Today's Day 30 WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge task is to recap the whole challenge for the month.
I think this was a great way to keep me moving in the blog world and be more aware of what I am writing about.
My favorite topics were the ones that were probably the hardest to get going on. Yesterday's about what do I love about myself was one of them. I also really enjoyed writing a letter to lymphoma. I liked the wordless wednesdays with the exception of the fact that they almost needed the words to explain. I also thought it was a nice touch when we got to explore other people's blogs that were part of the challenge, leave them a comment and help spread awareness of their blog through our blogs.
I will admit that there were a few things I didn't like. I was ok with the first topic in regards to social media and such but the topic became very redundant. It seemed to come up a few other times but worded differently. I wasn't too into the whole aspiration topic either I find this to be a little to broad of a subject to cover in a blog post. I didn't really like the Acrostic Poem, I tried to have each letter represent how I felt about lymphoma but it was hard to find one word.
I have learned a lot though. We often get so caught up in what we perceive to be the main focus. It was great to be able to explore lots of different blogs and see what other people are writing about for their focus of health activism. I learned a lot about diabetes, hemophilia, other cancers, and depression.
To describe my WEGO health experience in one word I would have to say: Unique!
Showing posts with label Lymphoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lymphoma. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
HAWMC Day 26: Pain Free Pass
Today's Day 26 task for WEGO Healths Health Activist writer's Challenge is to imagine a day either past or present that could be pain/worry free.
It's funny because when ever I think about pain I think about physical pain. When I thought about today's task I thought well sure I wish I was not in pain when it related to my lymphoma but had I not been in pain there is an extremely real chance that I would not be here to write this. Being in pain is what got me diagnosed so as far as that goes I would not change that at all. But then they asked about being worry free which is an entirely different kind of pain.
I would say that worry is probably what I suffer from the most. Worry about returning cancer or even developing a secondary cancer. Worrying about my fertility and if/when I will have children. Worrying about making sure I stay healthy and keep physically active. The list I am sure could go on and each one very generalized could be broken into many different sub categories.
But if I had to choose one day to be entirely pain/worry free I would choose...well in all honesty I would choose more than a day. You see my FAVORITE time of any year is Christmas time. I love the atmosphere, the general kindness of humankind, spending time with my family and friends, etc. So I would have to say that I would choose that during 2010. I had just finished my treatment mid November and although the worst part was over there was a long road ahead of me that I was not prepared for. There was worry about pending tests to see if I was cancer free, constant frustration of fatigue and no strength, and missing out on events because of these things. It is odd because I imagine what that would have been like to be pain/worry and know how great it would have been to really get into the spirit. But then again all these past events are what made me who I am today so I also don't want to give them up.
As for the future there is one thing I would like to be able to do and be worry free. I would like to leave my lymphoma in the past and not have it haunt me in every other medical issue I have. I would like to be able to have a test done and have to bother my oncologist because something abnormal came up (which is normal for me). I imagine it would be much easier to get through any other medical issue I have if this was not always a factor.
I guess I didn't really do this task the exact way it was intended but that is about the best I can do with it at this point.
It's funny because when ever I think about pain I think about physical pain. When I thought about today's task I thought well sure I wish I was not in pain when it related to my lymphoma but had I not been in pain there is an extremely real chance that I would not be here to write this. Being in pain is what got me diagnosed so as far as that goes I would not change that at all. But then they asked about being worry free which is an entirely different kind of pain.
I would say that worry is probably what I suffer from the most. Worry about returning cancer or even developing a secondary cancer. Worrying about my fertility and if/when I will have children. Worrying about making sure I stay healthy and keep physically active. The list I am sure could go on and each one very generalized could be broken into many different sub categories.
