Motivation

::::and still wearing my Troop Shirts hat:::

Vivre- you made ME feel good, because that is also my fear, that people will forget, that I am no longer telling the troops and the firefighters the truth, that people still care.  Here we are on a breast cancer board, and suffering greatly,many suffering well within the same degree as the 9/11 victims, and even still, you care about what happened 8 years ago, you remember.  What that means to me and to the troops and the firefighters- who really do think that the world has moved on- I can't describe.  Again, there is no way to demonstrate remembrance to the firefighters.  People stopped coming to the firehouses, stopped waving on the streets, stopped breaking out in applause every time they see a firefighter.  

One of the things I learned shortly after 9/11, when i was afraid to leave the city because I thought outside the city people would not care, was when I stopped on a road trip to Florida at a convenience store.  The kid behind the counter noted that I was from NYC and was very kind.  Then he told me about a family member who had been on one of the planes.  He was MUCH closer to 9/11 than I was in NYC.  I also lost no one in the attacks.  I didn't suffer personally one bit.  And sadly, yes, there are New Yorkers who forgot, or never cared.  I don't know what planet they are from, but they exist.  

Cancer Vixen book points out the possible effects of 9/11 on cancer rates, and yes, I do think that possibly my cancer came from 9/11, breathing in the air of 3000 incinerated people plus the buildings and machinery.  I have no problem blaming cancer on 9/11, or blaming cancer for anything or blaming 9/11 for anything.  It's all evil.

I did not see the media yesterday.  I know what I want 9/11 to be- a worldwide day of silence.  Just silence.  It was so quiet after 9/11, no cars on the street, no planes in the sky, no subway trains running, no busses.  And when the thousands of people came out of their homes to gather in the public areas and stand together, they said nothing.  There was no music.  There were no signs.  Nothing needed to be said, or argued, or blamed or proposed, no political agenda it was just people standing together.   But what 9/11 will become as a national day is well out of my control.  Just as people fail to mark Veteran's Day, and only consider Memorial Day a holiday to begin BBQs for summer, life goes on.  Its kind of like when the babies cry during the masses and events at firehouses... we like it.  Life going on is the best way to say fuck you to Osama Bin Laden.  We are all about LIFE.  

You are the mother of a fireman?  Wow.  Talk about service!  What I do is just volunteerism, civic duty, humanism and caring, but as the mother of a son, I can say what I do is nothing compared to what you have done.  You were definitely walking with me between those firehouses, and when I bang on the door of the firehouses, you are with me.  I was greeted warmly by the father of one of the firefighters lost from Engine 24 Ladder 5, Andy Brunn,  and  his sister, saying I was doing great things for the firefighters and the troops, and how much they appreciated it.  What can possibly mean more than that?  Your son is my family, and you are mine.

Yes I often refer to those people on Flight 93 who rose up against the terrorists as the first warriors of this war.  I am completely amazed at how they figured out in 5 minutes what was going on, shed their regular lives and took action.  It goes to show you that if you scratch the surface of any American, any freedom loving person, you will find a warrior.  We are you and you are us and we love you.  I am outwardly a downtown Jewish artsy-type chick.  I am the same as a soldier. I think it's important that we break the stereotypes perpetuated by the media so that the troops and firefighters realize that they walk among supporters.  It took me 3 days to even wrap my head around the idea the WTC towers were gone :::poof:::.  Oh crap, I realize now I didn't look out my window last night to see the Towers of Light... they only do that on 9/11, replacing the towers with beams of light.

These regular folks on a regular flight figured it out in 5 minutes.  

I can't even watch the videos, especially the ones where our firefighters ran IN to the towers after the planes hit.  I can't.

As far as the money and the politics of rebuilding, I can't go there.  Not with my troop shirts hat on.  In all the 8 years, in all the thousands of letters from the troops, in all my discussions with the firefighters, not once has politics come up.  Not during the elections even.  One time one of the troops said they didn't like hearing the President being disrespected.  One time a firefighter who was a Vietnam vet said he didn't support the war.  That's it.  These people are too busy doing their jobs under extreme circumstances trying to save lives to stop and question authority.  These people who not only protect our right to determine our own government and policies by voting are also making it possible for other countries to have the same choice.

