Life After Thyroid Cancer – Update

It's been some time since I've provided an update to my life post thyroid cancer/thyroidectomy. Here's a glimpse of it...


LMAO! Yes, a roller-coaster ride; not too bad. It really depends on how you interpret it. Most see a roller-coaster as a thrill and an adrenaline rush. Others may interpret it being up and down - good and bad. For me, it's been both...lol. Not much in the bad department, considering that my body has done some things that I've never imagined doing (will share those stories for later posts). As for bad, the only thing I can reference is that once I think I'm on track with my physical goals and have a good grasp on my body minus a thyroid, then something comes along and changes the direction. Which is fine...really it is...keeps me on my toes for sure. 

Since my last post on the subject, Life After Thyroid Cancer, back in December 2013, I've been on such an adventure of rediscovery. See, I've had to learn so many new things about my body - this slightly modified version...lol. I'm very protective of this "asset" of mine. Besides, it's the only body I have, so why wouldn't I be protective. 






In July of 2015, I was asked to share my story at the VeloSano - Bike to Cure opening ceremony. 

Making this video left me revisiting many of the emotions that I was going through at the time and had me reflecting back on those emotions. It's very humbling. I'm very grateful that I can say that I'm a cancer survivor. You realize that so many others have challenges far greater than yours and it's up to you to overcome your challenges. I am no different when it comes to the ups and downs that life brings our way. But, I tell you what, I will not let things define me or take control over me. As I see it, I have a modified version of myself after having the thyroidectomy. I have to re-learn this body; retrain my mind to let go of how I was and focus on how I am now. Look at it when you upgrade your phone, you have to learn all the new features - good and bad. 

Smile, laugh and be well! 

Connect With Yourself

Being healthy is more than just exercising and eating the right foods, it's also about mental balance. This includes how you handle stress. 

Emotional well-being and taking the time to connect within yourself is important for you to establish. The mind, body, spirit must flow in harmony. 

Meditation is one such method in establishing a connection with yourself. It's funny, we will have an excuse for not having enough time for so many things that deem good for us, yet we have time or "find" time for things that stress us out! 

[PAUSE..THINK ABOUT THAT] Things that make you go....hmmmm. 

I was one of those who just couldn't squeeze another activity into my daily regimen. I had to realize that I'm the one who is creating or allowing my schedule to be the way that it was. It's about deciding what's important, and what do you value more; yourself or everything else. Keep in mind, that without valuing yourself above everything else, you will NOT be any good for anything else, right? 

I challenge you to take this moment to begin the process of connecting with yourself. Here is a link to a guided meditation (DON'T CLOSE THIS POST...LOL). Just try it, let your mind have a peaceful moment and let me know your thoughts. 

Get comfortable and click here to begin.

Enjoy!

Never Giving Up!

Taking a moment to reflect on things in my life, remembering the obstacles that life had placed in my path, every bump, hurdle, cliff, mountain, ocean, windstorm, landslide - you get the picture, I just think - WOW! How did I manage.

I see myself as being very determined and I know that life is truly what we make it. Who wants to believe that the situations that we experience, are out of our control. Every challenge has a solution. You have to challenge yourself - to live! Why not? You can truly amaze yourself if you don't become defeated and decide to move forward. 















A few weeks ago, I was invited to share my story, my view, my challenge. I hope that in some way, that you too, are motivated to do more, to be strong, to overcome and to live like you've never lived before. I share this VeloSano Video with you. 

No matter what comes along in your path, never give up pursuing your journey!

Lying Leg Curls

The focus of this exercise is the hamstrings and glutes. The back of the thighs that tend to be forgotten in regular workouts. Grab a moderately heavy dumbbell and a fitness mat and get ready to hit the floor. 

First, get down on your hands and knees and place a dumbbell between your feet. Being sure to have one end of the dumbbell supported by the top of the soles. Hold the dumbbell securely and then lie onto your stomach.  Place your hands under your chin and rest your head on top of them.  

Now, keeping your thighs on the mat, begin to curl your knees up while keeping the dumbbell locked in between your feet. 

Continue with this movement, raising and lowering the weight for 15-20 reps. 

This is one simple, yet very effective move to build those muscles in the back of the legs. Enjoy!!!

When I Started My Yoga Practice

It was in mid-March of 2013, that I would think seriously about making yoga part of my lifestyle. For years, I felt that yoga was “too soft” and “tranquil” for me. I stretched, worked on my flexibility and even had countless conversations with people who swore by yoga. I just wasn't completely captured as it being something that would stimulate my current workout routines. It just wasn't my "yoga" moment.  However, it had always been in the back of my mind.  Especially, when I knew of all the benefits that yoga possessed. 

On March 21, 2013, my time had come. I decided that yoga would become part of my regular lifestyle. Not sure if it was due to my renewed spirit after the thyroid cancer experience or the fact that this time out, I vowed to be a much better resource to my trainees and my network with fellow instructors. Heck, the common goal for us is having a healthier lifestyle and a better quality of life.

