Motivation
Comments
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Yes, the rolled oats would be mush by morning! You aren't the first one to try this! Let me know when you try the steel cut oats!
Dark chocolate...gotta love Easter!
Doing my zumba every day....love being back at it. On April 24th we are having a zumbathon! Three hours baby...can't wait!
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Lisa, I thought of you while dancing in my bathroom last night brushing my teeth! LOL! A great song was on and I just started moving and laughing...whatever it takes!
Got a nice walk in last night after work before the storm clouds broke through. Rainy rain rain today...may have to put some music on again and dance dance dance!
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Today i went for my tattoos. That is one weird feeling.... The device sounds like the drill from the dentist office. They inject you with lidocaine just in case you have some residual feeling. Then they mix up a color and start the process. Bandages stay on for 3 days, then change the bandages and leave on for 3 more days. They have to be kept moist because scabbing will cause them to fall off.
I am allowed to work out as long as I don't sweat. That is not really an option for me because I have some sort of faucet implanted on the top of my head and it is turned on as soon as I start to exercise.
Hope you are all doing well....
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Hi Girls,
I will look out for some steel oats, thanks for the info Lisa.
PT63, sound like your tattos are big, if they need bandages, are we talking radiation tattos or something just for fun?
Take care girls and have a Happy Easter!
Singapore Chris
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kfinnigan...you go girl! That is the thing with Zumba, the music just gets you going! I'm like you, I'll dance all over the house...makes cleaning tolerable! LOL
PT63, I'm like you. I look like I just got out of the pool by time I'm done with Zumba! My class laughs at me all the time! It can be hazardous though...when the sweat gets on the floor it makes it slippery and one night I did the splits...as I yelled to my class "don't do this!" ROFL
Singapore Chris, let me know what you think of the oats when you try them!
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Yesterday i tried to join a step class at the club. Lasted about 45 min then had to stop or I would of fallen into the step instead of hopping over it. But it was fun so next week I will try again.Its going to take awhile to get all my energy back.Today the weather here is fantastic so I will head down to the lakeboardwalk and powerwalk.Wish some of you ladies lived closer so you could join me. Have a great day.
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PT63, I thought the tattoos were for your ta tas right? I'm really praying I will be able to get reconstruction. I haven't seen a PS yet, I'm waiting til I'm off the Avastin trial, then have to wait a month after that (August timeframe)...also heard you have to wait one year after rads are over. I will ask my onc this summer about it. I'm excited for you!
Did the treadmill last night (raining outside and cold)...boy that was the first time post chemo that I used the program that did the hills, boy did I struggle! I was soooooo pooped after that walk and I only walked 23 minutes! Also finally picked up the 1 1b weights and tried a few moves, but felt weird pain on the left side (surgery side) so just did minimal on that.
Lisa, danced danced danced again in the bathroom LOL
Mumayan, 45 minutes is a job well done in step class!! Wish we could join you for a walk too!
Looks like Winter out there this a.m. but should clear up this afternoon.
Make it a great day!
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Hi all
Yes they are ta ta tats. My PS wouldn't let me do anything fancy. Said I had to go somewhere else for that. I asked for shamrocks but they said they were all out of green!
Post surgical skin is more fragile so the tattoos have to be kept moist and covered for an extended time frame. Scabs need to be avoided as much as possible so after the bandages come off you have to keep them moist with vaseline or something similar.
I go back in 2 months for a recheck. Supposedly the color fades for the first 6 months so they are much darker to start.
Kari I hope you get to have reconstruction. Make sure you get more than one PS opinion. I was talking to my PS yesterday and they said with the economy the way it is that many PS who have never done reconstruction before are suddenly advertising that they do. I guess people don't have as much money for cosmetic/elective surgeries so their revenues are decreasing. These PS have never done breast reconstruction only augmentation which is a different ballgame. My PS is expecting a huge influx of re-dos in the next year or two.
Also, don't let anyone talk you into a tram or partial tram flap. There are so many more options out there now. The tram takes part of your abdominal muscle which leaves you at risk for hernia etc in the future. Not good for anyone but especially if you are active.
I just did the dog walk today with aggressive housecleaning in preparation for company. Listened to my kids Playlist to keep the tempo up.
