MONDAY MOTIVATION - The Motivation of Gaining Health

I'm having a GREAT day!  Hope it's great for all of you as well.

A few weeks ago, I became a Health Coach for a wonderful company that has helped me to lose 48 pounds and 48 inches in the last 14.5 weeks.  Not only do I look WAY different, I FEEL wonderful!

Three and a half years ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer, and started treatments, I never thought I'd feel good again. In January, I felt like I was twice my age - it's been 3 years since I finished chemo, and I still felt awful - no energy, lots of fatigue, aching joints, etc.  I knew my weight was out of control, too.

(This is me in January of this year, on the left - YIKES!  I started this healthy eating program, and here I am, on the right, after about 13 weeks)

I did every single thing I could to get rid of my breast cancer - I had all of the treatments my doctor lined up for me.  And now, I feel like I've taken the final step to regaining my health.  And, if my cancer ever comes back, it isn't going to be because I'm not healthy.

So, earlier today, I was reading in the Habits of Health book that I got with the program I'm on, and something I read really made a lot of sense to me:

Most changes we try to adopt (like dieting) are based on solving a problem or trying to get rid of an unwanted situation.  This type of motivation almost never leads to lasting changes.  You make changes at first, but later you fall back into your old ways of behavior.  So, for instance:  think about your health problems... you might hate the way you look or feel, and your natural response is to feel terrible about it.  In order to end that feeling, you take actions that make you feel better - you go on a diet, or you exercise.  But those actions aren't motivated by what you want (just by what you don't want), so they lead you into a predictable cycle... you act, and then because you've acted, you feel better - even if the situation hasn't changed much.  Feeling better takes the pressure off, lessening the bad feelings.  Less emotional conflict means there's less reason to continue doing the things that reduced the conflict in the first place.  Since you feel better, you no longer feel a pressing need to follow through on your actions.  And the original behavior returns.  That's what we call a "yo-yo pattern".  Conflict-driven motivation in one of the major reasons people yo-yo.  So, we need to change the way we're motivated...

We need to motivate ourselves by focusing on what we want - not what we don't want!  This is the difference between a problem-oriented motivation and an outcome-oriented motivation.  Changing our emphasis from what we're against to what we're for has a dramatic impact.

I found this fascinating.  If I'm understanding this right - what I need to do is change my motivation from thinking that I don't want to be unhealthy, to thinking that I want optimal health.  Instead of trying to lose weight, I need to focus on gaining health!  I love this idea!  If I focus on losing weight, then at some point, I'll lose all the weight, and then what?  Most likely I'll stop doing what I'm supposed to do, because I've reached that goal.  But, if I focus on gaining health - well, that never ends.  It's a life-long pursuit.  And that means, I'll be working constantly on that.  No more yo-yoing!

On the front of the Habits of Health book, it says "The path to permanent weight control and optimal health".  I'm now well on my way down that path, and I've got the goal of optimal health in mind.  It makes me happy just to think about where I'll be in 2 months, in 6 months, in a year - or even 2 or 5 years.

I've learned in just a short time that it is possible to overcome cancer - completely.  And even to feel better than ever - I've taken that final step, and I feel amazing!

I just went through a box of clothes that I've kept stashed downstairs - these are my favorite clothes, but I haven't been able to wear any of them for years!  I got into every one of them.  My son took my picture in a few items...

Life is good, my friends!

-Kara

SATURDAY STRENGTH: ACS Exercises After Breast Surgery

Most women who have breast cancer have some kind of surgery. Recovery from surgeries can be tough, but there are exercises that are necessary to help decrease side effects and get back to your normal activities. The American Cancer Society has an information page that can help. It talks about different kinds of surgeries, exercises that can help, the week after surgery rules, and other important things. Here is the link: ACS Exercises After Breast Surgery

One of my favorite exercises that is shown on this site - one that does a good job of stretching your chest and shoulders - is the Chest Wall Stretch. Here is the basic information for this exercise:

This exercise helps stretch your chest.

