Motivation

ktym

Diane, 8 miles, you go.

Joy, that sounds like so much fun, congratulations on the new DIL and grandkids.

Been lazy the last few days.  Have gotten a 3 mile walk in but that is it.  Love the fact that that is my minimum standard though

dlb823

Wow, Diane!  8 miles?!?!  In this heat????  Good for you!

Just got back from the club where I rode a bicycle for 1/2 hr., did some chest & shoulder machines, then did 1/2 hr. on the treadmill.  I did just under 2 miles in 1/2 hr., so I guess I normally do about 4 miles an hour when I walk -- probably slightly faster if I intersperse it with a bit of jogging.  But I've built up to that over a year, and I have to tell you, walking outside is soooo much easier and more enjoyable than a treadmill.  I don't know how anyone can do more than a couple of miles on them.  I also ran into my neighbor, Lisa, at the club, and she was showing me a few stretching moves she'd learned in a session with one of their trainers.  Wow, did those hurt my recon side -- like major pain.  I had no idea how tight it is because I guess I avoid moves that stretch it in the direction she was trying to get me to stretch. 

kmmd ~ I wanted to tell you about a lotion I accidently figured out helps my neuropathy.  It's THERAPY FOR THE BODY by Village Naturals, and it's the Headache Relief formula (there's more than one).  I was rubbing it on my son's neck a few days ago when he had a bad migraine, and I suddenly realized my hands didn't hurt and felt incredibly energized.  Yesterday, my DH rubbed some on my feet (he offered!), and they felt great!  It has peppermint, lavender, chamomile, and some other ingredients that feel and smell absolutely wonderful.  I've had it around for awhile, so don't recall exactly where I got it, but maybe Target or Wal-Mart.  It's a pale yellow lotion in a 16 oz. pump bottle. 

Joy ~  I love the idea of instant grandkids!  It sounds like they're already adding much joy to your life!  Oh and you asked about Ainm.  I came across a recent post of hers on another thread with a beautiful new avatar.  I hope she'll post here soon so that you can see it.   

Hope everyone is having a relaxing & fun 4th!   Enjoy!   Deanna

ktym

 Deanna, I'll try that!

Sat on our back deck last night and enjoyed the firecrackers and fireworks going off.  Usually there is someone in the neighborhood setting them off, but this year it was amazing.  Several people from our neighborhood and then others so far away I could hear and not see them.  They all took turns and pretty soon they had a rhythm going, you would have thought it was planned. Sounds corny, but, hearing all those people within a several mile radius working together and starting something so pretty, it just gave me this moment of enjoying a sense of shared celebration of the day and of life. 

I've enjoyed a long weekend with DH.  Relaxing, staying off my feet, reading (if you haven't read The Girl With the Dragon tatoo and the two books that followed it I can't recommend it highly enough), easy summer cooking and grilling, and working out together.  Its been a great time to relax and get a feeling of togtherness.  My job will be to keep this feeling and find a way to experience a little of it every day.

Harley44

WOW!  Looks like everyone's been busy while I've been MIA.  I had to work FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...  This  FT/PT job has GOT TO GO!!!

Joy, congrats on the soon to be DIL, and grand daughters.   DUH, indeed on the high sugar levels...  Some drs are truly idiots!!   Hope everything comes out ok with your tests.

Diane, EIGHT miles!!  WHOHOO!! 

kmmd,  sounds like you had a nice, relaxing weekend...

We went to the beach yesterday, and sat under the umbrella the whole time...  but...  I did manage to walk the beach with my friend, Karen, who is a 7 year survivor of cervical cancer.  

Well... I am OFF today AND tomorrow, so we are going back to the beach, but this time, it's just my dh and me.   I went to bed late last night, and got up at 7:30am, and went for a run through the neighborhood...  2 miles...   

Hope everyone has a happy MONDAY, and a great week.   I suspect since I don't have to work today or tomorrow, I'll be working this weekend, AGAIN....  

