Sharing a moment...no day but today

As I was RESTING in hospital)today I was thinking about things I had heard from others in the past couple weeks and reflecting .... (I just did a presentation last week at AIPM on Reflection so on my mind I guess). There are times we (the collective "we") tend to take for granted the "here and now" as we're all so busy thinking about the future. So I thought I would share one of my favourite songs that helps bring me back to just here and now for a brief moment (I think I shared it previously but can't remember). (not the best video quality but I like the dialogue on this one and the group singing at the end which adds to the vulnerability of the piece). I hope you take five minutes out to stop and enjoy and take stock of your life and be appreciative of what you have today as you listen... No Day But Today

Vulnerability

I like the word VULNERABILITY. I sometimes use it around the office when describing the way I feel as my team will attest to. Last night I came across a TEDTalks video that I really liked which talks about the word and its meaning so thought I would share it here. http://www.ted.com/playlists/77/new_to_ted.html (go to number 7) 7. Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share. This is also a huge thank you to the nurses in the hospital... who help us process the vulnerable feelings during such challenging times.

Serious Blog...one to read: Know Your Breasts

When having a conversation with the breast care nurse today I was asking probing questions. I told her I was asking so if I wrote just one blog...what would have the biggest positive impact on others in that blog. This is a summary of that conversation: Know Your Breasts The statistics around finding BC with a mamogram, ultrasound, or by finding a lump just by self-checks were all interesting but a good rule of thumb that has helped women find BC early is KNOW YOUR BREASTS. Know what they look like, feel like, feel during and after your period, etc. If for any reason your breasts change in any way to your "norm" then you should get it checked out. Plain and simple. Breast Cancer isn't always "a lump"... it could look like puckering or the nipple changes or something just feels different to you. This would be the trigger for you to then go by your intuition and get it checked out. AND if you get feedback saying "oh it's nothing" but you feel like it is something then get a second opinion. (The lady in the hospital in the room next door to me had her GP tell her "it was nothing" and gave her antibiotics...but it was BC. Luckily she got a second opinion and now has gone through surgery and hopefully caught it early). So I leave with that simple message. Please pass it along to anyone you feel comfortable in telling...and anyone you don't feel comfortable in telling!

Passing the Time

As many of you know, I am not one for sitting around and resting (stop laughing!). But I don't necessarily have a choice as I have been sitting in a hospital bed now for four days (including the one in surgery and recovery room mind you). This is difficult for me but what I have enjoyed is it gives me time and space to be reflective and to think. I like to do that. But when I do that I also tend to then also come up with actions around things I think about. So I apologise to those who are on the other end of my reflections and hear about the actions or are a part of the action plan! What does "rest" look like in that space? 1. I have read a book....then took the opportunity to do a book review which I sent back to the author. She and I have now corresponded on the review. 2. I have listened in on a couple of team meetings 3. I have read the paper (only to think about how I am not missing anything by not reading the paper most days) 4. I have taken the opportunity to chat with all the nursing graduates who have been looking after me about their goals and aspirations 5. I have been chatting with the breast care nurse about processing the cancer experience...awesome conversations. 6. I have been been listening to music (currently listening to "Seeds of Love" by Tears for Fears) 7. I have corresponded with four of my mentees (since I have "downtime" ...why not?) 8. I had the opportunity to connect with one of the nurses at a time when we both appreciated a "listening moment". The afternoon will now include getting some stitches out and doing some writing. Life is good...even from the hospital bed during my rest and reflective time.

Reflections from the Hospital Bed

It's now day 2 of post op and all going well. Firstly, we had great news this morning that the pathology report came back all clear and no cancer cells from the left breast. We didn't expect anything but with cancer, expecially agressive Triple Negative, you just never know. It's just one of those things with cancer. So this is very exciting news. Last night I had one of the nurses come in and introduce herself (as they do at shift change over). I said, "I already know who you are". She looked at my quizically and I then said, "have you seen any hummingbirds lately?". (Emma was the one who originally did research on the hummingbird way back in March...of course I look a little different with no hair now and when wearing my glasses instead of my contacts). She immediately teared up and came bounding over and gave me a big hug. The other nurse was unsure of why the instant connection! As Emma came in all night to do her rounds and check up on the blood pressure, temperature, pain relief, etc, she would also would give me a squeeze of the hand. She's an amazing nurse and I'm glad she's part of Team Laurice (along with all the other nurses of course...but there is a special connection here). She went around to all the staff last night saying, "my hummingbird is here". I look forward to having her on duty again tonight...when I'm a bit more "with it"! So Tony has started my day the past two days with an iced coffee and the newspapers. He's set to win the Husband of the Year Award I reckon! I should be out of hospital by Sunday...in time to enjoy Fathers Day with the kids and Tony and home which will be nice! Life is good!