• Stand facing a corner with your toes about 8 to 10 inches from the corner.
• Bend your elbows and put your forearms on the wall, one on each side of the corner. Your elbows should be as close to shoulder height as possible.
• Keep your arms and feet in place and move your chest toward the corner. You will feel a stretch across your chest and shoulders.
• Return to the starting position and repeat 5 to 7 times.

MONDAY MENTIONABLES - The Act of Returning To Normal

I'm BACK! I've been recovering from a surgery I had last Monday, and I promised my family that I wouldn't do ANYTHING but rest and recover. So, this blog, along with everything else, was set aside for a week.

In that week, I've gone through an interesting recovery. My surgery was to remove my Gall Bladder and my Ovaries. It was done laparoscopically (this is a hard word to spell!), and so I've got 5 small incisions on my abdomen. The first 2 days after the surgery, I was in so much pain, because of the air they used to blow up my stomach so they could work on it. The air had to go somewhere, and it came out through my shoulders, arms, and neck. Talk about pain! Wow. Then, my throat was damaged quite a bit from a scope I had done, and then from the air tube during the surgery. So, my throat has gone from painful, to congested, to scratchy, etc. After those first few days, the aches and pains lessened, but then the incisions started to hurt. Everyone says that day 3 and 4 are the worst, and those are the days that I just felt all around yucky. After that, I spent the next two days very sick to my stomach. After that disappeared, I had the bowel problems that come with every surgery. So, each day or two, it's been something completely different. It's been a week, and so I've got people asking me if I've recovered yet. How do you know when you've recovered from surgery? Is it when you can get up and move around for most of the day without problems? Is it when your bowels have recovered their normal functions? Or maybe when your bruises have faded to that awful yellow color?

My recoveries (I've had a "few" - from 14 surgeries in the last 3 years) have been interesting. I've learned that when the doctor tells me that I'll feel ok in 3-4 days, that I've basically got to double that. So, I'll feel "better" in around 7-8 days. But "better" doesn't mean normal, at least for me. The pain might be mostly gone, along with the bruising and bandages, but I'm not usually back to normal for quite awhile. Normal for me means feeling all the way better, and being able to do whatever I want to do with no side affects. It always takes some time for me to feel like I'm back to my normal self. Today, for example, I woke up with some pain, and took a pain killer early this morning. I had something to eat, and then got ready for the day. I felt pretty good. I didn't do much today - just some computer work, some reading, some visiting, etc. But, by about 4:00 pm, I was back to being exhausted and hurting. So, no... I'm not back to normal yet.

If there is one thing I've learned from all of the surgeries and recoveries, it's this... listen to what your body is telling you. Make sure you take the time that is necessary for your recovery, and REST. If you don't, and you try to push things along too fast, you won't bounce back as well, and that can cause problems. The dictionary defines recovery as "the act of returning to normal". All I'm saying is the returning to normal takes time, so be patient.

MONDAY MOTIVATION - Looking At Trials Through Rose-Colored Glasses

"You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses."

The other day, my husband and I got into the car to go somewhere, and Rick put on his sunglasses. He said, "I love how these sunglasses just make everything look so much better." Rick showed me how the blinding sun is cut out, and the colors come alive.. everything is vibrant and beautiful.

Have you ever heard the phrase "Looking at life through rose-colored glasses"? I was thinking about that phrase the other day. Life is wonderful, but it can be hard. We all have trials to get through during our lives, and many of the trials are very difficult. There is a huge potential for us to want to give up - to lose hope. It's easy to lose hope if we are looking at our trials, and seeing only terrible things. But, if we thinking about putting on glasses that help us see a little bit better - that help us see things through the eyes of hope, rather than despair, it's my belief that we can feel better about the things we have to deal with.

