Moving Forward

Had my 6 month check up with Dr. Z Friday and it went well.  My weight is down, I am doing all the right things, she likes exercise and a more plant based diet.  I told her I have been working out almost every day, no longer drinking any type of pop, diet or otherwise, and really cut back on red meat and eating lots of fruits and veggies.  My BP was normal (which is rarely the case when I am at the doctor's office) and she was pleased with my reconstruction and how it looks.  My mammo was clear and it is full steam ahead.  We discussed whether I wanted to switch from the tamoxifen to the next drug which I will be on through the 5 year mark.  I then asked her when her clock starts for the 5 years and she indicated the day I had the cancer surgically removed is her guideline.  Everything done since surgery is preventative in nature because my cancer was isolated so for her my 3 year mark is June 2013.  Yahoo - I like that train of thought.  Then we went back to the change of medication.  I asked what the side effect of the next prescription would be.  She indicated in less than 20% of patients there is achy joints and it has a tendency to cause osteoperosis or loss of bone.  That is why they give tamoxifen first which builds up bones.  I told her I would opt to stay onthe tamoxifen (which only gives me a few hot flashes a day) and put off the other until our next appointment in September.  She said fine - no problem from her stand.  I also have learned from my reconstructive surgery that any percent of a side effect needs to be taken seriously.  The fact I have such continued tightness in my abs and ome discomfort is not the usual so I will never take for granted I would suffer from any of the side effects of anything.

Right now I am enjoying the side effects of exercising hard almost every day, staying active, trying to get in my 10,000 steps and 10 flights of stairs every day.  I cannot say I love exercise but I do love when it is done and the sense of accomplishment I get from thinking I just worked my butt off and sweat shows the results.  I also ventured into my closet last night and tried on everything - even things I have not had on in a real long time and while they are out of style they are my measure of body weight-shape.  There is nothing in my closet I cannot wear except some things are too big.  :)

I won't get too excited because I gave away some of my small clothes (that even had the tags) to my new skinny sister to enjoy but I am wearing 12's again and that gives me some new items to wear.  I will begin to buy some signature pieces again but will continue to make sure my weight loss continues.  Historically every time I get in the 160's I sabbotage myself and quite doing everything.  This time I feel totally different because I am not losing weight fast.  Actually, I am losing it slowly with some weeks just maybe half a pound.  I am not celebrating 169 until I have hit that number a few weeks in a row to make sure I keep moving down.  My ideal weight I think is at least 157 which will put be under the obses category for BMI but in my head I like 147 as well.  :)

Over a Year Ago

The one year anniversary for my reconstructive surgery came and went last week but not without me thinking about the year long process.  February 28th, 2012 and every day after has been a continuing challenge.  I never imagined a year later I would be not be back to normal or at least pre-op.  I know the abs will always be an issue and I take care of not over working them, I doubt I will ever walk more than a few miles at a time, I do workout but have some limitations.  Overall, I have adapted but like yesterday when I went out walking I felt the extreme pressure pushing against my abs after just a short 1/4 miles and knew I would struggle to do more than a few miles.  Then I realize, a few miles is actually pretty good and there is no reason I have to do 10 miles to accomplish my goal of staying healthy.  I have always been an "all or nothing" person and I am continuing to learn and accepting a little bit is okay, and every day a little bit more to take me slow and easy through my journey and that when I reach my destination means I am done being on this earth.  Life is a continung journey with lots of hills, valleys, and fields to explore and take the time to see it all.

We have been talking a lot about retirement and while it is a ways away for me at least, I am just as excited and looking forward to spending time doing whatever I want to do.

Two Days in a Row?

This is shocking.  I am doing a blog entry two days in a row.  I guess I just feel like talking to myself. 

I have gotten another head cold, throat sore, thingy going on and hate it.  I have my 6 month checkup with Dr. Z on Friday and really would like not to be sick.  I have been working out every day doing Insanity 5 to 6 days, and then the day of rest I have been getting in some time on the treadmill which is just not as hard a the video workout but still moving my body.  I feel so much better both physically and mentally.  I also have a sense of accomplishment.  I am happy I can just exercise this hard with the continued issues I will probably always have.

I have an appointment with Dr. Logan later this month but he will just tell me how wonderful everything looks - and it does - which is why it is so hard to explain how it feels.  I don't have any bulging like a hernia, no open sores, everything has healed well and I have suck in my abs like anyone else.  I am building my other set of abdominal muscles to compensate for the the loss and other than doing a full sit up I think i am functioning pretty close to normal - whatever that is. 

I have been letting my hair grow and that has been an adventure.  It just does not grow fast (never has) but I like having something to change up.  The short hard was really easy but the same after awhile.  I always get bored with my hair really fast.  With the warmer weather coming the humidity will be back in the air and I can curl my hair a little more. 

Well, I see it is now 7:00 a.m. so time for me to pack up and head out the door to Centreville.  Have two meetings back to back this morning and then some open time to catch up on the list of to do's that I have.  EDM is coming and I have no sense if we are at all ready.

See you all later.