretty picture by any means. After taking a Reactine and within half hour, the itch and swelling subsided and all returned to normal. Today at physio, I was more swollen than usual which was attributed to the "allergic reaction". To top that off, I am still struggling with my impinging dominant shoulder....this has been a challenge since my last surgery. Not sure if I over did it compensating for all the aches and pains or if I was dropped during surgery LOL! Thank goodness the physio therapists, Alysia and Tracey are fantastic at what they do! My twice a week sessions are keeping everything at bay.
OK enough "whoa is me".....I am still doing really well! Bob and I had a great visit with our good friends the Hamms, the Wells, the McCrimmons, the Munns, the Shannons......so good to laugh with great friends! Karen and Rich were down to see us too on the weekend.....aaahhhh! Loved it!
On the 21st Bobby turned 50! So we had a bit of celebrating to do.....very low key mind you but fun. He's been busy traveling North America and ventures off to Europe in February.
And today....it actually warmed up to -17! Waaahooo! Zoe and I were back outside on the snowy trail enjoying the great outdoors. These past three days of -41 kept us inside.
Onward and upward! .... Slow and steady wins the race! ....Eat, pray,walk! ... Life is good!
Shelley xo
There are more days of feeling well than not. That is a good thing. However, after 2 or 3 "good" days, I am exhausted! And that is without doing a whole lot of extra! When I am tired, I swell.....yup, good ol' lymphedema rears its head ever so slightly and I sleep. This past weekend, after grocery shopping, I had a crazy allergic reaction (at least I think that is what it was).....Initially I thought I was having a mega hot flash. Then I started to dry heave....itch, break out in hives, vomit,....not a pretty picture by any means. After taking a Reactine and within half hour, the itch and swelling subsided and all returned to normal. Today at physio, I was more swollen than usual which was attributed to the "allergic reaction". To top that off, I am still struggling with my impinging dominant shoulder....this has been a challenge since my last surgery. Not sure if I over did it compensating for all the aches and pains or if I was dropped during surgery LOL! Thank goodness the physio therapists, Alysia and Tracey are fantastic at what they do! My twice a week sessions are keeping everything at bay.
OK enough "whoa is me".....I am still doing really well! Bob and I had a great visit with our good friends the Hamms, the Wells, the McCrimmons, the Munns, the Shannons......so good to laugh with great friends! Karen and Rich were down to see us too on the weekend.....aaahhhh! Loved it!
On the 21st Bobby turned 50! So we had a bit of celebrating to do.....very low key mind you but fun. He's been busy traveling North America and ventures off to Europe in February.
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| Happy 50th Bob! |
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| A young Bob... thanks Reid for the photo! |
And today....it actually warmed up to -17! Waaahooo! Zoe and I were back outside on the snowy trail enjoying the great outdoors. These past three days of -41 kept us inside.
Onward and upward! .... Slow and steady wins the race! ....Eat, pray,walk! ... Life is good!
Shelley xo
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
It's a Long and Winding Road!
This road to recovery is still under construction.
This past week I have caught a bit of a throat and chest infection and it is knocking the stuffing out of me! I am still walking and going about my business but it seems to take me twice as long to get things done. As the doctor put it yesterday....my body is still battling the effects of chemotherapy, lymphodemia, and now a chest cold all while trying to build healthy cells. So I am on some antibiotics to help my system out of this construction zone.
Physio is going well although I have swelled up again on down my right side. I think this is because of this cold....yeah, I self-diagnosis.... there is a special pump consisting of a jacket with air pressure holes in the vest and down the arms that applies a consistent pressure to help move the lymphatic fluid pooling in the arms/torso that I will be trying out later this week. Hopefully that will help promote some good healing.
With the holiday season over, kids back at school and Bob on the road, these days are getting a bit long! I am looking forward to returning to work if and when the doctor clears me!
It's time to get those happy endorphins flowing...so I will bundle up and head outside with Zoe for a morning walk! Hopefully the winds are down from yesterday!
Over all, I am doing well although it's crazy to think this whole process started a year ago (last January). It's been a long and winding road to recovery. Thank you for being with me on this journey.
~ Shelley xo
This past week I have caught a bit of a throat and chest infection and it is knocking the stuffing out of me! I am still walking and going about my business but it seems to take me twice as long to get things done. As the doctor put it yesterday....my body is still battling the effects of chemotherapy, lymphodemia, and now a chest cold all while trying to build healthy cells. So I am on some antibiotics to help my system out of this construction zone.
Physio is going well although I have swelled up again on down my right side. I think this is because of this cold....yeah, I self-diagnosis.... there is a special pump consisting of a jacket with air pressure holes in the vest and down the arms that applies a consistent pressure to help move the lymphatic fluid pooling in the arms/torso that I will be trying out later this week. Hopefully that will help promote some good healing.
With the holiday season over, kids back at school and Bob on the road, these days are getting a bit long! I am looking forward to returning to work if and when the doctor clears me!
It's time to get those happy endorphins flowing...so I will bundle up and head outside with Zoe for a morning walk! Hopefully the winds are down from yesterday!
Over all, I am doing well although it's crazy to think this whole process started a year ago (last January). It's been a long and winding road to recovery. Thank you for being with me on this journey.
~ Shelley xo
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A Year in Review
2012.....What a crazy busy year!