For me, the discussion of policy is VALID and necessary and its what we're all fighting for in the larger picture, but I can't go there in the same moment as 9/11 remembrances. I do have very strong opinions on the subject, but I'll save that for another discussion.  That's just me.  You have certainly earned the right- and thanks to all who serve, you have the option and perhaps the obligation to speak your mind freely.

On a bit of a side note, I find it pretty amazing that I have heard nothing about the march on Washington, except for Vivre here and my friend in Pennsylvania, who said for the first time in her life she is going to protest.  This is again, life, and freedom and it's what the troops and the firefighters and all the first responders make possible.  So RIGHT ON!  Exercise your rights in the name of all who have paid with their lives to make it possible- from the Revolutionary War to Women's Suffrage to today. 

I have the same difficulty with "Fashion Week" beginning on September 10 this year, but again, any time we continue with our lives is the best way to stick it to Osama Bin Laden.

Thank you again ladies, for caring and letting me know.  Be sure I will pass it on.

::::: OK, taking off Troop Shirts hat now (but continuing to work on the effort, this year again for the holidays, be sure of that!)  :::::: 

Hi cuties!  After posting on Friday and reading the posts about living our lives, I asked DH if we could go play in the mountains!  He agreed and we grabbed an overnight bag and snacks and hit the road, taking advantage of me being off work!  With temps of 104 here we went to Lake Tahoe, it was 92 there even!  You have to understand that my DH never goes out of town at 1:15 pm!! But he did it for me!  I wanted to celebrate life and a cancer free sigmoid test! We had been watching all the 9/11 TV stuff all morning and we cried and talked about it as we always do.  We bought a beautiful black/white picture that I'm looking at now of the twin towers all it up at night.  We will never forget. 

Anyhoo...boy after a sigmoid, let me tell ya, the gas pains are enormous!!  so I dealt with that til evening and I was simply starving.  Ended up eating like a pig, more than my DH!  He kept saying I was eating like a linebacker and just laughed!!  Felt good!!  On the way home yesterday, we visited an old friend (he is the father of my DH's first love...we are good friends)...and his son was there, Billy, who always looked up to my DH like a brother while my DH dated his sister.  Well Billy is 36 now and in the Air Force for 16 yrs now and married to a gal in the Air Force.  They've been to Iraq 3 xs and he's on a rapid deployment list with a 12 hour notice to go to Afghanistan and he is really excited!  It was really fun talking with him and my DH had a blast.

DH left at 4:30 a.m. for the week.  I watched another 9/11 history channel show, cried some more, then got up and cleaned some more. my DH's sister and her hubby are coming here Thursday night from Seattle.  There is an open house this Sat. at my DH's sister's vineyard in placerville.  Then another sister of his will be here Sat. night from Portland.  He has 6 sisters!  So house needs to be clean! 

There is a big event in Roseville though on Thurs night that I cannot miss.  Its called the "The Faces of Breast Cancer" and there will be a panel of 4 oncologists from Sutter Hospital and is put on by Komen and ACS, talking about survivorship, etc., so I will have to get off work early to visit with our houseguests and then go to the event.  I will ask SIL if she wants to go.

Rode my bike to the Club and got back on that Eliptical and did a cross training program.  Again, that was tough!  BUT I DID IT!  I am so proud of myself!  Even did an arm workout on the home gym. 

Dragonfly, I hope you find your inspiration here.  I have always exercised and need it in my life because I am really vain too! heeheee  Makes me feel good to be able to come here everyday and be encouraged by and encourage others!  I can honestly say that this thread is very motivating to me.  I think of all of you each day and know we are doing it, we are doing it together. 

So the first quote made me laugh...but it is true!  the 2nd one is a little better.  Have a wonderful day all!

Motivation alone is not enough.If you have an idiot and you motivate him,now you have a motivated idiot.
  ~Jim Rohn

Get around the right people.Associate with positive,goal-oriented people who encourage and inspire you.
  ~Brian Tracy

Well said Helena, and you are not kooky!  heehee

dragonfly, any inspiration yet??????

