Motivation

I joined BC.org two years ago today and very quickly found this thread which was such a support to me.  I dip in and out of a few threads and frequent one or two others which I find friendly and supportive.  Sometimes I feel that visiting BC.org is keeping 'it' all too close to the surface for me and I tell myself I should limit my visits but then another side of me can't stay away because it's one place I feel understood when it comes to how I feel about my cancer experience and I never feel I am being judged.  This thread helped me make a major change in my life by supporting me and encouraging me to lose 100lbs - for that I will always be thankful and I know that I will rely on this thread when I'm finding it difficult to maintain the weight loss.  And it is difficult - I am having great difficulty since my recon surgery almost three months ago.  But thank you and Kmmd if you are reading this I want you to know that it was your '10 minute rule' suggestion that got me going and I still adhere to that every day and I have encouraged quite a few people to use it as a starting point.  As for those other 'controversal' threads - there's an Irish saying for them it's "feck the begrudgers!!" ahem - now please excuse me but I just wanted to get the message across!. You are a great group of women.

I forgot to tell you all that I had another 90 minute yoga class yesterday. Lots of sweating and stretching and soreness afterward. But it was worth it. And I loved it. I was well stretched for my bike ride afterward.

Deanna, how about weight bearing exercises? They're supposed to increase bone density. In my two years, I didn't loose any, and had gained a little - though I was still considered osteopenic. BUT I also am having Zometa infustions 2x yearly. So I can't say how much due to Yoga/weights/bike riding and how much to due to the med....

Tomorrow is an early morning bike ride. It was 105 here today. just INSANE. I hate to wish time away, but the extreme heat has me wishing for Fall already.... ugh. 

Finally checking in again...

kmmd - don't leave us!!  I don't know what's going on with some of the other threads, but witnessed some of what you're talking about last year and then I limited what threads I went on, wasn't worth it to me, although it did make me sad.  Motivation is under My Favorites also so I try and just check in here.  Trying to keep positive people in my life.  Some other gals from another thread started a group on facebook last year, so its nice to keep in touch with them also.  They didn't want to come to bco any longer.  Please check in with us as often as you can.  I feel like we have a nice group here, and other positive people are always welcome!!

Harley, Hope you get your xrays done and get the good news soon. I got a letter from my clinical trials team, I need ANOTHER mammogram (just had one in May) and more blood work for my August 10th onc appt.  Both my DH and I said ("Mammogram, why bother?  Didn't help me before"...but then I think "well gotta keep trying")

Spring, thanks for the info on the Curcumin supplements!  I asked my onc to add Vitamin D to my standing blood work order.  Last check mine was 32.  GEEZ, I cannot get this level up!  She told me to add another 1,000 to my daily D dose, but I need MORE!  I'm only getting 2,000/day.

Oh....kmmd, I always think and follow your 10 minute rule!!

I did Yoga Monday night, Piloga (pilates/yoga) Wednesday night and then attended a Power Yoga last night (OMG, that power yoga is NOT for me, I couldn't do 1/2 of the stuff and felt sick afterward, Like I WAY overdid it)...getting ready to take the train (4 hour ride) to the Bay Area (which is a 2 hour car ride) to spend the night with my DH.  He worked all week/and this weekend, we will drive home together tomorrow.  Then we are off work Monday, he is having a follow-up eyelid surgery.  He is home all next week.  So I'm not sure how much exercise I will get next week.  AND my month membership is up next week at the gym...I will miss those yoga classes (not power yoga though) LOL

Keep moving cuties!!  HI to ALL

Hi guys, checking in quick.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still checking in, just not as often for awhile.  I try to stick to a few threads and take a turn once in a while offering encouragement to a newbie.  Most of the time any infighting I can avoid that way, it just got too intrusive over the last few days even trying to stay within those limits.  I'm sure it will go back to normal, until then I'm just not checking in as often.  I'll still be here, couldn't get by without the wonderful encouragement. 

AINM, always good to see you here.  You are an inspiration. 

Survivorwoman, boy had to take my own advice the last couple of weeks when I can see a difference in some muscles but didn't like what the scale was saying!

For everyone else I didn't get a shout out too.  Thinkig of all of you and keep moving! (even if its only 10 min!)