Just like Rick putting on his sunglasses, and being able to better appreciate everything there is to see in this beautiful world, we can put on our "rose-colored" glasses, and see our trials for what they really are... not events that will make us miserable, but events that will help mold us into better people; that will help us have strength, patience, and understanding; that will make us better than we were before.

And that makes life beautiful and vibrant, don't you think?

"There are always flowers for those who want to see them." -Henri Matisse

SATURDAY STRENGTH: Exercise Suggestions From Ribbon of Hope Website

I visited a site called Ribbon of Pink today. It has some excellent resources for women moving on from breast cancer. I thought I'd share a little bit of what they talk about under the subject: Getting Fit.

"Studies show that women diagnosed with early breast cancer have an improved quality of life, decreased fatigue and improved fitness in as little as 12 weeks of following an exercise program, three times a week."

This gives me so much hope, because the fatigue, for me, has been one of the worst parts of recovering from cancer. Here is a list of suggested exercises from Ribbon of Pink:

-Take a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Carry some hand weights so that you work your lower body as well as your upper body.

-Go swimming.

-Play tennis with a friend.

-Go to a yoga class.

-Hiking is a great way to get exercise and explore the outdoors.

-Ride a bike.

-Join a gym.

-Park the car in a spot that requires you to walk a greater distance than you normally would.

-Take the stairs rather than the elevator at the office.

Make a list of some more ideas that you have for adding exercise to your day!

I've added the Ribbon of Pink website to our "Helpful Websites" on the right sidebar. Go and visit - you'll be pleasantly surprised at the great resources on this website.

-Kara

MONDAY MOTIVATION - Back in the Groove

I realized after my chemo treatments were through, that I had absolutely NO muscles left in my body! Well, that's not strictly true, I'm sure, but I felt like I had no muscles. I had a really hard time feeling well enough to even walk, and I was sure I would never get back in the groove of exercising.

Before I was diagnosed, I loved lifting weights. At my strongest, I was lifting 3 times per week. I also loved walking. I would go early in the morning to my local cemetery, which is a really beautiful place, with walking paths. There, I would, at my best, walk 2-3 miles per day. I felt really good, and was getting even better.

I would have been happy to be able to walk just 1 mile per day after chemo, but everything seemed to hurt. I had heel spurs before being diagnosed with cancer, but they didn't bother me at all. But, after treatments, the heel spurs made walking so painful, I would just hobble along. The more I walked, the worse it got. I've even had heel spur surgery since my treatments ended, but it didn't help. In fact, if anything, my foot pain has doubled!

I decided last week that I would buy an elliptical machine - thinking that perhaps if I exercised on one of those, and my foot stayed on one place, I would be able to keep exercising. My husband was, of course, skeptical. I'm always looking for new and improved ways to exercise (most of them I drop when I don't see instant results!). So, I don't blame him for wondering if I'd stick to the elliptical. I found a $1500 machine for $350 - used - on KSL.COM, and bought it. When we finally got it downstairs to my workout room, I was super excited to start. I feel an obligation to prove to my husband (who doesn't believe this will last), that I'm going to do this!

Here is my new baby...

(Is that Kara, you ask? Well... no. But, it will be soon!)

(I straightened and cleaned my unfinished basement workout room - vacuuming, rearranging, dusting all the equipment. I borrowing my son's speakers, so I could listen to my iPod. I put a shelving unit in the room for all the free weights, music equipment, weight-lifting gloves, etc. It is AWESOME!!!)

Four days ago, I hopped on the elliptical for the first time. I plugged in my iPod, turned on the fan, and started... at the 1 minute mark, the (lack of) muscles in my legs were BURNING! OW! I stopped for a few seconds, and then started again. One more minute went by and I had to take another breather (GEEZ!). This went on until I thought I was going to die (at the 5 minute mark)! Yep - I walked 5 whole minutes. Unbelievable, right?! I've done that for the past four days, adding 5 more minutes for the last two days. This is TOUGH. But, I refuse to prove my husband right. And, boy, is he excited. He's so happy I'm actually using the machine, and that I'm going to start feeling stronger. So am I - I can tell this is going to take a long time to get back into shape, but I'm willing to put the 5 minutes per day in! Haha! Just kidding. Hopefully I'll be able to eventually walk on the machine for 45 minutes.