But if I had to choose one day to be entirely pain/worry free I would choose...well in all honesty I would choose more than a day. You see my FAVORITE time of any year is Christmas time. I love the atmosphere, the general kindness of humankind, spending time with my family and friends, etc. So I would have to say that I would choose that during 2010. I had just finished my treatment mid November and although the worst part was over there was a long road ahead of me that I was not prepared for. There was worry about pending tests to see if I was cancer free, constant frustration of fatigue and no strength, and missing out on events because of these things. It is odd because I imagine what that would have been like to be pain/worry and know how great it would have been to really get into the spirit. But then again all these past events are what made me who I am today so I also don't want to give them up.
As for the future there is one thing I would like to be able to do and be worry free. I would like to leave my lymphoma in the past and not have it haunt me in every other medical issue I have. I would like to be able to have a test done and have to bother my oncologist because something abnormal came up (which is normal for me). I imagine it would be much easier to get through any other medical issue I have if this was not always a factor.
I guess I didn't really do this task the exact way it was intended but that is about the best I can do with it at this point.
HAWMC: Day 24 - Health on Pinterest
Today's Day 24 task of WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge is to create a pinterest board that focused on health.
It is actually supposed to be a picture of the board however I figure it is just as easy to put the link to my board. It is not only about lymphoma but also about other things I use to keep myself on the healthy track.
Health and Wellness
It is actually supposed to be a picture of the board however I figure it is just as easy to put the link to my board. It is not only about lymphoma but also about other things I use to keep myself on the healthy track.
Health and Wellness
Saturday, April 27, 2013
HAWMC Day 23: Technology
I am slightly behind but it has been a long couple of weeks. I have a little time to catch up so here goes...
Today's Day 23 task for WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge is to talk about technology. How do I use it? How does it fit into my life? How does it help deal with lymphoma? and How would my life change if there were more or less social media involved?
This is actually something I have been thinking a lot about recently. There is always a pros and cons list to everything. Which makes it difficult to decide if technology is a good thing or a bad thing.
How do I use technology and social media?
Well I use it to get information. Information all kinds, I might need some ideas of projects to do in my classroom or looking for a new restaurant to try. In relation to lymphoma I used it during treatment to gain information about the different drugs, and after to connect with others through forums/chats. For my general health I use technology to keep track of my activities through facebook and daily mile. I also use it to be connected to others as a mean of support for both them and myself. As for my daily life I will fully admit I am a technology addict! I can't tell you how many times a day I check my email or how times I am on facebook or twitter. There are some days where I think about disconnecting myself but I some how am never able to do it.
How does technology and social media fit into my life?
All too easily I must admit. I have noticed that I have very little patients for things. Our world is so fast paced that we all seem to be conditioned to that instant gratification. I know for myself I communicate largely through email and waiting for a response is often the most annoying part of my day. But then again I also know people may not have the kind of access to their email as I do. This is something I am actively trying to work on, delaying my instant gratification for sure!
How does technology help deal with lymphoma?
I find it funny that this topic comes up this week because this has been one hell of week. I had just been complaining about how frustrating it is for my past lymphoma to constantly be coming back to haunt me. I know that sounds like something that should be expected but for some reason it was not for me. It seems every time I have to see a doctor (specifically if it happens to be a specialist) for something entirely unrelated to cancer/lymphoma it some how always seems to come back around to it anyway. But as far as technology is concerned it is usually very helpful in this aspect because rather than waiting a significant amount of time to get results or be able to consult my oncologist I am able to do that a lot faster. I recently had an MRI of my hip done for some pain I had been having. I wasn't able to get an appointment until three weeks after the MRI. Luckily I was able to not only get a copy of the MRI and radiology report but the doctor also emailed me his interpretations. Which then of course lead to me having to consult my oncologist based on some abnormality they found (which is not an abnormality for me). When come to dealing directly with lymphoma technology and social media are extremely helpful because they not only give me realitivly quick access to my doctors and medical record/test results but it also gives me access to people. I can communicate updates with friends and family a lot easier through facebook/twitter/email. I can reach more people by using my blog and then of course there are all the ways to get support through forums, websites as well as the hospital. Technology really does put the world at your finger tips.
How would my life changes if there were more or less social media involved?