I dove deep into my yoga practice and welcomed it into my life like a new found love. Looking back, I’m appreciative that I began my practice at this time of my life.  I don’t think I would have truly practiced it before or made the time. I was all weights and strength building with moments of teaching Zumba. Things happen when they are supposed to...right? 

We have the power over our bodies.  We can either take care of ourselves or not.  We can fuel ourselves with the right nutrients or not. We can stress out over everything or develop a method to controlling that stress.  Yoga brings it all together getting you to start from within – your mind, your spirit, your body. I appreciate that. NAMASTE!

I've Returned...YAY!

I’m back. Since, my last entry, I got caught in the social media tornado! So, it’s not that I’ve fallen off the face of the earth, very far from that. It appeared that I had landed up in the “social media oz” that took me on the path to the “Land of Instagram”, playing with the flying “Tweets” and ended at “The Facebook City”…LOL!

I can say, it’s been a very interesting journey. It appears that I had to “re-route” a huge area of my life.  I had to let go of a major relationship.  Often times, we fight that feeling in our gut that tells us to let go.  Maybe, we think we will be seen as failures because it didn't work out. NOT! If things are always negative and where both people are not nourishing the relationship, it will have no life and die! I see myself as a success in making the decision to let it go. Lesson learned! New routes bring interesting paths and undiscovered territories. LOL!

I’m still learning more and more about my body after my thyroid cancer. I will continue to share as I hope that my story will help others to not give up on their goals. I have so much to share and look forward to the adventures of 2015.

New Year, New Behavior 2014 - Status Check

It's hard to believe that we are approaching the month of May. Phew! Time flies. In January, many of you set resolutions/goals/accomplishments for this year. Well, time for a "2014 NEW BEHAVIOR" Status Check!!! WOO HOO!!!

Personally, I like to plan things out in increments for the year, it's easier for me.  For example, if you had decided to lose 50 pounds by the end of this year, at this time, you should be pretty close to half way towards reaching your goal...right?

This is your status check time. Take a moment to assess your goals. Are you on track? Have you given up and bailed out? If you are victim to the challenges that life tends to bring, you still have some time left. Let's say you may have started with losing 50 pounds, how about changing it to 25 pounds instead? 

It's time! You don't have to forego things for another year. If you have fallen off your 2014 plan so far. Don't let your inner voice convince you that it's okay to wait another year. Not when you can still get something accomplished this year. Now, if you are on course, pat yourself on the back and keep it going. 

Whichever your situation, we are only approaching May and many things can be done from this point out.  Balance is key and whatever your goal is for this year, you can plan on celebrating your success come New Year's Eve!

Need help with getting there? Share what you plan on accomplishing by the end of the year. You will be amazed with yourself when you reach your goal. 

Fun with Grace and Elegance

You can truly gauge how fun your exercise routine is when you are asked to share it with a group of little and not-so-little girls. Grace and Elegance is a local group that instills many basic fundamentals in the development of lovely young ladies.  Part of their mission statement is to empower young women with a purpose to succeed and overcome odds.

 

Eating healthy and exercising is also a part of the guidance from the volunteer leaders of this group. 

We had fun! Talk about the energy level being high! I truly enjoyed their enthusiasm for learning. Of course, I had to bring in the balloon game. Can’t be around a group of kids without playing with balloons.  We talked about good foods and bad.  Then, they were so very anxious to do Zumba.

When we got started with Zumba, their faces lit up and we had a party. You would have thought that they would have tired me out.  Funny thing, they were so cute, they raised their hands and asked for a break…LOL!

I had to share.  Our children are wonderful and it is worth all of our efforts to continue to work together to help guide them into becoming healthy, beautiful and smart women (and men). 

Life with a Goiter - Part 2

Many thoughts went through my mind. Such as, "gray" areas, well there are many shades of gray, right? What impact will this have on me? Should they just go ahead and remove the whole thyroid gland? Who knows what else may be wrong? Better to be safe than sorry later. Does this "gray" mean a higher chance of cancer? What if my voice changes?

First surgery - Removed left nodule. 

The most important thing was to just take it day by day and prepare for surgery. They wouldn't have any concrete information until they went in and removed the left side. I have to admit, I did wonder just how long did this questionable area exist.  Apparently, ultrasounds and blood work are not the only things that should be used to monitor situations like this. Who knew?

So, my family and I had our "let's talk about the surgery" meeting with my doctor.  She shared with me that they'll remove the left side, send it off for testing and how she really didn't feel there would be any concern with removing just the one side. She favored for me keeping the right side and that I wouldn't have to worry about taking thyroid medication the rest of my life. 

Inside I felt that maybe it would be best that they removed the whole thing. Might as well, there was just too much uncertainty.  Before I knew what happened, my mouth opened and those exact words came out. She felt why remove it if there's no need. At least let us be sure. Then, I asked how long does it take to get the results? UGH!!! I was told the results were not immediate. Which we discussed that there would have to be a second surgery, if the results were positive for cancer. 

She and I went back and forth. She favored keeping the right in and I favored taking the whole thyroid out. Don't get me wrong, I understood her view completely, but I just didn't see waiting to see and having another surgery.  My family and I discussed and we all agreed to just remove the one side.