I'm telling you about this pathetic attempt to bounce back from chemo because I want you to know that, wherever you are in the whole cancer journey, and no matter how awful you feel, there will come a time when you will be happy to be able to work on getting back in the groove.

Good luck to all of you! I'll keep on moving!

-Kara

MONDAY MENTIONABLES - A Restorative Retreat

Why is it important to talk with other breast cancer survivors? Well, I've learned over the past year that there are times when I just simply need to talk things over with women who have been through what I've been through. And I've had that opportunity several times.

The most recent opportunity I had happened this past weekend. I was invited to go on a breast cancer retreat, put on by a wonderful non-profit group here is Utah, called Image Reborn. (Even though it is head-quartered here in Utah, I believe their retreats are open to anyone - check out the information on their website: imagerebornfoundation.org)

This particular retreat was for young survivors - those 45 years of age and younger. I just barely slipped in there at age 45 (and counting). I'm glad I was able to attend and talk to younger women - I can relate a little bit more with the issues in this age group.

Let me tell you how we were pampered this weekend...

The setting was lovely - a beautiful home in the mountains near Park City. The weather was perfect - warm and sunny during the day, with those cool Utah nights. Each morning, we woke to see hot air balloons in the sky.

We watched with fascination the family of deer in the back yard the first night. The home with just incredible.


The food was good - it was nice to not have to worry about cooking meals for 3 days! There was fruit, yogurt, and sweet breads for breakfast. Lunch in the restaurant at the clubhouse - we ate next to the beautiful pool!

Dinners included different veggie pizzas, and Chicken Tetrazzini (with green chili peppers - YUM!). We got super good deserts, and I had dark chocolate stashed in my room for late night cravings, of course. ;-)

The activities included 3 things I've never experienced before...

1. Facials. Yes, you read that right. I've never had a facial before. Now I'm completely hooked.

Having a facial is what I call being pampered. The feel, the smell, the relaxation! Oh my!

2. Art Journaling. I've always wanted to try this. I know the importance of journaling, especially through your cancer journey, and this is just an unusual (but fun) way of doing that.

I worked on just one page in my art journal. I focused on what I was thinking about at the time - that even though cancer changed me a lot, I'm still me. It was fun to decorate the page, using quotes, and images. I made a list of things I've lost and gain. This is what it said:
Kara... minus boobs, hair, nails, veins, lashes, brows, and stomach. Plus implants, rest, wrinkles, scars, and love. Eguals - ME. A few of the quotes I used:

To thine own self be true - Shakespeare
Dare to be remarkable - Jane Gentry
For a long time, she flew only when she thought no one else was watching - Brian Andreas
I am just too much - Bette Davis


3. Restorative Yoga. This is something I've always thought I should try, but I've been too scared to take a class. And I have no idea what I'm doing, so I didn't think I could do it at home. I'm so glad I learned this wonderful exercise.

It brought my body in tune with my spirit - it was just incredible. We learned how to breath deeply and slowly, how to focus on each part of our bodies. Some things were hard for me, but it was mostly just wonderful, and just what our teacher claimed it would be - restorative.

Those three things will change my life, I think. I'm glad I got to experience them.

The company was made up of survivors - there were six of us. I got to meet the most fabulous ladies.

Beth, Jeni, B-Jo, Tonya, and Marci. This is the main reason I think I went to the retreat. I wanted to meet other survivors, and just take time to talk about issues we all face. I learned so many things, and hopefully helped someone as well. It was good to network.


