Motivation

AllieM22

Spring--you are a trooper! 

Deanna--good for you--you are always so consistent with the exercise. I need to do something tomorrow. Have been so busy getting the house ready for guests and shopping for Thanksgiving--but missed my yoga this week. Ideally I want to go twice a week. Will try to get in a long walk with the pooch tomorrow...

Ainm--so sorry to hear the news. I was hoping better news would be had--but at least his family can mourn him now without always wondering. My sympathies to his family and your daughter... 

ktym

Giving my legs a break today, been working them steadily and can tell I've overdone it and am in danger of back tracking if I don't rest them.  Doing that day of Thanksgiving eating probably isn't the best timing, but, gives me time to get all that cooking in. 

Maybe one of my short stretching yoga tapes.  

Springtime

pk0199

I would like to wish all my US BC sisters a very very Happy Thanksgiving!!! gobble gobble

hugs

Penny 

jrgolomb

I spent most of the day working hard to cook all the food this year.   Last year I don't remember much about that day.  I know I was at relatives.  This year I have to say I enjoyed every aspect of the day.  I didn't exercise, but I had the energy to cook.  I am very grateful for the time. 

kfinnigan

Hi girls!  I'm BACK!!

Ainm, tears streaming down over the sad news.  How is your daughter holding up?  Has the flooding subsided yet?  My best to you.

Hope all of you (Americans) had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Deanna, you always blow me away with the amount of mileage you get in!!  WOW 10 lbs, I can just imagine the delight you must have felt when you put your new 'baggy' pants on!  How fun!!!  And that life coach...wow she's insightful isn't she!!

Spring, I've been thinking of you and your upcoming surgery.  All my best to you, I'm sending positive vibes your way girl!

Penny, thanks for the Happy Thanksgiving to us Americans!

Joy, we need to send you some rock or something for your mud pit!!  Be careful!!!

Allie, hope you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends and can get in some yoga again soon.

flower, hope Carl is healing well.  And I'm so happy you went to get dinner, even alone!!  Good for you!!  We all have to remember to take care of ourselves, be good to ourselves, nurture ourselves.

Well Cabo was so beautiful!  OMG, hot and humid was the name of the game, felt soooo good to be in summer gear again.  Got some walks on the beach in.  My SIL's villa is on a hill so the hikes back up were awful! haha.  Yesterday DH and I walked 2 hours all the way to the Palmilla, looking at the gorgeous homes of the rich and famous.  Of course yesterday's walk was the one time I was without a camera and water!  Had to stop and rest on the way back a few times, I was soaked with sweat.  I lost one pound on the trip!  haha

Will try and post pics later!  I am so thankful for all of you!  There was an emergency with my younger DD while I was in Cabo.  Things are working out now thank goodness, so needless to say my mind wasn't totally in the game (the relaxing game), but am very thankful that she will be ok! 

dlb823

Good morning, ladies ~  Hope everyone had a beautiful Thanksgiving.  So glad you had a great time in Cabo, Kari.  But scarry about your DD!  I'm thankful she's okay.  What happened?

flower ~ How is Carl doing?  And Joy, has the rain stopped yet?  Hope so!

Well, I think I've finally worn out my pedometer.  It just isn't keeping accurate mileage any longer.  I figured the running shoes would go first, but they're still hanging on.

Anyone else feel like they need to detox after yesterday?!  I didn't have anything really bad, not even dessert, but even the richer than normal foods have me feeling really yukky this a.m.  So I'm anxious to get out there and walk some of it off.  kmmd, how are your legs feeling today?  Hope the day off helped. 

Anyone a fan of Black Friday here?  I'm not, but I was just thinking it's probably great exercise, unless you're standing in line, so I might venture out for it later, although I've probably missed all the pre-dawn deals. 

