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.

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.

Next Surgery...yes, there is one more

The other day I put in leave for my next surgery...my boss looked at my quizzically and replied, "there is still another one?".  The hard part about the cancer journey is for many people it keeps going for a longer period of time than most others actually "see".  So for me this is the final reconstructive surgery to put the permanent prosthetic. 

To read more on that:

http://pinkhope.org.au/inform/surgery/faq-mastectomy-and-reconstruction/#.Unbdy1u4bmI

The exciting part is I have scheduled this in for late December this year.  So what that means is I can go into 2014 without having any Cancer or Surgery to actively manage (knock on wood). 

What that means for 2014 is keeping up a more healthy lifestyle and living each day to the fullest (when haven't I done that though, huh?).

Reflections

As I take time to reflect ... I like to read through quotes from others.  Here are a couple quotes that I have reflected upon in the past week:

There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.

Malcolm X

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

Walt Disney

Taking the Hat off

Thanks to Jen, Jane, Catherine, Rebecca, Andrea and others who helped support me taking my beanie off for the first time since I've lost my hair.

On Friday night I was awarded the 2013 NAWIC Vic/Tas Grocon Vision Award for Advancing the Interests of Women in the Construction Industry.

A night of courage, support and understanding.  Thanks to NAWIC for making all that happen for many women in the industry!

Too Busy for a Breast Scan?

A friend of mine sent through this article on women in leadership and I was readying through with interest when these words flew out at me... "too busy to get a breast scan".

Read full article here.


Too Busy for a Breast Scan?  I used to think that...how life changes with one lump....are you one of these statistics?

Debunking yesterday's Blog

Yesterday I posted a blog that was sent to me from a friend, whose father is battling cancer.  He sent the article to me as he has concern for me as well as his father, and is directly impacted by both of us as he cares for us.

I now have to report that the credibility of the article has been found to be erroneous (thanks Aunt Jo for sending through!).  To find out more about this go to the SNOOPS website:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/cancerupdate.asp

It's obvious that people have their own agenda's sometimes and don't really understand the impact they have back to each other.  Sometimes these home remedies may be more harmful than good.  But it's up to all of us to decide what works best for each of us.

I'm still cheering for the Green Gunk as it helps get toxins out of the body...off to make more now!