Take care
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PT63, thank you so much for the valuable info regarding PS!! Have fun with your company too!
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Hi girls,
Happy Easter!
Mumayan, take it easy with the step classes, sounds dangerous to me
Kfinnigan, 23 minutes soundds like a long time to me, I must admit, I tired a bit easier than I did before, dissapointing really as I have tried to kit myself I am the same as I was before. How did you get onto the Avastin trial, I thought it was for bone mets patients? Have you had any aches and pains from it. I have a close friend here who is on it and has lots of aches and pains.
PT63, sorry it didn't occur to me that your tattos were on your tats, funny expression, I have never heard it before, is it more American that English? Are you pleased with the results? I hope it wasn't too painful. I only had a double lumpectomy and 27 lymph nodes removed, but have heard that you can't get your nipples tattoed in Singapore. We would have to go to Australia for the artwork. Don't overdo the house work, I am sure you company just want to see you. Like Kfinnigan said, it is always good to hear new information about reconstruction options. If I had to I would have gone for the tram, what bad news have you heard?
Take Care everyone. Singapore Chris x
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Happy Easter!
Chris: Many people have done fine with the tram but there are more options available these days that don't take your muscle and leave you at risk for hernia or just generalized weakness in the abdominal area. If I would have had a tram I probably would not have been able to safely take my kickboxing class or lift the weight I am required to at my job. Having said that, not everyone can easily get to a hospital with experienced physicians in DIEP or SGAP procedures. It seems like a lot of gals travel to NOLA for their procedures and through the information found on these threads it looks like NOLA works well with people's insurance. The newer procedures are often done at the larger teaching hospitals which may or may not be geographically possible for all.
I got to look at my new tats when I changed the dressing today. They look very weird - almost surreal after having no color for over 2 years. I have to bandage them up for 3 more days then I can take the bandages off and get a better look to see how I like them.
Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend
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PT63, I am sure you will get used to your new look, especially when you take off the bandages. I see that you have been on tamoxafine for 2 years, how is it going and side effects for you? I have only been taking it for 3 months and so far so good, except a small incident of bleeding which was put down to a hormone imbalace. Have you managed to get back into shape after all your treatment, sounds like you are pretty fit?
Hope you have a good week, take care. Singapore Chris
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I have been walking all over Chicago this week with my students, so exercise is on track. For those of you who cannot make it to a step class, do you know you can do it on your own stairs? I just go up up, down down on the lowest stair for about 10 minutes at a time. It gets your heartrate up quickly and you do not need to take all the time to go to the gym. You can then stretch the leg muscles by standing at the edge of a stair on your toes, and lowering your heels for the calves. For the hamstrings, put one foot on a higher stair than the other with several stairs in between and slowly stretch.
Easter blessings to you all!
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Good Morning everyone......Thought I'd hop into this thread (lol - oh ya Happy Easter
) because good health and good nutrition are priorities to me too. This is the first Easter ever that I bought NO candy for dh and I. Usually I make up a basket and put it on our dining room table. For weeks we eat from it - like everytime we walk by the basket - and I swear I bought every type of good chocolate available. Haha! NOT this year. I hardly bought any for the grandkids either. Bought them other stuff and a very little candy.It's good for us to keep each other motivated. Glad I found this thread.
Healthy hugs,
Mary Jo
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Vivre, thanks for the tip about home made step class. My house is full of stairs and I will try that.
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Happy Easter all! and welcome Mary Jo! Good job on not getting a goody basket this year, haha! I really look forward to checking in to see what we've all been up to and keeping each other motivated!
Yesterday was a nice day here after a stormy week. I ditched the wig officially yesterday! My new pic is showing the new "do"...I feel so free, like the wig reminded me of bc and my own hair is a new awakening and the me on the path of no bc!!! hubby and I walked to some stores yesterday, then home...I got on my bike for 20 min. outside, then home and we did some pruning, then played horseshoes and had music on...we talked about when we were going through treatment and he cried about how scared and helpless he felt, then I cried...it was very cleansing and felt good to talk about it and look forward to doing normal things and feeling "normal", whatever that is! haha
I'm going to try and color my hair in just a bit...there's a lot of gray that just won't do!
