Friday, May 15, 2015

New Battle Cry

So I have decided my mantra or battle cry which ever you prefer is "I Will"

I am also in the process of building a new web page - stand by in the coming weeks.

Ready

I Will
- move forward
-be more than a cancer survivor
-be strong
-more than I am today


Let me know what you will be.....


I WILL FIGHT FOR ME



Monday, April 27, 2015

I got the email I wanted

I got the email address I wanted iwillfight4me@gmail.com very exciting.  I started the company which is very exciting for me!

Feeding my soul with my dream of putting cancer survivors in the pool. The stronger we are the better we can deal with treatment.


I WILL FIGHT FOR ME

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Happy Spring everyone!

My new goal I told you about last time is coming along. The goal is still to help cancer survivors and patients get stronger.  I believe if you feel strong it is easier to deal with treatment and the after affects. I understand all to well the after affects hang around a long time.  I am happy to report I have passed my exams to be an Aqua Fit instructor.  Yes high five for sure :) Classes to start soon.

I have added to my goal too, because not everyone likes the water or they are not strong enough yet. So I have added Urban Walking poles (Nordic walking) to the list and I also passed my certification for it. Urban poling is great for Breast Cancer survivors and Lymphadema suffers.  You can go at your own speed and get huge benefits out of it.  That could be as simple as just a slow walk in the sun. THAT can/is a powerful moment and every little bit helps in getting stronger.  Then for fun I have added Nutritional Therapist to my list.  

I think I want to call my company the same as my blog I WILL FIGHT FOR ME. Let me know what you think. My medical team is on board and fingers crossed I will be accepting clients shortly. 

Love moving forward!

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME


Sunday, January 4, 2015

What's Next

Last year as I finished chemo treatment one of the strangest feelings is; you just finished and you are standing in the parking lot and thinking now what.  

You are not cancer free what do you do next? Know one really knows at this point,  I found it ever strange a kind of limbo.  You are weak and your brain is sort of scrambled by chemicals "what do you do".

Well I knew I wanted to get stronger, I had tried to do that during treatment and totally did it before surgery but now I had to start over.  I know I have mentioned this before but couldn't find many places willing to accept me, so I have decided to try and fix that.

I have started on a new goal, I want to put cancer survivors in the pool as a means to get stronger.  What does that mean; well I have spent the last couple of months in several courses in which I am becoming a certified AquaFit instructor with a special focus on survivors.  All my instructors have been super supportive and my medical team are a 100% on board too. They are even going to refer patients - how cool is that.

Next week is the big exam weekend and practical testing.  While I still wait on more surgery I WILL not put my life on hold and I WILL not let cancer win.

So wish me luck next weekend and fingers crossed I will have classes set up by summer for new survivors to get stronger! 

Yes I will keep you posted MUCH LOVE to you all.xoxoxo

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME

Great Way to End the Year

2014 I had the honour of speaking on behalf of the Alberta Cancer Foundation.  As a cancer survivor and a rider in the "Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer" and had several opportunities to speak.   This was amazing.

Here is the video clip from the last event, last week of the year and the best way to end the year. 



A very special thanks for the Alberta Cancer Foundation for giving me this - it is truly amazing to be 1 of the voices with cancer.

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME


Friday, June 27, 2014

Scary But True

Well I haven't written in a while, partly not sure what to write about and partly I was trying to leave cancer behind.

If you are a survivor you know you can't do that. Cancer was and is a part of who I am, but not just who I am. To ignore it or pretend it didn't happen gives it far to much power.

All survivors watch themselves with a strange almost obsessive concern over every change, dump, lump, or growth.  And I am no different.  Two months ago we (me and my doctor) found a new lump just on the right of my knee.  Normally won't have given a second glance.  But because my lymph nodes are a concern (already removed from my armpit) and if you didn't know we have allot of lymph nodes behind our knees.  Yes, so went for ultra sound and x-ray, and it was confirmed new tumor/growth but still didn't know what it was. So I waited for an MRI which I had last week. 

As I wait, every possible worst case goes though my head. The worst case it is metastatic cancer and I might lose my leg. I spent most of my energy trying to stay in the moment and positive.  It was a very emotional time for me and very draining.  Did silly things like I stopped making plans. Yes silly cause no matter what you must keep moving forward.  So before the doctor appointments, where I was going to get my test results.  I went to the gym and with the help of Mike of Back and Body Health and Crash Conditioning did a massive workout.  I decided to drive out all the negative energy as much as possible, because no matter what I was ready for a fight.  I get rattled and pushed around for a while and then I get my back up and dig in my heels.  I was so stiff and sore a couple of hours after but didn't care it actually made me smile.

Yes I got my results and there by the grace of God is it not metastatic cancer still a growth. I will find out next month if we should take it out or leave it where it is.  But the big news NOT Cancer. Very cool to read a report the says no evidence of metastases.   Both me and my doctor were and are very happy. She still had me see the shrink after, my doctor is a very smart amazing person. 

So I move forward and continue to fight for me. Everyday my goal is to be better than I was yesterday. With the support of some very amazing people I already know today I am better than I was yesterday. 

That support group is the biggest part of me and my success.  Everyday I thank God for them.  I would not be here with out them.

Only advice I can give, is to surround yourselves with people who believe in you and let the rest go.  To be successful or to survive you will eventually.  Yes a difficult and some of the scariest stuff I have done but there is no shame and believing in yourself. 

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME.



Wednesday, February 26, 2014

What a Month

Well February is just about done and I have to say it has been an incredible month.  Starting with World Cancer Day, in which I ended up going two T.V. interviews, two newspapers and one radio station.  And the article in Canadian Cycling I got to be a part of came out.  People were just lovely and very supportive! Huge thanks to the Alberta Cancer Foundation who have given me a place and a voice.

People ask me all the time why do I talk about Cancer, and the biggest reason for me is that I truly believe if you talk about what scares you, by the end of the conversation you are a little less afraid.  

Today I received the best possible compliment - one of my doctors asked me if I would be willing to speak to one of his patients.  He thinks she doesn't have anyone to talk to.  We all learn that Cancer scares people big time.  Some of us will lose friends because fear affects people in different ways.  I said it for be my honour to help if I can. I have had the honour and privilege to have a group of friends who have been outstanding.   And in that group I have small group who see the whole ugly side of what I have had to deal with. There support has meant the world to me.  

So if you have someone in your life that is dealing with cancer: just so you know, yes they are afraid, let them know it is okay to be scared. But the best thing about talking about it, is just that, talking about it. When you bring things into the light they are less scary. The worst thing that could happen they talk about stuff that scares you OR the best thing that could happen is your friend is a little less afraid tonight and sleeps a little better.

I WILL FIGHT FOR ME!