Motivation

meg as I have said, you are in my prayers.

Spring, at least you worked out before the Mexican food, I usually just eat it.

Ainm, I am sorry, that sucks!!!!

Harley-good job on the "torture machine"

Spring and Harley stay warm and dry.

Off to watch American Idol-I hope it is good.

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone.

diane

Greetings to all! Diane--If it weren't for sticky notes and lists, I would never get many things done! But sometimes I forget to look at my lists! And, yes, I also have called my home to leave messages on my machine to remind me of something. I understand!

Spring, I'm still "just" doing serenity now yoga (35 minutes) on occasion; I really like it. I'll have to look up down dog again. I sent myself a desk yoga workout to do at my office, but I have forgotten to check it out. I guess I will have to post it on my desk to remember. Harley, I loved your comment about how you would have preferred to be under your bed with your cat....I will have to think of something a little different to say now when people say, "You are so brave...." It sounds like you are being wise in limiting your activity as you recover from that nasty infection. I hope you continue to heal. Joy, you are really pumping; I bet you will be really inspired once the weather warms. I am looking forward to weather that tempts me outdoors! Monday I did very little exercise, yesterday the serenity yoga, and today classical stretch/strengthening.

And, Meg. I really admire your perspective as you face this new cancer challenge. I must admit that I probably always will feel sad when I hear of anyone who is diagnosed with breast cancer (or any other potentially life limiting illness). Regardless of how much I have grown and who I am at this point in my life, and regardless of how much I have learned to accept that this is the reality of my life, I am still saddened that I have experienced cancer several times over the last 15 years. I don't spend my precious time wishing that it weren't so. But I do grieve the losses that I have experienced as a result of this disease while I continue to grow and persevere and really live as fully as I can.

Hoping the best for all of us, Brenda

Spring good job!!! Spring will be there before you know it. 

I walked 4 miles today.  I need to get a different route-my block is getting boring.  The best part is I can stop at home if I need to. 

I am also thinking of Meg. 

Everyone, stay warm. 

diane

Happy to report I walked 4.6 miles this morning, my first day back at it after 4 days of various reasons why I couldn't.  I've also found myself constantly eating the past couple of days -- including all kinds of sweets, which rarely appeal to me --  and I realized this evening that I'm feeling really anxious and upset about a lot of things, from bc sisters having to continue their fights, to the changes going on in my MIL's life (basically losing her independence), to the tragic murder of that beautiful 17-year old girl not too far from here, to name just a few.  It seems like these things disturb me or stay with me even more than they would have in the past; or maybe I've just had too many hit at one time, I don't know.  I'm sure that not walking for a few days didn't help my frame of mind, either, because walking gives me time to think about things.  Oh, well, just sharing some thoughts, I guess, as a head off to bed.  Tomorrow's another day...      Deanna  

Diane, Spring, Deanna--As Kari would say: WooHoo! Keep on walking! The warming temps and the lack of rain got me out today, right after work, and I enjoyed a 30 minute walk with my husband. It was slower than I would have liked (crotchety knees...) but I enjoyed moving and breathing outdoors.

Kittycat--We do our best to keep each other inspired and moving, which is a GREAT positive vibe!

Deanna--You sound insightful about the triggers of your anxiety and emotional distress. Life certainly can be both wonderful and tragic, and sometimes the tragedy seems to abound. I always have been a "sensitive" person (as my mother would say) and when I am attuned to myself and others I tend to feel calmer and more grounded. When I am "un-attuned" to myself I tend to be more anxious. I think walking and other forms of movement help me to "re-attune" in a way that is similar to your experience. I also am wondering whether hormonal therapy could be affecting your mood/anxiety level. I know that lately I have been close to tears much more often, and I have felt that suddenly and intensely. I have wondered whether tamoxifen may be contributing to that, although I can't minimize the impact of concern over new physical symptoms and being "worked up" again. I will quit rambling right here.

Kari--I wish you the best in switching from Tamox to Arimidex; keep us posted on how you are doing. Also, I realize that you put a lot of thought, energy and time into the process of considering recon; I hope you find peace with not doing it at this point in your life.

