Our 'New Normal' - a thought provoking article
A friend of mine shared this recently .... Author unknown— I had no idea how much cancer sucks. The worst part of cancer is that so many people confuse it with so many illnesses like pneumonia or maybe even the sudden trauma of a broken hip. Although these diseases are acute, painful and sometimes dangerous, they are brief insults to the body and soul. Once the immediate danger is gone from the body, they usually do not recur or spread. You survive! You heal! They do not become a permanent burden in our minds or lives. You go back to your normal way of life, with no real misgivings. Cancer is not like that. Yes, it can be sudden, painful and debilitating. Yes, most of us survive and it is most unlikely that our cancer will return. BUT the difference is that our minds and our lives will never heal. Cancer in remission does not leave. The person we were before cancer ... will never be the person we are after cancer. Family and friends do not expect to see this change in us and are baffled as to why our lives will never get back to "normal". It is hard for all of us to accept that a cancer survivor is, and will somehow, always be a cancer patient. First, there are the obvious and common physical effects on our body and soul. Aches and pains may persist for years. Scars and permanent surgical changes will always be there. Chemotherapy injuries such as loss of hearing, heart damage, vision or nerve damage may follow us. We may have slight shortness of breath or decreased endurance. Our skin, nails and hair may change. We may taste or smell things differently. Or altogether lose our appetite and enjoyment of food. Or worst - lose our sexual drive or satisfaction. Our memories may never be as sharp. And sleep may become erratic. Our innocence is taken away - we lose our 'soul'. We may always be tired, even after a good night's sleep. We may become weak or our mental awareness may be lost. Loss of concentration may make it hard to work or enjoy something simple like a reading book, watching a movie or visiting with friends or maintain a job. We may not have the energy, the excitement. Life may be drained of fun, satisfaction or purpose. Perhaps the inescapable change is that you may have the "never leaving, always just around the corner", deep mental pain, that reminds us that today or tomorrow, the cancer may return. Every discomfort we get will seem to be some kind of sign that cancer has come back. Something as simple as a winter's cold, a toothache, or heartburn after a spicy meal, can scream at us! It is very difficult to "put cancer behind you" when it is always in the back of your mind. The clincher? None of this will be obvious to anyone else. No matter how much our family or medical caregivers try to empathise, to comfort, connect to understand - surviving cancer is a deeply changing and highly personal experience. With that being said, the cancer transformation is different for each person and each patient. None of us were the same before the disease, and none of us experience this disease the same way. There is no "NORMAL", it all becomes the "NEW NORMAL" Cancer sucks, and keeps on sucking. Deep healing requires the understanding that things are not the same. It requires communication and space, counseling, support and patience. It requires time to find the person you have become. Author Unknown
Breast Cancer has changed my fitness ideas to another level
Hi, my name’s Karen and I am a Breast Cancer survivor, a member at Fernwood Darwin and I have just completed my 'Certificate III in Fitness' through Fernwood Learning. In March 2012, at the age of 37 married with 3 young children, my life was turned upside down. I went for a routine mammogram and ultrasound following my 40 year old sister's breast cancer diagnosis. On the 20th March 2012, my GP shattered me with the news "It is Breast Cancer". I had a 7mm, Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma tumour and extensive pre-invasive cancer cells to the ducts which had possibly been there since my late 20s! My tumour was Hormone Receptor positive, but unfortunately HER2 Positive making the cancer more aggressive requiring 6 cycles of chemotherapy and Herceptin treatment every 3 weeks for 12 months. I had a total of 8 hospital admissions, including 6 operations. This included a double mastectomy with reconstruction. I continue on medication for 10 years to block the effects of hormones and further reduce my risk of recurrence. I’m now focusing on my next breast cancer treatment in line to help with the management of the side effects I have experienced since my diagnosis. Regular exercise improves both physical and emotional health which is beneficial for general wellbeing. Exercise has shown to provide these benefits and improve women’s health and quality of life, including reducing fatigue, improving moods and management of depression, anxiety, pain, lymphedema, sleep, bone health, menopause and maintain a healthy weight. Research supports regular exercise reducing the risk of Breast Cancer recurrence by 24% and can reduce the risk of developing Breast Cancer in those fortunate enough who have not been diagnosed with this disease. Fernwood has a very supportive relationship with Breast Cancer Network Australia, a national organisation who provides free information and support to Australians affected by breast cancer. Earlier this year I was fortunate to have received 1 of 10 scholarships offered to Breast Cancer Survivors in Australia. The on-line course was easy to follow and I was well supported by staff at Fernwood Learning (Melbourne) and Fernwood (Darwin). Attending the weekend intensive gave me the opportunity to meet other students with similar interests and to develop fitness programs in a safe learning environment. I enjoyed studying the 'Certificate III in fitness' as whilst it kept my brain ticking, it also kept me physically active. Long-term I would like to run fitness classes to Darwin's breast cancer community whilst maintaining my own fitness at Fernwood Darwin.
