Motivation

dlb823

Hi, girls ~ Just quickly checking in after several days off the boards.  I spent Thursday afternoon @ UCLA meeting w/my PS (who suggested doing one more surgery, aiming for perfection that I don't think I really care about at this point), and then a long app't. with their integrative specialist re. nutrition and supplements.  That app't. included being hooked up to some sort of machine that measured a bunch of stuff -- from body lean mass/fat to hydration.  All very interesting, but I need time that I haven't had yet to go back through my notes to figure out what's most important.  Anyhoo.. my sister has been visiting for the past few days (she's leaving tomorrow), and we've been on the run.  We spent yesterday at the vineyards in Temecula (so nice & relaxing), and finally got in a 4.5 mile walk this morning -- my first since last Wedneday. 

Will catch up on everyone's posts tomorrow, but just wanted to say "hi" for now ~  Deanna

Ainm

Don't come too close - I have a cold!!!

Hope everyone is moving and exercising in preparation for chocolate eating season on Sunday - LOL

I'll catch up with you all soon I hope - at the moment there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day!!!

kfinnigan

Ainm, you must have caught my cold!!  sorry about that and hope it doesn't hang on too long!!

Deanna, interested to hear about the outcome of your integrative specialist appt. re: nutrition and supplements, please share!!  Glad you are having some fun with your sister!  ENJOY!!

Spring, I asked my acupuncturist today specifically about LE risk and using needles in the at-risk arm...she said there isn't any proof that it causes any harm.  She said if someone mentions it, she respects it and doesn't use the arm, but if they don't she uses it.  She did use my right arm (non at-risk side) today, she said it didn't matter which arm she used. 

dianenv

I am soo tired.  I walked on the Las Vegas Strip today.  My friend and I started at the south end of the strip and walked to the mid-section and back.  That was between 8 and 9 miles.  It was so windy that it felt like more.  I am so sure I will not be motivated to do anything, except eat a nice lunch, tomorrow.  Off to take my advil.  nite everyone. diane

Brendatrue

Diane! If I walked 8-9 miles, I would be crawling by the end and in bed for quite some time afterward. You are amazing. Well, and so are you other high powered walkers. Just in case we have some new folks or some others who just pop in from time to time, know that we are all not that adept! I managed to walk about a mile and a half today, and I am very happy about that!

Kari, Maybe one day I will return to dark thirty, but not anytime soon, I fear. I still have to take a pain pill each night (ugh) to sleep through the shoulder blade pain (which is worse when I lie down), and I just cannot get myself out of bed in the early a.m. I am still managing to work out most days. I am still doing the doctor shuffle; the next one will be an orthopedist on 04/14, and I am hopeful that maybe he can get my insurance company to approve an MRI &/or figure out what is happening!

Deanna, I also would like to hear about your appointment with the integrative specialist. Do share when you have the time!

Ainm,I hope you feel better. A confession: I have never, ever given up chocolate, and I probably never will. So, I just ate an extra piece for you today.

Vega, Welcome! I am not a gym goer either, but I did discover that I had to dedicate time for a specific workout to get me moving again after chemo. I also think my 53yo body has aged tremendously over the last year (surgery, chemo, etc), and I have to be much more proactive now.

dianenv

Brenda you should be happy about your walk today.  I am not going through as much as all of you.  I was lucky enough to have caught everything early and I do not have to have chemo, radiation, or anything else.  I do have 2 more surgerys in my future .

Deanna I hope your visit with your sister was fun.

Ainm, I am also looking forward to chocolate Sunday.  My daughter gave it up for lent so we have not been keeping any in the house.

Vega, welcome.  You will find this sight so uplifting.   I hate going and walking on the treadmill or that other torture machine, but alas I will have to soon.  Summers in Vegas are HOT.

diane

jrgolomb

THanks for the tips everyone.  It really helps. 

Springtime

Hi Girls from Hilton Head Island! We are biking over 2 hours every day, LOTS of exercise! Gotta go, we're now playing Wii bowling! I love vacaition!

