Motivation

FlowerArtist

Hi all!

 Thanks for the support.  Its been 10 days for Carl and he's turning back into the normal Carl.  YEA!

Racheal and Cathaleen are both almost back to normal; just a few more days of antibiotics and they will be normal, too.

My gyn appointment was totally boring .... love to report that one.  I think I'll say it again:  Totally boring....nothing extraordinary in any way.  Life is getting back to normal....yes!  way to go.

Carl and I went for a real walk today .... only about 2 miles, but that's really good for him.  I did a (smaller) workout today.  My pedometer says .... (are you all waiting with bated breath? lol)  12,926!

Aimn:  thank you for the uplifting words and CONGRATS on the weight loss.... Brenda, thanks for good thoughts, I'm sending you back prayers for improvement in your irises, not just stability.... Everybody, thank you for being here where I can just tell you all what's going on and just relax and know its all OK, and you all are there to 'listen' and support.  Take care all.  Keep up the good work for yourselves and for me, too!  Love and hugs.

ktym

Flower Artist, I'm with you, had my yearly HME and it was boring too.  Peple call and ask DH and I about what is going on and we say nothing, work, and home, very boring.  BORING is now our favorite description of ourselves.  We want a whole year of boring coming up.

Ainm: one word spandex, I was on the floor with that one, I love it.  I'm happy your husband could help the one whose wife is going through chemo.  Probably DH to DH is the best advice.

Spring, hard to believe its time for surgery again. We're pulling for you.

OK, gotten into a terrible habit.  Eat good and exercise well all day.  And at night hitting the snacks.  Very bad, and I can tell its adding up.  Anyone have good suggestions for avoiding the saltty cruncy cravings at night?

kfinnigan

kmmd, you made me laugh, I need suggestions for avoiding the sweet cravings at night!!  YAY for boring!!

Ainm, I am so happy and proud of you!  You BEAT the 200 mark and like Allie said, in the beginning you just didn't think you could do it, but you did and are doing it!!  Kudos to you my friend.  So sad about Brian, but happy the community came together and can hopefully help one another move forward and celebrate his life.

Allie, cracking up over the portion control talk!  You have such a gorgeous figure, but I know I hate being stuffed and all bloated.  Beemer will help you walk it off!!

Flower, so happy to hear Carl is doing better and you two were able to get out for a nice walk.  Also happy about your DD's getting better.  And you get a lot of steps in!!  My DH just bought a pedometer for me, then he took it and has been emailing me all morning reporting his steps!  haha  I said 'great, I sit here at my desk all day with about 9 steps in', haha

Brenda, I'd like to try Tai Chi, seems these exercises help my back much more than yoga and pilates and that's a plus for me!  I need to schedule an eye exam to see what chemo damage there is if any.

Prayers for Spring!!

kfinnigan

forgot to report I hopped on the treadmill last night...only a mile but my back...you know the drill....gosh I gotta get some relief and it seems like I've tried everything...I really think its the Tamox...

Mandy1313

Hi All!

I am not good at going through the thread and remembering everything that is happening. I am so sorry about that. But I do think of all of you and you are in my heart and prayers every day.  

Hugs

Mandy

pk0199

Hey Everyone, big hug to all.

Tried new workout, PX90, second day today, think I will regret it tomorrow, legs are already sore. I am at a very frustrating point, doesn't seem to matter what I do, I am steadily gaining one pound a week. Ainm I think I keep finding your lost pounds! lol. Will keep working on it.

Day off tomorrow, going shoppin'.

Later all. 

dlb823

I just got an email from one of Spring's (Beverly's) friends with some great news, and couldn't wait to share it ~

Hi everyone -- Beverly went into surgery at 1pm today and was done by 5:30 tonight. They weren't able to get a network connection at the hospital, so they asked me to send word to everyone. I talked to Beverly -- she's doing great and is up and walking around already! She said she feels great! They check out of the hospital Weds and will be back online. Yay! So glad this is behind them now!

pk0199

Good to hear thanks for letting us know Deanna!

Oh, after doing the cardio DVD of this PX90 yesterday, I am down 1.4 lbs, yeah!! But, there is always a but, boy is my butt sore, the cardio was lots of legs and butt work, stiff today.

