Saturday, October 5, 2019

#565 Play Tag (or anything) With Your Favorite Kid

                                                        


Not a child but a cat who would love to play with one!

                             October 5

Being a retired teacher and now a full time grandmother, this one embraces my heart.

                                                           Goal #5

The theory of making connections with children has numerous articles on the importance of engaging in play with your children.  It works both ways--seeing such abandoned joy in the simplest things does wonders for the experienced (okay, so older) person's heart.  Being around youth does keep us young and alive. Spending time with children can-benefit-your-mental-health

                                                           Fact #5 MBC

Early detection does not guarantee a cure. Metastatic breast cancer can occur 5, 10 or 15 years after a person’s original diagnosis and successful treatment checkups and annual mammograms. MBCN

Thanks for reading #565 of 7777+ and reach out to a child.  To further protect your loved ones, consider a donation to More For Stage IV will save lives.

Friday, October 4, 2019

#564 Sweet Chocolate

                                                       October 4


You are going to love this goal.  It's on the top of my list of things to do every day!


                                                                Goal #4

 Eat more chocolate --Read all about it in Healthline.  Okay, twist my arm...

7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

  • Very Nutritious. ... 
  • Powerful Source of Antioxidants. ... 
  • May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure. ... 
  • Raises HDL and Protects LDL From Oxidation. ... 
  • May Reduce Heart Disease Risk. ... 
  • May Protect Your Skin From the Sun. ... 
  • Could Improve Brain Function.
                                              
                                   MBC Fact #4

About 6% of people are Stage IV from their initial diagnosis. MBCN 


Thanks for reading #564 of 7777+ and as you enjoy your treat, please consider a donation to More For Stage IV at UW Carbone Cancer Center!   

Thursday, October 3, 2019

#563 ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz

                                                         
The BHE can sleep any place!

                                October 3

First of all, before any goals are read today, please consider a donation to Support the More For Stage IV fund .  Thank you.

Since last night was another sleepless night, this goal is near and dear to my heart...unfortunately.


                                                               Goal #3
Get more sleep--Ahhh. The elusive sleep conundrum.  As I lie awake at night thinking how important it is for a rested body, I simply can not get to sleep.  Here are a few suggestions to help you find those sleep fairies. Sleep is important!


                                                             MBC Fact #3

Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is lifelong and focuses on control of the disease and quality of life. MBCN

Thanks for reading # 563 of 7777+ and happy zzzzzz's.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

#562 Chug-a-lug of H2O!

                                                         


Bottoms up!

                                                            October 2

It is still October and I thought by now the flurry of "Pink" activity would have been replaced by an AWARENESS that we need more research funding to save lives.  Nope, the hilarity and "good feelings" of cancer survivorship continue on national TV and I have not heard one mention that we need a cure. Wake up, people!   Grrrrr.

Enough ranting, I'm back with our second day of healthy living and an important fact about MBC.
                                                                
                                          Goal #2

Drink more water.  Obvious a goal we have heard for eons but it is true according to  Medical News Today:  This is only the beginning of the list.  Check out the website for more benefits.

  • It lubricates the joints. ... 
  • It forms saliva and mucus. ... 
  • It boosts skin health and beauty. ... 
  • It cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues. ... 
  • It regulates body temperature. ... 
  • It flushes body waste. ... 
  • It helps maintain blood pressure. ... 
  • The airways need it. 

                                                MBC  Fact  #2

An estimated 155,000 Americans are currently living with metastatic breast cancer.(also called Stage IV breast cancer) Metastatic breast cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S. MBCN

Thanks for reading #562 of 7777+.  Now go have a drink...of water and donate to UW Carbone Cancer Center--100% of all donations goes to research

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

#561 Eat Your Veggies!


                                                 October 1


The month of October is upon us and for many living with metastatic breast cancer it is a difficult time due to the "survivor" mentality of the "Pinktober" message. Unless you have been living under a rock, you are more than aware of breast cancer and what you can do to prevent, eat, do, etc. etc. etc. to dodge the bullet. None of these activities would have changed the outcome of my prognosis no matter how many vegetables were consumed or the number of hours I exercised

                                                                 so...

in an effort to ward off the bombardment of Pinktober, I have chosen an alternative way of thriving through the fanfare of the Pink days of October and will post a goal a day of what I will be doing to improve my mental and physical self.  Mary Oliver once wrote,

              "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
And I say, if you have your health-you have it all.  This will not be a lecture--I am not your mother-but hopefully sage advice from someone looking back over her shoulder and thinking, "Dang, why didn't I do more?".  For the next thirty-one days I will be dispensing a pearl of wisdom a day with links for how to and why the activity is important followed by a fact to keep educating about metastatic breast cancer.

Today we shall begin (These goals and facts will not be in any particular order)...

                                             The Goal # 1

1.  Eat more fruits and vegetables.  I know, I know we've heard this a million times.   Personally, I'd rather eat a bowl of ice cream but I know those fruits and veggies are vitally important.  As someone (can't recall if it was my mother---it seems as if she would have simply said, "Eat your vegetables...NOW", but I digress) said, "We are like a car engine--good gas equals good results." This link will provide you with the reasoning and motivation to add them to your diet.    Eat more Fruits and Vegetables.