Brendatrue

I now have proof that I would be crawling (and probably bleeding) if I walked 8-9 miles! I seem to have strained my left achilles tendon when I did my mile and a half yesterday. Ah well, the joys of trying to get/stay in better shape. I did 30 minutes of classical stretch/strengthening this afternoon, and I will take good care. I hope you all are doing well with whatever you are doing this week!

dianenv

Brenda true to my post yesterday I went to lunch.  That is all I did.  I'll be better tomorrow.

got to go see the results of American Idol. Nite everyone

diane

aspen

Just in from my visit to the gym.    Now that spring is coming to PA, I can do some walking outside !!!!   My weight goal was getting down to 130- weighed early this morning only in my VS undies and scale said 128.  Now new and final goal will be 125 with maintanence and back to regular weight training.    Looking forward to Sept. when I can stop Femara after my 5 yrs.  Will ask the onc. if I can stop on 8/30- my 55th birthday.  Please, Please, Please.

Three time survivor- Dx. 10/97, 4/04, 4/05(bil. mastectomy with no recon.)

kfinnigan

Welcome Rita!  Congrats on nearing the end of Femara and being a 3 time survivor!  WOOHOOO!!!!!!

Diane, that is one long walk!  Did that walk in August a couple times and it about did me in!  and that was years before bc!!  Glad you could avoid chemo/rads, which sure took their toll on me - YUK!!  

I haven't done any exercise - been to acupuncture/chiropractor and had my body all whacked out from those dvd's!!  The acupuncturist said she see's so many kick boxing and zumba related injuries!!  I keep thinking I'm wonder woman and try things and totally push way too hard and end up with aches/pains!  

Diane, Tim keeps hanging on by a thread on American Idol.  And I like Usher and Will I M(black eyed peas) but thought that song Usher performed wasn't sounding very good.  I know he was using some kind of synthesized voice sound, but thought the sound was awful!!  haha  I really liked Lee's performance and I like Casey and love Siobhan's voice,but not this week.  Oh and Crystal is great!  I like Mike too...wow I like a lot of them!  Who do you like?

Hi to all!   

jrgolomb

I have been very good this week. I took many walks with my dd's dog (whom I will inherit when dd is off to college) and that felt fine.  I also mopped the floor because I couldn't stand dh's footprints on the close out Off white tile I bought and put in a few years ago( what was I thinking????). I have to say I also felt okay after all that.  The twinges, the spasms and the hunched over feeling seems to be fading.  Yes!

Springtime

If I didn't have to work, I would get so much exercise! Today we biked over 2 hours again, and we swam too. 

Can someone write me a note that says I should be excused from work, forever?

LOL...

Driving home tomorrow. We had THE BEST WEEK here!! Great weather and great activity. Alas, back to reality!!!!

dianenv

Kari I like Crystal, don't know why.  I have usually fallen asleep before the show finishes.  Luckily my DH keeps me informed.  I can't wait to get back to Zumba, I feel so free.

Rita, welcome to the forum, this is great to keep you MOTIVATED!!! I am in awe of you.  Just the one diagnosis has kick my butt.  This is so not how I wanted to spend my last 2 years of teaching before hanging up the brailler.  Happy 55th birthday early, I will send positive thoughts your way for the next couple of months.

Jess, my last house had off white tile, this one has beige with little grout, much better. 

I walked 4 miles today.  The weather was beautiful!!! I hope we keep it for a couple of months.

I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend.  No plans for us, just staying ahead of yardwork.

diane

ktym

Spring, I'll do one for you if you do one for me

Jess, good for you

Well, I was thinking of skipping this morning, but you all have me motived, guess I'll go get moving!

kfinnigan

Did 30 minutes before work (sorry Spring, if I have to work, you do too! , jumping jacks too!  My pants are all really tight though!  YIKES!!

Diane, I DVR all my shows cause I fall asleep too!  Then I finish watching in the a.m.!!  

Hugs all! 

Brendatrue

Hi to all trying to find motivation and keep that motivation going! I did yardwork for about 2 1/2 hours this morning. I was a crazy woman and just had to stop; I had to admit that my endurance is still lacking. BUT, I was proud that I did what I did.

Diane, You are such a committed walker! Have you always been a walker?