When I got home, there were some neighbors visiting my family. As I told them about the retreat, I tried to explain WHY I felt like I needed to attend. It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason. All I know is that I feel better physically, and emotionally. It was a good thing for me. Survivors are the most amazing people - I'm so glad I was able to meet these ladies. They helped me so much.

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Recovering From Surgery...

I haven't updated this blog for week or so, mostly because I've been trying to recover from a surgery I had on the 11th of this month. As I've thought about what I want to write today, I've been reflecting on how hard it is to recover from a surgery. No matter what kind of surgery you are having - even if it's just a minor surgery - your body needs the time to recover.

Recovery includes the big things - time to allow the drains to do what is needed, time for incisions to bond and stitches to either be taken out or dissolve, etc.

Recovery also includes the smaller things - time to get pain under control, to sleep, to get your body working normally again.

My recovery has been pretty typical. I've had to live with sponge baths instead of showers, emptying drains that are still in after 11 days, the pain that has been a little hard to control. I've slept a ton, tried to get up and walk around several times a day, and learned to get comfortable in a recliner instead of my bed.

Through all of this, I've learned a few things that have really helped me:

1. Keep a record of all medications and the times they were taken. This is especially helpful when dealing with pain meds. During this recovery, I've had to taken several medications - an antibiotic, an anti-nausea med, stool softeners, a blood thinner, and 2 different kinds of pain meds. I've written down the amount, and the time I've taken each pill. The more medications you have to take, the harder it is to remember everything. A pen and paper really helps.

2. For sponge bathing - keep the following supplies on hand: baby wipes (Huggies wipes are super thick and smell pretty good), a washcloth and some liquid soap, a towel, body powder, deodorant, perfume, and a change of clothing. Keep all of these things in one bathroom, so you don't have to gather them each time you "bathe".

3. DO NOT forget to take stool softeners. Start a few days before your surgery (with your doctor's permission), and continue while you recover. I've found that it doesn't matter how "major" your surgery was - it will screw up your system.

4. My surgery this time was on my lower body, and I've found that having a walker has really helped. Even though I'm supposed to get up and walk around several times a day, it really helps to use a walker, because I'm still dizzy, and I quickly get tired. Being able to rest by leaning on a walker has been so helpful.

5. I've been confined to a recliner since my surgery - it's easier to get up from a recliner than a bed. Right before my surgery, I bought a small table on wheels - it's technically a computer table. It's big enough to hold all of the supplies I need, and it tilts, which is nice when I use a computer. As I mentioned, it has wheels, which helps me move it around easily. Here a list of things that I've found important to have near me (in this case, on my table)...
a. Water bottle - I am drinking TONS of water!
b. Clipboard with paper and pen for recording my meds, and drain totals
c. A few magazines, and books. I've actually got a Nook sitting here beside me. So, I've got a whole library of reading material within inches on my chair.
d. Snacks - mine include crackers, pretzels, and little candies.
e. A laptop computer - this is a must for me. It's the way I keep connected to the world. In my busy life, I rarely have time to just play on the computer. But, since I've been recovering, I've had fun looking up all my favorite stores, information on things I've always wanted to know, emailing, reading blogs, etc.
f. Phones - both my house phone and my cell phone (with chargers) are right here next to me.
g. A smaller container with all of my meds inside. This helps keep them organized and within reach.
h. iPod - music can be soothing and help with healing. I've got hundreds of artists on my iPod. I can listen to whatever music I'm in the mood for.
g. A TV. I rarely watch TV in my normal life - I just don't have time. But, the remote is next to me, and I've taken time to watch some things I enjoy - HGTV, cooking shows, movies. I've been able to get onto my Netflix account, and watch movies on my computer, which has been nice, too.
h. Pillows - I've got pillows to prop up my feet, pillows to tuck around me, and a pillow to hug.
i. A down throw - it seems like I'm always cold, so it's nice to cuddle up with a comfy blanket.

