Well since I am sure you have all read the title of this now of course I need to explain. After having a conversation with Julia about this today I decided I want to share it with you all.
As many of you who have been around me recently have probably notice I am a different person since having Lymphoma, but don't worry that is a good thing!!
The entire cancer experience is no picnic that you must all understand however there has always been this thought or saying that it takes some thing drastic to change your life and that is exactly what Lymphoma has done for me!
I have never been a "healthy" person, I have always wanted to be but never really made the time or really cared enough about me to fulfill that desire. Since the time I was diagnosed until about mid May I had managed to gain 30+ lbs then what I was at during the beginning stages of my diagnosis. I know you would think having this awful disease you would loose weight but that is not the case. So as I stated in my new years "bucket list" I wanted to find and stick to an exercise program. I think I have successfully accomplished that. But let me back track a little bit.
So I believe that everything happens for a reason, having said that I have decided that if I had the chance to go back I would do it all again for the sole reason that having lymphoma has had such a positive turn to my life. But because everything happens for a reason I start to think about the events that occurred in finding the lymphoma and you wonder well what if Dr. Langman sent me to a different hospital other than MGH for treatment? What if it wasn't lymphoma? What if I had gotten a different lymphoma oncologist than Dr. Barnes? Even what if Dr. Barnes hadn't said to me "It's treatable, it's curable and that's what we're going to do?" I honestly believe that one statement set the precedent to how everything that happened after that went. So see it all does happen for a reason. I also wonder what if Elizabeth never sent me the e-mail about the cancer transitions program at MGH? Because that whole 6 week experience was an inspiration as well. There are so many things that just fell into place that confirms my belief!
So the cancer transitions program was 6 weeks and we had different sessions each week. 1.) Exercise -Wonderful to learn easy things to do at home that will help bring your strength back and help with fatigue. 2.) Nutrition - The balanced plate is an amazing concept. I love it, it's not a diet because you can have whatever you want just moderation! 3.) Mental health - who doesn't need some help with every once in while? but they taught helpful ways to relieve stress and anxiety! 4.) Medical follow up - great tips on ways to utilize your time with your doctor for follow ups as well as learning about the survivor-ship clinic and how to get involved with that stuff! 5.) Get to know you - There was a whole session on getting to know everyone and sort of more about getting to know yourself and then 6.) Was a where are you now - meaning you looked back on the 6 weeks and talked about where you were when you started and where you are now. That was amazing for me! The whole experience was inspirational because it made me realize that I am the only one who can change what happens in my life. I decided I was joining a gym, which I have done and I am averaging between 4-5 days a week of actually going which I think is great. I have adapted some of eating habits to the balanced plate and that seems to be helping cause I have lost 27lbs in about 16 weeks which is a huge change and I am happy with that!!!
The other part of my life that has changed will sound a little off putting but I think this is a the biggest part. I have changed my mental outlook about things. My new moto is I just don't care. Don't get me wrong I care about everyone important in my life but other than that I really could careless. I don't let the little things bother me especially things that I can't change! And let me tell you I am a happier better person because of it!!!
So all in all cancer was the best thing that ever happened me. I am taking better care of myself and I feel fantastic!! So go live your life as if you had cancer cause life is too short!
As many of you who have been around me recently have probably notice I am a different person since having Lymphoma, but don't worry that is a good thing!!
The entire cancer experience is no picnic that you must all understand however there has always been this thought or saying that it takes some thing drastic to change your life and that is exactly what Lymphoma has done for me!
I have never been a "healthy" person, I have always wanted to be but never really made the time or really cared enough about me to fulfill that desire. Since the time I was diagnosed until about mid May I had managed to gain 30+ lbs then what I was at during the beginning stages of my diagnosis. I know you would think having this awful disease you would loose weight but that is not the case. So as I stated in my new years "bucket list" I wanted to find and stick to an exercise program. I think I have successfully accomplished that. But let me back track a little bit.
So I believe that everything happens for a reason, having said that I have decided that if I had the chance to go back I would do it all again for the sole reason that having lymphoma has had such a positive turn to my life. But because everything happens for a reason I start to think about the events that occurred in finding the lymphoma and you wonder well what if Dr. Langman sent me to a different hospital other than MGH for treatment? What if it wasn't lymphoma? What if I had gotten a different lymphoma oncologist than Dr. Barnes? Even what if Dr. Barnes hadn't said to me "It's treatable, it's curable and that's what we're going to do?" I honestly believe that one statement set the precedent to how everything that happened after that went. So see it all does happen for a reason. I also wonder what if Elizabeth never sent me the e-mail about the cancer transitions program at MGH? Because that whole 6 week experience was an inspiration as well. There are so many things that just fell into place that confirms my belief!
So the cancer transitions program was 6 weeks and we had different sessions each week. 1.) Exercise -Wonderful to learn easy things to do at home that will help bring your strength back and help with fatigue. 2.) Nutrition - The balanced plate is an amazing concept. I love it, it's not a diet because you can have whatever you want just moderation! 3.) Mental health - who doesn't need some help with every once in while? but they taught helpful ways to relieve stress and anxiety! 4.) Medical follow up - great tips on ways to utilize your time with your doctor for follow ups as well as learning about the survivor-ship clinic and how to get involved with that stuff! 5.) Get to know you - There was a whole session on getting to know everyone and sort of more about getting to know yourself and then 6.) Was a where are you now - meaning you looked back on the 6 weeks and talked about where you were when you started and where you are now. That was amazing for me! The whole experience was inspirational because it made me realize that I am the only one who can change what happens in my life. I decided I was joining a gym, which I have done and I am averaging between 4-5 days a week of actually going which I think is great. I have adapted some of eating habits to the balanced plate and that seems to be helping cause I have lost 27lbs in about 16 weeks which is a huge change and I am happy with that!!!
The other part of my life that has changed will sound a little off putting but I think this is a the biggest part. I have changed my mental outlook about things. My new moto is I just don't care. Don't get me wrong I care about everyone important in my life but other than that I really could careless. I don't let the little things bother me especially things that I can't change! And let me tell you I am a happier better person because of it!!!
So all in all cancer was the best thing that ever happened me. I am taking better care of myself and I feel fantastic!! So go live your life as if you had cancer cause life is too short!
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