Today's Day 15 task from WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge is to Comment! Pick someone else’s blog post and write a comment to them.
Write that comment as your post for today and link back to them to let
them know you were inspired.
At first I wasn't sure what to pick because something I think of might not have been health activits but then again I also think it is more based on your own interpretation of what that means. I decided I wanted to pick something new to me so I started looking at some of my fellow HAWMC bloggers. I have to tell you I was quite impressed with many of them, but one in particular stuck out. That would be Ann Marie at Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer! I read a lot of her posts so it was hard for me to choose just one. I think the one thing about it is exactly what she says in the her post about why she became a blogger to keep people informed but that she wasn't going to censor herself which I love! It is so nice to see someone blogging that just post whatever they want, however they want! She is fantastically sassy and feisty!! You rock Ann Marie!
Be sure to check out her post Wow I am a "blogger" she in great!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
HAWMC Day 13: Acrostic Poem
Today's task for WEGO Health's Day 13 Health Activist Writer's Challenge is Write a health acrostic for your condition.
Nervous
Offensive
Nauseous
Hell
Omnipotent
Dreadful
Gauche
Knowledgeable
Intrathecal
Neutropenic
Support
Lewis
Young
Mother
Perspective
Hematology
Optimistic
Massive
Alive
Nervous
Offensive
Nauseous
Hell
Omnipotent
Dreadful
Gauche
Knowledgeable
Intrathecal
Neutropenic
Support
Lewis
Young
Mother
Perspective
Hematology
Optimistic
Massive
Alive
HAWMC Day 12: Hindsight
Today's task for WEGO Health's Day 12 Health Activist Writer's Challenge was to think about if you could go back in time and talk to yourself on the day you were diagnosed what would say? Also what have learned about being a patient that has surprised you?
I seem to be starting off most of these the same way that I have a hard time when thinking about the topics. I guess that is a good sign that they are making me really think about my experience with cancer.
I have to say that as far as my "choice" in cancer center, medical team, out look on treatment, and general attitude I would not change a thing. Despite the fact that my chemotherapy regimen was incredibly intense and draining on my body I actually went through it quite well with very little side effects that couldn't be controlled and were really just more annoyances than anything. My medical team was and continues to be fantastic! So I guess the only thing that I would tell myself is to take advantage of the services out there. I found out much later that my cancer center has amazing programs like music and art therapy, various exercises, social workers, support groups, etc. I never took advantage of them and wish that I had. Also I would have loved to have been given the LIVESTRONG guidebook at the beginning of my treatment cause it would be useful for all the reasons I mentioned in my post from yesterday about their app. So I guess the one thing I would really tell myself is don't think you have to go it alone, get involved in your environment because I know it would have helped me and probably would have made some new friends too.
As for what have a learned about being a patient that surprised me is just how vulnerable I was and still am. Having this experience has made me unsure about my health. I think I know what's going on with me and then I find myself and then seem to always second guess myself. It is often find it frustrating just how much it effects me emotionally, it is still a roller coaster ride. I am hoping with time I will develop more confidence in myself and medical knowledge so that I second guess myself less. Luckily I have an amazing oncologist who always makes sure I feel good about what is going on and reassures that I do know what's going on and I am right!
I seem to be starting off most of these the same way that I have a hard time when thinking about the topics. I guess that is a good sign that they are making me really think about my experience with cancer.
I have to say that as far as my "choice" in cancer center, medical team, out look on treatment, and general attitude I would not change a thing. Despite the fact that my chemotherapy regimen was incredibly intense and draining on my body I actually went through it quite well with very little side effects that couldn't be controlled and were really just more annoyances than anything. My medical team was and continues to be fantastic! So I guess the only thing that I would tell myself is to take advantage of the services out there. I found out much later that my cancer center has amazing programs like music and art therapy, various exercises, social workers, support groups, etc. I never took advantage of them and wish that I had. Also I would have loved to have been given the LIVESTRONG guidebook at the beginning of my treatment cause it would be useful for all the reasons I mentioned in my post from yesterday about their app. So I guess the one thing I would really tell myself is don't think you have to go it alone, get involved in your environment because I know it would have helped me and probably would have made some new friends too.
