My second blog. I'm excited are you?

When we last tuned in I was describing my year so far beating the cr** out of breast cancer.

One of my mantras that has become stronger thourhgout this is "out of bad things good things come".  As a result of my ACL surgery and dealing with breast cancer I lost 30 ilbs (although I do not recommend the stress diet).  I also get a boob reduction!! Previously I was a DD probably squeezing out into a DDD. Right before I got diagnosed I had a friend who got breast cancer and my first thought was "if that happens to me I am getting a breast reduction". Is that bad??? Well out of bad things good things come. I continue to focus on healthy living, eating as well as I can, working out when I can (right now I am on break recovering from surgery), and yes eventually I will have nice young perky boobs. For the first time in my life I will be able to go without wearing a bra!!

I have been doing other "healing things" which I think is very important. I have been learning to look at things differently. Perhaps one of the most important things I have learned - listen up anyone going through a tough medical diagnosis period -  Do not drive yourself crazy like I did worrying about everything. Concentrate on what you know to be true today and do what  you can to manage that.

Anyone who knows me knows I am fairly energetic. I like martial arts, Krav Maga, in particular because it really gets your heart rate going and lets you use the agression, anxious energy you may have. With this experience I have also learned the importance of "healing" and doing things that promote healing. Once a week I take a Tai Chi class and once a week I do restorative yoga.  I am very lucky that my cancer center offers a lot of programs to help the spiritual/psychological healing as well as the physical healing.  Yesterday I went to a program "soothing your soul through music".  About 1 1/2  hours of total relaxation. In early years I would have thought it all such a goof, but now I really believe in how relazation techiniques help your mind, body and soul.

It started off with a bunch of us in a circle the leader then led us through a kind of guided imagry relaxation warm up to the sound of her beautiful guitar. We all then went into the cancer center atruium that features a rock/water garden. Its very peaceful. There were lounge chairs set up all over for us to lie on. Some people brought their own blankets (I brought my very fuzzy, warm, pink breast cancer blanket), blankets were provided to those who needed them. Eye masks were also provided so we can each get into our cocoon of comfiness. The two leaders used music; guitar, flute, harp, bowls (its bowls that when rub create a musical note). The session is all based on how sound waves help our body and goes right to where we need it (sore back muscles, sore chest from mastectomy, whatever). The other leader used special pitch forks to create waves that she would place strategically at your feet (like reflexology), at your sternum, or by your arm. Again the sound waves are supposed to help your internal waves. In a reiki like movement she would also wave her hands over you getting rid of "bad energy". I have no idea if this stuff really works. All i know its an hour of relaxaton that is sometimes hard to come by and I always feel great at the end of these sessions. Later that evening I also had a cranial sacral massage. So by evening I did not need any pain meds. I slept reasonbly well even though I still have to sleep sitting up.

Out of bad things good things come- I am participating in things like this that I would never have done before. I have also been meeting great people (albiet some I worry about) but really I have met a lot of warm, funny, strong great people. 

Oh - and as an update. Today I took my third Tamoxifen. So far nothing major going on. No major complaints. I hope I am one of the lucky ones with minimal side effects - no weight gain!!! Lets all hope -- no weight gain!!

Enjoy life and have a great day!