And, Kari, by the way, I haven't done a dark thirty workout in a while, but I am doing better in the evenings. You sound like you are doing the best you can, so you get credit for that, too! Remember, kmmd's 10 minute rule? I have turned it into the 15 minute rule for me: 5 minutes warm-up, 5 minutes exercise, and 5 minutes stretch/"cool down." Am I getting wacky or what? My goal is to do those 15 minute "routines" on the days that I just can't do more. I'll keep you posted!

Hi all, work outs have been OK, not great.  Work has been intrusive at a time Ihave not felt well. Don't like the balance have to work on getting it back

Happy Friday cuties!  I'm off work today!  woohoo!!!  DH and I just took a nice 2 mile quick walk and stopped at the dog park for a minute, some very beautiful dogs there today all having a blast. 

Brenda, I hear ya on the 10 minute and I also do the 15 minute workout before work, since I haven't been doing the dark thirty workout.  I was also doing an experiment for my back.  Last week I had acupuncture and the next day my chiro and my back was feeling a lot better.  The chiro said to judge how my back feels after exercising.  The other night when I did a slow incline (which really made the backs of my leg sore) on the treadmill, it bothered my low back, so I'm listening to my body more or at least trying to.

Deanna, my onc asked me when my last period was (it was after my first month on chemo 9/08) and said she would test my hormones again since its been well over a year without a period and didn't think my ovaries would kick back in, although she has 2 patients that got their period back after 3 years while on Arimidex.  She will test my hormones every 3 months and give me bone density scans cause Tamoxifen protects bones and Arimidex will leech the calcium out!  She said the Arimidex will work even better for me than Tamoxifen.  I love my onc and trust her.  The whole recon issue was awful.  My only 2 options left are options I'm not prepared to deal with for the sake of a small boob.  I'm only an A cup on the remaining breast.  I still cried after talking to both PS's.  Its quite an emotional roller coaster, but I don't have to tell you girlies that!!  Its ok, in a way I'm relieved and in a way I'm not.  But I will be A-OK!!!  I can promise you that!

Enjoy your day all!!  The flowers are vibrant, the trees are blooming, some are budding and some are getting ready to, its trying to become Spring here!!!  I LOVE IT!!

Spring

Congratulations on 25 years at IBM!!  That is quite an accomplishment!  It doesn't mean that you are OLD... It means that you are a MODEL employee, and very loyal...

...I STILL haven't done my elliptical torture yet...  I know... I'll go now, but I dread it...  I should have gotten it over with, I know...

Spring, CONGRATULATIONS!!!  How simply awesome, 25 yrs!!!!!!  Funny about what you wear to work everyday!  haha  Did you get your 2 miles in today?

Harley, I can just imagine you walking by that torture machine each day and giving it a sneer!!  haha  Ok, so did you get on the torture machine today?

Ainm, I know you get frightened at the risks, which we all can understand.  You must have hit a plateau, I believe the body gets used to certain exercise and we have to change it up a bit here and there, but keep stepping away, because at least 30 minutes a day is something to strive for.  I know I feel guilty or get scared when I don't exercise or eat bad too.  I'm feeling much better these days, trying to accept that I am doing what I can, eating better than pre dx and just living better, trying not to stress out like I used to.  Trust me, it ain't easy, but I try.  We also have to live too though, enjoy ourselves and not be too rigid all the time, where we can't relax and enjoy ourselves.  Ok, I'm rambling, trying to say something to help, but you get my drift.  And dudette, you are NOT negative in my opinion.  You make me smile and I am sending you a big squeeze girlie!!

keep on keepin on

Harley, You amaze me with working out on something you hate! Is there not any other exercise you can do that you might actually enjoy? I love doing the classical stretch/strengthening workouts (I have 3 cd's and I do the PBS current season from time to time), my serenity now yoga, and the bone loading workout, and I can't imagine trying to find the motivation to do something I despise! It's hard enough keeping up motivation for things I enjoy (I know, it does not make good sense, but I think you know what I mean).