Harley

dianenv

Harley good to see you back! The hike up in the mountain was great. It is so hard to believe that 45 min from town you need a sweatsirt.  We hiked up and watched the sunset then the fireworks.  They did look like little lightbulbs from that far away but it was still nice.  Off tomorrow to school shop.  I think I'll be MIA until Sunday.  Happy July everyone!

diane

Harley44

Hi Diane.

Happy July to you, too!!

dlb823

Hot, hot, hot here today, but I know some of you in the east are suffering more with heat & humidity.  I got my walk in early, while it was still very breezy -- 6.3 miles, which I never expected to when I pushed myself out the door after not sleeping well for some reason last night.  But it did take me an hour and 40 mins. today.  I also swam yesterday and hope to again today. 

I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing holiday.  kmmd, loved your description of the pleasure you felt listening to your neighbors set off fireworks.  One of the blessings of bc truly is a heightened awareness of life's simple pleasures, isn't it?  

I hope you enjoy the beach today, Harley, in that same extra intense way.  It sounds wonderful!   Deanna

ktym

Deanna, your idea of a slow walk is my idea of a run!  And yes, BC does make you enjoy simple pleasures. 

We are getting the heat here, whew!! So far have managed to not turn the air on, it helpfs that there is a good breeze.  Can't tell, though, where the heat begins and my hot flashes end.  

kfinnigan

Ladies, I screwed up my hip/low back again.  I swear...took a huge step backwards.  Thing is, I don't know what I did!  YIKES  No doctors available til Thurs a.m.  I am hoping it will get better with some rest.  Popping ibuprofen til then.

I walked over 3 miles yesterday and did a bit on the weight machine and mopped...must have been the mopping LOL so no more of that....heehee

Joy, congrats on the new family members!  I enjoyed the pics on FB...

xo 

ktym

Kari, I'm so sorry to hear that.  No more mopping is right!

dlb823

Kari, that mopping's a killer!  I swear all that bending over uses muscles that we never use for anything else -- ever.  Is it your lower back?    Deanna   

Springtime

Kari, no housework at all for you! Mopping, vacuuming, laundry. A MAID is in order for your HEALTH!!

Yoga last night and tonight. over 100 !!! ahhhhck!!! 

AnneW

I haven't visited this thread in a long while. Glad to see it's going strong!

I had planned a 60 mile bike ride today, but caught a cold yesterday. And we're socked in with fog, drizzle, and 55 degrees. This is CO in July???? Sheesh.

Tomorrow is rock climbing (in the gym) and my weekly private Pilates session. I live for my Thursdays! My trainer just told me that she's NOT moving away after all, so I don't have to find a new person for my Pilates. I've been doing the reformer with her for two years--best thing ever for my core and back and mental outlook!

Anne

kfinnigan

The pain is a bit better today!  I was miserable yesterday/last night.  My low back feels sore and muscles are tight and the pain is shooting into my right butt muscle, which are the areas I've been seeking/getting treatment for, for over 1 year!  yikes!  I will keep my appt. in the morning with the dr. covering my pcp while she's on vacation.  You never know what a different dr. can offer.  I googled natural muscle relaxers, and chamomile and lavender came up, so I drank some chamomile tea yesterday and rubbed lavender oil on my back/hip and more motrin and put myself to bed early!  (I've read on other threads not to use lavender??)

You east coast gals...take a CHILL PILL!  heehee  its HOT over there!

Anne, nice to meet you!  60 mile bike ride?  holy cow!! 

AnneW

HI, Kari, nice to meet you, too! 60 miles is about my limit on the bike, but we're doing a 6 day, 370 mile ride in Wyoming in two weeks, and I've been trying to increase my mileage and number of days in the saddle. Weather and health seem not to be cooperating, and I'm not one to go out and ride in crappy weather, just for the sake of riding (unlike my DH!)

East coasters, I'm tyring to send you this cold weather we're having...

Anne

Springtime

Anne, how long does it take you to ride 60 miles on a bike?