Singapore Chris, when I first met with my onc 8/5/08, the clinical trials nurse and the regular chemo nurse were in the room with us. My onc said they are trying to see if Avastin, along with Taxol, would be the new chemo protocal for treating aggressive breast cancers, like mine. Avastin is used for colon/lung and adv. bc...she told me it was a risk benefit for me to join the trial to reduce the chances of recurrence. My lymph nodes were all taken out when I got my mast. and were positive, but thank goodness my bone and organ scans were clear!! I ended up on the Arm of the trial that goes on for 10 more doses of Avastin after Taxol ended, so I will finish up at the end of July. I don't really have the achy stuff from the Avastin, I think the Tamox is doing a little of that for me, but not too bad.
Have a fantastic day!
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Kari- love the do! It looks great. I have always been partial to short hair, so easy and freeing (really easy in the morning and convertibles). On to the next part of your life...
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Happy Easter Ladies! Welcome Mary Jo!
Kari love your new photo! I've been going out without a hat on...I figure people just think I'm in the army! Call me GI Lisa! LOL My husband and I love to play horseshoes...it will be a few months for that...need to let these news implants settle and wait for the weather to warm up!
I'm working on new Zumba routines...we are having a three hour zumbafest on the 24th...I'm looking forward to that!
Was wondering if any of you are on facebook? If so, look me up!
Make it a great day!
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Hi Girls,
Kari, so glad you are feeling good and moving on. It has been a year most of us want to forget. Looking forward is the only way to go. Good for you going out without your wig, it really is a very liberating experiece. I went out without mine really early and didn't care what anyone thought, I was just so glad to be cool. I have already coloured my hair twice, and it seems to be surviving. The problem with short hair is that the colour doesn't stay long before some new dark and grey hairs pop their heads up.
I am off to walk the dog, although to be quite honest, my knees and feet do ache. I had a foot and leg massage at the weekend and they felt so much better, so I will be doing that on a regular basis.
I am not of face book, I did join, but found I couldn't keep up with it and these boards.
Have a great day everyone, Singapore Chris
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Happy Easter Everyone! I totally cheated today; lasagna, Easter Bread, Rigotta Pie, jelly beans and a few pieces of chocolate. Ok, so that isn't all. When I got home from my Mother's, I figured today was already a bust, heath wise, so I had a glass of wine and pretzels! There is my confession! I'm so ashamed but it was so good.
Lisa, bad news about my Zumba class. Our class is going to be filmed for a commercial! How mortifying! They don't know when the camera crew is coming yet. I ordered the 4 dvd Zumba set and am hoping it comes in before filming so I can improve my moves.
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Lisasayers: How long after your exchange before you did the Zumba? I'm really a yoga person and my PS said no for 6 weeks, but I'm wondering with care and some modifications if it wouldn't be "doable." There, for the first time I used the word doable in relation to breast cancer treatment in a way that doesn't drive me straight up the wall.
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Dianne that is cool! I had the news come in and do a segment for the evening news back in October, it was a blast! I never knew when the crew was going to show up, so my class had no idea! But they didn't mind when it happened. They interview several of them after classs...sweat and all! LOL You'll be fine!
And as far as yesterday goes with eating...we all need to indulge once in a while! Just as long as we get back on track. I made whole wheat blueberry pancakes, eggs and bacon for breakfast yesterday and then we had ham, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, cauliflower and home baked bread for dinner. Oh, and deviled eggs! Not much candy here...bought each of my kids a chocolate bunny!
knmd, my PS told me no vigorous exercise for one week. I was back to Zumba the Monday after my surgery, which was on a Friday, but I just moved my feet a little. I went backt to teaching two weeks post op, but I still take it easy on some of the moves. Every PS is different!
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EWB, how did you know we just bought a new (used) convertible? LOL!! I had the windows down in my car yesterday and it felt so good to have the wind blowing MY hair!
Everyone at work is so great about the new short "do"!! Very empowering!
Lisa, I mean GI Lisa, LOL! You are in such good shape that could be true you were in the army! That's a big compliment! Your zumbafest date is getting closer - I think of you each time I am boogying to my stereo! My hubby and I were both doing some fun dance moves and cracking each other up. We are clowns!