Hhhmmm this is a hard one to answer. There are times were the current status of social media often makes me feel overwhelmed. Like I can't keep up with everything I would like to accomplish through social media in addition to everyday life. But I think less social media would take some time to get used to but in the end wouldn't necessarily be an overly bad thing. At first it would be like going though withdrawal but we would all adjust. I am sure I would fill the time I use currently on social media with other things which may or may not be good choices. Either way it would be an adjustment.
Today's Day 23 task for WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge is to talk about technology. How do I use it? How does it fit into my life? How does it help deal with lymphoma? and How would my life change if there were more or less social media involved?
This is actually something I have been thinking a lot about recently. There is always a pros and cons list to everything. Which makes it difficult to decide if technology is a good thing or a bad thing.
How do I use technology and social media?
Well I use it to get information. Information all kinds, I might need some ideas of projects to do in my classroom or looking for a new restaurant to try. In relation to lymphoma I used it during treatment to gain information about the different drugs, and after to connect with others through forums/chats. For my general health I use technology to keep track of my activities through facebook and daily mile. I also use it to be connected to others as a mean of support for both them and myself. As for my daily life I will fully admit I am a technology addict! I can't tell you how many times a day I check my email or how times I am on facebook or twitter. There are some days where I think about disconnecting myself but I some how am never able to do it.
How does technology and social media fit into my life?
All too easily I must admit. I have noticed that I have very little patients for things. Our world is so fast paced that we all seem to be conditioned to that instant gratification. I know for myself I communicate largely through email and waiting for a response is often the most annoying part of my day. But then again I also know people may not have the kind of access to their email as I do. This is something I am actively trying to work on, delaying my instant gratification for sure!
How does technology help deal with lymphoma?
I find it funny that this topic comes up this week because this has been one hell of week. I had just been complaining about how frustrating it is for my past lymphoma to constantly be coming back to haunt me. I know that sounds like something that should be expected but for some reason it was not for me. It seems every time I have to see a doctor (specifically if it happens to be a specialist) for something entirely unrelated to cancer/lymphoma it some how always seems to come back around to it anyway. But as far as technology is concerned it is usually very helpful in this aspect because rather than waiting a significant amount of time to get results or be able to consult my oncologist I am able to do that a lot faster. I recently had an MRI of my hip done for some pain I had been having. I wasn't able to get an appointment until three weeks after the MRI. Luckily I was able to not only get a copy of the MRI and radiology report but the doctor also emailed me his interpretations. Which then of course lead to me having to consult my oncologist based on some abnormality they found (which is not an abnormality for me). When come to dealing directly with lymphoma technology and social media are extremely helpful because they not only give me realitivly quick access to my doctors and medical record/test results but it also gives me access to people. I can communicate updates with friends and family a lot easier through facebook/twitter/email. I can reach more people by using my blog and then of course there are all the ways to get support through forums, websites as well as the hospital. Technology really does put the world at your finger tips.
How would my life changes if there were more or less social media involved?
Hhhmmm this is a hard one to answer. There are times were the current status of social media often makes me feel overwhelmed. Like I can't keep up with everything I would like to accomplish through social media in addition to everyday life. But I think less social media would take some time to get used to but in the end wouldn't necessarily be an overly bad thing. At first it would be like going though withdrawal but we would all adjust. I am sure I would fill the time I use currently on social media with other things which may or may not be good choices. Either way it would be an adjustment.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
HAWMC Day 21 - Adversity
Today's task for Day 21 of WEGO Health Activist Writer's Challenge was to decided if the saying "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all." is true or false and when do I bloom best.
I think that the flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all is absolutely true! Unfortunately it seems that when you are faced with misfortune or distress that is when the best usually comes out in people.
If you think about everything that just happened this past week in Boston that is a prime example of what happens in adversity. All the people that ran in to help those hurt, all the law enforcement agents putting their lives on the line to keep so many people safe. The way everyone is supporting Boston and all those hurt or that lost their lives. My point is that the events were beyond horrific but it brought out the best, most caring side of humanity. It is just sad that it usually takes adversity to get to that point.