Well, have a good one whatever you're doing ~  Deanna

kfinnigan

Hi Deanna, yeah all the rich foods we don't often eat make me feel yukky too!!   Gotta hit the pavement!  Today it is cold, windy, and rainy, but the Fall colors are so pretty!!   My younger DD was diagnosed with being bipolar!  OMG, my older DD had been trying to get ahold of me for over 24 hours before finally getting through last Monday.  Said Tiffany was in the hospital and was talking crazy, they had to strap her down!  I TOTALLY FREAKED OUT!  Apparently, and this is the condensed version...she's been bipolar on the manic side only and it was triggered and escalated to a dangerous level.  They transferred her to a psyche hospital on a 5150 hold where she was properly diagnosed and given meds and finally sounds like her old self.  She said it was like a light bulb went off and now everything makes sense to her.  Apparently, bipolar people try to self medicate themselves because they know something is off.  This explains soooooo much!!  Anyway, she is out today and sounds so good.  What a nightmare for her.  She was so scared.  My older DD was a trooper and has been such a help, she is a nurse, so she is very helpful.  I still feel sad over it...trying to look at the positive aspects only!!!  But you know how it is if you're a mom, I just want to make it all better.

Thanks for listening, it helps to talk about it, cause I feel so sad inside.

OK, gotta get 'motivated' again! 

Springtime

Hope everyone had a great T'giving! 

We walked 3 miles yesterday and 2 today. Lots of walking needed with all that food! Hubby has upset tummy today!

Good thing Thanksgiving is only one time per year!  

kfinnigan

For those of you interested in pics, and not on Facebook, this link should work:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038651&id=1080675638&l=c8794fafed

dlb823

Great photos, Kari!  Looks like such a relaxing place.  Love the uncrowed beach.  My DS was just telling me how pricey real estate has become there -- as much or more than NYC.   I had no idea, but you can see why -- it's breathtaking!

And thank God your DD is okay.  I've actually heard of several other people having manic breaks in recent months.  Do you think it's partly the stress everyone seems to be under?  I guess we could take this conversation off the thread, if you prefer, but it's something we probably all should be more aware of with our family and friends.  I'm glad you felt comfortable sharing with us.  You know we love you and care about you!  (((Hugs)))   Deanna 

kfinnigan

Thanks Deanna, I was a little scared to share at first, I started to write then erased, but thought, what the heck, this, like cancer, is real life and the stresses that come along with it.  I just appreciate you and all of our other friends here so much to guide me and help me through all these life issues.  I believed my cancer was fueled my the agonizing stress I had been through for two years prior to my dx, and that's about how long my cancer had been building.  Tiffany is home and says her levels checked at 100% normal today and she sounds like my Tiff...she is looking for a new place to live and is getting back on track.  She's a very strong and beautiful young woman.  Interesting that you've heard of other people having manic breaks, I really think it can be attributed to the stresses people are under in these tough times. 

Cabo prices are unbelievable!!  My BIL is a real estate agent, so all we did was talk about lot prices, and home prices, the one being built next to their house is about $1M alone for the foundation, and then it will cost about $6M to build the house.  But the ones down by the beach go for much much much more!  It sure is fun to walk and enjoy those views, gosh my legs would look sooooooo good if I did that walk each day!! LOL  I would have to insure them! haha

Big hugs!!!!

sobx

Kari- welcome back and the pics are great. Your daughter is a fighter like you and both of you will get through this.

Spring - sending good vibes to you for the up coming surgery. Where are you having it done? NOLA again?

I have been looking but not posting. Feeling sorry for myself. Worked Thanksgiving Day, no extra pay and I am working the next 4 days. I have asked off 2 days together so I could go up and see my son but it doesn't fit in the boss's schedule. So I'm pissed and not very happy. Angry would be more like it. I ask for vacation days off and can't take them. I spent T'day by myself after work and some friends brought me leftover turkey today. This will be the first year I have spent the holidays with just me!  All I want is to see, touch and hug my son. We did talk yesterday. It was in the 70's and today onlyin the 50's with gale force winds. Warm on Saturday and the wind is suppose to lie down. I hope. Rough going over the high rise bridges.I'll get off of my soapbox now. Getting late and I have to work in the am.

