Technically this is my third day of no Starbucks, but it's during the week that I have my problem so I'll just count today as day one.
I was so proud of myself-I brought my breakfast and stuff to make hot chocolate by scratch. I'll have to adjust the recipe as it was a little funky but the point is I didn't go to Starbucks!
I felt pretty good in the morning. In fact, my neuropathy-which has been a nightmare-seemed to be a little better. I was able to get up and walk without feeling like I was crippled which is saying something. But, by the afternoon I had a pounder of a headache and my neuropathy was so bad I thought someone was squeezing the life out of my poor legs and feet.
But, here is where meditation comes in. I did do it several times throughout the day, and just tried to focus on my breathing instead of my pain. Not sure how much it worked, but I'll keep trying.
Overall, I would say today was a success!
Have you heard the song "Blessed Be the Name"? Well, part of the lyrics go "You give and take away....my heart will choose to say Lord blessed be your name".
That gave me an idea for something. Since I am trying to get healthier, and a complete makeover seems daunting, I came up with "Living with Intent-a 90 Day Challenge". I will take away one bad habit and replace it with a better one for 90 days. I think the 90 days came about as I go to chemo every 3 months and it's just become a marker of time in my life.
So, I am taking away Starbucks (gasp!!)and replacing it by meditating 5 minutes everyday.
If anybody knows my love for Starbucks, it's a bigger deal than it seems. But as I've looked over the last year since I've returned to work, I realize that it is a habit I've formed and wish to relinquish. And, I've heard that meditation can help with all kinds of things including stress, sleep, health so I figured it can only do me good to begin in earnest.
I will check back in periodically to give updates.
Here's to living with intent!
11 months ago today I was given a second chance at life. I used to post on my facebook account every month on my anniversary date "6 months remission!" "9 months remission!" but stopped after a while. I guess I figured with each passing month maybe people were tired of me talking about it, or maybe I was making a bigger deal about it then I should.
Well, I realized it is a big deal and something that should be celebrated. Because with each passing month being cancer free means one more month of celebrating life, of releasing fear that holds me back from pursuing my dreams. If I can get through intensive chemotherapy and make it out relatively harmless, then I can do pretty much anything.
Back in February I couldn't in a million years imagine how my life would be like today. Yes, it is more stressful than I would like. Yes, I still am recovering physically/emotionally from this journey. BUT the simple fact is I can go to work each day. I can feel like I am accomplishing something. This journey has given me more strength then I knew was inside of me. Because of my faith, because of my amazing family, and the friends who have cheered me on, I endured something I wouldn't wish on my worse enemy.
It's because of where I was and where I am today that I will continue to celebrate each month being cancer free, even if it's a silent "woo hoo!" I need the reminder so I never become complacent or blase with life.
I can't wait to see where the next 11 months takes me. Thank you God, and thank you my family and friends!
I haven't written in a long time. Life has just been going at the speed of sound and sometimes it's hard to keep up.
2012 is here and with that I am excited at the possibilities it will bring. I don't really make resolutions, but I did decide to come up with a word that would encompass what I hope 2012 will be: Renewal.
It started out with me getting a new car. I had no intentions of getting one until my mom came home with a beautiful Jeep Patriot. That got me thinking about my own car-one I got in 2010 five months before getting diagnosed with cancer. Once that got in my head, all I could see was that it was my "cancer car" taking me to treatments, appointments, etc. It became clear to me that I would no longer view my car the same way. And with that, I decided I needed a fresh start. After all, 2012 was going to be a great year. How could it not when my 1 year remission anniversary is next month? So, I traded my car in for a shiny black Patriot. I have no regrets doing it-I am in love! Oh, and by the way, his name is Rick.
Yes, I named my car. Rick is a strong, dependable Jeep that won't take nothing from nobody. I admit, he could lose some weight-he barely fits in my garage. But, I love him regardless.
So, overall life is going well. There are some residual effects from the chemo treatment that I could do without. But, I still have hope that one day soon these effects will subside. I need to make some changes in my life that may help-how can it not? I am thinking of going partially raw/vegan. I am going to begin by drinking antioxidant rich green drinks. They look like sludge but aren't half bad. I even got myself a juicer that I plan to use once I can actually get it out of the box.
What I am trying to do here is plant some seeds. Changes take time, and I want them to be lasting. I am grateful for the opportunity to do it.