The surgery went well. It was interesting not being able to talk. Not to say I talk a great deal...LOL. The goiter was a pretty nice size. I failed to mention that it was interferring with my esophagus.  My doctor had informed me that it was starting to expand down into my chest. That explained a lot of the coughing and always clearing my throat.

It was now time to wait and wait and wait. That part was the most difficult part. A few days before I could resume my regular activities, I received a call from the doctor's office. She wanted to see me as soon as possible. As you may have guessed I was starting to not like seeing her office number come up on my phone. I just broke down and cried. I just knew it wasn't good. 

I went to the office with my family. I wanted them with me. My mom was caring for my grandmother, otherwise I would have had her there too. We all sat down and she let us know that I have thyroid cancer. Damn! You hear cancer and your heart truly sinks. 

The second surgery was scheduled...(Part 3 to come).

Are You Getting Ready for 2014?

As we wind down this last week of October, I began thinking that this is the time of year where so many people decide that if they haven't achieved their fitness goals, no need to start now. It is during this time when we start to think about holiday parties and family gatherings. With these gatherings come food, food and more food. Who is thinking about sticking to a healthy lifestyle? What's done is done. If you haven't reached that goal, there's always next year.

My question is WHY WAIT? Why wait to get started? Why take a break if you have been disciplined enough to make it this far? Why let this time of year tempt you into thinking that you should let your healthy lifestyle fall by the waist side? I hope it's not due to the thinking that you'll just start over next year - 2014! 

This is the time of year when you should maintain your "healthy lifestyle" right? Since, when does a lifestyle take a break? I'm sure no one ever decides that they will take a break from bathing, a break from the hairdresser/barber, a break from living? This is when you end the year with just as much force as you did in the beginning, when you set your goal for the year. A year is 12 months, so who are you cheating if you slack off? YOURSELF that's who.

During this time, review where you currently are and set your year-end course to either completing your initial goal of 2013 or getting as close to reaching it as possible. Don't cheat yourself or the healthy lifestyle that you have been living or started living.

 

End this year with a tremendous feeling of accomplishment!  That way, when December 31, 2013 - New Year's Eve - comes around, you will be celebrating your success!!!

 

Feel free to share how you will remain on course to a better and healthier you the rest of the year.

My 2-Cents On...Sitting

I know life happens.  We grow up, we have jobs, careers, families, etc…. Those who have jobs that consist of sitting, have a far greater challenge in becoming very relaxed (pun intended) about their bodies. Think about it. For most, having an office job, your routine may be similar to this – leave home, sit in the car (or bus) to work, sit in a chair for the day at work, sit in the car (or bus) on the way home, sit to eat dinner (when you can if you have little ones), sit and watch TV then lay down for bed. 

That’s a great deal of sitting.  Just how many hours a day does one actually sit with a routine like that?

It’s easy to become adjusted to that routine. Oh, and then on the weekends! If you are socializing, or running around with family, I'm willing to guess that your mind isn’t on eating right.  Or, on the numbers of beers or glasses of wine you may be consuming. And, yes, you're sitting doing those things too.

Take into consideration that over a long period of time, years for most, while your routine has become second nature to you, your body has become the major item of value that you have neglected. Of course there were signs.  Discovering that those jeans you favored so much have gotten extremely tight.  Or shopping and finding out that your clothing size has increased.

 

Take a moment to look at this IDEA fitnographic (click here). Images can do so much more than words.   

 

As stated in the fitnographic, the longer you sit, the higher your risk of certain types of cancer. So, when you "sit" down and think about your routine and how much sitting you do, I hope that you come to the conclusion that it's worth so much more to your valuable body to have it up and moving, rather than "sitting" around.

 

That is my 2-cents on sitting.

 

 

 

In the Moment...Reflecting.

I had a nice amount of "moments" today.  Some may think of them as "Aha" moments, which is fine too.  One such moment came as I was catching up on my DVR recordings of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday.  This episode was with India.Aire.  If you can, take the time and watch.  

It was stated, "You are responsible for your life. Don't wait until you get to the end of your life before you figure it out."

It's like that very statement was told to me many, many years ago.  Not that I'm old or anything, but I realized that I was responsible for my life in 9th grade. But, that realization was more than just typical high school stuff.  It was the very essence of me. 

I reflected today on how I have been following such a powerful and obvious statement for quite some time.  Up to this very day, it's embedded in me like second nature.  I know it's hard for many of us, I speak at women, nothing against the men.  We place so much on our shoulders and tend to nurture everyone else but ourselves.  Why do we let ourselves be last? 

Even on airplanes during the safety instructions before the plane takes off, they instruct us to place the oxygen mask first onto ourselves and then to small children.  Why? Because, we will be no good to our child if we pass out first. Right?

So, why do we not take care of ourselves first?  Why is it that we have to wait until we're approaching the end of life to get it together?  

I'm one to admit, that I've been through a great deal of "challenges" and had found myself slipping into the irresponsible me - that me where I was letting myself go.  The me that I knew  from high school that I better not become.  How would I be a good role model for my own child if I was being irresponsible with my most precious asset - ME?!