Friday, February 27, 2009

Rough one today! Chills, achy, but I have to look at it this way, the Oncologist said this chemo is the worst of all (after these 6 I'll have chemo once a week for 12 weeks, then radiation 15-30 days), and if this is the worst, well then I've got this BEAT!
This is Not any worse than whole body soreness after a triathlon! Been there, done that, and I will do it again.....I'll just be back stronger than ever!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

THe day after chemo #2....not too bad, seems to be starting like last time nauscious in the morning and the evening, (haven't been able to eat since about 4:00)but Ok during the middle of the day. After I took a couple pills this morning was OK by 10:00.
Went biking outside for the first time after surgery. Went to the bike trail to be on the safe side I was a little worried my upper body wouldn't be strong enough to control the bike...alas....these worries were for naught! Didn't do too bad 16 miles in an hour.

Take home message....I biked for an hour the day after chemo...if I did more than you today, you better get yourself in gear tomorrow after all you can't let a person with cancer and chemo do better than you!

Am I inspiring any of you yet?

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tomorrow is the next chemotherapy.
Had to get a short haircut on Sunday.....thanks again to my many friends. Actually some people who didn't know what I was going through told me they really liked the new short look....told them not to get used to it either because this hair will probably be gone in a week or so....

I'm sure everyone has been doing their workouts...RIGHT. Did a 5 mile run this morning will teach class again this evening. Was surprised was a little tired on the run, after all I did an easy 45 min session on the eliptical followed by easy wt. training yesterday because it was a planned easy day after three hard days of workouts.....Could the cancer and treatments be making me more tired.....nonsense.....no probably I'm just old and maybe need two easy days instead of one! Nontheless the important thing is just remember doing something is better than nothing...so get going and do something!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

you know sometimes you just have to decide if you're going to look at the glass and decide if it's half empty or half full.....Yes I do get tired of always being in some pain (still from the surgery), yes /I think the hair is starting to fall out(from the chemo), yes I would like to be able to "get on with my life" and not feel I'm just in a holding patter...but then I have to look at this whole ordeal in a different light....
Yes the constant low level pain is always there, but hey, it hasn't stopped me from any of the activities (except snow skiiing ) that I want to do....things could be worse.
Yes I think my hair is starting to fall out but I've kept it longer than most who are on chemo and hey when it's out I don't have to worry about doing anything to it when I wake up in the morning, and it will eventually grow back.
And yes I would like to "get on" with my life, but if this cancer hadn't been found when it was, I may not have had a life to "get on with"...so you know, if you find yourself "getting down" about events that many times it seems you have no control over, just remember YOU DECIDE if the glass is half full or half empty.....

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Enjoy getting comments back from everyone! I'm sure you are not surprised that I've not figured out how to send comments back to you either when you send blog comments, but we will all muddle through this.....bummer the cold weather and ice are back for awhile...no excuse to stop your workouts though, either toughen up and brave the elements or move inside, where there's a will, there's a way!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

So this was our last nice weather day.......hopefully all of you took advantage of this and did a little exercise outside......

Don't know if any of my step class people read this, but last night I taught my class for the first time since the surgery......I had to make sure none of them would make comments about my class being wimpy now, or that I've gotten "soft" just because of having cancer and surgery!

It's pretty awsome, I'm actually SORE! (sore glutes) It's pretty awsome being sore after a workout just because the workout was good and hard....much better than the soreness after a surgery! Now all of you know what that means.....we should all be greatful to be sore after a workout so now we won't complain any more RIGHT? (probably wrong...but it was worth a try).

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

So why is it the stuff that isn't supposed to cause any "pain" seems to cause more than the stuff that is supposed to? Oh well one of the mysteries of this whole ordeal. My left side has been really hurting all day, hurts to raise the left arm.

I'm sure this too will pass......nothing I can't handle.....

Sounds like winter weather is around the corner so many of you may need to bring that exercise indoors for a few days again.
Am continuing to do well.....if only I could sleep......anyway saw the reconstructive surgeon today. She was amazed and impressed with my healing, said she's never seen anyone heal so well. Just more proof that faith, friends, and exercise are the key to all of this!

Got my first "fill" with the temporary implants. I have to say when she brought out the needle and the syringe I about had a heart attack.....it was bigger than any I've ever seen. She assured me that I was still numb, wouldn't feel it....she was right other than a "pin prick" I didn't feel anything but pressure, but I think she should have blindfolded me....A little more pain now than I expected....so I guess this part is "worth it!"