We biked again this morning, up and att'em early (I really miss sleeping in on the weekends!) But too hot to bike later typically....

We missed the thunderstorms because we went so early and I will say at first it was actually feeling a bit COOL!!! It has been so wonderful to be in 70's today with all the cooling rain, vs. 100's!!!! 

Back to work tomorrow. blahghr.  

Deanna-- how are you doing? I woke up this morning thinking about you.

You know.... your issue with the lack of estrogen and its consequence really hit me hard. I am 43 and most likely will remain menopausal  for the rest of my life due to chemo's long-lasting side-effects. My estrogen levels are very low and it is unlikely they ever go up again. So, essentially I am going to have to look into talking to my doctors about bone loss. I am sorry you are dealing with all that. Let us know what the doctors suggest for you to do. I am very interested.

Deanna, If you find another solution to building your bones outside of weight bearing exercies, LET ME KNOW. I know what you mean about being leery of phara. Very conflicted also. Though, I have had 5 infusions of Zometa... Can't take it forever in any case. !!!

Oh Harley, sorry about your Thor!! Is he okay now? I had the same thing happen to a cat and he ended up having a "sex change" operation!!! (TMI, I know).

Yesterday was a day of rest after 2 days bike riding. Today the jig is up! 45 on the elliptical... It's in the plan for the evening!! 

44 min elliptical like I planned last night. (could not do the last minute, HA@!!!)

Tonight shoudl be Yoga, but I have to pack for the Pink Ribbon Yoga retreat at the beach, so will do 2 Yoga's next week. Maybe I will do more on the elliptical at home tonight. I am saying 30 minutes because that way I am more likely to climb up on that beast and do it!

Spring - LOL!

Hi Ellie, welcome!!  Girl, you have had quite the surgeries, UGH!!  Are you allowed to exercise now - is your waiting period over from the foot surgery?  Just wondering what kind of pressure you can put on it...

I walked at lunch FINALLY!!  yay 

Hey - I got the o.k. to walk but it does swell. My problem is my legs, knees and ankles just ache when I'm done - I made it an hour last night walking. I take cymbalta and hydro for pain but it is not cutting it. I know my weight is putting too much pressure on my joints - kind of a vicious cycle isn't it? I really need to watch my diet - August 1st was my do or die date - and so far o.k. It seems like someone is always wanting us to eat out and I don't want to be antisocial but it makes it so hard. And today at work - free pizza. Just normal challenges I know but I don't have much willpower!

Hi Kari - I'm supposed to be on Tamoxifen for about 6 more months but I just can't make myself do it - terrible I know - but I feel horrible when I'm on it for any length of time, moody, more achy and just generally yucky. I'll kick myself if my cancer comes back because I haven't been taking it - I went on it initially in Oct 2006 and my onc wanted me on it till 10-2011. He doesn't know I haven't been taking it. I was on it about 2 years and got a 15 cm cyst on my ovary (attributed to tamoxifen) and had to have a total hyst. - which was tough because of my tram flap recon. - the cyst was wrapped up in the mesh - and I had to have a onc surgeon do the surgery- that put me into even more menopause than chemo and tamoxifen. I did try aromasin - hated it - made my hands ache so much - then femara. I am 51 so I probably would be starting menopause anyway I guess but before my hx I hadn't even started. We are having Pizza Slut za - which s not my fave so one piece should do me!

Ellie- so after the total hysterectomy (which is awful), they tried AI's and when that didn't work for you because of SE's, they put you back on Tamox?  I have another sista who is taking a Tamoxivacation because of her SE's, but then she's deciding whether or not to keep taking it.  When do you see your onc again?  51...you're still WAY young girl!  I'm 49, right behind you.  I wouldn't think a few months would make that much difference, but what do I know...I'm learning new things everyday from all my sista's.  We are totally cheering you on in moving forward with your health as Deanna said!!

Deanna, what a bummer regarding your PCP appt.  I'll be anxious to hear what your naturopath says.  I'd love to find a naturopath, I wish Kaiser had them.  Do you know what your number results are from your dexa scan?  It's my spine that has the most bone loss -2.1 (-2.5 is considered osteoporosis).