Hello All!
I was visiting work the other day and ran into a couple of people that commented on how infrequently I blog these days... my response was "no news is good news!". I've been feeling great and just using my days to catch up on things, visit people and work on getting my strength back. I haven't actually gone back to yoga since that so-called gentle class kicked my booty but I am planning on attending a yoga class for cancer survivors this Wednesday. Stay tuned for the results on this second attempt. Ha ha ha!
My official return-to-work date has been set :) I will be going back 9-15-10 and working part-time until October 1st when I will resume full-time. I am actually very excited about going back. It will be nice to have structure and a purpose again. Returning to work will normalize my life real quick ;)
No health updates really... I have a regular check up with my oncologist this Friday. My next scan will probably be around the 3rd week of September. It will be a PT scan and when I clear that I will be really confident and my being "cured". Keep your fingers crossed for me!
The big news this week is HAIR! I have a nice growth of fuzz at this time and I have a feeling within the next 4 - 8 weeks I will have what should pass as normal hair! As long as no scalp is showing, even if it looks like a super short man's cut, I will be thrilled to no longer have to wear head covers. I rarely wear my wig (too itchy and binding) but I do wear caps or bandanas. Speaking of which, do any of you know anyone who has actually used Ovation Cell Therapy for hair growth? I'm wondering if it might work to speed things up for me. I'm going to ask my doctor Friday also.
Ok, I'm off to eat a really yummy lunch. Brenna's mother-in-law, Linda, made me stuffed peppers! I've never had one so I'm pretty excited :)
I hope this note finds you all HaPpY! Have a great week everyone!
xo Reba
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Small speed bump
I came down with a slight head cold which I was managing nicely. Then the night before last I was up all night vominting like mad :( I called Dr. Xavier just to run it by her and she had me go to the hospital (out-patient infusions) for some fluids. They ran a bunch of labs and everything was okay. Must have been something I ate? So with fluids and lots of sleep I am feeling much better.
My sister, Katie, was here from Oregon for 6 days. We had a lot of fun. I probably wore myself out just a smidge but it was well worth it. Love you Katie and I miss you like mad.
Happy birthday to my big brother James today! I love you!!!
Reba
My sister, Katie, was here from Oregon for 6 days. We had a lot of fun. I probably wore myself out just a smidge but it was well worth it. Love you Katie and I miss you like mad.
Happy birthday to my big brother James today! I love you!!!
Reba
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
It's a GIRL!
BIG shoutout to Brenna and Travis, they are having a GIRL! Late Jan/early Feb 2011 I'll be a grandmother to a sweet little baby girl, Grace Margret. I am overcome with JOY and LOVE.
Reba
Reba
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Dickens
To quote Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Oh how this applies to my life over the last 5 months! Of course it's obvious why this has been the worst of times but there have been some actual best of times too :) My favortie being the fact that I'm still alive. My second favorite, being able to eat anything I want and I'm still thin! That was a concept that resided only in my wildest dreams before. Also, who doesn't want an extended amount of time off work? Not to mention my low-maintenance hair... saving so much time and $ with a bald head!
I was just talking to a good friend and I said one of the greatest gifts I received from this experience is the realization of just how blessed I am. I see the world through new eyes. I never realized how loved I am. My friends are simply amazing. I love my family with all my heart. I have a good life!
Speaking of eating alot, I have gained 13 pounds. To put things in perspective, most of my adult life I have weighed in the low 140's, occasionally tipping the scales in the upper 140's. Last summer I mysteriously dropped about 10 pounds and was happily residing around 135 pounds. Over the course of chemo I hit a low of 113. So with my 13 pound gain I'm now at 126. I like this weight and have been told it looks good on me. I can't imagine being 20 pounds heavier now. So I guess the feeding frenzy is going to have to be reined in a bit!
In attempting to maintain my weight I decided now would be a good time to start getting more physical activity. I went to "gentle" yoga last week. I had to modify alot of things due to my lack of abdominal strength and laying on my tummy was out of the question but I completed the class. My poor legs were shaking most of the time and I am not "bendy" at all. The woman next to me probably had 20 years on me and she was able to put her head between her knees! After class I commended her and she explained she's been a dancer all her life. She was impressive and very sweet. I was a little shocked at my limitations and the fact that "gentle" yoga didn't feel gentle to me (I was sore for 3 days!), but I guess it's to be expected after what my body has been through. Gotta start somewhere, right?!