As for what have a learned about being a patient that surprised me is just how vulnerable I was and still am. Having this experience has made me unsure about my health. I think I know what's going on with me and then I find myself and then seem to always second guess myself. It is often find it frustrating just how much it effects me emotionally, it is still a roller coaster ride. I am hoping with time I will develop more confidence in myself and medical knowledge so that I second guess myself less. Luckily I have an amazing oncologist who always makes sure I feel good about what is going on and reassures that I do know what's going on and I am right!
HAWMC Day 11: Favorites
Today's task for WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge was to talk about my favorite health apps and/or my favorite social network.
I had a hard time trying to figure out what my favorite health app is. I originally was thinking health as is being healthy (food, exercise, etc). But then I read in the challenge that it should be an app that helps with your condition or your interactions with your doctors. After some careful thought I decided that my favorite app that deals specifically with cancer is LIVESTRONG's app. It is fantastic!! It has a digital version of their guidebook which is instrumental during your cancer journey. It also allows you to keep a journal, keep a medications record, helps you with keeping track of your symptoms and has a tracker to help keep track of your appointments. It also gives you ways to get to their navigation services which offers so many different services I can't even begin to write about them all.
I had the misfortune of becoming acquianted with this app after I had already completed my treatment but I still use it none the less. It actually does help me communicate with my doctors because I have accurate records of my medications, how I have been feeling, etc. I highly recommend this app. The great thing too is that if you are an apple user it is available for not only the iphone but also the ipad and ipad mini!
Now to think about my favorite social network is difficult. I decided I would take this a different way. I have to say at the moment my favorite would be pinterest. I chose pinterest because it is the one place I can go that will give me ideas for just about anything not just health related. We focus so much on what we need to work on that pinterest caters to a part of my health that is often overlooked. It helps me just get lost in something fun! I can contribute to it as well take from it which is great! I would say I am definitely addicted to pinterest!
I had a hard time trying to figure out what my favorite health app is. I originally was thinking health as is being healthy (food, exercise, etc). But then I read in the challenge that it should be an app that helps with your condition or your interactions with your doctors. After some careful thought I decided that my favorite app that deals specifically with cancer is LIVESTRONG's app. It is fantastic!! It has a digital version of their guidebook which is instrumental during your cancer journey. It also allows you to keep a journal, keep a medications record, helps you with keeping track of your symptoms and has a tracker to help keep track of your appointments. It also gives you ways to get to their navigation services which offers so many different services I can't even begin to write about them all.
I had the misfortune of becoming acquianted with this app after I had already completed my treatment but I still use it none the less. It actually does help me communicate with my doctors because I have accurate records of my medications, how I have been feeling, etc. I highly recommend this app. The great thing too is that if you are an apple user it is available for not only the iphone but also the ipad and ipad mini!
Now to think about my favorite social network is difficult. I decided I would take this a different way. I have to say at the moment my favorite would be pinterest. I chose pinterest because it is the one place I can go that will give me ideas for just about anything not just health related. We focus so much on what we need to work on that pinterest caters to a part of my health that is often overlooked. It helps me just get lost in something fun! I can contribute to it as well take from it which is great! I would say I am definitely addicted to pinterest!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
HAWMC Day 10: A picture that I LOVE!
Today's topic was to pick a picture of myself that I LOVE! I went through many pictures and had a hard time deciding. Although I still have that shallow side of me, these days I tend to find more meaning behind the picture than what is actually in the picture. I chose this one because it is a great representative of just how far I have come. This was me running to the finish line of my first ever Triathlon in September 2012. I survived cancer, I survived turning my life style into a healthier one and I survived my first triathlon. It is a nice reminder of just how strong I really am because I often think that we forget just what is really inside us.
Hope this motivates some of you!
HAWMC Day 9: Patients Point Of View
I have thought a lot about this mainly because I had many people that I consider to be my caregivers. I have had the good fortune to be able to talk to them at length about what it was like to be on the other side of my illness. What they told me was to some extent quite shocking because I never saw most of it.
