Look to the Future

Sorry about the long time inbetween post here.  I have been busy with some other things.  It is good that I feel up to doing more.  A new blog that I write is an educational post.  www.cathyhouchin.com
Another great thing I was able to do was go to Nova Scotia to present professional development.!  I have always wanted to go there.  The scenery was beautiful.  As I went through customs and they looked at my passport picture, I had to tell them it was before cancer.  As you look back...time goes by fast.  It seemed very long when going through chemo, but after that very long year.....things get better.  Look to the future.  I think of the chemo pill I need to take for 5 years.  My son and I were talking about how it makes my joints ache  etc.   The Dr. is switching the pill to see if another will have different side effects.  So, I have been off of the orginal pill for ten days to get it out of my system  I am amazed at how the aches have dissappeared.  Today I started the new pill.  We were talking and I reminded him of how fast time goes by.  All the things that have happened in 5 years.  I told him I could endure aches for a few more years in order to rid cancer.  Time passes quickly unless you are looking at the clock.  So remember,  you can endure.   Look to the future.

Ok....I know it has been one month since I last posted.  You hear a lot about Breast
Cancer during October.  It can be too much for someone who is battling this disease.  It is important to raise awareness of this cancer, just be conscious of feeling of those going through breast cancer.
Pink items can get overwhelming.  Many times I will avoid pink items just because it brings back memories.  It is helpful to say "I am thinking of you,"  "I am praying for you", "how are you doing" or "is this anything I can do for you."A friend is the most important thing.   Cancer patients often feel alone.  I know many times they aren't, but they feel that way.  Reach out this month.  Let them know you care.   I took the photo below at the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. in Burlington Vermont.  This is their teddy bear hospital.

Keep Fighting

Cathy



                                                                       

I went to the cardiologist today and had a great check-up.  I don't need to see him for a year!  Before cancer  I would not have known what a good report that is.  We get lulled into a everything being routine.  Before cancer, I would go to the doctor and thought it was a waste of my money.  Now I know the importance of hearing those words that all is fine.  Many of my doctors have become more than a person, they are my friends.  These friends are not the same people that I would hangout with, but the kind of friend that cares how I am feeling.  I do not want to go to a doctor that thinks I am a number. My belief is that mine are more than that.  Make sure that you have confidence in your doctor and that they are true professionals.  

Keep Fighting


Cathy

Exercise

The doctors all say exercise more.  Sometimes I wonder with what time am I suppose to exercise.  I know it is important, but hard to do.  I bought a fitbit.  www.fitbit.com    It has changed the way I look at exercise.  It is similar to a pedometer, but it will send me a report.  My goal is 10,000 steps a day and 10 flights a day.  It has been quit easy to accomplish.  At the end of the week it sends me a report for the week.  I was excited last week when I reached 250 miles of walking.  It was reached by in about 8 weeks. I know the more I exercise the less aches and pains. You might want to check it out.

Relay for Life

I participated in my first Relay for Life this August.  I took part in the survivor's lap.  In the past. I was afraid to participate.  This year I decided that I was ready.  It was a good experience.  It was fantastic to hear how many years the survivors have fought the fight and won! It was very up  lifting.  If you have never been to one of these events, try it.  You will find out you are not alone and you can encourage others who might be new to cancer.

Keep Fighting,


Cathy

flexi-touch

My recent post talked about my week in Vermont.  Because I flew to Vermont, I was unable to take my flexi-touch  with me.  It is very bulky and would have needed its' own suitcase.  I wondered what would happen when I stopped using the lymphodemia device for a length of time.  I found out.  I use the device 1 hour every day for my lymphodedmia.  The device gentle massages and moves the fluid so I don't swell.  I definitely had a flare-up as a result of that week.  Yes I did manual massage, but it was not enough.  This helped me know that it does work and is worth the hour a night.  I usually watch old tv shows on netflix.  It does help me relax and no one can call for "mom" to help them.  I am the one who needs help at that time.

Keep Fighting,

Cathy

Time to Reflect

It's been a few weeks since I wrote and many things have happened.  Summer is always a time filled with new and old events.  The things you do every summer as a tradition and a time of new exploration.
I am excited that this summer I am not having chemo treatments.  I do not have to plan my weeks around when I need to be at chemo.  If you haven't reached this point you will.  People who know me realize that I am one who can't stay still.   I am always on the go.  This summer I am enjoying time at home.  Time when I can catch up on all the things I let go last summer when I was too tired to do them.  This is not to say I haven't been on the go.  I just returned from a full week of technology training in Vermont.  It was a wonderful, exhausting and uplifting trip.  The week was with Discovery Education.  I have been a member of this wonderful group since 2006. This week in the summer always motivates me.  It gets me ready for school in the fall. This summer it inspired me to make a website.  It is currently under construction and hopefully I can show it soon.  The week also shows me the power of friendship.  There were 125 educators from North America at the conference.  Many I have known from past years, but 60 were brand new to the summer institute. It is great to make new friends.  Don't let cancer keep you from that.  As you go to chemo or drs. appts.  make friends.  Many of the nurses etc. that I have met through this journey are considered friends to me.  Friends can be on many different levels.

Hope to write more soon

Keep fighting,


Cathy