Have some errands to run and I already walked the mutt. did anyone watch Dr. Oz, his first show. He had a guy on there to get you motivated with a few moves you can do at home. It was good. couldn't help but laugh. Dr Oz has no rythm either. As he said you can walk, jog or dance but just move!!

My son is also a volunteer firefighter. He is now being trained for forest fires and will have his card to go west to help out. The post on 9-11 brought tears to my eyes. May we never forget.

Well, after a week of one excuse after another (too tired, too hot, too achey, too dark, 9/11, yada yada yada...), I finally got back on the exercise wagon today and did 9074 steps this morning.  Thank goodness we seem to be cooling off some -- at least at night; so early a.m.' was much cooler than it's been for weeks.  But, I'll tell you, without this thread and all of you, I don't know if I would have been as motivated to get out there, which is a bit scary. 

It was thought-provoking and touching to hear everyone's thoughts and remembrances on 9/11.  I remember watching the Today Show that morning in shock, and as soon as it became obvious that this was a terrorist attack, I jumped up and dug out a huge American flag and unfurled it from a second story balcony.  And my DH was out of the country on business and couldn't get back in for a week!   Then we had to fly to a funeral about two weeks later, and I remember our normally busy local airport was empty, and when we landed @ SLC it was heavily manned by armed military -- probably because of the upcoming Winter Olympics.  I cried because I could not believe this was happening in the USA.  But I also had two spiritual experiences in connection with 9/11 that reaffirmed my faith in the midst of such horror -- experiences I still can't explain, but that take away some of the pain from that day.   

Kari ~  I absolutely love your spurts of sponteneity!  I, too, dropped everything on Friday to do something spur of the moment with my son.  Now, if I could just get my DH to be more like that!   

Has anyone heard from Spring since she returned home?   Deanna

Vivre, great article!

Joy, I didn't see Dr. Oz's show.  I'm at work and didn't tape it.  But it sounds good!! 

Allie, yes there is good in some humans!!!  makes up for the bad seeds.

Deanna, glad you were spontaneous on Friday!  How is your son by the way?? We need to work on your DH!! heehee  Funny, I started reading your post and misread it, thought you said 'after one exercise after another'...then realized you wrote 'excuse'! LOL!!!!!  This thread really keeps me accountable.  And that's a GOOD thing!!  Glad it does the same for you!

Ainm, how are you holding up sister??

Spring, I just saw on FB, you were locked out of your house?  Oh boy...glad your DH got you both back in the house!  Lack of sleep is miserable, glad you were able to get back on track and are puttering around.  Is it hard to sit down?  Did they take a big area from your butt?

Had a hearing test at lunch and chemo really worsened my hearing!!  I qualify for a hearing aid! YIKES!! 

Use your talent (everybody has one) in anyway you can. Don't keep it for yourself like a miser - spend it like a millionaire!
  ~Lucy MacDonald

Ok so I have been thinking about that post above where dragonfly asked for motivation, and I thought that was an interesting query.  I mean, obviously we all know why we should be motivated, but how do we actually get motivated?

Yesterday and today I schlepped my kid to the playground on the Hudson River.  The weather is suddenly supercalifragalistic, after a summer of rain. My kid's only seen a playground once in his life, he's 19 months old now.  Man o man did that ROCK!!! I mean, this is why i had a kid, or at least one of the reasons, to be able to take him to a playground and have him go wild.  To pick him up when he's going somewhere and I want to take him elsewhere and have his feet kicking in the air like a cartoon character.  To have him duck under playground equipment and get away from me, only to come running to me when he thinks I've left him behind... yeah baby, this here is the good stuff.  I tell you i absolutely appreciated this before breast cancer, and it was absolutely double the horror at least when i was DX'd, and my fears of all the TXs keeping me from my kid.  Yeah, I escaped chemo but the day of surgery was the first day of his life that he didn't wake up with me in the morning and go to bed by my hand at night- he didn't even see me that day.  And there have been too many FSdamn days since that have been similar, times when he was crying and I could not lift him out of his crib or change his diaper due to radiation burns or fatigue (who the hell knew that damn fatigue was debilitating???).  And yeah, I know and I knew then how lucky I am that this is likely to be a temporary set back for me and my son, while others have it far far worse.  So without a doubt being able to carry my kid on my shoulders and keep up with him in general and give him a nice day playing at the playground is motivation for me, but let's assume you don't have kids, or a husband or partner, or you were never really a beauty queen and you are not into vanity, and maybe you had it far rougher than I do, and maybe the odds are not in your favor... so what then would motivate you?