Have a great day everyone. 

violet7

Hi!  Can I join in on this thread?  I am supposed to start chemo tomorrow.  I had a bilateral masectomy at the end of October w/o reconstruction (I'll do that later).  I have been eating like crazy since the surgery - and things that I normally never think to touch since I'm a long-time whole foodsetarian.  I'm 5'5" and I weigh in the 160s.  Before children I was a size 5!  So, I normally eat nutritiously, but probably too much.  I normally walk each day.  I haven't walked since surgery.  My long-time goal has been to get back into something that resembles my pre-baby (my oldest baby is 10!) shape.  Now, you would think that last year when I was dxed with endocervical cancer it would've thrown me into diet/exercise overdrive in order to boast my immune system and decrease my odds of developing more cancer.  I was Stage 1B1 and a radical hysterectomy seems to have done the trick. I'm post-menopausal at 45.  I'm being watched every three months.  Now, here I am with 2b triple neg breast cancer and I'm still messing around - but worse because I've eaten ice cream and french fries a few times which is normally an annual treat type of thing.  So, I've had enough.  I reached beyond saturation point yesterday where food just tastes like the ashes of defeat.  I'm ready - I hope - to pull it together.  Just in time for chemo.  I'm hoping that I will be one of the 60% of women who lose weight during chemo.  I'm hoping chemo will give me a yoga body LOL.  To help the process along I plan on doing yoga DVDs at home.  I also have a friend who is a yoga instructor and she can help me out here.  My question to those of you that have travelled this road before me is: Is this doable?  Or is this just crazy talk?  Has anyone gone through chemo and come out in better shape than they were in before they started?

kfinnigan

Deanna, thank you for the update on Spring.  I also want to say I'm sorry about BetteLou's passing.  I found out yesterday.  I was a lurker on your chemo thread until I did Rads, but another of her rads sister's posted on our sisterhood thread about her.  So so so very sad.  Hugs.

Hi Mandy and Penny, Penny - yes there is always a but...or a sore butt!  haha  you made me laugh and good job on the px90, my daughter is doing that.

Welcome Violet!  Boy you've been through a lot this past year.  I've heard others say they continued their exercise through chemo.  I think it all depends on how you respond to chemo as to whether its a realistic goal.  I have always exercised my whole life, but during chemo it did a number on me and I'm still trying to get back to the 'old' me.  BUT, we are here for you!  This is a great bunch of women, who care and motivate one another.  Yoga sounds wonderful to me!! What chemo regime are you going to be given?  Best of luck to you!!! Big hugs!!

I walked at lunch yesterday and did some Qi Gong last night and some crunches and stretches.  Felt good!  Low back is of course sore but it didn't aggravate me on my walk yesterday, which is good news.  Did 50 jumping jacks and some stretches when I got out of bed.  Its so cold in the mornings now!!  I hate the cold!!

Coworker is really sick and of course she came in....AARRRGGHH!!!!!  I told her to GO HOME!  She came in yesterday and was feeling sick! 

dlb823

Good morning, everyone, and welcome Chiparita and Violet!  

Violet, I think it's great that you're anxious to get back in shape, but I think worrying about your weight during chemo may be setting yourself up for disappointment.  Not only will you have little control over what chemo does to your body in terms of water retention, fatigue, etc., but you will probably have many food aversions, as well as some odd cravings, or just be very limited in what appeals.  You will, at the same time, have to be careful to eat enough nutritious foods to avoid getting sick, which can quickly lead to hospitalization when you're on chemo.  Sorry to be the voice of reason or a reality check here, but I just don't want you going into it expecting more of yourself than is humanly possible!  But I'm glad you've found us, and we'll be here to cheer you on!

Speaking of weight loss -- Ainm!!! -- I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!  I cannot wait to hear that you've reached your next goal!

And I am so with FlowerArtist and kmmd on loving things being boring these days!  (LOL!)  I've actually said that to friends recently, meaning how boring we've become in the past year and a half while I was focusing on tx and not doing much of anything else.  But boring as in maintaining the status quo is fine with me for now!

Penny ~  Keep up the good work!   And I'm envious of you girls who are doing yoga.  I really need to try that.  Hi to everyone else!    Deanna

Springtime

Hi ladies! Just wanted to check in and let you know I am still alive, but I see Deanna is so on the ball, she already did it!

I am up and around and being discharged today - back to hotel! I am feeling so much better than after phase 1! That was being hit by a mack truck, and I am sore and hurtin, but I can tell this is going to be a much better recovery. 

The surgeon said, "you will be blown away" -- he did a lot of work and lipo! Apparently, I now have a waist! :O

Spring.