I don't do Black Fridays either. I usually have to work. My middle name!  Sorry girls - I do better next post.  Love ya.

ktym

Kari, Happy to hear DD is doing better and meds are working.  Your daughters sound so wonderful and supportive.

Joy, hugs to you, so sorry to hear its been such a rough weekend

Springtime

Joy, yes NOLA again.... I cannot wait for this to be over. It is just so LOOMING over me now. ugh!

jrgolomb

Hello everyone.  I actually had a fairly decent Thanksgiving; I actually had enough energy to cook my way through the day.  NOw, of course I feel lethargic......I did exercise yesterday and plan on it today, but I wonder do any of you on this great thread have any advice on how to get rid of the stomach roll of fat?  I exercise enough and I eat okay-well, I did go over board eating the apple pie I made.   Anyway, other than cutting out the apple pie ( it is already gone anyway) how do I get rid of the stomach bulge?  Crunches don't seem to do it, the plastic surgery didn't and probably won't do it, plus gravity seems to help it bulge over the waist line!   ANy ideas???

AllieM22

Joy--ugh!! That stinks...  Hopefully you got some good karma points in...maybe?? Or a good reason to take off some time around Christmas.

Kari--sending you a BIG HUG. I'm so sorry about your daughter although it sounds like she is doing great and maybe it's a relief (for her) to have a name for what she's been feeling and a way to deal with it. I'm sure all will turn out just fine--especially with such a loving family and friends around her. Just sorry you have another reason for worry and stress. Should be smooth sailing for Miss Sweety Pie Happy Face! Don't they know that?? Sending you good thoughts and hugs. (And couldn't get pics--it just sent me to Facebook and when I signed in, just went to my normal home page...)

Spring--good thoughts and hugs for you too! You are going to do great as you are a pro at this now--right??  

I had a great Thanksgiving with my in-laws here so pretty quiet and easy to coordinate. Thought I did well with leftovers tonight but now feel like I swallowed a balloon which someone is inflating. Ugh...did go on a hike this morning while DH biked--so that felt good. Really need to get to yoga--maybe tomorrow. 

Sleep well all!  

Chaparrita

Well when chemo finished and I had spent the last 7 mos doing nothing but sitting or sleeping I had to do something to get back some strength.  I felt like my muscles had atrophyed.  I began just by doing some stretches every day in my bed before I got up.

Then moved to doing stretches out of bed and then went to the library and for free checked out 5 Yoga Videos to see if I liked it, was able to do it and could follow the routine.  Oh it was a great start.  OK, Yoga every nite in my bedroom, then after two months I applied for a scholarship at the YMCA and began to walk on a treadmill.  Just for 15 minutes to start, am now up to 1 hour pretty good speed and elevated.  Also do two different weight machines, one for hips, legs and thighs and the other for abs.  Take it slow and increase in small amounts.

Be Blessed

ktym

Chaparrita, wow, I'm impressed.  Good for you.

Jess, I'm paying for being so active in cooking at Thanksgiving too.  The myopathy and chemo fatigue are relentless you do pay for any excess. Re: stomach roll.  I wish someone had warned me about this before I hit 40!  I've been reading some interesting thoughts on this by one of the medical advice columnists in the health section of CNN on line.  She says that when you get into your 40's and especially around menopause that starches and carbohydrates will go straight to the abdomen.  Have to admit, pasta is my downfall.  Probably true for me.  So, she recommends really being careful with portion size and sticking to complex carbs like whole wheat toast  or pasta, brown rice etc.   Once its there, unfortunately, its one of the last places it comes off as you lose any excess weight and get into shape. 