Nourishing Knowledge Blog Post Seven: Processed Foods
Image Source: www.naturallifeenergy.com Processed food has a very bad reputation when it comes to nutrition and health but what many people don’t realise is that processed food is more than just potato chips, drive-through hamburgers and Spam. It may come as a surprise but wholemeal bread, homemade soup and even a chopped banana are processed foods. While what most people know as processed foods should be eaten in small amounts many other processed foods have a rightful place in a balanced diet. The Processed Food Spectrum Processed foods such as milk and yoghurt are sometimes fortified with calcium and vitamin D and muesli can have added fibre or iron. Minimally processed foods such as pre-cut fruit and vegetables or pre-packaged spinach leaves are great convenience and create healthy options that are quick and easy. As you move along the spectrum, away from the pre-cut and bagged vegetables you need to be aware of the hidden sugar, salt and fat. Foods that are heavily processed have lost their key nutrients in processing, such as white bread. Ingredients such as salt, sugar and fat are added to processed foods to make their flavour more appealing and to prolong their shelf life, or in some cases to contribute to the food's structure, such as salt in bread or sugar in cakes. This can lead to people eating more than the recommended amounts for these additives, as they may not be aware of how much has been added to the food they are buying and eating. Reading nutrition labels can help you choose between processed products and keep a check on the amount of processed foods you're eating that are high in fat, salt, added sugars and depleted of important nutrients. Alternatives to highly processed foods: Cup of noodles - Make Your Own Just-Add-Hot-Water Instant Noodles Frozen pizza – Homemade Pita Pizza Bottled salad dressing – use balsamic vinegar and olive oil or lemon juice Bottled pasta sauce- canned tomatoes (avoid brands with added sugar and salt), dried oregano, dried or fresh basil and olive oil. Processed deli meat – Grilled chicken breast or roasted beef. Pre-packed microwave meals – Homemade Microwave Risotto Primavera What’s your trick to avoid highly processed foods? May you be Mindful message. Notice 5 things in your day that usually go unappreciated. These things can be objects or people – it’s up to you. The point of this exercise is to simply give thanks and appreciate the seemingly insignificant things in life; the things that support our existence but rarely get a second thought amidst our desire for bigger and better things. For example: electricity powers your kettle, the postman delivers your mail, your clothes provide you warmth, your nose lets you smell the flowers in the park, your ears let you hear the birds in the tree by the bus stop, but… Do you know how these things/processes came to exist, or how they really work? Have you ever properly acknowledged how these things benefit your life and the lives of others? Have you ever thought about what life might be like without these things? Have you ever stopped to notice their finer, more intricate details? Have you ever sat down and thought about the relationships between these things and how together they play an interconnected role in the functioning of the earth? Once you have identified your 5 things, make it your goal to find out everything you can about their creation and purpose to truly appreciate the way in which they support your life. Don’t forget to post your mindfulness stories to be in with a chance to win the May you be Mindful prize pack. References: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2016, Processed Foods: What’s OK, What to Avoid, http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/nutrition/nutrition-facts-and-food-labels/avoiding-processed-foods, viewed May 2016 Better Health Channel 2016, Food Processing and Nutrition, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/food-processing-and-nutrition, viewed May 2016 NHS Choices 2016, Eating processed foods, http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/what-are-processed-foods.aspx, viewed May 2016 Pocket Mindfulness 2016, 6 Mindfulness Exercises You Can Try Today, http://www.pocketmindfulness.com/6-mindfulness-exercises-you-can-try-today/, viewed May 2016
Need a get away?
I've been reading the posts from ladies who are getting toward the end of their treatment and thought this might be a good time to remind you of the fantastic opportunity the Otis Foundation offers to anyone who has been thrown into the Breast Cancer mincer. Otis has a number of properties across the country (predominately Victoria ) that are available at no cost to you. The majority are available for 4 days mid-week though there are a couple, like the fabulous Kez's Hideaway in Victoria, which are available over the weekend. All you need to cover is your food and travel. Most of the properties are self catering, so it is possible to have a four day holiday without breaking the bank. Most things that sound too good to be true are a scam, but this offer doesn't come with any strings attached. Seriously. The only thing Otis asks is that you treat the properties with respect and promote the foundation if you get the chance. Which I am delighted to do. So, if your string is getting a bit short and you are feeling that some time away may help, get onto their website and see what is on offer. They are really user friendly--either chose a property and then find out when it is available or ring them and tell them when you can get away and they will tell you what your options are at that time. Marg XXX http://otisfoundation.org.au/
WEIRD
Woke up this morning sun was shining, no wind,got up & got ready for my 5km parkrun as I do every Saturday morning. By the time I got there it was blowing a gale & cloudy but off we went, like we always do rain , hail or shine. Had Flynn, a Kelpie, attached to me as his human is on the injured list & cant run & off we went, 5.2km smashed in 35mins, high five to me. Dont understand how I can be so ill yet feel so good,I wonder the same thing everydqy but particularly on Saturdays when I can run 5.2km will little effort...