For me personally my cancer was my adversity. It changed my life forever. It made me realize there are so many things in life that just aren't worth worrying about or being involved in. Life is way to short to sweat the small stuff! I am a much happier and helpful person now and I love it.
As far as when do I blossom I would have to say when I can use my experience with my cancer adversity to help others that are facing a similar situation. It brings me so much joy knowing I can help others hopefully get through their journey and end up with a similar outlook when theirs is all over too.
I try to remember what I felt when facing lymphoma so that I am that helpful, happy, compassionate person that I so badly want to make sure I am.
I think that the flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all is absolutely true! Unfortunately it seems that when you are faced with misfortune or distress that is when the best usually comes out in people.
If you think about everything that just happened this past week in Boston that is a prime example of what happens in adversity. All the people that ran in to help those hurt, all the law enforcement agents putting their lives on the line to keep so many people safe. The way everyone is supporting Boston and all those hurt or that lost their lives. My point is that the events were beyond horrific but it brought out the best, most caring side of humanity. It is just sad that it usually takes adversity to get to that point.
For me personally my cancer was my adversity. It changed my life forever. It made me realize there are so many things in life that just aren't worth worrying about or being involved in. Life is way to short to sweat the small stuff! I am a much happier and helpful person now and I love it.
As far as when do I blossom I would have to say when I can use my experience with my cancer adversity to help others that are facing a similar situation. It brings me so much joy knowing I can help others hopefully get through their journey and end up with a similar outlook when theirs is all over too.
I try to remember what I felt when facing lymphoma so that I am that helpful, happy, compassionate person that I so badly want to make sure I am.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
HAWMC Day 20: Burnout
Today's task for WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge for Day 20 is to talk about what is feels like to be burnt out and if you can identify any triggers.
This one took me a while to be able to answer. I had to think about it a lot. Although my cancer journey was intense it was also pretty slow. I find that most times burnout happens when things are fast paced and very time consuming. My treatment was not like that, I had no where to be but where ever they told me to be. I had lots of time even though it wasn't fun times. So even though I was so sick I never got burnt out during that time.
I do remember a time shortly after I completed my treatment. My oncologist had warned me that it would take me some time to get back to feeling normal he even quoted 6 months, which I thought was a long stretch. I finished treatment mid November and was back to work the first week in December.
I had a rough time. I got cold after cold, repeated respiratory infections, sinus infections, couldn't breath, couldn't sleep from all the coughing. I was constantly at doctors appointments and trying to find away to make me feel better. I was even seen by an allergist and pulmonologist. I was on antibiotics and various inhalers.
There was one day were I just couldn't take it any longer. I was burnt out by the whole process. I was constantly going here and there and taking meds and not getting any better. Or if I did it was short lived. I remember this day vividly I literally broke down and just cried! I was sick of being sick. I had been so sick for so long and when I finally finished my treatment everything was supposed to be fine so why was I still sick. Luckily I had my husband who did no more than just be there for me and let me cry.
So I would have to say that my way of getting through it is having a way to release. Mine in this instance happen to be crying but it isn't always that way. Sometime my minor release can be doing something for myself, going on vacation or now spending some time at the gym.
I will tell you that I successfully got through all my illnesses and as it turns out my oncologist was right it took me 6 months to really "recover" and be able to breath appropriately. Guess I should listen a little better!
This one took me a while to be able to answer. I had to think about it a lot. Although my cancer journey was intense it was also pretty slow. I find that most times burnout happens when things are fast paced and very time consuming. My treatment was not like that, I had no where to be but where ever they told me to be. I had lots of time even though it wasn't fun times. So even though I was so sick I never got burnt out during that time.
I do remember a time shortly after I completed my treatment. My oncologist had warned me that it would take me some time to get back to feeling normal he even quoted 6 months, which I thought was a long stretch. I finished treatment mid November and was back to work the first week in December.
