I got another fill and this one hurt like hell......can you say stretch !
But the pain went away and my results look great so far. I am so glad I decided to do this even if this recon is not for sissys !
What have I been doing ? A little of this and a little of that....trying to power walk every day for 30-45 minutes weather permitting and doing things around the house that I have put off for the last 18 years.
My sweet hubby went back overseas for work and I miss him so much. He really was a great support for me this last month. I have been driving his jeep while he is gone - and really enjoying it (sorry hun). I hope to update my blog more while he is gone.
I also found a great recipe for bread - yum...I have never been a baker before - so this was a surprise to me that it turned out to be delish and tonight I am cooking dinner for my SIL Judy who is going through a rough time.
AND
Please continue to keep my brother Brian in your prayers
I try to call him every few days -I found this online and thought it may be helpful for some of my readers
What to say to some one who is ill or in pain:
When people we care about are in pain, we want to offer words of encouragement,
help ease their pain and motivate them to stay hopeful.
Unfortunately, our words of cheer
can often be misinterpreted by those who live with chronic illness. Rather than
feeling supported, our words can evoke the feeling of "she doesn't understand my
life at all." This can permanently affect our relationships.
Here are some tips to keep in
mind when talking to a friend living with an invisible illness.
What not to
say:
You look so
good!
Although this seems like a
compliment, it's frustrating to an ill person. Although he or she may wish to
look better than they feel, it seems as though you are saying, "You can't really
be sick. You look fine to me." It invalidates a person's pain and symptoms.
You need to just stop
thinking about it and get busy.
True chronic illness doesn't heal
itself because of distraction. Although some people may dwell on the details of
their illness, it can seem emotionally overwhelming when your life revolves
around new symptoms, medication side effects, infections from a lowered immune
system and the illness itself. He or she would likely love to do something fun,
but fatigue and pain prevent it.
You should try this new
health supplement. It can't hurt.
Actually, the supplement may be
the exact opposite of what our body needs, and "natural" doesn't always mean
"safe." People have good intentions, but the chronically ill are doing their
best to navigate the road of Western medicine, alternative treatments and
finding the best medical team.
I wish I had the luxury
of being sick instead of having to go to work every day.
Most people want to be able to
work, and being physically unable to do so can cause great depression. Those
with illness realize they don't have the burden of getting up and going to work
each day, but they also have medical bills that they may never be able to pay
off, as well as fears of not being able to support themselves.
They don't have as much free
time as you think. The medical appointments, pain and paperwork take a large
portion of time.
Don't give in. You need
to fight this illness.
Those who are ill are fighting
their illness every day they wake up and get our of bed. And on the days they
can't get out of bed, they are determined to still have a life that is full of
joys and memories, special events and loved ones. By taking medication or trying
a new therapy, they are not "giving in."
Illness is caused by
stress. You just need to learn to cope better.
While illness can be exaggerated
by stress, stress rarely is the source of the genetics that cause illness. Those
living with an illness are doing the very best they can to cope, but comments
like the ones above make them, well, stressed.
Here are some ideas on
what to say:
I don't know what to
say, but I care about you.
You don't have to try to fix it,
and instead of saying, "I know exactly how you feel," an ill person would love
it if you would just admit, "I don't have any idea what you are going through,
but I am here if you need to vent."
Sometimes we just need one
person who will listen and then we can move on to other topics.
If you need to cry, I've
got plenty of tissues.
Every now and then we just need
a good cry. Between the emotions certain medications cause, plus the stress on
our marriages, careers and more, we occasionally need to cry.
Instead of being one more person
who says, "Don't cry," tell your friend you will sit with her while she cries.
It is an intimate gift that only true friends will offer.
I'm bringing dinner
Thursday. Can you eat lasagna or chicken?
People who are chronically ill
rarely have anyone bring them a meal or take their kids for a play date. Since
moms and dads with illness do their best to keep up with life, they are seen out
and about and they "look just fine." But you may never know how much they suffer
silently in their home.
A meal for the family or
babysitting the kids so parents can have a date night is a great way to provide
support.
I am going to the store
tomorrow. What can I get for you?
If you are running some errands,
let your friend know in advance so he or she can write a short list. Being able
to pick up heavy things can also be helpful, like a gallon of milk or laundry
detergent. Bring them into the house and ask if you can put them away.
You are going through so
much, yet you still have such joy. How do you do that?
If you see a friend who is
coping well with his or her physical limitations, ask yourself what you could
learn.
Rather than saying, "Thank
goodness that isn't me; I could never do that," ask them what motivates them
when they are in pain, or how they prioritize to make the most of limited
energy. Where do they find hope when the circumstances look bleak?
Those who live with illness
learn a lot about the ups and down in life and would love the opportunity to
share the wisdom they have discovered.
My decision to withdraw support from Komen has nothing whatsoever to with what happened with Planned Parenthood.
It is because the controversy has caused me (and many others) to delve into their financials. Komen in 2011 only allocated 15% of the donations raised towards research...and without research there is no cure. 15%. Where did the money go? A good majority of it goes to education and "awareness"...a whopping 34%. We have breast cancer awareness month every October...we don't need our hard earned donation dollars to increase awareness.
It has gone to litigation and legal fees. Komen has spent over a million dollars in the past several years to prevent organizations from using the words "for the cure"...sending "cease and desist" letters to people using "kites for the cure" to raise money for lung cancer research, using "cupcakes for the cure", "mush for the cure", "bark for the cure" and "kayak for the cure". Komen has identified and filed legal trademark oppositions against more than a hundred grassroots organizations trying to raise funds.
They use hard earned donations to pay for lobbyists, for "overhead", for funding PAC's, for excessive salaries (and yes, I do think that those that work for nonprofits deserve decent salaries and benefits...just not 300-400 k )..and on and on.
We all want a cure for breast cancer..unfortunately research is what brings about a cure and you will not get that only giving 15% of what you collect to research.
For all of you breast cancer survivors that are upset because we are upset with Komen, please do yourself a favor and look into their 990's that are filed.
Me, I am now devoting my time to raise money for Army Of Women/Love/Avon, in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Breast Center and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer . Research is what will bring about a cure. You can sign up for the Army of Women and participate in research..they send you information on many studies happening right now.
As the science magazine "Discover" said this past week in their article:
"Komen for the Cure’s Biggest Mistake Is About Science, not Politics"
http://
That says it all. Science~~Research~~is what is going to give us a cure.
15%"