I have covered quite a few of the really serious side effects that I experienced. Now comes one that is a little harder to admit to having experienced. The funny thing is, I know I am not the only one who has had a similar issue! I won’t out that person, but I will tell you about me. I will admit, that prior to being diagnosed, I would dabble in a little Kardashian viewing, and That Guy and I were pretty into Big Brother during the summer as a standing tv date. That was my end of reality television though. I did not understand any of the Real Housewives shows, and would out and out tease a friend who watched them and talked to me like I had any idea what in the hell she was talking about. I will admit to watching a marathon of Bethany’s married or having a baby show or something once when I had a stomach virus. I never got into American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, or The Bachelor(ette) series. I was the girl who volunteered to go save seats at the bar during the Survivor finale in college. So very much not my thing is what I am getting at here.
Wacky Wednesday – All in a Run
Breast Cancer isn’t really very funny. Parenthood, however, I will admit can be really really funny. And I do try to laugh at myself as often as possible. When you combine That Girl, That Guy, and My Girls, you get a pretty Wacky life. When I was a child, probably when I was learning to read, one of my favorite books was “Wacky Wednesday” by Dr. Seuss. Since we constantly talk about how wacky my oldest is, some Wednesdays I will be sharing what I think are pretty Wacky stories, quotes, and silliness from our lives. Enjoy!
As part of my recovery and reclaiming my life, I have started exercising for myself and preparing for a long time goal of running a local 5k that supports local breast cancer programs. I have walked the event before, but I have never been fit enough to run. So I started preparing a few months ago. I never dreamed that it would be entertaining in addition to healthy time for myself, both mentally and physically. If you follow me, you may remember my post about seeing actual Christmas in July decorations out. That was just the tip of the crazy iceberg!
I Sense a Theme
So I recently posted on twitter that I am trying to add running to my activity options. I was pretty excited to have gone out and run in some humid weather and made it through. I use the Couch to 5K program (I use the app on my phone) and this is not my first time through the program. In the past I have been a spring and fall runner enjoying the perfect weather to do so, and always finding something else to do when it gets to be all weather extreme-y hot and freezing cold. There is a local race in Pink-tober that I walked years ago with a friend. Every year since, I would think about running it. This year, I have decided I really need to shut up and do it. Well, technically, I don’t think I ever said it aloud to anyone, so maybe it is stop thinking and do?
While That Guy and I were away I went from making excuses to making a playlist. Then I went for my first “run”. I was just going around our neighborhood and headphone free. And then it all started. One right after another. Rump Shaker. Shake What Your Mama Gave You. Baby Got Back. Money Maker. I Got It from My Mama.
I am subliminally trying giving my not so tiny heinie an eviction notice and dedicating the soundtrack to it’s memory apparently!
And my playlist default songs might need some freshening up.
The good news is I have two whole runs finished and I decided to ask a few friends (and my mom) to run with me so that I have the accountability to just do it this year.
Let’s hear some good running songs from you all! Pretty please!
Lesson Learned… Again
My long term treatment plan has been up in the air. There are constantly new studies released and every nuance makes a difference for what determines each person’s set plan. Literally for the last five months the plan that they said was the absolute best a year ago, was now up in the air and open for interpretation and discussion, oh so much discussion!
Wacky Wednesday – Those Golden Arches
Breast Cancer isn’t really very funny. Parenthood, however, I will admit can be really really funny. And I do try to laugh at myself as often as possible. When you combine That Girl, That Guy, and My Girls, you get a pretty Wacky life. When I was a child, probably when I was learning to read, one of my favorite books was “Wacky Wednesday” by Dr. Seuss. Since we constantly talk about how wacky my oldest is, some Wednesdays I will be sharing what I think are pretty Wacky stories, quotes, and silliness from our lives. Enjoy!
I’m That Mom who has never let her daughter eat McDonald’s*. To be fair, she had never asked. I love love love me some delicious salty freshly made McDonald’s fries. They seriously are my comfort food, but I indulge only a few times a year at this point. Even with the stomach issues chemo unleashed (and those delicious fries were legitimately the only thing that fixed it) I resisted sending That Guy out to the “good one” until the situation was dire. Point being, I never wanted That Little Girl (since she was the only girl I had at the time) having such an emotional and physical comfort in such an unhealthy food, or something like that. Plus, it helps that she doesn’t like hamburgers, chicken nuggets, or, usually, french fries. It is not like my great resolution made before I even became pregnant had ever been challenged. Until it was.
*Disclaimer: That Little Girl did once have a few sips of a Shamrock Shake, but let’s be honest, that is totally not the same thing as eating there.
What We Tried – Christmas Cookies
I mentioned a bit ago that going into Christmas, I would be trying a couple new Christmas cookie recipes. We did and both were great! I just wish I had taken some pictures for you all. [Read more…]
Bookshelf – Radical Remission So Far
One of the book’s I’ve been trying to get through is Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds by Dr. Kelly Turner. While I would like to think the odds are, well, “ever in my favor” to borrow from another good read, I have really enjoyed looking beyond the chemotherapy and radiation to survivor’s stories of radical remission. Dr. Turner sort of defines a Radical Remission as when someone heals cancer against all odds.
This has been another read that I certainly have to be in the right frame of mind to read through. I purchased the book electronically using a gift card I was gifted by a friend, so I am able to read it occasionally when I have a few minutes on my phone or the iPad depending where and when that may happen. I’m still getting into accepting the electronic book thing! Dr. Turner provides 9 key factors that she found common among nearly all the Radical Remission survivors she studied.
Gifts to Start a Resolution
In addition to the nail polishes I mentioned here, I was recently gifted a few kitchen appliances to help me in my quest to resist the tempting sweets I love in the traditional processed form, or whatever you want to call it. Basically, I need to stop eating or at least limit sugary dairy treats. Chai Lattes and Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato got me through some tough nauseous feeling terrible days, but if I am going to have them even sparingly in the future, I need to find another way to make them and find alternatives to fix my cravings. We also are cooking at home more and more for health, money, and so many other reasons. We are doing so in a way that makes life easier, like having leftovers, so having more storage options was on my list of wishes! And for good measure, a few yoga accessories were on my list, as well. While I hesitate to call these efforts resolutions, instead of permanent ongoing lifestyle changes, well, I kind of like the revolution resolution connection! [Read more…]
Sidestepping Side Effects – Brittle Nails
Both of the courses of chemotherapy I have had, Adriamycin and Cytoxan followed by Taxol, Herceptin, and Perjeta, have listed brittle nails as a side effect. It may have been the pregnancy nails hanging in there post partum for the first few months or maybe the now change to cooler dryer weather, but the T/H/P really has done a number on my nails. One thing I have found to help, is keeping them polished all the time. At one of the oncology appointments my doctor specifically asked about my nails. Some people have a really rough experience and lose nails, they discolor, and so on. So far, so good. I explained, yes they were a mess and broke very easily, but as long as I kept them polished they were fine. Even I had to smile, because really, tough life I have, right?! He snickered and said, “hey, whatever works!” This has also been a way for me to carve out some time to pamper myself and zone out on some guilty pleasure television (Real Housewives of Anyplace, anyone?).
All About My Girls 