I had a rough time. I got cold after cold, repeated respiratory infections, sinus infections, couldn't breath, couldn't sleep from all the coughing. I was constantly at doctors appointments and trying to find away to make me feel better. I was even seen by an allergist and pulmonologist. I was on antibiotics and various inhalers.
There was one day were I just couldn't take it any longer. I was burnt out by the whole process. I was constantly going here and there and taking meds and not getting any better. Or if I did it was short lived. I remember this day vividly I literally broke down and just cried! I was sick of being sick. I had been so sick for so long and when I finally finished my treatment everything was supposed to be fine so why was I still sick. Luckily I had my husband who did no more than just be there for me and let me cry.
So I would have to say that my way of getting through it is having a way to release. Mine in this instance happen to be crying but it isn't always that way. Sometime my minor release can be doing something for myself, going on vacation or now spending some time at the gym.
I will tell you that I successfully got through all my illnesses and as it turns out my oncologist was right it took me 6 months to really "recover" and be able to breath appropriately. Guess I should listen a little better!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
HAWMC Day 17: Word Cloud
Today's task for Day 17 for WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge is to create a word cloud in relation to your condition.
It was fun once I got the final product but was difficult to use wordle.net because of the JAVA aspect of it but I did none the less so here it is...
It was fun once I got the final product but was difficult to use wordle.net because of the JAVA aspect of it but I did none the less so here it is...
Monday, April 8, 2013
HAWMC Day 8 - It's a bird, It's a plane, no it's a...Bull?!
So todays topic is if my lymphoma was an animal what would it be? At first glance I had no idea what kind of animal it would be. Then I started to think about my day today.
I have been actively training for a triathlon and been running a lot more. The more running I do I start to get a pain inside my hip joint. Not something like the IT band this is entirely different. In an effort to make sure something wasn't drastically wrong with my hip I got a referral to see an orthopedic doctor. Well I went to see him today. I had done x-rays and he mentioned some things on there (not about my hip) that were concerning to him. I was sure I knew what they were but when someone in the medical field is concerned about something no matter how much you know you still get nervous. Especially with my medical history. As I understand it and have been confirmed by my oncologist what they are seeing is scarring from where the lymphoma used to be and not be concerned about it. Made me feel a lot better!!
So this leads me to what kind of animal my lymphoma is. After today's unsettling experience the first thing I thought of was the saying "Like a bull in a china shop." So I decided my lymphoma is a bull. and as it turns out I feel is very fitting. Bulls are large, agressive and sometimes not so easily controlled. If you think about a bull being in a china shop they leave their mark everywhere. Breaking things, trampling things, basically you definitely know they were there. I feel like that is exactly what lymphoma has done.
While I had it it was large, aggressive and took a lot to get rid of it. Now that it's gone the damage that it had done to my body still tells you that it was once there. I couldn't think of a better analogy than that for my experience.
Maybe some day I can do a an extensive remodeling project and you will never even know it was there but I am thinking probably not.
Just for kicks I will call my bull, Edgar!
I have been actively training for a triathlon and been running a lot more. The more running I do I start to get a pain inside my hip joint. Not something like the IT band this is entirely different. In an effort to make sure something wasn't drastically wrong with my hip I got a referral to see an orthopedic doctor. Well I went to see him today. I had done x-rays and he mentioned some things on there (not about my hip) that were concerning to him. I was sure I knew what they were but when someone in the medical field is concerned about something no matter how much you know you still get nervous. Especially with my medical history. As I understand it and have been confirmed by my oncologist what they are seeing is scarring from where the lymphoma used to be and not be concerned about it. Made me feel a lot better!!
So this leads me to what kind of animal my lymphoma is. After today's unsettling experience the first thing I thought of was the saying "Like a bull in a china shop." So I decided my lymphoma is a bull. and as it turns out I feel is very fitting. Bulls are large, agressive and sometimes not so easily controlled. If you think about a bull being in a china shop they leave their mark everywhere. Breaking things, trampling things, basically you definitely know they were there. I feel like that is exactly what lymphoma has done.