Over that hurdle

Laurice is now out of surgery after about 3.5 hours in theatre and recovery. She returned to her room groggy and in some pain. The great nursing staff here were quick to manage her pain and she is now sleeping comfortably. By all reports from the nurses the surgery went to plan. More updates later Thanks again for all the well wishes and support it means the world to Laurice and myself and the kids Thanks Tony

Hospital Visit

Thanks to all those who have called, text and emailed me today in showing their support to my hospital visit. I will be in hospital for 5-6 days. I am first up on the rank tomorrow morning (7:30 am start on the operating table) and then should have some sort of awareness by dinner time. I'll then be up and around by Wednesday. I hope then to be released by Saturday. I'll have my phone and computer this time (yeah!). Speak to you when in recovery mode! Thanks again for all the beautiful messages. I really appreciate them...they make a world of difference!

How do I feel?

Watch this video...it sums up how I feel about this week:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2HcRl4wSk

Dedicated to the Passing of Sterling Brisbin

I got several emails today from team members I've worked with in the past about a fellow work colleague, Sterling Brisbin, who passed away in the past week of Melanoma.  I'm not sure of the details of his situation but I thought it was important to talk about it.  Her is a bit of information from Wikipedia:

Melanocytes produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. These cells predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye (see uveal melanoma). Melanoma can originate in any part of the body that contains melanocytes.
Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers. However, it is much more dangerous if it is not found early. It causes the majority (75%) of deaths related to skin cancer.^[3] Worldwide, doctors diagnose about 160,000 new cases of melanoma yearly. In women, the most common site is the legs and melanomas in men are most common on the back.^[4] It is particularly common among Caucasians, especially northwestern Europeans living in sunny climates. There are high rates of incidence in Oceania, Northern America, Europe, Southern Africa, and Latin America,^[5] with a paradoxical decrease in southern Italy and Sicily.^[6] This geographic pattern reflects the primary cause, ultraviolet light (UV) exposure^[7] crossed with the amount of skin pigmentation in the population.^[8][9]




We in Australia are very AWARE of UV exposure and teach the kids to always put a hat on and cover up when in the sun.  When in Hawaii this last  week we definitely noticed that we were the only ones that seemed to cover up when in the sun and playing in the water.    SLIP SLOP SLAP campaign has been highly successful:

Slip-Slop-Slap is the iconic and internationally recognised sun protection campaign prominent in Australia during the 1980s. Launched by Cancer Council Victoria in 1981,^[1] the Slip! Slop! Slap! campaign features a singing, dancing Sid Seagull encouraging people to reduce sun exposure and protect themselves against an increased risk of skin cancer.^[2] Sid had Australians slipping on long sleeved clothing, slopping on sunscreen and slapping on a hat. This successful program was funded by public donations.
The health campaign was extended in later years by the SunSmart to encourage the use of sunglasses and shade. That is:

Slip on a shirt, Slop on the 30+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade or shelter, Slide on some sunnies. - "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide"

By this stage, however, the skin cancer aware message of the campaign had successfully been absorbed into the Australian psyche.^[3]

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAu5wCTEBt0

Dedicated to Sterling Brisbin, (1962-2013)

Doing the "Angelina" - the double Mastectomy

As most friends, family and work colleagues would know by now, I am now preparing for doing the "Angelina" and going back into surgery and doing a double mastectomy/re-construction.  This procedure will be done next week.  It's not near as daunting this time around as I understand the procedure itself AND I'm doing dealing with the cancer side.  This is merely a preventative measure that will bring better odds to help ensure the cancer doesn't come back and elongate my life way into the future!

I think it's an important thing to talk about and share openly though as many women go through this quietly and may have a very hard time processing it and adjusting the physicality of the change to their bodies.  It's a lot to take in but for me I'm all about the future and living a long life ahead and this is just a part of those efforts.

Thanks to everyone for all for the continued support!

Vitamin D levels - recovery plan

This past week the family and I went to Hawaii to meet up with our friends Scott and Marge (Marge being the one who was here for my first five weeks starting just after my surgery) as well as my father and step-mum and my aunt and her partner.

This trip was put together prior to the C news and was just what I needed.  A little R&R and a very nice catch up with friends and family.  I worked hard on getting my Vitamin D levels up by soaking up the sun whilst doing lots of boogie boarding with the whole of the clan.

It was great we could all take a week out together....and have put that together NOT as a reaction to being sick but as one of celebration. Of course everyone checked in to see how I was "really" doing but I think I put them all at ease quite quickly as they could see I was feeling great.

Thanks for the "wave-time" everyone!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

The other day the kids noted, with excitement, that I now had 15 hairs where my eyebrows used to be!  They thought that was pretty darn cool.  I guess I had been remiss in keeping up to speed on how much my eyebrows had thinned out over the past 4 months.  I am even more excited to now see peach fluff on top of my head!  I'm hoping that it doesn't turn total grey, which can happen.  Others have also noted that typically it grows back pretty curly.  So I'll be sporting a new "do" in the coming months but have no idea what that may look like!  Time to think about changing the hairstyle I think!