Mandy1313

Chapparita: Your self motivated exercise program sounds great. I have been having trouble getting back in any kind of post chemo shape because of my neuropathy and fatigue.  So I think I need to stop yelling at myself and go back and take some slow steps and see where I end up.

 Spring: we will all be thinking of you and sending healing thoughts out to you.

Joy: Hope you get Christmas off.  

To everyone who I have not listed, I wish you only good things and a wonderful day.

Mandy

kfinnigan

Joy, that is irritating about not being able to take the days off you've requested.  Suggestion for seeing your son, do you and your son have a built in camera or a web cam? You can join Skype for free and see and talk to one another.  We talk to almost everyone in my DH's family.  We are going to buy my younger DD a web cam for Christmas so we can SEE her and I can at least get a semi fix, haha. 

DD is doing great, thank goodness.  She said she is stronger for it and will learn from it.  Very proud and relieved.  Thanks Allie, you made me LAUGH!!!  love that.  Glad you had a nice T'day.  Am sending you a pm...

Spring, lots of good vibes are going your way, I know you just want to get it all over with!!

kmmd, I've switched to the complex carbs, not all of the time, but most of the time, cause I love carbs!!

Jess, that belly bulge is hard to get rid of I've heard...kmmd's advice was good!  Let's try to incorporate the healthy stuff in and yes, more crunches unfortunately.

Chapparita, Great job on the slow and steady exercise!!  very good advice.

Hi Mandy!

Have a wonderful rest of your day lovelies!!

Press on. Obstacles are seldom the same size tomorrow as they are today.
~Robert H. Schuller

pk0199

Hi Everybody,

Boy lots going on with everyone. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend. Sorry Joy that you had to work. When I worked for the health region there was lots of shift work, that is why I left and went to a private clinic. Worked for me but that is not always an option for some. I do hope you can get some days off together to go see your son, nothing better than bonding with our boys. My DS and I had a small row, he finally has an active social life and I feel left out. I asked for some one on one time, in which he got upset and didn't want to give up any of his friends time, which I agree, I asked for some of his "gaming" time (how much time can you spend playing video games anyway?) He did agree and so decided to become my "personal trainer", ladies I think he is trying to kill me! I did his day one work out on Thursday, today I can finally walk upright and without it looking like I had something up my backside! Walking up and down stairs was terribly painful. Hubby looked at what DS had me do and commented that was a bit hard to start off with! Anyway, today did day two, gently though as I am on the floor doing mammos the next two days and need to be able to move! Anyway back to the point I was trying to make, it was good bonding time.

Spring, don't envy you another surgery, but you seem to come back like a real trooper so...

Kari it's hard to be a parent sometimes isn't it, it is hard to sit back and not be able to "fix" their booboos anymore. Glad to hear your daughter is doing well though.

Deanna, you haven't mentioned your recovery lately and have been going great guns so I take it you are doing really well.

Meg-haven't seen you around for a bit.

Ainm, kmmd, Mandy,Allie, new people I don't know too well yet, big hi to everyone and hope all is well. Gotta go now, today is our big football day Grey Cup, and I always make hubby special treats on this day and for Superbowl (the guys loves his football and hockey)

Take care all. 

Brendatrue

Hi,all--I've been away for a while, trying to cope with a number of challenges and trials and then with a household of family for Thanksgiving. I have been incredibly sad this past six days, after our dog companion of 12 1/2 years died last Monday. My husband and I both are grieving and receiving comfort and support from others, which has helped.

Exercise? Well, I've seen a couple of days with actual physical activity in the last week. And I will try to do more in the coming week to get back on track--physically & emotionally. I know that working out really helps my mood and improves my confidence in my body as I grow stronger and continue to recover from chemo, surgery, etc. (it feels like such a slow process sometimes!).

Spring--I hope your Stage 2 surgery goes well. And, flower, I hope your husband is healing without complications and that you continue to take good care of yourself. Kari--How stressful ( to say the least) for your daughter, you and the rest of your family to have such a crisis before her mood disorder diagnosis. I hope she will be able to learn enough about this illness to manage it well; there is some interesting research about natural ways to promote mood stability, in addition to taking prescribed meds, if I remember correctly.