While I had it it was large, aggressive and took a lot to get rid of it. Now that it's gone the damage that it had done to my body still tells you that it was once there. I couldn't think of a better analogy than that for my experience.
Maybe some day I can do a an extensive remodeling project and you will never even know it was there but I am thinking probably not.
Just for kicks I will call my bull, Edgar!
Saturday, April 6, 2013
HAWMC Day 6: Dear Lymphoma!
Dear Lymphoma,
Where do I even begin? For longer than I would have ever wanted you derailed my entire life. To some extent you still do but in a different way.
When you finally reared your ugly head I was terrified! Although there are sure fire ways to get rid of you nothing is ever 100%! You came in and setup shop right on my spine. Although then again maybe that was just the comfy spot that you found and decided you liked because I actually have no idea where you came from. I can however guess based on all the marks you left all over my body. But there you sat on my spine being your happy little self and just started to spread. You put my through excruciating pain for months trying to take up even more room.
Then I got the news of just how much you wanted to stay and what it would take to get rid of you. Aside from the pain that was the worst part. I was going to loose not only the hair on my head but all of my hair...eyebrows, eyelashes and nose hair included. I was going to be sick, feel tired, have mouth sores, things were going to taste different if I was even going to be able to eat them, I was going to be tired, I was going to be more vulnerable to other infections/diseases. That wasn't even the worst part I was going to have to put my entire life as I knew it on hold to deal with you with the possibility of this lovely experience affecting my furture of having children.
I was 27 years old! recently married and although I may not have been the best at taking care of myself I certainly never expected to see you!
I did in fact loose all my hair, I was SO tired all the time but that didn't really matter because the treatment took away my ability to be around other people or do anything so I guess being tired made it easier to miss out on a lot of things. The one thing that had always made me feel better; food; didn't even have the comfort it normally did because all the medication to get rid of you changed the way things tasted. But I was lucky enough to have mild side effects of nausea and mouth sores which was a plus and I never did get any other infections or illnesses so that way I was able to keep my treatment right on track.
Oh yea and I forgot to mention my ABSOLUTE least favorite thing about you setting up shop on my spine the intrathecal chemotherapy. So I have this massive lymphoma tumor on my spine and now I have to get medication injected directly into my spine to make sure you don't spread your way into there...UGH!!
BUT despite all that I made it through and you my dear where forced out and completely gone by the time this was all done and you have not returned!
However there is some good that came from your impromptu visit I have started taking better care of myself, I have learned a lot more about myself too. That there are so many things that I can do that I thought I never could, that there are amazing people out there that are kind and nice and want nothing more than to help mankind (I happen to be one of those people as well), but certainly not last that I have to accept what happens, figure out a plan to change it for the better, work hard to accomplish that plan and then constantly move forward in life!
You were and will always be an unwelcome guest in my life. You came to be way too early but you taught a whole lot too. I just hope that we never meet again!
-Alyson
Where do I even begin? For longer than I would have ever wanted you derailed my entire life. To some extent you still do but in a different way.
When you finally reared your ugly head I was terrified! Although there are sure fire ways to get rid of you nothing is ever 100%! You came in and setup shop right on my spine. Although then again maybe that was just the comfy spot that you found and decided you liked because I actually have no idea where you came from. I can however guess based on all the marks you left all over my body. But there you sat on my spine being your happy little self and just started to spread. You put my through excruciating pain for months trying to take up even more room.
Then I got the news of just how much you wanted to stay and what it would take to get rid of you. Aside from the pain that was the worst part. I was going to loose not only the hair on my head but all of my hair...eyebrows, eyelashes and nose hair included. I was going to be sick, feel tired, have mouth sores, things were going to taste different if I was even going to be able to eat them, I was going to be tired, I was going to be more vulnerable to other infections/diseases. That wasn't even the worst part I was going to have to put my entire life as I knew it on hold to deal with you with the possibility of this lovely experience affecting my furture of having children.