January - Cancer confirmed
February - Bilateral Mastectomy & DIEP Reconstruction
March - Blood clots, flap removal & Axillary Node Dissection
April - Ottawa Playoff Games (waahoo!); Start chemotherapy
May - Lose hair; Alter-egos Jenny and J-Lo make public appearances
June - Finish 4 rounds of AC; Mikayla writes and performs a beautiful song for her music final
July - Fishing at Emma Lake; Great family visits; Rider games; Begin 12 weekly rounds of Taxol
August - Visit with family and friends; Bob returns to work
September - School start up...finding a new normal
October - Finish chemotherapy; start Tamoxifen; Lose eye brows and eye lashes
November- Welcome back eye brows and eye lashes and a tuff of hair
December - Hysterectomy; Retire alter-egos Jenny & J-Lo; Celebrate Christmas in a Prince Albert; Recover, find a new normal...Life is good!
2013.....we are more than ready for a New Year! Happy New Year to all!
Love, Bob, Shelley, Alycia, Mikayla, Robbie & Zoe
January - Cancer confirmed
February - Bilateral Mastectomy & DIEP Reconstruction
March - Blood clots, flap removal & Axillary Node Dissection
April - Ottawa Playoff Games (waahoo!); Start chemotherapy
May - Lose hair; Alter-egos Jenny and J-Lo make public appearances
June - Finish 4 rounds of AC; Mikayla writes and performs a beautiful song for her music final
July - Fishing at Emma Lake; Great family visits; Rider games; Begin 12 weekly rounds of Taxol
August - Visit with family and friends; Bob returns to work
September - School start up...finding a new normal
October - Finish chemotherapy; start Tamoxifen; Lose eye brows and eye lashes
November- Welcome back eye brows and eye lashes and a tuff of hair
December - Hysterectomy; Retire alter-egos Jenny & J-Lo; Celebrate Christmas in a Prince Albert; Recover, find a new normal...Life is good!
2013.....we are more than ready for a New Year! Happy New Year to all!
Love, Bob, Shelley, Alycia, Mikayla, Robbie & Zoe
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| Christmas 2012 |
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Christmas Update
Merry Christmas!
Wow! December 25th is sure coming up faster than what seems normal! We are looking forward to spending time with our families and friends!
Just a quick update on the medical front....it will be 3 weeks post surgery on the 25th.....unfortunately I am still a bit sore and tender and disappointed that this recovery isn't going faster. Today at physio, it was determined that I need a bit of a physio break to let me recover. Under normal circumstances, the total hysterectomy done laproscopically is a speedier recovery. However, due to an already compromised stomach (DIEP surgery in February) things are taking a bit longer to heal. Hopefully a 2 week break will jump start the New Year healing process. I promised to take it easy too. This however, is easier said than done!
From our house to yours, we wish wish you health, happiness and peace the wondrous Christmas season and many blessings in 2013!
Bob, Shelley, Alycia, Mikayla, Robbie & Zoe
Wow! December 25th is sure coming up faster than what seems normal! We are looking forward to spending time with our families and friends!
Just a quick update on the medical front....it will be 3 weeks post surgery on the 25th.....unfortunately I am still a bit sore and tender and disappointed that this recovery isn't going faster. Today at physio, it was determined that I need a bit of a physio break to let me recover. Under normal circumstances, the total hysterectomy done laproscopically is a speedier recovery. However, due to an already compromised stomach (DIEP surgery in February) things are taking a bit longer to heal. Hopefully a 2 week break will jump start the New Year healing process. I promised to take it easy too. This however, is easier said than done!
From our house to yours, we wish wish you health, happiness and peace the wondrous Christmas season and many blessings in 2013!
Bob, Shelley, Alycia, Mikayla, Robbie & Zoe
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Recovery Update
It's been two weeks since surgery.....and the 2nd week of recovery is much better than the first week. I am a better patient with patience too ;-) I am moving better, able to sit better and the "heat" I am experiencing as part of post-menopause, although warm, isn't making me run naked through the streets.....at least not yet. My physio treatments are limited to my chest and back until my stomach has a chance to recover a bit more. Unfortunately some the swelling in my arm is back but the physio gals assure me this is normal and will bounce back once they are able to pick up the pace.
My goals this week:
Eat, pray, walk.....Shelley xoxo
My goals this week:
- walk on the treadmill.... even with no incline and minimal speed I hope to feel better as it has been two weeks....my poor dog is so confused and desperately misses her daily walks
- get a hair cut :-D .....OK, not a "real" haircut" but a trim
- get a manicure and pedicure.....my nails are growing back and not splitting like they were during and immediately after chemo
- celebrate life....and enjoy the simple pleasures of the holiday season with family and friends
- Donna, keep up the great work! You're almost done! xoxox - The Love Loop
- Glen, your journey has been incredible! Now it's recovery time! Waahoo! - It's a Mental Game
- Chantal, you can do it! - I'd rather b shopping
- Aunt Louise and Auntie Ann...xoxoxo
- all others who are about to embark on this incredible journey or other challenges...keep the faith!
- And of course, the families and friends of Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newton, Connecticut...this tragedy is unbelievable....incomprehensible. May this town find peace and strength again.
Eat, pray, walk.....Shelley xoxo
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