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!

Live for today

I have noticed these last few months that I am more thankful for all the little things, every day. Until the possibility of not being able to do things, I sort of took for granted some little things in my life. Exercising with my friends at work, running the roto tiller and working hard in the garden,  traveling to touristy spots, going to the swap meet and weaving through the crowds for deals. Yes all of those things have been put on hold, and I may not get to ever run the machinery again, but I am still hopeful.

Now I garden lightly, for short amounts if time but really enjoy that feeling of accomplishment as I eliminate weeds and help the plants grow. Lots of times I take breaks after a few short minutes. With this chemo, the sensitivity to sunlight really seems to drain me. But, I return after rehydrating, and do a little more, then call it good enough for the day. The good part about staying home a lot is that I am home to do more of things that have been occasionally neglected in past years! I have been able to make a few quilts, organize the seeing room, cook more, and take some online classes the through the library.

My parents taught us that there is Always a silver lining in whatever comes our way, we just have to look for it. On to that I would add that we should do things whenever we have a chance and not put things off for another day.  We cannot predict if tomorrow might be filled with a new set of opportunities, so live for today!

The Art of Conversation

What a great day for random conversations while I wait. So many times we sit in the waiting room with nothing to do, and we know that the other people also are not occupied, and often seem restless. Conversation can help the time pass quickly, alleviate stress, and improve our mood. Oh sometimes we see our fellow waiters entertaining themselves with a book or a phone, but I found many conversations today that I could join in on.

The first one was with two gentleman who were talking about insurance, copayments,  Medicare coverage, etc- well I like that topic, so I joined in with anything I had to share. After one man left for his treatment, I continued a bit more with the other, finding out about radiation copayments- handy information with my next step in this journey as radiation therapy. He and his wife come from Port Orchard for her treatment, but were able to do the radiation therapy in Gig Harbor.  I felt good that I had spent time getting to know something about a fellow struggler.

The next conversation topic I had was with a couple who come from Ocean Shores to treat. We spoke of it being a long unpredictable drive to Tacoma from there. Then I shared how much I enjoy visiting that town, and how it seems like a warm little community. He shared the news of a whale which was recently beached there, and also news of the jellyfish that came in swarms ending up beached and rotting( eww). We spoke of the wind and kite flying and he shared how nice it was when their kids and grand kids come to visit and how they like to build bonfires on the beach. I then heard the mans spirit lift as he recalled a beautiful day last February that brought many visitors to enjoy the unusually pleasant weather.    And then they called him for treatment. Later I had another chance to talk with this man, asking how long they had been living in OS. The instant comfort he must've felt then allowed us the share our personal stories with each other, and learned his diagnosis  was pancreatic cancer and had not been expected to live this long.   We talked about how we will try/ do whatever we can to increase our chances of survival, how there is new treatment available every day, and how we all must appreciate each day we have on earth, and how grateful we are for days when we feel great, like today! This man could be an inspiration to us all! I have found many cancer survivors who demonstrate a living example of amazing strength and determination. Most are very willing to share their stories in an effort to help someone else through their journey.

I realized today that sometimes random conversations are not only informative, but rewarding in ways we may not anticipate. So next time you are sitting in a waiting room with others, remember it is ok to strike up a conversation, because you may have information to share with the others in the room. We often have free time while we wait, and conversation is an art form that is most rewarding when practiced often.

Waiting and reminiscing

Sorry for not posting last week- too many distractions I guess!
So here is how it went for me.....
Forgot I needed to pick up a script on my way in and to take a pill an hour before I arrived for treatment so I guess it is my fault for the delays. No complaints as I am having a nice visit with my mom and spending quality time for our Mother's Day weekend.
Makes me think of past ways we celebrated, and which might be my most memorable. Oh it has to be the time we took all our dogs to the dog park and had a picnic. How well behaved they all were, and how proud we were of our "kids" as they romped with the others in the park. Since they were my only grandchildren at that time, it was so special for all of us.
Also makes me cherish memories of spending the day with my sister, as her birthday often fell on Mother's Day - oh how we would laugh and find something special to do to mark the occasion.
So no matter who you spend the day with, we can make a precious memory just by being together.
Have a wonderful weekend!

A new type of treatment starring today! Hooray?

The best part about starting my new taxol treatments is that I am that much closer to August when I will be done with chemo and on my way to radiation therapy. Now I know that doesn't sound great, but to me the forward progress is noteworthy.  The doctors told me upon diagnosis that it would be a year or more before "normal" life can resume, and I know it is true, now.
Living in my life these days makes me marvel at our wonderful ability to adapt to our current situations, whatever they may be. Sometimes we adapt because of good things too- the birth of a child, the start of a class, a marriage. Life changing events are just that, life changing. Depending on how you respond can make a huge difference in the way others respond too. So with this "event" of mine, I am choosing to pass my time pleasantly, with a look to my future normal in mind, knowing that my responses effect others in my life.  I try to share my experience with others, so that if they are ever have to deal with this type of change, they might also present a positive outlook. We all have to change sometimes, and no matter the outcome, we grow stronger from the experience.
We are all amazing !