Now for a fact about MBC:
                                                             MBC FACT 1

What is Metastatic Breast Cancer?  (pronounced as Met-a-STA-tic) MBC also known as Stage IV is cancer that has spread outside of the breast to other organs such as bones, liver, lung or brain. This process is called metastasis. (pronounced as Me-TAS-ta-sis) Metastatic Breast Cancer Network

Thanks for reading #561 of 7777+ and eating your fruits and veggies today.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

#560 Take a Hike, Cancer




Goofy Grandparents at Twelfth Night

"Surely, two of the most satisfying experiences in life must be those of being a grandchild or a grandparent." -- Donald A. Norberg

As I take a moment in my hectic schedule to write this I am pleased to announce there is no time for thinking, pondering, worrying, etc. etc. etc. about cancer. It will have to take a back seat because I am preparing for a gargantuan distraction that will take my mind off the ongoing heart ache and anxiety this disease tends to create.

What event is so earth shattering that would remove this niggle in my head for a bit?  Grandchildren are a'coming and there are things to do to prepare for this much anticipated visit.  So, cancer can take a hike for a week while I bathe in the luxurious feelings of being Grandma G. to the most adorable children...ever!  (of course others will argue their offspring rate that adjective but we are all entitled to be bragging grandmas--so let me brag).

With meals to be made, toys to be acquired and beds to be assembled we are almost ready for their grand entrance.  It will be a glorious six days and, although I will be exhausted, it will be from hugs and building memories with these munchkins--not the cancer.

At night I am sure my weary head will hit the pillow but happily with not one trace of concern that my body is failing me.  The flurry of activity brought on by a delightful three year old and a lovable four month old will have made me this exhausted--and that's a good thing. I am anticipating my smile will be wide and my heart even wider as I float into a fairy land sleep with only dreams of what our next adventure will be.

Grandchildren don't need a lot of toys. The best thing a grandchild can have is a grandparent who gets down on the floor and plays with them.” -- Unknown

Yes, no time for *&^%$ cancer this week--oops, will clean up my potty mouth for a bit.  Despite the grim news from last week (buggers are growing on my liver) I will revel in a state of Grandma Utopia--if there is a place--and cherish every single moment with them.

Oh, I would be remiss in not mentioning how ecstatic I am about my eldest and his wife accompanying the cherubs and my other two visiting their niece and nephew.  My three children are still the limelight in my eyes but it has been years since they've sat in my lap and cuddled with a good book.  It's the circle of life for me to bestow my love to this next generation just as their grandparents did for them.

Onward and upward to a week filled with lasting memories for all of us.

Thanks for reading #560 of 7777.




Thursday, July 25, 2019

#559 Four Letter Words and All








The BHE recovering in style.

It comes at no surprise my being diagnosed with METS has transformed me into a foul mouthed swearing long shore man type of woman.  At the drop of a hat, the F-bomb spews out of this older (and I hope wiser) woman who should know better by using a preferable choice of words such as;  dognabbit, son of a gun and gosh darn it all.

Well, it seems the cancer has brought slight changes to my vocabulary and an attitude of--I don't give a flying rat's ass what anyone thinks. While in college the language was completely acceptable (at least in my circle of friends), however, my mother would have had the soap ready to wash out my filthy mouth and despair how she had failed to raise a "proper" daughter. (phrases such as: "You eat with that mouth?"  and "Not in this house!" still ring in my ears).

To redeem myself to my departed mother's good graces, I will use another four letter word that would have made her smile and knowingly nod her head in approval. 

The profound four letter word?  HELP.  This mighty word has also given me another companion to use, and that is HOPE.  Let me explain.

If you've kept up with the latest Gooze saga, you know Rob and I have been in a @#$%^ (sorry mom) turmoil of personal trials.  His bum quad is slowly healing and he now can drive, fix meals and even shower by himself.  With his above mentioned activities my level of stress has greatly decreased, however, I will admit the showering, well... it felt almost like the year 1978...but I digress.

My heart issues have been resolved and am now working out again and feeling grand.  Which brings me back to the four letter word--HELP.  Friends and family assistance came roaring in at a category 4 storm level and, before I could even mutter the H word, meals, flowers, good wishes and a delivery plan for the paper and mail were provided.  Their never ending attention was always present and any words of gratitude I could muster do not fully express how much it meant to us. A gigantic thank you will have to suffice.

A multitude of friends helping me plant this spring.
Which leads me to the other word in this combination of four letter wonders--Hope.  My active BHE was sidelined for the first time in his life, two major trips had to be cancelled and the approaching summer had the look of a fun sucker (thanks, Deb, for the word).  As help arrived we could see a bit of hope at the end of this whole saga and would eventually be able get through this muckity muck of disasters.  HOPE was around the corner reminding me of the quote,

"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end".

This was a signal for me to alter my thoughts of taking Rob out to the back shed--insert a visual of a lame horse--that, indeed, we would eventually persevere. 

Yes, we are both doing much better thanks to the circle of friends and family.  I've learned a few things along the way as far as how to help others--for one, just do it-- text and say a meal is on its way or secretly deliver the paper to our doorstep.  It takes the pressure off the caregiver and taker to even understand what needs to be done and what to ask.  

Help and hope go hand in hand to recover from any malady--big or small.  Thanks family and friends for your caring gifts of love.  One benefit to your kindness is my foul mouth has taken a slight hiatus for now.  My mother would be happy.

One last quick reminder--Mark your calendars to visit the The Oregon Firefly Coffee Shop on August 3rd, 8-4 PM featuring our Art Show benefitting the More For Stage IV fund at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.   


Thanks for reading #559 of 7777.