Deanna, I hope the nice walking you did helped you to find some peace of mind & heart. kmmd, I thought of you the other evening, after I logged off, and wondered how you were managing since we had not heard from you. Finding balance can be a real struggle sometimes, especially since life is just so full of change. Often I will think that I am in the groove, or in the flow, then WHAM! another change happens and I have to readjust. I hope you can find some kmmd time this weekend!

Kari, If you have already mentioned this, forgive me, but have you had a PT develop a back routine for you? When I had a jolting back injury at work in '08 I went to a spine specialist who ordered a back rehab program for me. It helped me slowly but tremendously, and I still incorporate the various exercises and other things I learned into my daily life. I do have degenerative disc disease in my lower back (the infamous L4-L5 area) but I experience relatively minor flare-ups. And I really think the glucosamine has helped me, too.

Spring, Congrats on the 25th anniversary at IBM! I must admit that I am envious of anyone who can work in sweats and hoodies....

Ainm, This may sound unrealistic but...perhaps you can start challenging yourself when you notice "negative thinking" by replacing that negative thought with a more realistic, affirming, or positive one. Yesterday as I was driving to get my bonescan, which of course was anxiety producing, I challenged myself to feel gratitude about what is going well in my life when I noticed the anxiety and fear. I started singing--remember our great conversations a while back about singing and dancing?--and I felt so much better.

By the way, today I got my bonescan results, and there was no sign of bone mets. I am so relieved. My MDs still want me to have an MRI, which is under medical review with my insurance co, because they cannot figure out what might be happening with my shoulderblade area and causing all the constant pain. I sincerely thank you all for your wonderful support as I continue to face this latest challenge!

harley glad to see you post again.  I hope it gets at least kind of warm soon.  Tomorrow I am off to San Diego and see (hopefully if it doesn't rain) my son play some baseball.  If it rains, oh well, at least I am in San Diego. Post again on Monday.  Hopefully some good walking at Mission Bay.  diane

kkmd I hear you about keeping negative thoughts at bay.  Sometimes it gets so hard to stay positive.  I hope DS gets the job!! My son graduates in December and I'll be right there too.  Off to San Diego, not raining yet, but will this afternoon. diane

Bluebirds and Robins--looking like spring finally. Now we need the warmth. NC girls it is on the way.

Okay is it the weather, time of year or what?  I'm having the sweet urges too. I have eaten everything not good for me. Girl Scout cookies included.

Kari - welcome to the arimidex saga. It is a roller coaster too. Been on it since 1/09. My joints ache but I keep moving and exercising to stretch everything out. Take vitamins too.

Ainm - You aren't negative. Just stating what we all think about. Coulda, shoulda, woulda - but we are given a new day and we should be thankful for it. I am trying to help others that are going through this trek and be supportive to others. Giving back what I have been given! Questions will always be in the back of my mind. You have come a long way and have gotten over many obstacles that were put up in front of you during this journey. This is making us stronger in mind and spirit.

Everyone have great weekend. I'm off today (Sat) and I will straighten the trailer and then do some  yardwork. A lot of tree limbs are down and I need to pick then up. But it is still chilly out so don't know how much I will get done.

Hugs to everyone. Love ya Meg!!  

Welcome Sher - First off - do what your body feels like. Don't push. The chemo will knock you on your butt but you still need to do some movement. I walked my Dd (dog) and still do. Don't over do it.  You will get great advice on your diet and what not to do on here. And you will make great lasting friends.

Spring  - didn't mean to forget you earlier. Sr moment!! Congrats on 25 years. You must have started work at a very early age. Off to clean now.

Harley how is the TM? 

Just-Sher, I'd buy the MN barrier to exercise, except I've visited DS often in Minneapolis.  DH and I comment on it every time we are there, people in that city MOVE.  All times of the day or night year round people are out walking/biking/running. (Can't forget fishing)  Just a visit there is motivating.

Welcome to the thread.  Its a great group and we keep each other moving one way or another. One of the other women on here told me when I was going through chemo to just do what I could each day, some days that means getting out and walking around the house and coming back in and crawling into bed, but to do something every day.  That was great advice.