I did two Yoga's this week and took today off. I am so SORE!!! Tomorrow, I am hitting the gym for weights and treadmill.

Kari and Anne, I know you both and it's funny you didn't know each other! You're both on Facebook too!!! Anne, it is SO HOT here in NC, upper 90's or 100's. The 55 degrees sounds sort of refreshing to me!!!! 

Harley44

 Kari,

Hope your back is feeling all better.  What did your dr. say about it?  

Hi, Anne W., nice to meet you.  Are you ( AND Spring, on Facebook?  I am also on Facebook.  Don't remember if I friended you Spring..   My brain is MUSH!

I didn't exercise today, but I went for a 2 mile run yesterday with my hubby.  It is hard for me to keep a steady pace when I run with someone else.  I guess if it's just ME, I don't feel pressured to go FAST....

Harley

kfinnigan

Anne, how do you keep your butt from going numb???  That is a LONG time in the saddle!!  Kudos to you girl for doing that much!  Yeah, I'd like to know too how long it takes to bike that far.

I will have to check on facebook for Anne!!

The dr. thinks its my sciatic rearing its ugly head.  She prescribed the lowest dosage muscle relaxer, they come in 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg.  I took a 5 mg last night at 6:50 pm and its 2:28pm Friday and I'm still loopy!!  Oh dear, I can't handle meds!!   My hip is throbbing still!!  Of course she did a thorough assessment and had to remind me of the 'mets' thing, but she doesn't think so as its the same kind of pain I've had over a year now and my scans were negative before.  She doesn't want to scan more due to so much radiation.  Anyway, I emailed my onc and she said to let her know if it doesn't get better!  OH....it WILL get better!  

AnneW

I rode 25 miles today in an hour and a half. It was pretty flat. A 60 miler would take me 4-5 hours, depending on hills, heat, and breaks. Then I'd be dead the rest of the day. This ride coming up has its longest day at 85 miles. Most days about 45. We'll see how I handle 6 days in a row of riding...

My crotch gets swollen from long rides, despite good padding in the bike shorts. I have to take regular "booty breaks" whether by standing up to pedal, or getting off for a few minutes. And using some anti-friction creams to reduce the risk of saddle sores.

Kari, I had a bout with sciatica a few years ago, and it was relieved by an epidural steroid injection. That, plus regular adjustments, and more importantly Pilates reformer and core strength building, and I haven't had a twinge since. Or needed meds. Aromasin was killing my hip, though, so I quit taking it a few months ago. I couldn't exercise because of the pain, and that's one quality of life that is too important to me.

Anne

dianenv

Hi all! I am in the windy city having a ball! I have been exercising in the fitness center, at 6 am, before checking out the schools. This has been such an amazing trip. It is such a special time with my DD. I get home on Sunday and I will catch up on everyone, hard to read much on my phone. Happy weekend everyone!

dlb823

Anne ~  How long have you been cycling?  And what do you do during winter months?  You don't ride when there's snow on the ground, do you?  And can you tell us more about Pilates?  There are a couple of Pilates studios here (with machines), and it looks like it would be great for stretching.  The rate brochure I picked up was surprisingly pricey, at least compared to an athletic club, but I've wanted to know more about it.   

Kari ~ So sorry about that sciatic nerve pain,  That sounds so miserable.  Are you doing a pain med along with the muscle relaxer?   I hope your doctor can give you something that works better than what you've just tried.  How about something topical?  MSM cream (Natrol makes a good one) or Tiger Balm or something like that?  They're OTC and will help take the edge off nerve pain as well as muscle pain.      

Diane ~ I wondered where you were school shopping w/your DD.  Will she be going to school in that area?  Glad you're having fun!      Deanna      

Springtime

Booty breaks! ha! I love it! I love bike riding. It seems you can go on and on. I love the feeling of flying and wind in my hair! We take our bikes on vacation with us and ride ride ride...  I wish I could get into the habit at home.