Well, that's my list of necessities. You might have your own list. Take a few minutes to write down a list of things you've found work for you during recovery. And then, share your list with others.

-Kara

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Your Previous Self...

I'm not sure about you, but my recovery from cancer hasn't been going well. Admittedly, before I was diagnosed with cancer, I wasn't super healthy. I was overweight, and rarely found time to do much exercise. I did try to walk, but that's about it. I just simply wasn't taking care of myself like I should have. So, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I thought "Jeez - this is just GREAT! I'm already not healthy - what is this going to do to me??!!"

Unlike some of you, I didn't try to exercise during my treatments. I was just too tired and sick. When I found out about chemo, I thought "Well, at least I'll lose a bunch of weight - there's one good thing that will come from chemo". That didn't happen. Of course, I did lose TONS of muscle (since chemo loves to destroy your muscle), but my weight didn't go down at all. In fact, it stayed pretty much exactly the same! The first week after a chemo treatment, I'd lose about 12-15 pounds - I just couldn't eat. But, for the next two weeks, the weight would slowly come back. By the time I had my next chemo treatment, I'd be back at my "normal" weight. I didn't really understand why this was happening, until right before my last treatment, when I found out that one of the medicines I was taking each time was a steroid. Yep, it was the steroid that put the weight back on. I was mad. In fact, the last time I was supposed to take it - during my final chemo treatment - I just didn't. Looking back, that probably wasn't the best decision I ever made. The steroid was helping with the side affects that came from chemo. I'm not sure if NOT taking the steroid that last time cause the 2 months of nose bleeds I had, or caused my nails to finally fall off. But, it probably would have helped if I would have followed my doctor's orders, and taken it.

It's been two year since my chemo treatments - in fact, on February 11th, it will be my 2 year anniversary of my LAST chemo treatment. For some reason, I thought I'd feel better after two years. I don't feel much better at all. I guess it makes sense that my muscles and joints would be sore, since chemo wasn't too nice to them. And it makes sense that I would have a hard time losing the fat I gained during chemo. But, I'm really frustrated that I'm still feeling so sore that it's hard to even walk (a recent surgery to remove heel spurs didn't help - just made walking more painful). And there's not much incentive to exercise when it will just make me even more miserable. *sigh*

There are a few things I've been doing to really help myself, though. I've been trying to drink a protein shake every day, to help with hair regrowth. I've been taking vitamins every day as well - which I think is helping my nails become stronger, and hopefully giving me a little bit of energy. I've also been losing weight - slowly but surely. I've lost 18 pounds. Not too bad, right?

Earlier this week, I was talking to my husband, and told him that I'm tired of feeling crappy all the time. Why is my body feeling this way?! It wasn't like this before cancer. I seriously feel like I'm 20 years older than I really am. I don't like the idea that I'll be like this forever. So, I've decided that this is MY YEAR! I'm going to get feeling better - I will get back to my "normal" self! I'm going to start exercising, even if it gets worse before it gets better. Hopefully, with exercise, my muscles and joints won't be so bad. (And maybe the exercises will help with the Lymphodema I've got). I've got an exercise video called Second Chance: Fitness after Breast Cancer, by Dorelle Laffal (a 3 time breast cancer survivor, and a world class weight lifter). I watched it this morning, and the exercises aren't too strenuous - they are just perfect for getting my body feeling better. I'll continue to watch what I eat - trying to eat more veggies and fruits. I'll continue to lose weight - a little bit at a time. And I'm going to try to make each day better than the one before. This is my year to return to the previous Kara - but, even better. I'm turning 45 this year - I should feel like I'm in the prime of my life! Hopefully, by the end of 2011, I will. :-)

How about you? What changes have you seen in your body, and the way you feel, since being diagnosed with cancer? What things have you done to stay healthy, or get back to your previous self? Take out your cancer journal and record some thoughts. Make a few goals that will help you improve your health, and the way you feel.

