I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving. I know I have a lot to be thankful for!
I was contacted by a fellow blogger, David Haas, to try and spread the word on the importance of exercise and eating healthy after a cancer diagnosis. Below is his article...
"The Importance of Exercise for Individual's Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis
When you are going through the various emotions associated with a cancer diagnosis, one of the last things you are interested in thinking about is exercising to stay fit. However, when you have cancer it is very important to maintain some degree of movement every day, doing this can positively affect how you feel physically and emotionally. Exercise will help you to have more energy, which in turn, will improve your quality of life.
To achieve the aforementioned benefits, you do not have to become a body builder or exercise fanatic, all you need to do is take 10 minutes out of your day to ride a bike or walk around the block.
Exercise Components
Experts have stated that every sensible exercise program has three components. Even an exercise program that includes only a little of each of these components is ideal.
Stretching
Stretching helps keep your muscles and joints flexible, which is important for everyone, from the people diagnosed with colon cancer to the people diagnosed with a rare cancer like mesothelioma. Any individual that is bedridden for any length of time would find stretching extremely beneficial.
An Aerobic Workout
An aerobic workout gets your blood pumping by speeding up your heart rate. Some of the more common aerobic exercises include brisk walking or jogging, bicycling on a stationary bike or outdoors and swimming.
Strength Training
When you strength train you build your muscles and tone your body. This helps you maintain your strength while you are dealing with your disease and when a patient is receiving treatment that can weaken the body.
Exercise is Important
In 2009, the American College of Sports Medicine conducted a study that stressed that cancer patients need to avoid being inactive. Dr. Schmitz, the lead author of the Abramson Cancer Center in Philadelphia stated that programs for cancer patients that are similar to the cardiac rehab programs would be extremely beneficial.
Dr. Schmitz has stated that the cancer patient’s quality of life will improve and is the main benefit of maintaining a regular exercise program.
Dr. Schmitz, along with her partners in the study, has created realistic, but aggressive guidelines for the cancer patients’ exercise program. This program avoids any tasks that may be too difficult for a cancer patient to overcome. For instance, certain medications or therapies that are used to treat cancer have a tendency to make the patient prone to have bone fractures. This must be realized when creating an exercise program tailored to the cancer patient.
You can ask your support person at the hospital if they have a personal trainer available that caters to the needs of cancer patients. If they do not, contact your local health clubs to inquire about fitness personnel that are trained to work with cancer patients. Do not be apprehensive about asking for the trainer’s documentation concerning his licensing and/or experience."
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
November 4, 2011
I found out last week that Dr. Cloven is recommending a complete hysterectomy. I am very excited because this is what I want. I don't want to give the cancer anywhere else to spread and I am done with those parts!
I am scheduled for December 19th and should be off work 2-4 weeks. I requested close to Christmas because that is my slow time at work and Morgan will be out of school so I won't have to worry about how she will get there. And, who wouldn't want to hang out at home with their kid during the holidays?
I haven't posted anything before today in case, for some reason, my insurance company doesn't approve it. Of course, I'll appeal! :-)
Until I know more...
Christy
I am scheduled for December 19th and should be off work 2-4 weeks. I requested close to Christmas because that is my slow time at work and Morgan will be out of school so I won't have to worry about how she will get there. And, who wouldn't want to hang out at home with their kid during the holidays?
I haven't posted anything before today in case, for some reason, my insurance company doesn't approve it. Of course, I'll appeal! :-)
Until I know more...
Christy
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wednesday October 19, 2011
Yesterday Jamey and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniverary. I can't believe we've been married that long. It feels like 5 years maybe! Time does fly!
So here are my updates...
I went to see Dr. Bussey, the breast surgeon. She examined me, said everything looks great and then released me. She doesn't need to see me anymore unless I have an issue. So happy to be released by her!
I also had my appointment with Dr. Cloven. She is an oncology gynecologist. She specializes in cancer of the girly parts, for lack of better words :)
Let me first say, I do NOT have cancer of the girly parts but since my estrogen level is up, I went to talk to her about a hysterectomy. She did an exam and said everything felt good. She is sending me for an ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus just to see. She isn't convinced that a complete hysterectomy is the way to go unless I have any other underlying issues other than the estrogen level. Plus she said insurance might not pay for it.
So this brings the debate... since when did the insurance company become CEO of my body? SO irritating!
So after the extra tests, Jamey and I have a decision to make. I would love to go ahead and get rid of any extra girly parts that I, number one, am done using (no more kids) and number two, is just somewhere else for the cancer to MAYBE spread.
