Look Good, Feel Great!

I signed up for a class today through the ACS, called Look Good Feel Better, and it got me thinking about other ways that we refer to this scenario. Dress for success, plan to succeed, and especially the feeling we get when someone says "You look great today!" I know this can make Me feel good, even if I'm not having such a good day.  Somehow if someone else believes in us with encouragement and a kind word, we really do get some warm feeling and a little boost! Some people have a hard time accepting a compliment, and I'll admit I had to practice saying Thank you, rather than denying their words or otherwise negating that feeling they gave me. I have found that when I intentionally look my best it is easier to be ok with the compliments, or even acknowledge my own feeling that Yes, I do look good today- on purpose! How uplifting it is, and I believe we really can feel better, or even Great!

These days we can all use a little help in the feeling good area. With many of us bogged down and/or stressed out with juggling work, families and our own activities, it sure helps to receive a compliment or a kind word from anyone!

With that, I would like to ask all of you who read my blog to give lots of compliments, to anyone you see.  It takes practice to notice some small detail about each person around us, and even more practice to voice those kind words to people we don't know. We all have an opportunity to brighten someone's day and by doing so We also feel better!
Thanks for stopping by to visit while I waited for my treatment!

Moving On

Today's treatment included a visit with my oncologist. We talked about my latest side effects, and then she let me know she was leaving Washington. Wah waH wah..... Our next visit would be our last. She is moving her family to Florida as the weather is more like her native, India.

 We then chatted a bit about warm weather areas around the country and our sometimes differing perspectives of each area. She spoke of her parents, and how they visit her family for extendedperiods which  moved us into some generational differences. As a late "boomer" I guessed her age in the 30s. She agreed and we talked about how my age people stay more often in the same place, job, etc. my observation was that people of her generation want to be moving at least every 5 years and get restless. She had not realized that it was noticeable, yet agreed, adding that she and especially her husband are always wanting more. She explained that in Washington they felt they "have it all", but wait, they didn't have sunshine year round! Hence the move to Florida, where it may feel more like home for her parents when they come to visit. Well, our time was up, of course I invited myself to a future visit ;-)  I mean why wouldn't she want a former patient to visit her and become a part of her circle of wealthy doctor folks, right? We all enjoy making connections and hope that she just might think of that one patient who she helped through cancer treatments, and someday remember that she made a difference by taking a few minutes to chat.

I hope you have an opportunity to chat with somebody soon. We all can make a difference with a funny story, or share some knowledge, or just to listen to a fellow human being. We are on this earth together so let's make all if our lives richer before one of us moves on.

Cute Summer Attitudes

What a beautiful day today!
I had lots of work to do for my job, so the day went quickly before my treatment. I logged of the computer, took my antihistamine and applied my lidocaine cream and rushed to my appt. I found a close parking spot nearby- Score! It was a short walk to the center and I felt wonderful in the sun, wearing sandals and a cute summery outfit to make my day fun!
Seems like the summer season has begun as the "check in" lady was out- back to the front desk I went,  but I was not the only one- there was a kind woman ahead of me, too, so as we went to the alternate location, I again encouraged her to go ahead of me to check in. I mean she was So Sweet! And I was able to have exactly the right amount of time to process a forgotten payment fill out some forms and answer when they called me back- whew!

I was able to get started almost right away today, and it did not seem as busy as usual. Funny how it still takes time between punching the port and actually administering the drug- so I am blogging as I wait! I'll have to find a nice way to inquire about if there is a waiting protocol toake it less stressful on the body.  Oh I just heard my gal say she can hang me- Very exciting!
The nurses are in a visiting kind of mood today, or maybe my super cute outfit is making everyone want to be around me, and sharing stories? The thing I like is that they do a great job of making all the patients feel comfortable, and relaxed while we are being infused. I know it must sound weird, but I Do sort if look forward to my treatments so I can catch up in the shared information/stories.

I see that when I and the nurses are chattering away the other patients may just feel a bit better too. I remember my dad having the gift of mood lightening where ever he went and I can only hope to attain his expertise as I have more experiences in my life. If I can brighten a few outlooks on my way through my days, I feel fulfilled, too. I have found that battling cancer is something that most of us will have a connection to through a friend or family member, or our own diagnosis,  and with positive experiences shared it may just make someone else feel better too. Hooking up now, so I'll talk to you again next week!