Joy--I am so sorry about your workload! How long have you been with your employer and are there options for advocating for different work demands and schedule? kmmd--You are finally leaving the flu behind? Congrats! I hope your body continues to heal from all the stressors you have faced.

 Ainm--I hope that you, your family and your friend's family find comfort in knowing that your friend's son's body will be placed at rest and in remembering how special he was in all of your lives. I am glad you turned to us for support.

And for all those others who posted on previous pages, that I thought I would remember but did not, I hope you continue to find inspiration as you strengthen and mend your bodies and minds. I have been showing up here for about 4 months, I think, and I am really thankful for all the support for recovery that I have found!

kfinnigan

Hi ladies, eating a huge salad for dinner so I pulled the laptop next to me while watching 2 episodes of The Biggest Loser, that's motivation for not overeating! haha

Thanks for all of your support, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have all of you!!

I recorded Qi Gong, The Flow Continues on PBS and did a little routine with it this a.m.  It was wonderful!  I would like to order his (Lee Holden's) dvd's!!  I notice a lot of the time I breathe shallow and then I wig out and try to think about breathing correct, but I don't and this exercise really helped!!  Took a nice walk this afternoon, the sun was out and it felt really good.

While I was at Costco today buying vitamins, a gal behind me was buying liquid D3 and the man behind her said, just go outside for your vit D, you don't need to buy that.  Then I listened as she got all embarrassed and made excuses for why she was buying it.  I found that interesting...

Let's gear up for a good week!

AllieM22

Thought I was doing well until dinner--which wasn't bad (although pasta at an italian restaurant) BUT they suckered me in with the $#%^ white bread! I forgot how that expands in the stomach--ugh! My fault. Have been walking in the morning with the dog but am going to try (again) in the morning to get to yoga. Have to get out before 8:00 with the pooch or it doesn't happen--hard to get him out of the dog park and home in time to go to 9:30 class. Whine, whine , whine. I'm going!

FlowerArtist

hi all. sorry, been kinds busy.  Kfinnigan and DLB .... Carl is recovering slowly.  Very possibly he is slowing himself down by trying to do too much too soon.  I'm carrying more house stuff than usual along with trying to keep his spirits up.  He seems to need a lot of time right now, very needy.  This is coupled with his mom taking a significant decline in health (Rose is 97 and been very healthy -- she still is, but has developed a catarac (did I spell that right?) and isn't steady on her feel and just started using a cane.  So I think she might be making more of this than needs be.  Just so that all generations are covered, Racheal (daughter) has been having resiptory problems and Cathaleen (granddaughter) got pneunmonia (she's fine now). 

I'm the healthy one!  Woo Hoo, who would have thought that would be the case this year.  Well, I've got my annual gyn appt. tomorrow and I damn well better be healthy!

Exercise since Carl's operation has been spotty.  Doing some everyday, but not doing enough overall.  Figure another week, and things will soften up and I can get back to my routines.

Ainm -- so sorry to read the news. My love and hugs to you and your family. May life get better for you.

Everybody, take care and keep posting and keep motivating each other.

Bye for tonight

Ainm

Hi All,

First of all thank you all for your support over the past few weeks - it was invaluable and gave me strength. We laid Brian to rest last Friday in our lovely little country burial ground, the whole community was rocked to its core and banded together in a wonderful show of sympathy and support. I hope I never have to experience such a situation again. My DD is grieving for a wonderful friend who never got the chance to reach his potential - which would have been impressive if he continued on as he was. But now we must push on and much like dealing with BC I can only hope it will get better. Heaven knows it couldn't get any worse!!

Secondly - to my US friends I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving - reading through your posts it does appear that there was sufficient indulgence!!