I was 27 years old! recently married and although I may not have been the best at taking care of myself I certainly never expected to see you!
I did in fact loose all my hair, I was SO tired all the time but that didn't really matter because the treatment took away my ability to be around other people or do anything so I guess being tired made it easier to miss out on a lot of things. The one thing that had always made me feel better; food; didn't even have the comfort it normally did because all the medication to get rid of you changed the way things tasted. But I was lucky enough to have mild side effects of nausea and mouth sores which was a plus and I never did get any other infections or illnesses so that way I was able to keep my treatment right on track.
Oh yea and I forgot to mention my ABSOLUTE least favorite thing about you setting up shop on my spine the intrathecal chemotherapy. So I have this massive lymphoma tumor on my spine and now I have to get medication injected directly into my spine to make sure you don't spread your way into there...UGH!!
BUT despite all that I made it through and you my dear where forced out and completely gone by the time this was all done and you have not returned!
However there is some good that came from your impromptu visit I have started taking better care of myself, I have learned a lot more about myself too. That there are so many things that I can do that I thought I never could, that there are amazing people out there that are kind and nice and want nothing more than to help mankind (I happen to be one of those people as well), but certainly not last that I have to accept what happens, figure out a plan to change it for the better, work hard to accomplish that plan and then constantly move forward in life!
You were and will always be an unwelcome guest in my life. You came to be way too early but you taught a whole lot too. I just hope that we never meet again!
-Alyson
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
HAWMC Day 1 & 2
I recently discovered WEGO health thanks to Allie Moorse a fellow Young Adult Cancer Survivor and Blogger. I also discovered that they were doing a healthy post challenge for the month of April. I have been thinking that I am not really taking my blog to where I want it to be mainly probably because of time but whatever the excuse reason I thought this was a great way to try and get it to where I want it to be. If you would like to join in on the challenge be sure to check out WEGO Health.
So here is my post for Day 1 & 2:
Day 1: Getting Started
I write for many reasons but the biggest being that hopefully someone like me will read it and know that you can change your life for the better and make healthy choices. Aside from being a cancer survivor I am also someone who for most of my life was unhealthy in so many ways. I was inactive 90% of the time, I was morbidly obese and having aches, pains and conditions that people much older than me were experiencing. I write to share my journey to help other people and hopefully show them a way that might work for them to become healthier.
Having cancer got me started. Ironically enough I did not start this blog until after I had completed my treatment but that time was the hardest. The first road to recovery is why I started writing and sharing. Reaching out to others who were going through what I was going through. I have just kept it up ever since then.
Why The Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge? Well that is simple, why not? I try to stay health conscious and I want to share what I know and learn with others as well as learn from others in the process. I also want to get more into posting to my blog and I thought this was a great way. I decided to do it now instead of previous years because I only found about it yesterday so I am definitely a NEWBIE!
Day 2: Introduction
Oh where to begin on what my condition(s) are. Well first off I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with a c-Myc Translocation when I was 27. I went through 5 months of INTENSE chemotherapy and then five days before christmas in 2010 I found out I was cancer free!! That was probably my biggest condition.
I also have mild asthma and what I am guessing are some kind of allergies or environmental irritants. Which sometimes interfere with my physical activity but I try to work my way around it.
5 things I would like to share:
1.) My chemotherapy was one of the most intense first line treatments out there and some how I flew through it with relatively small side effects. So I feel although this was a good thing for me, it puts me at a disadvantage of helping others because I was not the norm.
2.) I try to be active in my writing but also in the cancer community in general to raise awareness of the effects cancer and treatments can have on young adult survivors, their families/friends, etc.
3.) I want to reach a wider audience then just cancer survivors. I identify with many other people just for being over weight. When I started this I weighed over 300lbs now I have lost just about 90lbs without following a new fad diet but learning and making my own choices about how you can live forever not just in the moment.
4.) I find it hard because there is no way to tell exactly how I got lymphoma so there is no way for to say that what I am doing will keep it away. However I know that living a healthy lifestyle will only help not hurt.