So for my advice to any caregiver not just someone dealing cancer but any major illness would include a number of things.
1.) I know that most people believe that only showing their strong side and being the "strong" one who will be the best. However I can't tell you how reassuring it was when I could share a cry with my family. Yes there is a time to be strong but it is also nice to see that this is affecting them as much as it is affecting me.
2.) Think about how you would want to be treated if it were you in the situation. I think this helps with not only your perception but also how you talk and act towards whomever you are caring for. I know from a cancer point of view there were some severe side effects that often I couldn't control and some of them affected my mood, actions, etc. So it helped when my family and friends were understanding about things like that.
3.) Offer support in the way that you are comfortable with. I had a variety of caregivers that each one was better at something than the other. A really good friend of mine happens to be someone who doesn't know a whole lot about the medical world so she was more helpful by just keeping me company, sharing stories, and even helping by bringing meals.
4.) One thing that really helped me was when people wouldn't treat me as though I was sick. There were sometimes when that wasn't an option but for the most part it was nice to be treated "normal". It gave me that small little moment to forget what was going on and often just have fun.
5.) The last thing I would recommend would be that as much as it is important to take care of the patient you must also take care of yourself. Most often dealing with any illness it is an emotional rollercoaster for the caregivers as well as the patients. There are many resources out there that offer help in these areas for caregivers. But this can also mean taking some time for yourself. Often I think as people we get so wrapped up in putting others before ourselves that sometimes it can back fire on us. Take a little you time, go to a movie, out to dinner with friends, get a manicure or massage. Have a little time to forget what you are currently going through and have a little fun.
I have to also mention that I consider my medical team as part of my caregivers as well. I am not really sure if there is anyway to give them advice because they are most often trying to be as professional and reassuring as they can. The only thing that I can say to them is that as a patient it is a very personal experience. It helped me to be able to get to know my doctors and such on a more personal level. So don't be too caught up in sticking to straight and narrow share a little about yourself with your patients.
Anyway those are just my thoughts hope they were helpful to some.
So for my advice to any caregiver not just someone dealing cancer but any major illness would include a number of things.
1.) I know that most people believe that only showing their strong side and being the "strong" one who will be the best. However I can't tell you how reassuring it was when I could share a cry with my family. Yes there is a time to be strong but it is also nice to see that this is affecting them as much as it is affecting me.
2.) Think about how you would want to be treated if it were you in the situation. I think this helps with not only your perception but also how you talk and act towards whomever you are caring for. I know from a cancer point of view there were some severe side effects that often I couldn't control and some of them affected my mood, actions, etc. So it helped when my family and friends were understanding about things like that.
3.) Offer support in the way that you are comfortable with. I had a variety of caregivers that each one was better at something than the other. A really good friend of mine happens to be someone who doesn't know a whole lot about the medical world so she was more helpful by just keeping me company, sharing stories, and even helping by bringing meals.
4.) One thing that really helped me was when people wouldn't treat me as though I was sick. There were sometimes when that wasn't an option but for the most part it was nice to be treated "normal". It gave me that small little moment to forget what was going on and often just have fun.
5.) The last thing I would recommend would be that as much as it is important to take care of the patient you must also take care of yourself. Most often dealing with any illness it is an emotional rollercoaster for the caregivers as well as the patients. There are many resources out there that offer help in these areas for caregivers. But this can also mean taking some time for yourself. Often I think as people we get so wrapped up in putting others before ourselves that sometimes it can back fire on us. Take a little you time, go to a movie, out to dinner with friends, get a manicure or massage. Have a little time to forget what you are currently going through and have a little fun.
I have to also mention that I consider my medical team as part of my caregivers as well. I am not really sure if there is anyway to give them advice because they are most often trying to be as professional and reassuring as they can. The only thing that I can say to them is that as a patient it is a very personal experience. It helped me to be able to get to know my doctors and such on a more personal level. So don't be too caught up in sticking to straight and narrow share a little about yourself with your patients.
Anyway those are just my thoughts hope they were helpful to some.
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!
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