MONDAY MOTIVATION - The Road Less Traveled By

Sorry, my friends, for being so neglectful of this blog lately.  I even forgot to post Kathy's Thursday Thoughts last week!  I'm finding that planning and executing a huge event (our 5K) is taking a LOT of time and effort.  I get so busy that I forget some of the important things. :)

The other day, I was reading Robert Frost's poem - The Road Not Taken.  I've always loved that poem.  But, as I read it this time, I saw those last few lines in a different light...

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Four years ago, I was faced with two different roads - one went into the past , where I was healthy, and one went into the future - I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I didn't really have a choice about taking that road - my life had veered off onto that road without a choice being involved.  I went down that road by necessity.   It's definitely a road less traveled by - only about 1 in 8 women will be faced with breast cancer in their lives.  A statistic that is a bit scary, but still - not every women will have to travel this road.

However... that last line - "that has made all the difference" - that's what resonated with me this time.  The road I took 4 years ago has made all the difference in my life.  Sure... some of the differences are obvious - my body is different, my mind is different, and my soul is different.  Some differences are hard to bear, but the biggest difference - the one where my life has taken on a whole new meaning... that's the difference that is the most important.

Without breast cancer, my children wouldn't have learned - first hand and early in life - the importance of service, and unconditional love from those around them.  Without breast cancer, I wouldn't have slowed down and learned to appreciate the simple things in life.  Without breast cancer, I would never have become involved in charity the way I have.  Without breast cancer, I wouldn't have had the privilege of helping this wonderful group.  Without breast cancer, I never would have met all of the beautiful, strong, courageous women who make up the membership of Lifting Hearts.

I CAN imagine my life with real boobs, fewer aches and pains, and more hair... but I CAN'T imagine my life without these opportunities - I never would have met RuthAnn, Colette, Bethanie, Beth, Diane, Kathy, Denise, Judy, and countless others who have touched my life, and made it better.

I took the road I was forced to take... and that made ALL the difference.  

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - The Last Turn in My Life's Road Will Be The Best!

Guest Post -

Last Wednesday I left our home earlier than usual so I could make it on time to my yearly check up with my doctor. I rushed in after parking the car, looked at the clock which said 7:40, breathed a sigh of relief that I was on time, plopped in a chair and grabbed a magazine. As I began to read, a woman caught my eye as she does each time I come into the office. I would say she is 70-75 years old with glasses, white curly hair, a few well placed character lines and a smile she shared generously with each patient she checked in. She was proficient with all of the computer commands, a skill which required effort to master for those of us who didn't grow up with computers. She reminded me of a quote I heard years ago, although I can't remember where: "A smile is a light in the window of your face that shows the heart is at home." Her heart was definitely at home and she possessed a simple beauty that can't be bought at any price; it is earned by a life well lived. To me she was more beautiful than the emaciated models we see at every turn these days.

Being one of those people who enjoys working, I loved that fact that she was still in the work force and contributing in a productive way. Her name is Jo and I told her in all earnestness, "You are my hero. I want to be just like you when I'm your age." Her smile got even wider as she said, "I love my job... this place just keeps me going."

Henry Van Dyke once said, "I shall grow old, but never lose life's zest; because the road's last turn will be the best." Because of the significant advances in cancer care, I feel my older years will definitely be my best. Thanks to the science of mammography, my cancer was a bump in the road; not a road block so huge that it ruined my life. It has, however, colored the way I view life, relationships, challenges, and just about everything. I see more beauty in the little things around me each day, and my sense of gratitude has reached a level I never knew before. In this sense, cancer has blessed my life.

As I left the doctor's office that day, I stopped for a moment and watched Jo as she shared her smile with each patient she signed in. She had such style! I then headed to face the challenges of the day, encouraged and determined to be more like Jo as I greeted my clients at the bank. I also hoped that when I am her age, I will still be going strong. I want the last turn of my life's road to definitely be the best!

-Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member, Lifting Hearts

SATURDAY STRENGTH: The Importance of Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors

I've found that Livestrong.com is a great resource for learning about breast cancer. You can find information about your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery... including the importance of exercise and eating right.

For the next few weeks, on Saturdays, I'm going to share some of the information I've read on Livestrong.com, about exercise.

I know, as a breast cancer patient/survivor, that you might not have the strength, energy, or willpower to exercise. I know, because I'm a survivor - been there, done that. I had a very hard time even finding the energy to get out of bed sometimes. Exhaustion, depression, and pain all played a big part in keeping me from exercising. I knew, at the time, that exercising would make my recovery from treatments easier, but knowing and doing are two completely different things.

Because I know what it's like to be a survivor, I'm just going to share some information with you - some things I think will make your life a little bit easier. And you can take it from there.

The fact is: regular exercise may boost your energy levels, and your self esteem! The article on Livestrong.com, written by Stephanie Berger, explains some of the benefits of exercise: "...exercise increases blood flow to the body and brain and can combat symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety in breast cancer survivors. Exercising empowers women, giving them a sense of control over their health. Increased fitness decreases that risk of breast cancer recurrence. Exercising helps women control their weight, which can reduce their risk of relapse."

I think that's some pretty great motivation for taking time to exercise. So, start out slowly. Talk to your doctor first. Make sure he/she approves your plan. Be careful if you've just had surgery - take care to not overdue. You'll know when enough is enough. The great thing about exercise is that it just gets easier the more you do it!

If you are just starting out, just for this week, try to do a few stretching exercises. And go for a walk 3-4 times during the week. You can increase the time as you become stronger.

If you exercise regularly already, try to increase the amount little by little this week.

Good luck! You are a strong, beautiful, capable survivor... You deserve to treat yourself well.

-Kara

WORDLESS PINK WEDNESDAY - I Fight Like A Girl

I've got some beautiful pictures for you today for Almost Wordless Wednesday. These are survivors who were interviewed and photographed for a project called I Fight Like A Girl.

What beautiful women, and such inspirational thoughts.
What do you have to say about breast cancer?

TUESDAY TIDINGS - March's Support Mtg... Breast Cancer Awareness Night

Hi there! It's time for our monthly support meeting announcement...

March's support meeting will be next Thursday - March 8th. It's a GIRLS NIGHT OUT...

Bring your daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, and neighbors - any women are invited. We'll be having a Breast Cancer Awareness night. We'll be learning about the causes of breast cancer, early detection, and things we can do to lower our risk of getting cancer, or having a recurrence.

Please come, and enjoy the night with us. Bring all of the women you care about.

RSVP to let us know if you are coming, and how many you'll be bringing with you...

Kara: 801-360-4666 / nafari01@gmail.com
Colette: 801-376-7377 / cjharris77@yahoo.com
Bethanie: 801-227-4620 / newbyclan@gmail.com

See you Thursday night!

TUESDAY TIPS - Free Ebook: "How We Became Breast Cancer Thrivers"

Bethanie Newby, our VP of Development, just emailed me a link to an ebook called "How We Became Breast Cancer Thrivers". Thought you'd enjoy looking through it - it's free...

Just click here:
http://www.axmag.com/data/201009/U2052_F6753/index.html

Thanks, Bethanie!

TUESDAY TIDINGS - 6 Breast Cancer Facts

The following breast cancer facts were found in a pamphlet called "Health Connection", put out by Good Neighbor Pharmacy in October 2010...

Studies have shown that eating more fruits and vegetables helps protect against all kinds of cancer, including breast cancer.

Regular exercise can lower your risk of getting breast cancer by as much as 20 percent.

Try to limit yourself to less than one alcoholic beverage per day to help reduce your breast cancer risk.

Consider losing weight - obese women are more likely to get breast cancer than women who are lean.

Breast-feeding lowers the risk for breast cancer among women with a family history of the disease.

Mammography can detect breast cancer in the early stages when it is most treatable.