My sister-n-law, Katie, shared a funny story with me the other day, it's still making me chuckle! She was on the computer and my niece, Natalie, asks who's Facebook Katie is looking at. Katie says Auntie Becky's (mine). Natalie looks at the page again and then back at Katie and remarks, "That's not Auntie Becky, that person is too skinny!".
Speaking of Katie, she is coming to visit! She arrives tomorrow night. She really wanted to come while I was sick to help me out but I asked her to wait until treatments were complete and I felt good so we could have some fun together. I love Katie so much and think of her as my sister, not just an in-law. I'm really looking forward to the next week.
I hope this day finds you all happy and healthy, with smiles on your faces and gratitude in your hearts.
Much love, Reba
I was just talking to a good friend and I said one of the greatest gifts I received from this experience is the realization of just how blessed I am. I see the world through new eyes. I never realized how loved I am. My friends are simply amazing. I love my family with all my heart. I have a good life!
Speaking of eating alot, I have gained 13 pounds. To put things in perspective, most of my adult life I have weighed in the low 140's, occasionally tipping the scales in the upper 140's. Last summer I mysteriously dropped about 10 pounds and was happily residing around 135 pounds. Over the course of chemo I hit a low of 113. So with my 13 pound gain I'm now at 126. I like this weight and have been told it looks good on me. I can't imagine being 20 pounds heavier now. So I guess the feeding frenzy is going to have to be reined in a bit!
In attempting to maintain my weight I decided now would be a good time to start getting more physical activity. I went to "gentle" yoga last week. I had to modify alot of things due to my lack of abdominal strength and laying on my tummy was out of the question but I completed the class. My poor legs were shaking most of the time and I am not "bendy" at all. The woman next to me probably had 20 years on me and she was able to put her head between her knees! After class I commended her and she explained she's been a dancer all her life. She was impressive and very sweet. I was a little shocked at my limitations and the fact that "gentle" yoga didn't feel gentle to me (I was sore for 3 days!), but I guess it's to be expected after what my body has been through. Gotta start somewhere, right?!
My sister-n-law, Katie, shared a funny story with me the other day, it's still making me chuckle! She was on the computer and my niece, Natalie, asks who's Facebook Katie is looking at. Katie says Auntie Becky's (mine). Natalie looks at the page again and then back at Katie and remarks, "That's not Auntie Becky, that person is too skinny!".
Speaking of Katie, she is coming to visit! She arrives tomorrow night. She really wanted to come while I was sick to help me out but I asked her to wait until treatments were complete and I felt good so we could have some fun together. I love Katie so much and think of her as my sister, not just an in-law. I'm really looking forward to the next week.
I hope this day finds you all happy and healthy, with smiles on your faces and gratitude in your hearts.
Much love, Reba
Monday, July 26, 2010
Happy Anniversary to me!
Today is the 5-month anniversary from my first surgery, 2/24/10... wow. So much has transpired in 5 months... ups, downs, more ups, more downs ;) But happily a cancer-free body today!
I met with my primary care doctor today. It felt good to be back in familiar territory. We went over natural supplementation to help keep me cancer free. He explained we all have cancer cells in our bodies, it's just a matter of the the soil being right for them to take hold. I guess you just never know.
I'm feeling stronger every day. I am trying to focus on eating right, sleeping well, and getting some physical activity in on a regular basis, all so I can build up my endurance and strength again. My doctor and his staff all remarked on how great I look and told me I have a nice bald head ;) They said they admired my determination and positive attitude through all of this. I said I merely did what I had to do.
Considering what I've experienced these last 5 months, I feel GREAT! So happy to be at this point in the process.
Love to you all and as always, many many thanks! *MUAH* Reba
I met with my primary care doctor today. It felt good to be back in familiar territory. We went over natural supplementation to help keep me cancer free. He explained we all have cancer cells in our bodies, it's just a matter of the the soil being right for them to take hold. I guess you just never know.
I'm feeling stronger every day. I am trying to focus on eating right, sleeping well, and getting some physical activity in on a regular basis, all so I can build up my endurance and strength again. My doctor and his staff all remarked on how great I look and told me I have a nice bald head ;) They said they admired my determination and positive attitude through all of this. I said I merely did what I had to do.
Considering what I've experienced these last 5 months, I feel GREAT! So happy to be at this point in the process.
Love to you all and as always, many many thanks! *MUAH* Reba
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