Kari, I never did like doing jumping jacks, and now I think my knees would implode if I tried them.

Jess, Glad you are feeling better, moving more and losing that hunched over posture. When I hurt, I still do that--I guess in an effort to protect myself, but actually standing tall ultimately feels better.

Aspen, Greetings and congrats on making your weight goal. I am now living beyond my 3rd breast ca adventure, and I look for inspiration from people like you. 5 years on Femara! I had quite an adventure (that's the kind way of putting it) with Arimidex, then was taking Evista when I was diagnosed for the third time; I have now been taking Tamox since last August. I try not to think too much about how long I will be taking it or what I might be switching to in the future; my history has been unpredictable and I just try to cope one day at a time.

Spring, Sorry vacation bliss is coming to an end. Maybe the afterglow will keep you humming for a while.

kmmd, Glad to hear from you and know that you found motivation to move. I actually had the day off and plan to enjoy every minute away from work until Monday.

How are the rest of you doing?

Ainm

Evening lovely ladies!!

Hope you are all having a great Easter.

Each time I read what you are all doing - walking, yard work, jumping jacks, biking - it helps me to stay committed. I step on and off my Wii balance board like a veritable lunatic!!! It's been 28 weeks now without missing a day! It's about the only thing I'm being diligent about.

You are a great bunch of people.

sobx

Sounds like everyone is having a great weekend. Of course, I'm working. did get the lab results back on my sun spots. One has to be cut and stitched on Thursday. So my walking will have to be cut for a while. Tell that to Shadow! So that means I better go to the grocery store, mow the yard and exercise like mad before then. I'll be slowed down for 2 weeks. It is really nice this week and loving it a lot. Harley - where are you? Everyone keep moving. 

dlb823

Just a really quick flyby to wish everyone a wonderful Easter!

So sorry to read about that spot on your back, Joy.  Thank goodness you found it though!  (I hope it's not a melanoma.).

Spring, glad your vaca was so much fun!

And welcome to the new "faces!"

I posted a bit about my integrative app't. on the Natural Girls thread, but I feel a little uncomfortable sharing too much of the info' I got in a thread --  like giving away or publishing information she's researched and charges for.  Besides, it was almost 2 hrs.' worth, and quite personalized, so hard to know where to begin.  But I am happy to answer any specific questions anyone has -- either here or in a PM.  As you might imagine, she was very keen on the recurrence prevention aspect of exercise.  I think she said it cuts recurrence by 50% (not positive though), and she also stressed the need for weight bearing and aerobic exercise (which I know I'm not getting), and also something called Mindful Meditation.  She also recommended an herbal supplement I'd never heard of for joint aches that I immediately bought, and I think it's helping.  Feel free to PM me if you want that info or have any other questions about re. diet & nutrition.    

Happy Easter!    Deanna

Springtime

Ouch Joy! Let us know that you are okay.

Walked really fast 2.4 miles today and then weeded the garden. Weather here is GORGEOUS!!!

Ainm, we just got a Wii. What program did you buy to do the things you do? We just have Wii Sport and Wii Play and Wii super Mario Party or something my daughter loves. he he. 

Ainm

Hi Spring - I started with Wii Fit and at Christmas my kids got me Wii Fit Plus.  I don't use it as extensively as I should - I just do the 'free step' for about 60 mins a day - I do go faster than the counter suggests.  Have fun!!

Brendatrue

Ainm! 28 WEEKS! You are amazing! I did a 55 minute bone loading workout this morning, then after a few chores, spent 3-4 hours just sitting on my patio, reading a book. I was glad I did the workout but I really enjoyed the relaxation and reading.

Joy, I hope you heal well and quickly after having the skin cancer removed. I have had several basal cell ca's and one sqamous cell ca removed, and I also had to curb certain activities for a while. I'll be thinking of you.

Deanna, I'll check out your posting on the Natural Girls Thread. By the way I have been interested in mindfulness as a way of living and as a meditation practice for years. I have enjoyed several of Jon Kabat-Zinn's books. He has been instrumental in developing mindfulness programs in medical/ healing programs for quite some time. I think I read Wherever You Go, There You Are after I was diagnosed with my first breast ca. A couple of months ago I bought his Coming to Our Senses (I think I got that right), which gives a great deal of very useful info about mindfulness.