Saturday, February 14, 2009

It looks as though I have maybe averted the joint pain, bone soreness associated with the shot that I got a week ago Thursday. (Weeeee!) From what I understand this shot would stimulate white blood cell production, but if I already have enough white blood cells then my bones won't produce more and I won't be sore...this is good.....

So I hope everyone has been taking advantage of the good weather and getting some exercise in? I have so you certainly should be able to.....no excuses!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Genetic testing at Childrens today to see if I am a carrier of the BRc1 or BRc2 genes (these 2 genes destine a person to have cancer)....very interesting process, geneticist said I've got about a 20% chance of being a carrier. Makes no difference in my cancer treatment but makes a difference for the rest of my family and my offspring.

Am not feeling achy or sore bones and joints from my shot yet....hopefully this will continue, if it does that probably means my body has enough white blood cells. I may end up feeling (muscularly) sore from the 5 1/2 mile run today. You know fighting cancer is alot like running in Hidden Valley. You have uphills where it gets tough and you just have to shorten your stride, dig deep and get to the top without giving up....you know you can do it because at the top there will be the very worst, followed by a downhill where you can recoup your strength and get ready for the next uphill.....in both the important thing is to "just do it"! No matter how hardor slow it is to get to the top,you'll never make it if you give up and stop!

Some have asked for my e mail address pruittlaura@gmail.com

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

BIG steps forward today! Feeling great! I even ran 5 miles this morning! Was it sprinkling? Yes, Was it slower than my normal pace Yes, Could I charge up the hills. No Do I care about these things......no I don't....this is hopefully one step closer to Normalcy. We shall see if I get achy, sore and fatigued from the shot I had to get the day after chemo (it is to cause my bones to produce more white blood cells) the nurse said these symptoms would occur in about 1 week (that will be Thursday).
Irregrdless, I am thankful for the days I feel good......

Monday, February 9, 2009

WOW what a difference a day makes....Sunday evening was the worst, Monday have felt fine all day once the morning was over....hopefully all good from here until the next chemo Feb 25. All of you caught up a day on me today working out, I'll have to catch back up tomorrow.....

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Up and down Roller Coaster......Feeling pretty decent after chemo considering.....Sun. evening was probably the worst.....feeling like I have the flu......could be worse I imagine. Hopefully Monday will feel better. Hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy the awsome weather!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Chemo......an up and down roller coaster, tired and nauscious last night, nauscious this morning, took a "magic pill" worked out 30 min. later for an hour ..l felt great (exercise must be medicine.)...until about 2:00 when I got very tired went to sleep and woke up nauscious again......Oh well could be worse right!

Hopefully things will improve from here....
Day after chemo.....Well I have felt better, but I guess I've felt worse. Last night I layed down on the bed at 9:00 thinking I would get back up and ended up "passing out " and not waking up untill 12:30 am......guess I was tired. up this morning at 6:30. Yes...I willl try to work out this morning...it may be an easy one....as you know exercise IS medicine, we shall see if it's the right medicine.

Once again,,,I'm working out this morning (maybe easy) if you're not planning on it what's your excuse? Needs to be better than mine!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

OK so I messed up the chemo start date, it will start tomorrow, not Friday. It will actually be once every three weeks for six weeks total, after this there will be two other chemo's andthen radiation.....
I got to feel really good for one day! (today). I did go the HVL fitness Center today got a great workout, and started some upper body weights....not alot of weight, but even very light chest presses. I haven't lost alot of strength on my rows, one arm rows, and triceps....obviously all the front muscles are very weak.......oh well, as long as the chemo doesn't put me down, I'll slowly build back......

Monday, February 2, 2009

Two steps forward, one step back......I have a feeling that will be how things go for quite awhile. HAd the port put in to start chemo on Friday. Anesthetic is wearing off.....I think I know what a broken collar bone feels like now....Right arm is feeling useless.....I'm sure this will bounce back quickly....good thing I did my upper body workout today since that shoulder arm may be a little sore tomorrow.

More importantly I have a great idea for "workout" "do rags/kercheifs" from the anesthesiologist who was at my surgery. He had some very cool "headgear. that he gave me patterns for. Since my mother sews, I'm thinking she can do some quick easy sewing....
Will keep you all up to date.....