There are no studies out there that show one way or the other, that if I remove my ovaries and uterus, that I won't get cancer again. Or if I leave them in I will or won't get cancer... confusing huh?
So until then, I'm living life!
Love to all!
Christy
So here are my updates...
I went to see Dr. Bussey, the breast surgeon. She examined me, said everything looks great and then released me. She doesn't need to see me anymore unless I have an issue. So happy to be released by her!
I also had my appointment with Dr. Cloven. She is an oncology gynecologist. She specializes in cancer of the girly parts, for lack of better words :)
Let me first say, I do NOT have cancer of the girly parts but since my estrogen level is up, I went to talk to her about a hysterectomy. She did an exam and said everything felt good. She is sending me for an ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus just to see. She isn't convinced that a complete hysterectomy is the way to go unless I have any other underlying issues other than the estrogen level. Plus she said insurance might not pay for it.
So this brings the debate... since when did the insurance company become CEO of my body? SO irritating!
So after the extra tests, Jamey and I have a decision to make. I would love to go ahead and get rid of any extra girly parts that I, number one, am done using (no more kids) and number two, is just somewhere else for the cancer to MAYBE spread.
There are no studies out there that show one way or the other, that if I remove my ovaries and uterus, that I won't get cancer again. Or if I leave them in I will or won't get cancer... confusing huh?
So until then, I'm living life!
Love to all!
Christy
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Tuesday October 4, 2011
Again, it has been awhile since I have updated my blog. And again, I'm sorry. Thankfully, I'm just busy living life! :-)
I have had several doctors appointments so here is my update.
Two days after my 36th birthday, I got my areola's tattooed. Even though I don't have any feeling there, it hurt. She numbed me in case I had feeling and when she did, she must have hit a nerve because about 2 hours after my appointment I started having some pain on the bottom side of my left implant. It went away by the next day and everything was fine.
Jamey went with me to that appointment because we had to pick size and color. What an adventure. Seeing how I haven't seen a real nipple/boob/areola in over a year, it was comical. Overall, I think Jamey and I chose wisely and I'm happy with the outcome.
On my actual birthday, my breast cancer survivor girlfriend Melonie (otherwise known as my Partner In Crime) and I went and got breast cancer ribbon tattoos. Our husbands were with us, but they declined any pink ribbon tattoos... Can't imagine why?
My tattoo is on the inside of my left wrist and Melonie's is on her left shoulder blade. I have wanted a tattoo there for awhile but actually going and getting the tattoo was spur of the moment.
Jamey had been in Nashville all that week for a school and he was driving home the day of my birthday but wouldn't be home until around 6pm. Well I woke up that morning SO depressed. I had such bad survivor's guilt (don't know what else to call it). Here I was, on my 36th birthday, feeling great and loving life but I couldn't quit crying. So naturally Melonie took me out for drinks to cheer me up and thus the tattoo idea was born (my Mom is so proud :)
Anyway, but to my nipples... hahaha
I had my follow up appointment with my plastic surgeon last week. He said everything healed good and looks good. Took more pictures and said I am now to see him every 3 months instead of every month. I asked for copies of ALL my pictures and he said he would send them to me. I'm not going to have them printed and stick them in a photo album or anything, but I think I would like having them. Seeing my journey and all.
Also since my last update, I had another 3 month appointment with Dr. Nugent, my oncologist. Turns out my estrogen level went from 17 three months ago to 308 this month. Not good. I'm on an estrogen blocker since my cancer was hormone positive. I asked about getting a complete hysterectomy so now I have an appointment with an obstestrician oncologist at Tx Oncology next week. If I'm gonna have to have a hysterectomy at 40 (after 5 years on Tamoxifen) then why not have it now? I do NOT want to give the cancer somewhere else to go...
Also next week is my (hopefully) last appointment with Dr. Bussey. She is the breast surgeon that specializes in diseases of the breast. She wanted to see me after all my reconstruction.
So, that was alot to update you on but I'll update again after next week's appointments.
Love to all!
Christy
I have had several doctors appointments so here is my update.
Two days after my 36th birthday, I got my areola's tattooed. Even though I don't have any feeling there, it hurt. She numbed me in case I had feeling and when she did, she must have hit a nerve because about 2 hours after my appointment I started having some pain on the bottom side of my left implant. It went away by the next day and everything was fine.