Kari, ouch! I hope your back and butt or whatever feels better. I remember having sicatica pain when i was pregnant. NOT FUN at all!

Today I did all the weight machines and moved the weight up a bit and did more reps. I was not feeling sore at all so I figured it was time. Plus at Yoga, i have been feeling weak in the upper body (I assume from all the surgery?) even though I am doing the weights. So I am going to move up and get stronger. Just need to go slow and be careful with the lymphedema.

Walked 2 miles! I walked much slower today, 3.5 miles per hour because I was reading a magazine!!! (I have trouble going too fast and reading, it's like I am too bouncy or something...) HA!! 

Tomorrow is my 2 year "cancer-versary"!!!! So glad to still be here with you awesome ladies. !!!!  

AnneW

Bev, congrats on the cancerversary!! I don't know what to do with my own, now that I have two of them. My second one is less memorable, even though it started me on the road to recon. Still, it gets cumbersome to say, "Eight and a half years for the first one, and almost three years for the second one."

Deanna, I've been cycling for many years, but more seriously (as in using the pedals you clip your shoes into!) for about 6 years now. I think my favorite ride was our trek down the Oregon Coast. all the way to Claifornia. That was a blast!

I've been hooked on Pilates for two years now. My trainer used to work at our local cancer rehab clinic, and I met her through rock climbing. It IS pricey--I pay $60/week for our one-on-one sessions. But I have gained so much from that money spent! It's far more than stretching--it's amazingly hard work, all driven from the core and keeping the spine neutral while working against a spring load. Heavy spring loads work the big muscles, lighter ones work the deep core extra hard to stablilize the body. I sweat so much, but have really gotten fabulous muscle tone, and I'm more balanced with my body than I ever dreamed possible.

Reformer classes are affordable, but you'll need some private sessions initially to get the hang of breathing technique, engaging your core, and keeping the spine/pelvis neutral so you don't hurt yourself. rec center classes are good, but if you can find a PT who does them, that's even better.

I'm hooked, needless to say. The money I spend on exercise is insane--YMCA for DH and me, the local rock gym, my Pilates lessons, and this new thing called Power Plates (google it, or I'll talk about that tomorrow!) Anyway, I could put some of that $$ into a house cleaner instead, but I'd rather have my exercise options! The house can just be messy!

Thank god i ony work part time!

Anne

ktym

Anne, DH and I decided to just let exercise be one of our high budget items and just the way we do things.  Don't regret it for a second.  They kicked my rear at work the last few days so exercise hasn't been done, but, I can honestly say I was on my feet and walking for hours.  The neuropathy loves that!  I'm trying to decide what to do this morning.  Have to get moving moving soon because I have to get back to work! 

Springtime

I had a great 2 year anniversary! Pedicure, haircut and shopping! ha!!! Didn't exercise, all that seemed enough for one day. We were gone from 8:45 in the morning until 8:45 at nite! 

Today I did all my weights at the Gym and rode one of those bikes for 35 minutes. I read a magazine while I did the bike as I was just feeling so pooped. The girl at the gym told me "something is better than nothing" when I told her I was guilty! ha!! 

I didn't need a booty break, ha!!!!!!!!!   (I am a lightweight compared to Ms. Anne!!!) 

dianenv

Well I am back! My DD and I had such a good time.  We visited Creighton, which is in the running, and Loyola-Chicago (maybe), DePaul (nixed for sure) and Northwestern (which costs 50k a year, most likely nixed). Next week we fly to  Washington and check out a bunch of  the schools in Seattle and Spokane.

My daughter grew up in Vegas and when we landed in Omaha they said the temp was 85.  She was so excited for cooler weather.  She so didn't know about the humidity.  She got an awakening about the midwest.

Anne, welcome to our forum.  I am so impressed with the biking.  It is too hot in Vegas to do that much biking in the summer.

Springtime congrats on the anniversary! Pedicures are my all time favorite thing.