5.) Trying to start exercising while having asthma proved to be it's own obstacle. Although mine is mild it has always been exacerbated by exercise so that was quite the trial and error. But with my own perseverance and persistence I found a asthma cocktail that works for me.
Here are a few blog posts that either I wrote or have helped me along the way:
First is what I call Sunday Funday, This it the time I take to plan and prepare my meals for the week.
http://alysadventures1.blogspot.com/2011/08/sunday-fun-day.html
Second is about my very first 5k and about the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program
http://alysadventures1.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-year-new-me.html
My third post to share is from my friend Allie's blog about Lymphoma Awareness day which can be very helpful to those diagnosed with, completeing treatment or living with lymphoma.
http://thegoodhodgkins.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/world-lymphoma-awareness-day-or-all-that-you-wanted-to-know-about-lymphoma-and-more/
That's all for now until Day 3...which will be posted very shortly!
So here is my post for Day 1 & 2:
Day 1: Getting Started
I write for many reasons but the biggest being that hopefully someone like me will read it and know that you can change your life for the better and make healthy choices. Aside from being a cancer survivor I am also someone who for most of my life was unhealthy in so many ways. I was inactive 90% of the time, I was morbidly obese and having aches, pains and conditions that people much older than me were experiencing. I write to share my journey to help other people and hopefully show them a way that might work for them to become healthier.
Having cancer got me started. Ironically enough I did not start this blog until after I had completed my treatment but that time was the hardest. The first road to recovery is why I started writing and sharing. Reaching out to others who were going through what I was going through. I have just kept it up ever since then.
Why The Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge? Well that is simple, why not? I try to stay health conscious and I want to share what I know and learn with others as well as learn from others in the process. I also want to get more into posting to my blog and I thought this was a great way. I decided to do it now instead of previous years because I only found about it yesterday so I am definitely a NEWBIE!
Day 2: Introduction
Oh where to begin on what my condition(s) are. Well first off I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with a c-Myc Translocation when I was 27. I went through 5 months of INTENSE chemotherapy and then five days before christmas in 2010 I found out I was cancer free!! That was probably my biggest condition.
I also have mild asthma and what I am guessing are some kind of allergies or environmental irritants. Which sometimes interfere with my physical activity but I try to work my way around it.
5 things I would like to share:
1.) My chemotherapy was one of the most intense first line treatments out there and some how I flew through it with relatively small side effects. So I feel although this was a good thing for me, it puts me at a disadvantage of helping others because I was not the norm.
2.) I try to be active in my writing but also in the cancer community in general to raise awareness of the effects cancer and treatments can have on young adult survivors, their families/friends, etc.
3.) I want to reach a wider audience then just cancer survivors. I identify with many other people just for being over weight. When I started this I weighed over 300lbs now I have lost just about 90lbs without following a new fad diet but learning and making my own choices about how you can live forever not just in the moment.
4.) I find it hard because there is no way to tell exactly how I got lymphoma so there is no way for to say that what I am doing will keep it away. However I know that living a healthy lifestyle will only help not hurt.
5.) Trying to start exercising while having asthma proved to be it's own obstacle. Although mine is mild it has always been exacerbated by exercise so that was quite the trial and error. But with my own perseverance and persistence I found a asthma cocktail that works for me.
Here are a few blog posts that either I wrote or have helped me along the way:
First is what I call Sunday Funday, This it the time I take to plan and prepare my meals for the week.
http://alysadventures1.blogspot.com/2011/08/sunday-fun-day.html
Second is about my very first 5k and about the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program
http://alysadventures1.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-year-new-me.html
My third post to share is from my friend Allie's blog about Lymphoma Awareness day which can be very helpful to those diagnosed with, completeing treatment or living with lymphoma.
http://thegoodhodgkins.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/world-lymphoma-awareness-day-or-all-that-you-wanted-to-know-about-lymphoma-and-more/
That's all for now until Day 3...which will be posted very shortly!
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