I hope everyone is having a relaxing and/or rejuvenating weekend! I am treasuring every moment of mine!

dianenv

Hi all!!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.  On the way to go and eat a wonderful dinner, I so love going to other people's house for big events like this. 

I also have noticed we have not heard from Harley lately, I hope all is good and she is just busy enjoying a vacation.

Happy Easter!!

diane

sobx

Brenda - I have 2 squamous and 1 basil. the one on my thigh is right at the end of another scar that they cut one out in 7/08. The day I found out there was something suspicious in my breast. Then they are going to cauterize the other two on the 23rd. They never have done that before. So I guess I have to mow on Wednesday.

It has been beautiful here and hopefully will continue to be so the rest of the year. I've gone from heat to thinking of A/C. I do have my windows open and enjoying it. I'll be in touch soon. At least I am actually working days for 3 in a row before going back to nights. don't know how to act now!

Dd brought me a very limp and not breathing bunny. great Easter present. She was pleased! Enjoy the time you off and relax.

Harley44

Happy Easter, to everyone!

I have started back to work again, and am not to happy about it...  it was so very slow at the local produce market, and the owner told me to stay home til it got busier... well, it IS busier now...  I like the extra money, but... I was getting used to being home, and not working.  Now I seem to be working ALL the time!!   I guess I'm just never happy!   I am having to work on Saturdays, and I don't like it....

I went for a run earlier today.  My dh and I went to Cocoa Beach FL for a few days earlier in the week.  I went for a walk/run there on Tuesday, and I fell and skinned my knees up pretty bad.  They are healing, but too slowly for me...

Harley

dlb823

Wow, not only did we feel the Baja earthquake here awhile ago, but our house was rolling so badly that DH and I both ran to grab favorite things from falling!   It wasn't a shaker this time, but it was some pretty strong and extended rocking & rolling!  

Ouch, Harley!  Sorry about your fall.  And, Joy, like Brenda, I, too, have had a couple of basal cell and one squamous cell growths taken off my upper arm.  It shouldn't be too bad compared to what you've been through with bc.

I'd never heard of Mindful Meditations, Brenda, but Dr. Hardy gave me some links to a page within UCLA's School of Medicine website that has some meditation downloads, if you are anyone is interested.  I haven't had a chance to check them out yet.  That's interesting that you've read a couple of books on it.  I'll keep those in mind if I get interested in it.

I walked this morning for the first time since Tuesday.  Don't know what had gotten into me, except that I was just tired.  Anyway, I did 4.2 miles today.  

Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter ~   Deanna

dianenv

Deanna, my son is in San Diego and I go the call basically during the quake.  He has been in southern cal for 4 years and this is his first quake.  I think that is a good average.  Congrats on the walk.

Harley, good to have you back.  Enjoy the extra $, go buy something fun.

nite diane

Brendatrue

Joy, I hope the skin ca cauterizing goes well. I will stay hopeful for no complications and quick healing. Have you always lived in a sunny climate?

Harley, I hope you heal quickly, too! Don't we get in such a hurry when we want to heal! Do you at least get some great deals on veggies & fruit in addition to the money you are earning? I love this time of year when the produce selection is fresher & more varied. And by the way, I really understand about the challenges of working--I have found it quite challenging to do all the things I would like to do to promote my healing and well-being while maintaining full-time employment. Are you still interested in social work? And I can't mention employment without thinking of kmmd--how are you managing these days?

Deanna, YIKES on the baja earthquake! I was wondering about you guys out on the west coast. By the way, did the integrative specialist you consulted mention tai chi? I imagine that there would be classes in your area. I found it very calming, also meditative, a slowing down and also intensely focused practice that helped me build flexibility and strength. I once practiced it every day, but now I do a range of things to keep me motivated. 

And just in case anyone is wondering whether I exercised today after a busy day at work--Yep, even though my knees were aching, I did 30 minutes of classical stretch. My hope for all the seen and unseen benefits of exercise keep me going most days, although I do believe in a break from time to time!