Singapore Chris, how long have you lived in Singapore? Where are you from? I've never been out of the U.S., except for Mexico. Must be hot over there!! I was soooo cold all winter without hair!
Dianne, thank goodness for people like you! We all need a cheating day now and again. Good luck with your moves and the commercial, keep us posted.
Yesterday went to lunch with my oldest daughter and her boyfriend. I was good, grilled salmon and broccoli! I was good because I was bad on Friday-my cheat day! LOL Walked/biked also. I was pooped!!
Have a great day!!
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Kari- yipey on the convertible. I got one last yr...lime yellow saab...can't lose it in the parking lot. Its been Loads of fun, and its MY car! Kids are grown, don't need practical mom-mobile. Great in the spring & fall...just put top down (elctronically...so easy) and turn heated seats on...wonderful! Hope you enjoy it!!
I always think that if you OWN the look, what ever it might be, others will go a long. Hard part is the "why" .
Happy Easter recovery to all, a nice walk in the sun should get everyone back on track.
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It sounds like everyone enjoyed Easter/Passover and got a bit of the sweets cravings satisfied! We kept it fairly healthy. No chocolate bunnies or jelly beans, but I did make a yummy Coconut Cream Pie using only organic ingredients.
I'm still walking, but decided to keep track and report by the week, rather than daily. So, for the past week, I did 15.25 miles, and I want to try to better that each week. Oh, and I'm also now running a bit of that, although my lower body still feels strangely "heavy," even though I'm not.
I have a question about walking -- Does anyone else's hands feel swollen while they're walking? It's just something I've consistently observed and don't know if it's from the heat here or something else. I don't ever get out of breath or winded, so I don't think it could be a heart or circulation issue, and it seems to go away shortly after I return home. I wish I knew for sure what was causing it. Deanna
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Lisa, spray with pam, ok, and I found i had to use less, and also could not go overnight.... It is a learning process!!! I have a teensy tiny crock pot and a massive one. Guess I need medium! LOL
Ladies, I walked on the beach EVERY DAY (for an hour) and then walked on easter in our neighborhood! Many miles!!! Happy to report!
PT, I went to NOLA - PM me if any Q's.
Easter was great! We went out for Indian food since we were just back from holiday, and no food. Funny how that worked out!!! LOL.
Deanna, my hands also swell up while walking. I think it's from getting hot/warm....But both the same, I always check!!!
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EWB - Right on girl about the Saab! My husband's family has had Saab's forever, we had an older convertible Saab, then sold her (loved that car), now I have a sedan Aero 9-5. The convertible is a sweet little porsche! After bc, seemed appropriate! LOL!!
Ok Deanna, now I'm craving a cocunut cream pie...shoot...I also get the hand thing, but also think its from getting warm/hot and I always check mine too, and they're the same size. That's always happened to me though. Good job on the mileage, wow!!
As I was walking the other day in my "hood" and crossing the street, I tried to run to get out of the way of an oncoming car and it really pulled my mastectomy site area...was the weirdest feeling. Since rads also when I stretch that arm its so tight in the chest area, but I keep on stretching 2 xs a day.
Springtime, sounds like you had a nice vacation at the beach, and awesome job at the walking! Welcome back!
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kari - your hair = cute as a button!!!
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Kari,
Not so long ago someone asked me if this was my midlife crisis menopause car. "No" I said, 'this is my "I have stage 4, terminal cancer and if I don't drive this now I might never have the chance to' car". "Oh" they said.
Enjoy.
I think hands swelling is also because arms are down, try swinging your arms as you walk.
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Deanna I have the same problem with swelling feet and hands. had to buy new running shoes a size larger just to be confortable working out.None of my old shoes fit anymore. I thought it was just water retention and would clear up after treatments but it didn't. What a waste all these beautiful shoes I can no longer wear.I am at the stage where I don't even want to bother getting dressed up to go out.I bypass mirrors now as well. My hair refuses to grow out properlyy face still has a sickly anemic look. Its been 6 months since chemo and I still only have 1inch of hair on my head.I have been working out regularly and haven't dropped any weight. Right now Mumayan is not a happy camper.
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