Spring Best of luck with surgery tomorrow - I'll be sending healing vibes!!

PennyTake it easy, don't let DS overwork you - maybe he is hoping that if he is tough enough on you you'll let him go back to his gaming in desperation!!!

JoySo sorry to hear about your friend who succumbed to lung cancer - another young man gone too soon.  I hope that if you had to work Thanksgiving you will definitely get Christmas off. I hope you can organise some time with your son soon. Take Care (((((((Hugs))))))))

DeannaWay to go with all the walking and the weight loss - I'm not surprised your pedometer has worn out - you'll need an industrial strength one next - LOL.

Kmmd I hope you are not overdoing it - it's not that long since you had that nasty flu.

Jess  Regarding the stomach fat, I have one word for you - Spandex!!!! Well when all else fails it's good to have it in the form of 'magic knickers'!!!!

Allie If you manage to take the dog out twice a day and do yoga you will be doing great.

Kari What a to-do with your daughter. It was good that her sister was in a position to help. I hope that things will continue to improve for her. I know that I found the support here over the past few weeks was great - I hope that sharing with us helped you too - Mom's always have to be the strong ones but do take care of yourself.

Flower I'm so sorry to hear that your family is having more of its fair share of ill health. Tell Carl that the Irish Lady says 'Slow down, tomorrow won't come any faster if you work harder today - give your body time to heal, it will thank you for being good to it', and Flower take care of yourself too.

Brenda Oh poor you, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I hope that the issues that have been causing you stress are sorting themselves out. I know what you mean about exercise, it's almost like meditation for me these days - I hope you manage to get some time out for yourself.

Chaparrita Wow that's an impressive regime - were you very fit before your dx?

Mandy & Meg Hi to you, hope this week is a good one.

Well, I did stick with my Wii Fit over the past while. Food wise I did some comfort eating but I was very conscious of it so I never went overboard. Weight loss did slow a little but the good news is I have broken through the 200lb mark, this morning I weighed in at 197 (and three quarters) lbs!! So that's a total of just under 33lbs in about 17 weeks so if I keep it up my onc should see a visible difference in me at my next appointment in January - then he'll see how serious I am about fighting recurrence!!!

Today my husband was talking to an acquaintance who seemed a little subdued and when he inquired further the guy told him his 37 year old wife had just undergone chemo to shrink a 7cm tumor prior to surgery - DH told him about me and they compared notes and DH gave him some encouragement and a little advice about how to cope.

Wow I'm sorry about the long post but it does take awhile to catch up. Hope everyone is doing well and you should all enjoy being showered in the beautiful light shining from your halos - the ones you have for being such great friends!!! (((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs to All))))))))))))))))))))

pk0199

Ainm, so good to hear from you. Congrats on the weight loss that is so great, keep on going girl!

Brendatrue

Ainm--So glad to hear from you. Congrats on reaching your weight loss goal! You are inspirational!

 Kari--I do tai chi from time to time; perhaps I'll be able to check on the Qi Gong.

 Allie--Nice to have your dear pooch to keep you going. I know a lot about pasta cravings....

 Flower--Good luck with the gyn exam. I had an extensive eye exam today and was very grateful to hear that my eyes appear overall to be healthy, although I did have to hear that my irises now have a "barely perceptible rotational nystagmus" as a result of chemo. Perhaps it will go away, perhaps not; at least it should not get worse.

 Oops--I forgot to exercise today! Off I go to do some sort of movement for at least 30 minutes. See you later!

AllieM22

Ainm--glad the community pulled together to grieve. So sad...

But congrats on you passing a major milestone!! That is so great and really inspirational...I remember how unsure you were at the beginning about being able to make a change.

Breanda--you're so funny! Glad you got your 30 mins squeezed in.  I did enjoy yoga this morning--felt so good but then I sit here stuffed again after dinner--argh, portion control!! But my guests leave tomorrow so I have a few days to get back to good food before the dinners start up again...