Friday, February 8, 2008

Back to the gym

Hey everyone- I hope you all had a great work week! It has actually turned out to be a fairly busy week. I guess though, most of the time I hung out with Ella and didn't do too much but today has been busy, therefore the rest of the week feels like it has been busy. I have been meaning to write several times but it is hard to write with Ella around so I haven't had much of a chance. I have had a lot going through my head that I have wanted to share with you all.

First of all, I appreciate Jaz's email last week about seeing me at the grocery store. I would have loved for you to come up and say something to me. I don't think it would be wierd. I would love to meet you all who follow my blog who I have never had the opportunity to meet! Especially to get to put a face with a name!

When I found out that Heath Ledger died of a combination of drugs, this truly brought tears to my eyes. I don't have some infatuation with Heath Ledger, the concern was that just a week before, when I was having all my problems with chemo or during chemo. I had been taking a lot of the same medication they found in his system. I was taking more and more because some didn't seem to be working, so I would take one thing, then I would take something else and so on. It scared me to think that this is exactly what killed him. He couldn't sleep and was having some issues so he would take on medication and then another to try to get his symptoms to go away. How scary!!! I would never intentionally take these medications to hurt myself, but how easy it could be to do it accidently is what scared me. I could have done that to myself and not even realized I was taking so much. Ugh. I don't want to even think about it anymore, but it brought tears to my eyes!

On a happier note. I started working out again and it feels great! I actually went to the gym with my sister and Angie last night, did mostly cardio on the bike and did some weights. I had done some weights the night before with Doug who is a good motivator too. I am also working on stretching since I am soooo stiff. The doctor actually had on my pre operative form, that I needed to exercise atleast 30 days most days of the week prior to surgery to gain some strength. It feels so good to be exercising again and I really don't feel that out of shape. I am sure I am out of shape if I tried to run like I was doing before I was diagnosed but starting back up feels so incredible. For all of you out there who are making excuses not to work out and work on getting your body healthy, if I can do it, you can do it!!! You will feel so good if you do!

Let's see, what else. I am missing my punks, I will send pictures this weekend, I promise. She is just so cute and funny to be with. Her language skills are incredible, it just amazes me every day. She continues to go potty off and on. Getting rid of the binky was a success, she has hardly even asked about it pretty much since we got rid of it. She did so well with it, I can't believe it was that easy. We were dreading it immensely but she tolerated it so well!

I hope you all have a great weekend. We are going to decorate some Valentine cookies tonight at Nana and Grandpa's house with her cousins, that will be fun. Then we have a birthday party tomorrow night at Chucky Cheese and I think we are going to go to a Yoga class tomorrow for some more exercise. It should be a fun filled weekend. It just feels so good to feel good! I am enjoying it immensely! I am glad I have a few more weeks to feel like this before my surgery. I just wish this was the end of everything and I would feel like this the rest of my life. Unfortunately after this month I will have surgery which will probably knock me back down and then I will have to restart chemo again probably indefinitely. But I am not going to think about that right now!!!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Talk to you all soon. shawndra

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Shawndra. I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. It sounds like you're making the most of your break from chemo and enjoying it. I understand you feeling scared about the prescription meds. Just be careful and always be mindful of what can happen. My guess is that awareness of the possibilities is the best prevention for someone that has to take the prescriptions to be able to live comfortably as you do. Glad you're enjoying the exercising and don't feel too out of shape. I always surprise myself when I haven't exercised for a while. I get on the treadmill thinking I'll be lucky to walk 30 minutes and the next thing you know, I've been walking for 80 minutes. I think the motivation to keep going is the knowlege of what it can do for my health. I'm determined to get rid of some of my health issues through weight loss and exercise. So I have been really pushing my limits when I get on that treadmill. I know you have even more reason to be motivated as you are just weeks away from surgery and it sounds like you've been given a pretty tall exercise order. Feeling better as you seem to be doing, this shouldn't be a problem. I'm glad to hear that Ella did so well with giving up the binky. I think we all worry that it will be a little harder than it ends up being. Enjoy your weekend. I love Chuck E Cheese's. All of my kids have had one or more birthday parties there at some point. I just love their birthday cake. It's so yummy. No birthday cake for me for a while though. I've lost 13 lbs. since New Year's and I can't mess it up. We leave later this week to go on our 4 night trip that includes a 3 night cruise to the Bahama's and it's going to be a challenge, let me tell you. I better get back on that treadmill every day for extra long until then so I can enjoy it without having to sacrifce too much of the good food there. I've walked over 10 miles in the last 3 days. So I'm on the right track. Weekends are harder for me to get motivated as there's so much to do. I'll be praying for you this week as always. I am so glad you're enjoying each day now that you're feeling better. Make the most of it and try to put what lies ahead on the back burner for now as best you can so you can have lots of fun over the next few weeks. Take care and God Bless You! Leisa