6 Years Since My Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Hi everyone, Sorry to say it has been ages since I last spoke on my blog. Slack I know! Lol! This year will be 6 years in August since my Breast Cancer diagnosis and Lumpectomy followed by Chemo and Radiotherapy. Well I had a few scares and more biopsies early last year in 2016 which really threw me substantially. I am happy to say I am still cancer free to this day. Of course I sometimes look over my shoulder for the dreaded 'C' word, but not a chance for now luckily. Hopefully never! I still fear for my children but since having Genetic Testing about the origin of the cancer, it has been discovered it isn't genetic which is such a relief. I originally had a 3 cm IDC Triple Negative and not hormonal BC. I was at Stage 2 with a Grade 3 tumor when I discovered my lump by chance in 2011. I have to admit I didn't do regular checks with my breast and luckily the lump was protruding through my breast under the skin at the time of its discovery. These days I am a little more vigilant with it. I decided to study in 2015 and 2016 earning myself a Diploma of HR and a Diploma of Business respectively. Unfortunately I have not been able to get a job in HR or Business but I feel like I have achieved so much just by completing them. I studied so hard and felt such a sense of achievement and my family and myself are so proud of it too. I got 6 Distinctions and a Credit in HR and a pass in Business being the highest you can achieve in business. I just wanted to prove my brain was still functioning well and that the chemo had not scrambled it too much! Lol! I work now as a Merchandiser where I talk to a lot of people in retail organising stock and arranging it according to client preference to boost sales. I love doing it too! :) The doctors and hospital appointments are farther apart these days, which helps to allow for the memories to fade a little. About that time when my world came crashing down around me two days after my 46th birthday. I drive past the hospital sometimes and still get that feeling of fear and uncertainty I felt 6 years ago this year. I now try to get on with it and keep those feelings mostly at bay unless I get a reminder. Like I find my Breast Cancer Journal I kept at that time and read through the pages with interest knowing how significant the information I wrote would be one day when it was a long ago memory. Or the scarf I use to wear on my head to hide my bald head through shame of my predicament. Its hard to admit but I did feel that way. Losing your hair and dignity is very hard at the time . Its only now I realise that it was all apart of the journey of BC and my feelings were very much substantiated for what I was going through. These days I know I am a survivor and a stronger person for going through BC and hope my blog can help someone on a similar journey. Just know that there is an after life with BC and eventually most will get through it some how. But for those who don't I have so much respect for them and their families. I wish you all well and the best with your BC and beyond. XXX
Reishi Mushroom
Hi everyone :) Just thought I would pass on information about a mushroom that a Malaysian friend of mine told me about when he found out I was being treated for breast cancer. He told me it was very important I looked it up. So it is the Reishi Mushroom." It has been used to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue. People also take reishi mushroom for health conditions such as: High blood pressure High cholesterol Cardiovascular disease Liver or kidney disease Respiratory diseases (such as asthma) Viral infections (such as the flu) HIV/AIDS Cancer and support during chemotherapy Pain during and after a shingles outbreak There is some scientific evidence of its effectiveness, including lab research and some small human studies. Researchers are beginning to look at the chemical makeup of this mushroom to better understand how and whether it really works for each of these conditions." If anyone wants to try it there is a Reishi mushroom powder available from www.herbalconnections.com.au approx $33
Update on stable bone mets but increased tumour markers - Part 2
Hi all, You may recall I posted yesterday about my stable bone scan but rising tm's and fearful of possibility of going onto chemo. Today I went to see my medical oncologist and she did a little "happy dance" in her chair. When I asked her about the rise in tumour markers - up from 71 to 143 in 3 months, she advised that tm's are not viewed in isolation. White cell count, kidney function, vitamin D, calcium, haemoglobin, protein levels were all good. Was also a timely reminder of where I was in January with tm's - 941. Given that the blood test was taken 2 days before my sore throat and mouth ulcers that I was affected by last week, possibly had more to do with it. If I had new or persistent bone pain, less than favourable bone scan and generally poor blood results it might be an issue. Given that I look well, energy levels are ok, bone pain is manageable - she is happy. "Have a great Christmas and I will see you next year" were her passing words ! Thanks to all those for your support. Sheryl :) <3
