Back in the Land of the Living

Okay, I'll agree that the title is a bit dramatic!  But it's been over three weeks since I posted.  And only now do I have enough energy to post again!  Due to some complications following my kidney surgery, I found myself back in the hospital for another five days.  But I'm home now.  Recovering slowly, but each day is better than the day before.   And isn't that what progress is all about??

So today, I'm committed to sit less, work more muscles, get my head back into the real world, and start feeling like my old self. 

Have you visited the Decorah Eagles' site?  I've watched these guys since shortly after they hatched and I'm amazed at how quickly they've grown.  They are starting to exercise their wings and it won't be long before they test drive 'em.  To think they used to be fuzzy little balls protected by mom and dad!

Have you ever given thought to past lives, whether our souls return for another go-round in this life?  Maybe it's to fix something that went wrong in a previous life, or whether it's to aid something or someone in this life.  I just like the idea of returning souls that help us to grow.  That's pretty much part of the the whole "angel" thing with me.  But on to my point.  From the time my #2 grandson was weeks old, I would tell my daughter that he was a bird in a past life.  He was always so calmed when he would watch the trees outside his bedroom window. 

During our trip to the Nature Center in January

On Mother's Day, during a very dramatic wood sliver removal from his foot (tears and wailing aplenty), he would interrupt the wailing when he spotted a bird.  "Waahhhhh, robin, waahhhhh, cardinal..."  Hysterical!!!!

Photography by Christine Buti

And just this week, Mommy and Daddy were wakened by "screeching" coming from Cormick's room.  Clearly a playful screech.  When they finally checked it out, they found that he had built an eagle's nest in his top bunk using one of his blankets, used some books (flaps opened up to simulate wings) to create his little eaglets, and was screeching for the other parent bird to bring food!  Yes, he learned this from the Decorah Eagle site.  The kid is all about birds!!

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

I've got a blessed life.  I know we all have our trials to deal with.  I think I do a pretty good job of getting thru those.  But those trials are nothing compared to the joy in my life.  Yes, it's good to be back!! 

What's YOUR Neighborhood Like??

Have you ever gone back to the town where you grew up after being away for a few years, and notice the things that have changed?  "Oh, the gas station on the corner closed up!"  or "What happened to Murphy's Tavern?  It's now a pool hall??" or "Whoa, they built a new post office??"  You knew that town.  You explored the streets when you were a teen, hangin' with your friends.  It was familiar to you.

Are you that familiar with your breasts??  (enter sound effects of car screeching to a halt).  WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?????  Okay, stay with me for a minute.  This is one time I don't digress!!

You see, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  And a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I decided that I would be a bit of a nagging angel to my friends and family when it came to getting their mammograms.  I try to send something out each year reminding them to go for their mammogram.  But monthly breast self exams (BSE's) are important, too.  BSE's allow you to learn the terrain of your breasts.  You learn what's not right when you exam them once a month. 

It's true not all breast cancer can be felt.  Especially when it's early.  I was one who would not have felt the cancer had I been doing a monthly BSE (which I wasn't).  But since going thru the surgery and radiation, I've taken a class on what to look/feel for.  I have learned the terrain, scar tissue and all.  I know my neighborhood. 

So, I'm here to nag you into

1) schedule your mammogram,

2) learn how to do a breast self-exam, and

3) learn your neighborhood. 

Don't wait til you're in your 40's or 50's.  Do it now.  Do it for your family.  Do it for you. 

A Decade in Review

I was chatting with my girlfriend on Sunday, talking about the crazy medical issues that have hit our families in the last two weeks.  We both mentioned that, due to the rocky start, we either want 2010 to be over or maybe just start February now...fresh start. 

