aLive @ Stage 4!

I don't have much this month.  I decided to stop tracking everything as it would feel more like I've incorporated exercise and healthy eating into my daily life.  That didn't work out so well.  Although I haven't gained any weight, I haven't lost any, either.  Clothes haven't gone down since last time I told you they did, either. December was a difficult month.  My husband's back pain (not related to Parkinson's) has gotten worse.  So, the tables have turned, and I am taking on more around the house.  I credit my time at the gym, and Julie's confidence in my abilities, with becoming stronger to become my husband's caregiver.  Although, some days neither of us can get it together, which ends up being comical, but really sad when you think about it; once or twice we've both been too tired to pull even cereal and milk together for dinner so went to bed having not had dinner. So, here's to January.  January will be difficult, as I continu...

As I sit with my coffee this Christmas Eve morning, I can't help but to reflect on last year's Christmas Eve.  Christmas Eve is the day my husband's family gathers; Christmas Day is the day we spend at home with our immediate family.  We rotate houses every year for Christmas Eve festivities.  Last year was not our turn, but I felt the urge to have it here anyway.  I certainly did not feel up to hosting a party, but I felt the urge to have it here anyway.  Last year I had been living with metastatic breast cancer for three and a half years.  The average survival rate is three years.  I was diagnosed in March of 2015, and there's no way of knowing how long I'd had it before diagnosis.  I had graduated from walking unassisted to using a cane to using a walker everywhere I went, except for times when there was a lot of walking and I used a wheelchair.  I was exhausted all of the time.  I came straight home from work and went right to bed ev...

I'm going to do this month's recap differently than last month's.  I think it was just too tedious to read it all in that format.  I'm not going to update every day; things will be a little more general this month. I had sessions at the gym with Julie on the 2nd and the 4th.  The one on the fourth marks us moving from twice per week sessions to once per week sessions.  Not because I'm doing so fabulously 😉 but because the money is running out.  I've been receiving help with paying for these sessions, and there's a limit.  (On a side note, if you'd like to help out with this, as it is improving my quality of life immeasurably, you can help via paypal at paypal.me/tammycancerhelp.  If you'd like to pay the gym directly, contact Julie at World Gym La Plata).  Once per week costs half what twice per week does, so (ideally) I will be able to work with Julie for a longer period of time.  That's in theory.  In reality, I had a session with J...

8:45am -- I'm not actually in the infusion chair yet.  Before I get there, I have an appointment for an echocardiogram, which is a routine every-three-month thing for me.  After the echo, I'll head downstairs for an appointment with my oncologist.  I see her every six weeks. I left the house with time to spare this morning, and I'm so glad I did.  It was a bad traffic day -- the Freeway was backed up all the way down 295 and halfway down 210.  It wasn't stressful, though, because I knew I'd get there at least on time if not early like I'd hoped.  The ride was very tiring, though.  I worry about that.  I tire so easily, which makes a two hour drive a little dicey. 11:20am -- I've had my echo, then my appointment my oncologist.  By the time I left my oncologist's office, the echo results still hadn't come through.  She okayed treatment today and will keep an eye out for the results.  So now I sit in the infusion center waiting roo...

This is the first of my monthly updates.  I had previously done weekly updates, but as I've made lifestyle changes (hopefully permanent), the updates were becoming almost the same every week.  I've fallen into a routine -- I'm working out with Julie twice a week, I'm walking with friends after work twice a week, I'm walking a day or two on my own, and I'm taking yoga classes as I can. September 30 (Monday)  --  I went to the gym after work today.  30 minutes on the recumbent bike followed by 30 minutes on the treadmill. October 1 (Tuesday)  -- I walked for an hour after work today. October 2 (Wednesday)  -- I spent the morning in the emergency room with my husband, who was having severe back pain.  No exercising, unless you want to count walking through CVS twice to drop off/pick up his prescription, and grocery shopping for dinner ingredients. October 3 (Thursday)  --  I'm not gonna lie, this was the first time the "I don't...

Monday  --  Still recovering from being out most of the day on Saturday, and having dinner plans with my boys and my sisters-in-law tonight, no exercising happened today. Tuesday  -- I stayed after work today to walk before my scheduled yoga class.  I walked for about 45 minutes.  The yoga instructor, however, forgot about class. Wednesday  -- I walked for 30 minutes after school, then went to the gym for a session with Julie.  She added some things to make the exercises more challenging.  It was tough, but wonderful. Thursday  -- Today was treatment day in addition to a mammogram appointment, so I didn't do any exercising. *Mammogram came out fine. Friday  -- I walked after work for about an hour today. Saturday  -- It's 11:41am, and I'm just back home from the gym.  I had a session with Julie, which was wonderful.  Then I walked on the treadmill for about an hour, and got on the recumbent bike f...

Monday  -- Feeling a little discombobulated today, and knowing that I have something scheduled for the next four days (and four days at a time is my limit), I decided to take it easy today.  Tomorrow's another day. Tuesday  -- I stayed after work and walked for about thirty minutes, and then took a yoga class that was being held at work.  First time taking a yoga class.  Sooooo relaxing! Wednesday  -- I had intended to walk with my friends after work today, but had unexpected Professional Development to attend, so I was at an alternate work site.  Very tired after the long day yesterday, so it was dinner and bedtime. Thursday  --  Another new workout with Julie.  I continue to be amazed at what she's having me do, and the fact that I can do it! Friday  -- I worked out with Julie again.  I got to use the fun machine again.  It was a little harder this time, but still felt great. Satur...