OH I walked 3 laps in the hallway at the hospital so far!  

dlb823

Spring ~  I don't know why your post moved me to tears, but it did!  I guess I'm just in awe of how strong and resilient you are -- we all are -- going through this!   You really are amazing, and I'm so happy for you!   Deanna

ktym

Violet, welcome, you're being too hard on yourself.  It is hard, but you can maintain your weight on chemo.  My Onc gave me great advice.  Exercise a little every day.  Some days that will be a walk around your house, somedays running, yoga, whatever you used to do.  Just do it.  Weigh yourself every day.  Don't let yourself think "oh I ate a lot of salt yesterday" watch the scale.  Personally I did fine until I let my guard up after chemo.  It is hard, but you can do it. 

Spring so happy to hear you are doing so well. 

Kari, don't get me started.  Others can walk sick, those of us recuperating will go down for the count.  Cyber bonk on the head to your coworker who came in sick

It's a yoga day. 

kfinnigan

Spring! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so happy for you and your new waist!!

kmmd, I thought of you earlier!  Another guy just went home, he said he's been sick for a week!  DARN THESE PEOPLE!! 

kfinnigan

oh...walked at lunch, but only 18 min. I pooped out - I was hungry!  Heading over to my older DD's after work to see her and her pups and to give her a big hug for taking care of her sister last week.  Both DDs are doing really well!  Yay for that!

Springtime

Deanna is right, we are ALL AMAZING! Amen to that, girl friends!!!  

kfinnigan

Yeah!!!

AllieM22

Aw, you ladies make me feel all warm and fuzzy!! Yay--we are great!

Spring--you are truly amazing. I'm so glad it went well--we were thinking of you and sending good thoughts. Deanna--thanks for the update! 

Kari--good to hear from you. Sorry you are dealing with sick co-workers! Blech! I feel lucky not to be out in the work environment during flu season although maybe my immune system is getting lazy...

Today all I did apart from the two outings to the park with the dog was to clean the house like a mad woman. We just had company leave so I have washed everything that isn't tied down, cleaned, mopped, etc. It's the Cinderella workout!!

kfinnigan

Ahh...the dreaded Cinderella workout!  LOL!!!  You go Allie!!

45 more minutes to go here at work...Just did 3 letter of intent from heck!! 

violet7

Yup.  It was crazy talk.  I'm on day 2 of chemo and I really don't feel very well.  I can see losing weight during treatment because it is quite the task to choke down a piece of toast.  Thanks for the kind advice.  I guess chemo first, vanity later.

pk0199

Take it one day at a time Violet. Go for walks when you can, not for "exercise" but to get fresh  air and clear your mind. You're right, get through your tx first. Big hugs and hope things pick up soon for you.

Did the yoga part of PX90 yesterday. Glad I was at home by myself cause I know it wasn't pretty! Man that was hard work, and that was with modifying lots again, cause I am just not that flexible or coordinated! Taking the evening off tonight, we are in the middle of a big snow storm so DS,DH and I are going to cuddle down watch movies and eat too much popcorn.

Have a great evening all! 

FlowerArtist

Hi all!

Hi Spring!  Congrats!  Glad you are back with us and doing well.  Welcome, Violet!  V.  take it easy at first and be gentle with yourself.  Right now, the most important thing is to love yourself and do what your body tells you, not what you think you should do because its 'good' to do it.  What is right is what your body needs, not some formula worked out by anybody else.

OK, I REALLY need motivation.  Carl is a bear that needs to hibernate!  Its been just over 2 weeks since his surgery and he is really about to drive me crazy.  He keeps the heat up too high -- gosh, its 40 outside and 75 in here -- which makes it real unfun to exercise and hard to sleep.  And he is so grumpy!  This healing business is worse than the surgery!  Ladies, please HELP!  I find that I'm not being a very nice person right now ... seems that I can't ignore his growling at me and I can't seem to put it off to his not being fully functional.

 Seems when I was going through BC stuff last year, I went out of my way to not inflict my bad feelings on other people.  I got awful quiet, but I don't think I bite very often.  Now I want him to do the same thing.  I seem to resent that he is not himself and being grumpy with me.  He puts on the good face with everybody else, but, with me, he's "meaner than a junkyard dog":

Wow!  Felt good to put that down.  Ok, now I'll get back to taking care of him and not biting back.  Thank you for being there and letting me cry on your shoulders.

(Oh, yeah, well, uh seems that I've been gaining a couple of pounds....that sure doesn't make me feel any better.  I KNOW I'll get them off in the next couple of weeks, but I don't want to deal with this, too.)

Take care, all.  I'll be happier the next time I write, I promise.  Hugs to all.

AllieM22

Violet--good luck! We're pulling for you--hope you find some sort of "routine" that works.

FlowerArtist-- Sounds like you need to get outside and get some fresh air too. It's hard being the in-home health care worker. Take a little time for you too--you'll feel better.

Spring--hope you are doing well.

