Monday, April 23, 2012

MOTIVATION!

For the last three weeks I have been walking/jogging almost every day and I honestly have never felt better(well besides the past two days but more on that in a minute).
There is this awesome trail that I found along the park near my house and it has truly become my favorite place to exercise. Surprisingly, it is even something I actually look forward to and enjoy doing. I come home from work relax for a little bit, wait until it is after 5pm(when the sun is not so strong), get on my sneakers, my ipod, and a bottle of water and off I go. This trail is not only a serene treelined spot, but it is also a place stock full of motivation. Every day I see people young and old walking, running, biking, etc. up and down this path; all with the intension of being a bit more healthier. Nobody is competing or all fancied up, like I sometimes see at the gym, they are just out there doing their own thing at their own pace. For instance, there is this older gentlemen that I see out there almost everyday running with such ease; seeing him out there is such a motivator... maybe one day I will be able to run this path like he does so gracefully. Though right now I am still on the speed walking, slight jog, but I know at this point it is the best I can do and I am proud of myself for doing it!

There is, however, a downside to this place that I have become so fond of escaping off to. It is only available "weather permitting". The weather in NY the last few weeks has been gorgeous, not too hot and not too cold and limited rain(except for the last two days), but this will not be the case for too much longer because summers here get very hot. And me and the hot sun just don't get along. Not just because I have Melanoma, I was always a person who did not do well in the sun. As I use to say I "overheat" very quickly. SO I am hoping to take full advantage of this for as long as I can : )

So like I said these past few weeks has been the best I have felt, energy wise, in over a year. Though, these last two days my body has been out of commission. This seems to happen to me every so often; my body just shuts down on me. I am not sure if it is treatment related or my whacked out immune system but when it hits me it hits hard. I woke up Sunday and could barely lift my head off the pillow and today was the same. Severe joint aches, chills, extreme exhaustion, no appetite. I actually just started feeling a little better but still very fatigue and achy. I am hoping that I will feel a lot better tomorrow because I DO NOT want to take another day off of work. It really upsets me when I have to take off of work, those little kiddies are what keeps me going some days and I have just never been one to call out of work, though I know I need to listen to my body and when it needs rest and sleep it sure makes me aware of it!!

BUT despite the weather and my sucky immune system.. I am not giving up on my getting fit routine! In the word of Lance Armstrong..


Like Lance and so many Cancer Warriors, "Quitting" is not in our vocabulary!!!!

I have a couple of warrior friends who need extra prayers this week, so if you can please keep Nick, Jennifer, and Miranda in your thoughts and prayers. They are all true warriors in every sense of the word. Thanks for reading.. <3

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Cancer-versary!

                                  
When I look back over this year I have mixed emotions. Has this been the toughest year of my life, YES, has this been the worst, not by a long shot. 
This year I have experienced love and pure kindness like I have never experienced before. This year I found out who my true friends are and how they came to my rescue in ways that I will never forget. This year I said yes to the love of my life. This year I met so many amazing and strong people, who became part of my support team. This year...

THIS YEAR I SURVIVED CANCER! 

I know that I have a long and hard road ahead of me to continue to beat the heck out of Melanoma...But this year I made it through and that's something to be proud of!! 

And my amazing family and best friends had no whims about letting me know how truly proud of me they were. They all really made me feel special this past week and I can't thank them enough. 

My week of fun started off with awesome tickets to the Ranger Game, courtesy of Chris and Lauren! Such a fun night : ) 
Next, a night out to dinner with Joe and a wonderful gift... My new Nike FuelBand which has proven to be really motivating for me, and has also, if even possible, brought Joe and I even closer by our daily walks and talks! I haven't had this much exercise since being diagnosed and I feel GREAT. 
Then, my best friends surprised me with a spa gift card(which I soooo desperately need). Love you girls!
Lastly, my sister and my mom took me into the city for a day of fun. The first stop, AGAINST my mom's wishes, was to the Wooster Social Club to get my new tattoo. Afterwards, we walked around and went shopping, and then went to the World Trade Center memorial. Here are some pics:


 




Guess what I wished for ; )-
After the city my mom made me my favorite dinner and my parents, Joe, and Jessica(my sister) surprised me with a cake and a beautiful cross necklace!! It was truly such a perfect ending to a crazy year. I love you all so very much and you have touched my heart so deeply. 




Ooooooh and yesterday the Derm called with some great news that my second biopsy on my stomach came back with clear margins. Which means they got all the pre-cancerous cells out with the second incision and the new biopsy was negative for Melanoma!! YIPPEE
On Wednesday I go back to Sloan to get my stitches out, so maybe next week I can add the gym into my new exercise routine : )


Thanks for reading and Have a wonderful Easter or Passover with your family and friends!