Anonymous said...

Do enjoy this time 'OFF". Sounds like a beautiful weekend ahead to get a little outside time! And what great thinking not to let the uncertin future invade this time. Have a great weekend, tell the family hello, and I will keep in mind those words.....if I can do it, you can......as I struggle to find an exercise routine I like. Apparently I missed out on the gene that says working out is great! It is pretty much a chore. So, you can be my motivation. Peace & Love

Anonymous said...

Dear Shawndra,
I wish I lived anywhere near your grocery store and would get to meet you sometime. You are such a dear, and such an inspiration. I can't wait to see pictures of your "punks." Remember, you promised! Joyce

Laura said...

So glad to hear that your feeling good right now. And good for you for getting back into the exercise routine...I know how hard it can be to make it a part of your life on a regular basis. Hope you and your family have a great weekend!
Take care, Laura

Anonymous said...

Shawndra-

Glad to hear you feeling well! Thoughts and prayers with you all! Keep Believing!!!

The Mudge's

Unknown said...

What a great post. Glad your week was so good. The exercise thing is good and pictures would be good. We are all suckers for pictures of cute punks..... God Bless you and keep up the good work. You're an inspiration.

D

jas said...

Thought of you this morning (Sat). On the front page of the paper, at the bottom, was an article about just how many prescription drugs are being prescribed, and in many combinations. Big topic, especially after Heath Ledger. I know you had some concerns about it as well. You might read it. Have a GREAT Saturday, as it looks like it should be beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, I'm so happy for this time that you are feeling good! Enjoy it, as I know you will.
Love and prayers, Julie

Anonymous said...

GREAT.

YOU WENT BACK TO WORK OUT.

FANTASTIC.

KEEP THE GREAT JOB GOING.

I WAS JUST LISTENING TO MY MEDITATION TAPE AND REMEMBERD YOU.

YOU'RE ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS, POSITIVE THINKING, AND PRAYERS.

MY SPIRITUAL GROUP, WHERE ONCE A WEEK I WRITE YOURS AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS NAME DOWN ON A LIST TO BE PRAYED FOR, THEY'VE BEEN ASKING ABOUT HOW YOU'RE DOING.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

GOD IS WATCHING YOU.

LOVE,

ROSWITA

Anonymous said...

Shawndra
Your CMH family sends love and hugs. Glad you had a good week. Dee Smith

Terraific said...

Shawndra -

I am so glad to hear you are having a good and relaxing week! Family fun and focusing on loving them and loving yourself is so important right now as it will help you prepare for surgery as well as endure your recovery. You have been such an inspiration to me. I have made many changes in my life recently because of your blog and your battle. Not only did I leave a job I was no longer enjoying, I have quit smoking! OK, I am quitting smoking (7 days since my last cig!!). But thinking of you and what you have been through helps me fight the cravings. Thank you for being you and sharing your feelings with the world...it truly is an inspiration!

God Bless You,

Terra Shover

Lisa said...

Oh Shawndra, as a nurse, I thought about the medication issues as well. I find it amazing how many meds people are on when they come to the hospital but when I ask why ....they have NO idea. With our computer system it generates a home med reconciliation page so when they go home, it shows what they came in on, what they've been on and what they are going home on. Of course, it doesn't keep people from taking OTC stuff or adding what they already have at home. I am a firm believer in people getting their scripts from ONE pharmacy so it's all in one system there as well. Seems I got off on my soapbox...do be careful for sure.

Enjoy the time off of chemo and have fun at the gym! Gosh, I'm starting to feel left out that I haven't seen you around town yet! LOL