Kari--hi! Same to you... 

sobx

Morning all - Guess what?  It is raining again. Suppose to have the Flotilla tonight but it depends on this lovely weather. I've made 7 batches of brownies. If this doesn't happen we will freeze them and sell them next week at the parade. Dd and I played in the puddles this morning!  Spent 3 hours with my lawyer on Friday. Be glad when this is all over!

Cyber hugs to Spring. Don't know how you are doing all of this.

Violet - take each day and pace yourself. Tx will take it out of you and it will take you over a year to get over it. That they don't tell you. Take small walks and breathe deeply and drink lots of water.

I missed the thing on PX90. What is it and it must be good. I need something to do and can't seem to get my lazy butt in gear.

Still haven't gotten up to see my son. I need 2 days off together and it isn't going to happen anytime soon. Don't even want to go there.

Everyone have a great weekend.

kfinnigan

Violet, hugs girl....chemo does sucketh mucho!!!  Listen to your body and rest when you need to!  The exercising and walking can be started up again at any point!!

Flower, we always want others to 'behave' as we do, but we are strong sensible women!!  Our men, like to be taken care of, and I'm sure he doesn't mean to be such a pain in the rear!  haha  Hope it all calms down soon and he starts to feel better so you can feel better too!  75 in the house?  that is warm!!

Penny, you made me laugh visualizing your private yoga session!!  you go girl!

Hi Allie!

Joy, I hope the Flotilla event can go as planned tonight!! keep us posted.  I want to come and join in!!  and yum on the brownies!!  Hoping you can see your DS soon.

DH and I walked after work last night and enjoyed looking at people's houses all decorated.  He put up our lights outside, but we need more!!

Am going for an xray today of my back/hip and neck.  I wrote to my PCP yesterday that I am still having the pain, and the PT cut me loose, etc. and she wrote back saying she ordered xrays and to schedule an appt. with her next week to go over the results.  Trying to get to the bottom (pardon the pun) of this darn pain!!!!!

Happy Saturday!  Its cold!!!!!!! And a big storm is on its way tomorrow. brrrrr...you know how I just love the cold!  NOT

AllieM22

Kari--good luck with the x-rays. Man that is a pain in the bum!! I hate the cold too--it's been cold down here also. AND the heater went out on us the other night--ack!! But luckily my McGuyver of a DH fixed it--whew!

Am off this weekend and then back to leave for NYC on Mon with DH--woo hoo!  Few days there and then I am continuing on to CT to see my parents. Nice way to spend my b-day week!

Did not get to gym yesterday with all the running around but did walk 3 miles so at least got the blood moving... 

pk0199

Kari if you were here i would xray your butt!Hope they get to the "bottom" of things!

Joy, send some of those brownies up this way, we are snowed in and looking for munchies! Was up at 6 am shovelling snow (DS was going snowboarding but we were too snowed in to get him to the bus that was going to the mountain) So have shovelled snow, pushed two of the neighbors out of snowdrifts all before 8am.

Flower you may want to ask very quietly to Carl when he is being a bear, where his life insurance policy is, that you may need it very soon if he keeps up that attitude. That usually settles Fred down for me.

PX90 is an extreme workout in which you keep switching up your workout to confuse your body so you get quicker results, so far all I have are sore muscles. Going to keep on though, especially today, can't go anywhere anyway. And after doing the 1.5 hour yoga DVD for this, I have a renewed respect for those of you who do yoga routinely, it's frigging hard!

Allie, enjoy your little vacation and visit with your folks. Happy Birthday week to you.

Going to PX90 myself, abs today I think, what a sucker for punishment. 

Mandy1313

Spring: you are just amazing!!!

Violet: don't be so hard on yourself.  You will do fine and will be back to your old self when all of the treatments and anxiety are in your past.  That being said, one of my friends swam three times a week during chemo and rads.  And she took 3 mile walks every day.  It is a very individual thing.

As for me, I had a rough time on chemo and I am just coming back.  Today I finally made it to the gym which has been a goal for a long time. I managed to exercise (although probably gently) for over an hour.  I was hubby's "guest", but tomorrow I plan to take out a 3 month membership of my own. My goal is to get there 3 times a week. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Mandy

FlowerArtist

Thank you, PK!  I needed that laugh!  Maybe that's what I really need right now, more to laugh about!

I guess the nasty pill I took the other day has worn off, because I feel like I'm back again and ready for whatever comes to me.  I did exercise today and I've already made my 10K step goal....I have been exercising, but not doing the whole thing all the way to the end.  I really need some new tapes!

Good work everybody!  Keep smiling.