It made me think about all the things that have happened in my life during the "aughts".  To wrap it up in a neat little package, let's just say that I come out of this decade with bones repaired, bones removed,

a bachelor's degree

a couple new family members

(my son-in-law

and my #2 grandson),

the opportunity to call myself a two-time cancer survivor,

additional nieces and nephews by way of marriage,

   

 a job lost,

a job gained,

weight lost, weight gained, much more serenity than I had going into the decade and gratitude for each and every day of my life.  All in all, a good decade.  Of course, I choose to focus on the positive.  Focusing on the negative only accentuates the negative.  To what end, I ask??  I'm 10 years older than I was at the beginning of that decade.  That's 10 years more of experience and wisdom.  I'll take it!!!

I really do have a good life.  Looking forward to seeing how good it gets in February!! 

Time for a Little Squeeze???

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  No doubt you've seen plenty of pink ribbons in print advertising this month.  Followers of my blog and friends and family already know I am a two-time cancer survivor.  Next month, I celebrate my 1st anniversary of completing my radiation.  Do you remember what it felt like when you graduated from 8th grade or from high school?  That's kinda what it feels like when you "graduate" from radiation therapy.  I got pretty emotional on my last day (Of course I did...I cry at birthday parties).  Hell, I get emotional thinking about it now.  The whole radiation experience was one of those life things that I felt compelled to document with photos, partly to get past the pity parties I occasionally went through.  Haven't scrapped it yet, but when I do, I'll post it on another blog that I'll start eventually.

But I digress...

So, usually my birth month (June) is a signal for me to take care of my health issues, like my annual visit to the doc for my meds, making sure I take care of any annual tests that are needed for someone, mmmmm, over 50, let's say.  Don't ask me why I do it then...so many people do it at the beginning or end of the year. 

But I digress...

After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I vowed that I would send an annual reminder message to all my friends and family to make sure they set up their appointments for their mammograms.  I didn't do that this June (although I mentioned it in an August post about the Relay for Life).  Other health issues took the front seat.  So before I digress again, I'm just going to come out with it.  Have you scheduled your mammo for the year, or have you asked your wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother if they have??  This is important...VERY important. 

You'll note I didn't mention chemo in my treatment.  I feel (this could very well be simplistic thinking) that I didn't need chemo because I caught my BC early enough.  And I strongly believe that's because I go for my annual mammogram.  Whether or not it's true, what matters is that I have been given an opportunity to pester the hell out of those I care about to make sure they get in for their mammograms.  So here I am, pestering you.  Yes, I'm grateful that you visit my blog.  I'm very grateful when you leave comments.  So allow me to be grateful to celebrate your health.  If you haven't already done so, please schedule this year's mammogram. 

Oh, and one more thing...don't forget your BSE!!  It's best to do that on a set day each month.  Pick a day... The first of the month, the first Monday, the first paycheck.  Just pick a day.  What's that???  You don't know what a BSE is??  It's something every woman should know!!  It stands for Breast Self Exam. 

Do your loved ones a favor.  Do yourself a favor.  Get 'em squeezed!!!

Relay for Life

Our local Relay for Life was held on Friday, July 31. Due to some recent surgery, I was only able to walk two laps. But what an emotional two laps it was. My nephew was part of the color guard. One of my coworkers sang the National Anthem like I've never heard sung before. My brother in law (with the scouts) made sure he kept his eye on me to make sure I didn't fall on my face (thanks, Joe). My sister in the stands cheering on the survivors. And the love of my life, walking with me for the 2nd lap, the caregiver lap. I wish I could explain what comes over me when I talk about beating cancer. I know there are so many people who are much more eloquent, who draw deep into their emotions and put words to that. I feel I come up short. But I will tell you this. I have beaten cancer twice. I have been incredibly lucky to have caught it early enough both times that I didn't need chemo. And I want to spread my luck. I would love to know that each woman reading this has gone for her mammogram this year, and each man has made sure the women in their life (mother, sister, wife) have gone for their mammograms. Because it's the annual mammogram that gives each of us a fighting chance to beat this ugly disease down!