Jamey went with me to that appointment because we had to pick size and color. What an adventure. Seeing how I haven't seen a real nipple/boob/areola in over a year, it was comical. Overall, I think Jamey and I chose wisely and I'm happy with the outcome.
On my actual birthday, my breast cancer survivor girlfriend Melonie (otherwise known as my Partner In Crime) and I went and got breast cancer ribbon tattoos. Our husbands were with us, but they declined any pink ribbon tattoos... Can't imagine why?
My tattoo is on the inside of my left wrist and Melonie's is on her left shoulder blade. I have wanted a tattoo there for awhile but actually going and getting the tattoo was spur of the moment.
Jamey had been in Nashville all that week for a school and he was driving home the day of my birthday but wouldn't be home until around 6pm. Well I woke up that morning SO depressed. I had such bad survivor's guilt (don't know what else to call it). Here I was, on my 36th birthday, feeling great and loving life but I couldn't quit crying. So naturally Melonie took me out for drinks to cheer me up and thus the tattoo idea was born (my Mom is so proud :)
Anyway, but to my nipples... hahaha
I had my follow up appointment with my plastic surgeon last week. He said everything healed good and looks good. Took more pictures and said I am now to see him every 3 months instead of every month. I asked for copies of ALL my pictures and he said he would send them to me. I'm not going to have them printed and stick them in a photo album or anything, but I think I would like having them. Seeing my journey and all.
Also since my last update, I had another 3 month appointment with Dr. Nugent, my oncologist. Turns out my estrogen level went from 17 three months ago to 308 this month. Not good. I'm on an estrogen blocker since my cancer was hormone positive. I asked about getting a complete hysterectomy so now I have an appointment with an obstestrician oncologist at Tx Oncology next week. If I'm gonna have to have a hysterectomy at 40 (after 5 years on Tamoxifen) then why not have it now? I do NOT want to give the cancer somewhere else to go...
Also next week is my (hopefully) last appointment with Dr. Bussey. She is the breast surgeon that specializes in diseases of the breast. She wanted to see me after all my reconstruction.
So, that was alot to update you on but I'll update again after next week's appointments.
Love to all!
Christy
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A poem I found :)
Cancer .....
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Rascal Flatts - I Won't Let Go
Rascal Flatts - I Won't Let Go
It’s like a storm, that cuts a path
It breaks your will, it feels like that
You think you’re lost, but you’re not lost on your own
You’re not alone
I will stand by you, I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do and you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight, and I won’t let go
It hurts my heart, to see you cry
I know it’s dark, this part of life
Oh it finds us all, we’re too small to stop the rain
Oh but when it rains
I will stand by you, I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do and you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight and I won’t let you fall.
Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you, I won’t let you down
It won’t get you down
You’re going to make it, yeah I know you can make it
Cuz I will stand by you, I will help you through
When you’ve done all you do and you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight, and I won’t let go
Oh I’m going to hold you, and I won’t let go
Won’t let you go…
It’s like a storm, that cuts a path
It breaks your will, it feels like that
You think you’re lost, but you’re not lost on your own
You’re not alone
I will stand by you, I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do and you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight, and I won’t let go
It hurts my heart, to see you cry
I know it’s dark, this part of life
Oh it finds us all, we’re too small to stop the rain
Oh but when it rains
I will stand by you, I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do and you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight and I won’t let you fall.
Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you, I won’t let you down
It won’t get you down
You’re going to make it, yeah I know you can make it
Cuz I will stand by you, I will help you through
When you’ve done all you do and you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight, and I won’t let go
Oh I’m going to hold you, and I won’t let go
Won’t let you go…
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
July 26, 2011
I feel like a lot is going on but I have nothing to say! :)
I went to see Dr. Strock last week. He told me I could stop wearing the $75 grandma bra and told me which bra at Victoria's Secret to buy. I have never been so excited! I haven't been able to shop there in over a year!
My tattoos are scheduled for Monday August 29th. I need to decide on size and color before then. After that, I'm done!
I'm still going to see my Oncologist every 3 months, not sure when/if that will change.
Later!
Christy
I went to see Dr. Strock last week. He told me I could stop wearing the $75 grandma bra and told me which bra at Victoria's Secret to buy. I have never been so excited! I haven't been able to shop there in over a year!
My tattoos are scheduled for Monday August 29th. I need to decide on size and color before then. After that, I'm done!
I'm still going to see my Oncologist every 3 months, not sure when/if that will change.
Later!
Christy
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