-Kara

Services and Programs Provided by the American Cancer Society and Sister Survivors

The American Cancer Society has many programs and services that are helpful for breast cancer survivors and their families:

Look Good... Feel Better:
Information and guidance to help women undergoing treatment. I've taken this class and I really enjoyed it. This class will help you understand how best to take care of your skin during chemo, how to apply makeup, care for wigs, and how to use scarves and hats. Participants are given a make up bag filled with products from beauty companies. 2 hour classes are available. You must preregister to attend class.

Annette Nielsen: 801-812-5584, Jodi Trost 801-357-8767, or Sharon Hinckley 801-493-4724.

2nd Tuesday of the month @ 6:00 pm - Central Utah Clinic, Provo
4th Monday of the month @10:00 am - American Fork Hospital
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I Can Cope:
A program that teaches patients and their loved ones how to live and cope with cancer. Classes available on the Web at www.cancer.org/ICanCope
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Reach to Recovery:
This program is for women facing breast cancer. This is an opportunity to speak with someone who has been through the breast cancer experience. To schedule a visit by phone or in person, contact Betty Memmott 801-602-7924, or Jill Pehrson 801-798-3343.
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Road to Recovery:
This is FREE service where volunteer drivers provide transportation for cancer patients to and from their scheduled medical appointments. Drivers donate their time and the use of their personal vehicles. To request transportation or become a driver, call Sharon Law @ 801-375-5952
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Bosom Buddies: (not an American Cancer Society Program)
This is the Sister Survivors' one-on-one mentoring program. Similar to Reach to Recovery, we match you up with a Breast Cancer survivor who is willing help you through your cancer journey. Call Bethanie Newby to find a mentor: 801-227-4620, or email: sistersurvivors@gmail.com
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Women's Cancer Support Groups:

Sister Survivors - Utah Valley Breast Cancer Support Group (not an American Cancer Society Program)
2nd Thursday of each month - 7:00pm - 8:30pm @ Fillmore/Spencer Law Office, 3301 N. University Ave., Provo UT (Jamestown) We would LOVE to have you join this wonderful group of women - this is for patients and survivors. We have classes, activities, and service projects.

Woman to Woman - all female cancers
1st Tuesday of the month: 6:30pm - 8:00pm @ Utah Valley Cancer Center at UVRMC
2rd Thursday of the month: 10:30am - noon @ UVRMC Northwest Plaza, Classroom 3
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Free Wigs, Hats, Scarves, and some Prosthetics:
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center - Jodi Trost 801-357-8767
Central Utah Clinic - Annette Nielsen 801-429-8066
(please call for an appointment)
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800-227-2345: Information about cancer, cancer treatment, patient and caregiver services, how to find help. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Website: www.cancer.org for information, Cancer Survivors Network, and I Can Cope online.

I hope this information is helpful to you. The most important thing to know and understand, is that you don't have to go through cancer alone. There is LOTS of help out there. If you need anything, or would like to ask questions about any of these services, please don't hesitate to contact us here at Sister Survivors. The email is: sistersurvivors@gmail.com

Thursday Thoughts - Loss

From the book, "After Breast Cancer" by Musa Mayer

On loss...

"...there is something about having breast cancer that stays with many of us, preventing us from putting this illness out of our minds and into the past. From my own experience and that of the hundreds of women I've heard discussing these issues over the years, I believe that what's bothering us is fundamentally three-fold: what we've lost, what we fear and how we've changed.

Over time, our sense of what we have lost is very likely to become tempered - and even outweighed - by evidence of personal growth, as hard-won struggles lead to a new awareness of resilience and strength, a new sense of freedom, and new perspectives, as priorities are clarified and trivial involvements fall away.

The losses we feel are real, nonetheless, and must be acknowledged and given the honor of our compassionate attention, if we are to work through our feelings of grief and anger to achieve some sense of acceptance and move toward emotional recovery."