Team Laurice
Join Team Laurice as we support her with her fight against Breast Cancer.
Sunday, 2 March 2014
One Year Anniversary
This last week was my one year anniversary of hearing the words, "you have stage 4 breast cancer". And this week one year ago I had one of my breasts removed because of the breast cancer. So you can well imagine that it's been a reflective week.
How do I feel? I feel elated to be alive and fully embracing another year of life. This past year has been full of so many emotions and angst but one filled with so much love and support which was essential in getting through the challenging year.
What's ahead?
I have resigned from BP as of Friday...
I have started a new company manufacturing and distributing fit for purpose PPE work wear for women...
and am trying to stitch up my next role.
What I've found when talking with other people that have dealt with similar challenges is battling depression, lack of energy, extra weight gain, etc. So the battle of staying positive and healthy is an important one to talk about!
Thursday, 9 January 2014
In going forward...
When speaking with the Breast Care nurse last month she again noted that the statistics show that after people go into remission from cancer many of them still do not change their lifestyle. When reading all about the effects of our environment on our bodies and then the things that we all should do...and things that cancer survivors must be aware of it's a wonder we don't change?
So the things that I will look at doing in 2014 include:
1. Continuing to drink the green gunk: brightly coloured vegetables is one of the best things for the body
2. Drink less caffeine: tea and coffee have
3. A routine diet of Exercise: Physical activity is not only an essential compenent in maintaining a healthy weight but has been shown to directly reduce the risk of cancer returning by reducing the levels of hormones such as insulin and oestrogen in the body.
4. Regular doctor check ups
5. Drink more water. Drink less alcohol.
6. Keep a healthy and happy outlook on life: Having a positive attitude is essential to keeping on track. This doesn't mean being "happy" all the time but it does mean keeping check on keeping the negatives out as much as possible. Sometimes easier said than done but if practiced it becomes easier. Here is a video to encourage you to do just this:
Cancer Council puts out a great booklet called, "Living Well After Cancer". If you know of someone who may like this book you can get it at: 13 11 20 or www.cancervic.org.au
I leave you with this video:
Saturday, 4 January 2014
2014 - nine months on...and in remission?
I have been thinking a lot about 2014 and how it will be full of happiness and laughter. I've been reading a lot about authentic happiness, what makes people negative vs. positive, how the brain reacts to fear and challenges, etc. It's not necessarily an easy thing to do to keep positive through the challenges that life throws at us as we all know but the more we do so the better off we will be in the short and long run...scientifically proven.
It's so easy to get sucked into the negatives...cancer, obesity, death of our loved ones, loss of jobs, etc. But the more we work on having a positive view (glass half full) attitude the easier it is to move on from those situations. I'm not sure when is the "right" time to call into remission but I am going to take a step out of my comfort zone and call myself into remission.
So my affirmation for 2014 is about continuing to remember to:
1. Strive to make a difference each day
2. Strive to positively impact the environment around me by staying positive myself
I'm blessed to have my life, my family and friends.
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Surgery - Done and dusted
Thank you all for all the texts, emails, phone calls, and prayers from near and far. I went into hospital on Friday morning and by mid-day was awake enough to have a conversation, although I took the opportunity to sleep! I was released Saturday late afternoon which was a slight delay as I should have be released early in the morning. I had a bit more drainage from the wound so had to get that under control before leaving.
I'm now laying low and getting into the Christmas spirit. It's been a long journey and I have probably been more tired, run down and emotional than I would like to admit (especially given the situation at work). But I am now on a months holiday break so looking forward to some quality time with the family!
The recovery from this surgery should be a lot quicker than the last two as it was just putting the final prosthetic in on one side. So I hope to get some beach time in sometime in the coming 3 weeks or so.
I will think about what this blog may look like in 2014 if I keep going with it. I have a couple more things I want to write about between now and early January so watch this space.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
From Laurice and Team Laurice
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Where have I been?
This is blog 100...100 different ways of writing about cancer, how it's affected myself as well as the family, about how important it is to staying positive, and everything in between.
This year has been the most challenging year that I've ever experienced. Between cancer and the treatments and surgery, losing a couple friends to cancer, going through a major re-structure at work and having my role disestablished, keeping the family and home together, starting an extension to the house...it's all been...hmmmm, challenging.
So the Year of the Snake (my year) is one that I will look back on with deep reflection on how even in years like this I have been successful in everything I have worked on, continue to be blessed with two beautiful children and loving (and handsome) husband, and am alive and well to look forward to 2014.
A week tomorrow I go into my final reconstructive surgery. How I look forward to saying goodbye to seeing the oncologist and surgeon!
Friday, 22 November 2013
A sad Day
In my team at work I have had two others that are also battling cancer at the same time. Last night we lost one of our very cherished team member, Ian Francis. Ian was a quiet achiever and came in when he could and gave everything he did in life all his efforts in his quiet and unassuming way. Even when going through radiation, surgery and chemotherapy he still kept his smile and humour about him.
This post is dedicated to Ian. Someone who we will miss but whose soul will live on with all of us who knew him.
May you rest in peace Ian.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Back in the Water
This weekend I went swimming for the first time since the BC started. Swimming has always been a place I can find solitude and relax. But I wasn't ready for how different my body was and how much one uses their chest muscles in swimming! My arms can't stretch the same distance they could prior to the surgery so the swimming didn't come near as easily as it has for the past 40+ years. That was a bit of a shock to the mental system as well as physical one.
So I guess that means I need to spend more time in the pool,lifting weights and stretching to enable my arms and chest to be able to swim again...bummer.
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