Kari, I hear you about the back.  Every once in awhile I have had that pain.  Until it happens, you have no knowledge that everything goes to the back, until you can't move anything without pain.

I hope everyone enjoys their Monday.  The Closer starts up tonight (YEAH)

diane

dlb823

Glad you're home safely, Diane.  Those college search trips can be so much fun!  After growing up in LV, I'm surprised your daughter is up for colleges with a real winter and snow.

Kari, how's your back today? 

I don't think I'd walked since 7/6 due to the excessive heat we've been having (111 so far; 115 predicted this week), so it felt good to do 4.75 miles this a.m.  I also had the worst truncal LE I've ever had over the weekend, which I'm attributing to both the heat and the overly-aggressive stretching I did on that side last week.  Thank goodness, it's noticeably better today.

Well, tomorrow I'll be at UCLA for a 2.5 year check up that will include that mammo & u/s I'd cancelled locally, as well as an MRI.  Please pray that I get a brilliant nurse to insert the IV.  The last time (when I was dx'd) I had a total meltdown when they had trouble getting it in.  At the time, they knew it wasn't just the IV that had me so upset and offered hugs and understanding.   But I don't want to go through that again!     

Have a great week everyone!    Deanna

AnneW

HI, Diane, it's too hot in Vegas for anything, as far as I'm concerned! A friend asked me last month if I wanted to go climb at Red Rocks, and I said, "Sure, in October maybe!"

Rode the bike for two hours today, 1.5 hours of which was uphill. With a head wind. Ugh. But it was a beautiful morning, and the downhills were screaming (for me, which means I was hitting the brakes a lot!)

Hey, Spring, no guilts allowed. You were active. Way to go!

Anne

ktym

Deanne, good luck.

Kari, how are you doing?

Diane, that is a lot of schools, sounds like looking at them is givng you a good list to choose from.  Quite a testament to DD I'd say.

Anne, 1.5 hrs sounds like a lot to me, good for you

I've been doing pretty good.  I've been pushing the weights a bit more and so far the LE has been doing ok.  Deanna, I notice the heat bothers it.  Luckily when its just me and DH I can get away with walking around without a bra on.  The combination of that on for a long time and heat REALLY bothers it. 

kfinnigan

Hi girlies!!  I've been missing in action...MIA!! 

With all the pain I was in...BIG SIGH...I wasn't feeling very motivated and work was KOOKY yesterday, it was just me covering for the office.  Anyhoo...took some half doses of those muscle relaxers, along with motrin, and topical creams/gels, and still nada.  I went to my chiropractor after work yesterday and he did a long assessment and testing and concluded my VERY tight back muscles, moreso on the left side, was triggering this awful pain in the right butt area, so he worked on those muscles, digging in there (said I was spasming in spots) and made a couple of minor adjustments, which helped, and he really worked my muscles by leaning on my bent left leg and I had to really push my leg into him (like physical therapy).  I go to acupuncture tomorrow on my lunch hour and then see my chiro again Thurs at lunch.  I'm supposed to work that muscle back there!!

Tried walking a bit last night, but I was hurting/sore and today at lunch I walked slow and for 20 min. Low back is very sore still but feels somewhat better!  

Geez, you would think I'm 100 years old...for heaven's sake... UGH

Deanna, I am thinking of you today!  I totally know about needle insertion meltdowns (flashback to chemo)

Spring, you keep on ROCKIN chickie, as you know my 2 year cancerversary was last week!!  WOOHOO to all of us!!

Anne, I am really interested in that pilates machine stuff.  I have pilates dvd's but it sounds like the machines do the trick?!

Diane, exciting about your trips and daughter choosing which college and kmmd, hope work isn't taking its toll girl.

My DH needs to have surgery on Aug 4th, he tore his rotator cuff when we were in Cancun for DD's wedding, when he slipped and fell.  He's been in such pain but he's really scared of the surgery (welcome to the club).  So I will get to take care of him soon.

Big Hello's to ALL!!