Here's a list so far:

It's the best was to say FU to cancer

It makes you feel better, look better

Cancer not happy when you are exercising 

If you are having sex, it makes the sex better

If you are not having sex, it makes a better chance you will have sex

Cancer be beddy beddy angry you are exercising 

Because you can

Because you can shut doctors up really fast if you can say "I exercise [20 minutes/40 minutes, an hour/more] a [day/week]".  Nice to shut them up.

It cuts down on your side effects

it's cheap and easy

It's the only way of getting high that no one can give you crap about

It gives you the right to come here and bitch about how hard it was

And did I mention that it really ticks off cancer? 

Rachel BC  Love it, getting on my bike RIGHT NOW!!!!! Thanks saltykm

Hi everyone..................I have been a slacker.  Just got back from vacation and tomorrow is the first full day of school for 2 of my kids.  I need to pack my bag for the gym......tomorrow or Wed will be my first day back.

Happy to read all the positive posts.....keep it up everyone!

hugs

Diane

Great list, Rachel!  And when it comes to staying motivated, I think that if we let ourselves not be motivated for even a week, we start to lose some of the fitness we'd worked so hard to achieve.  So not wanting to drop back is another motivator.  Also, as L'Oreal says, "Because we're worth it!"

It is positively ridiculous, Allie, that so many people don't pay any real attention to diet & exercise when they know it can help them.  Lack of intelligence?  Lack of awareness in some instances? Laziness?  Denial?  Easily persuaded by advertising?  Or they value the pleasure of eating more than they do their health?  I think they all can factor into the picture to some degree, but overall I agree -- definitely something that could be questioned by someone looking at our society as a whole.   Deanna

Hi cuties!

Reporting in: 1 mile today in about 25 minutes. Yes, slow! But I am happy, to move less than 2 weeks post surgery! It feels good to move, and besides, loosens things up...  

Kari, that was a good quote today!

Spring. 

Spring- you are AMAZING!!!! 

Kari- I LOVED that quote today!

AinM- I can't STAND that Wii Fit bitch!!!!!  I must be doing something wrong... I just thought it was going to be exercises, I am really unhappy about them telling me how fat I am and how much I need to lose- I already know that thanks!  Just starting it up the part where I had to stand straight, I swear to you, I had to lean into the plant next to me to  get it to say I was standing straight.  Oh I want to freaking strangle that thing!  Good for you that you can use it.

I promise you I appreciate every second with this kid- and I appreciate all the advice to do so.  Even with cancer, having this kid makes me the luckiest woman in the world, and I appreciate how lucky I am that the odds are in my favor to be here with him for a nice long life. 

Heading off to bed now after a very busy day.  Sore squeaky foob, sore knee, ahh but achieved so much and had some great moments.  Can't wait to see what is going to happen tomorrow.

Spring - you live up to the quote 'hope springs eternal' - you are an inspiration. 

Thank you once again everyone for your amazing posts.

big hugs

Helena

Oh, forgot to report...NO exercise yesterday! YIKES!  But did have my massage for the cure!  It was heavenly, BUT she aggravated my hip pain!  GREAT....but I see my PT at lunch time today.

Rachel--I missed the squeaky toy reference too--so you're not the only DUH.

Kari--no fair that the massage (esp for the cure) made it worse!! I slept funny on my neck the other day and for like 3 days it has been KILLING me. Was about to schedule an apt with my chiropractor but just noticed that this morning it's almost all gone. Yay! I hate that--now I know where that expression came from--pain in the neck! hee hee!

Need to get to the gym today at least for some time on elliptical--feel a cold coming on (sore throat, sinus and ear pressure--fun) but may try to go anyway... I walked yesterday with the pooch so at least did something.