"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen."
Ernest Hemingway
I try to truly listen to anyone who comes to me with their problems or concerns. Currently, I attribute this the fact that when I get anxious about my cancer, I want others to just listen. I don't want advice, I just want to be heard.
I feel that in this busy world, truly listening is one of the best ways to let someone know I care about them. It is also shows others how important they are to me.
It really is a challenge to mindfully listen to another person, even though it seems like a simple, effortless task.
When I listen to others, I try to step away from all internal and external distractions, and concentrate on the other person's voice. Unfortunately, in the era of texting and e-mails, where you can scroll down to relevant information, listening requires your attention to get to the main point.
The next time someone you care about speaks, I challenge all of you to not only hear the words, but also process their meaning. Don't be afraid of the silences, those pauses give both of you a chance to organize your thoughts and feelings into a caring response.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Gratitude
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity."
Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go
As part of my New Year's resolution, I am trying to make gratitude a part of my daily life. I am trying not to be so distracted with my health problems that I'm not appreciative of what I do have. I'm also trying to stop complaining about what I don't have. Instead I am establishing an "all-in" gratitude ritual.
This blog is part of that gratitude ritual to reflex on how many blessings I have, like my three sister, my two healthy children, my loving husband and multi-levels of friends.
I've also started to journal daily, which has begun to produce many benefits. I feel happier when I get the opportunity to thank others who have done minor or major services for me. Just this simple act of being grateful has made me feel less depressed about my cancer because I know people care. I've also noticed that when you are grateful to others they smile and get a change to play it forward with others. I also feel healthier and want to take better care of myself. Did you know that studies have shown that just saying hello to strangers improves kidney function (results of a study conducted by Robert Emmons, a professor of pschology at the University of California).
I hope you enjoyed this blog and that you begin to be grateful for the meaning and importance of people and events in your lives
Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go
As part of my New Year's resolution, I am trying to make gratitude a part of my daily life. I am trying not to be so distracted with my health problems that I'm not appreciative of what I do have. I'm also trying to stop complaining about what I don't have. Instead I am establishing an "all-in" gratitude ritual.
This blog is part of that gratitude ritual to reflex on how many blessings I have, like my three sister, my two healthy children, my loving husband and multi-levels of friends.
I've also started to journal daily, which has begun to produce many benefits. I feel happier when I get the opportunity to thank others who have done minor or major services for me. Just this simple act of being grateful has made me feel less depressed about my cancer because I know people care. I've also noticed that when you are grateful to others they smile and get a change to play it forward with others. I also feel healthier and want to take better care of myself. Did you know that studies have shown that just saying hello to strangers improves kidney function (results of a study conducted by Robert Emmons, a professor of pschology at the University of California).
I hope you enjoyed this blog and that you begin to be grateful for the meaning and importance of people and events in your lives
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Physical Activities
"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." John Rohn
Prior to my breast cancer diagnosis I was very physically active. I would walk a minimum of one and a half miles a day and attend several physical training classes a few times a week. Since my diagnosis I have trouble walking around the grocery store or just doing general housekeeping chores. Part of this is a result of my breast cancer metastasizing into my bones. Two and a half years ago the cancer ate through my femur bone in my right upper leg. I was rushed into surgery and had my femur bone removed. They replaced the bone with a metal rod and a lot of nuts and bolts. The result of this injury left my right leg two inches shorter than my left leg.
After months and months of rehabilitation and having a lift placed in my shoe (no more open back shoes), I have been able to walk short distances.
Currently, I am attempting to try to return to more physical activities. My biggest obstacle is I am still uncoordinated in my movements coupled with my clumsiness, makes for an uphill battle.
While I was in the hospital receiving physical therapy, my therapist suggested a program called "Livestrong". The program is free and designed to allow low impact excerize, with individual programs for each client. It is a wonderful program and and I would recommend it to any cancer patient. If you want more information on the program, contact your local YMCA to determine availablity in your area.
This program has taught me to believe that general physical wellness, can be obtained , no matter what state you are in phsically. The low impact classes that I take at the YMCA also improved my emotional and spiritual wellness. (Please refer to your physician before starting any exercize program.)
In closing, here's to better health, hope and courage to finding your new "normal" in physical activites.
Prior to my breast cancer diagnosis I was very physically active. I would walk a minimum of one and a half miles a day and attend several physical training classes a few times a week. Since my diagnosis I have trouble walking around the grocery store or just doing general housekeeping chores. Part of this is a result of my breast cancer metastasizing into my bones. Two and a half years ago the cancer ate through my femur bone in my right upper leg. I was rushed into surgery and had my femur bone removed. They replaced the bone with a metal rod and a lot of nuts and bolts. The result of this injury left my right leg two inches shorter than my left leg.
After months and months of rehabilitation and having a lift placed in my shoe (no more open back shoes), I have been able to walk short distances.
Currently, I am attempting to try to return to more physical activities. My biggest obstacle is I am still uncoordinated in my movements coupled with my clumsiness, makes for an uphill battle.
While I was in the hospital receiving physical therapy, my therapist suggested a program called "Livestrong". The program is free and designed to allow low impact excerize, with individual programs for each client. It is a wonderful program and and I would recommend it to any cancer patient. If you want more information on the program, contact your local YMCA to determine availablity in your area.
This program has taught me to believe that general physical wellness, can be obtained , no matter what state you are in phsically. The low impact classes that I take at the YMCA also improved my emotional and spiritual wellness. (Please refer to your physician before starting any exercize program.)
In closing, here's to better health, hope and courage to finding your new "normal" in physical activites.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
"Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers once reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance." Yoko Ono
After the thirty plus inches of snow here in New England, I can personally see how you need to stay steadfast and persevere. Only 51 days till Spring!
Speaking of spring, I am beginning to bring out my bulbs that I have been forcing inside and thought I would blog about how to grow buibs inside.
Growing bulbs indoors lets you enjoy the color and fragrance of spring when it's months way. The key to sucess with indoor forced bulbs is to plan ahead! Many people do not know how to force bulbs indoor or that there are two types of bulbs for inside growing. The first is the ones you need to chill and the others are those you don't chill. The non-chilling ones are the easiest to force. The non-chill bulbs are native to warm climates, so don't need a chilling period to force inside. The bulbs that are in this category are:
Amaryllis (bulbs 6-8 weeks after planting), Paperwhites (blooms 3-5 weeks after planting). Both can be brought at a local gardening center or on-line at a site like www.gurney.com.
Bulbs requiring chilling are:
Tulips ( chill 14-20 weeks to bloom) , large flowering Crocus ( chill 15 weeks to bloom), Hyacinthis (chill 11-14 weeks to bloom).
Chilling spring bulbs are stimulated by a biochemical response inside the bulb that "turns on" the embroyonic flower. Plant the bulbs in pots with soil and keep in an area of 35-45 degrees ( cold frame, unheated basement or garage) for the entire cooling period. Keep soil moist, but not wet for the entire chilling period. To flower in January plant in September, for February blooms plant in mid-October and for March blooms plant in early November. As I said earlier, forcing bulbs requires advance planning!
It maybe too late to force bulbs today, but you can mark your fall calander for next year. As part of my cancer care, this advanced planning gives me incentive to care for myself by making my doctor appointments, eating well and keeping my spirits high. I want to be here next year to see my bulbs bloom! Please do the same for yourself and loved ones.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers once reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance." Yoko Ono
After the thirty plus inches of snow here in New England, I can personally see how you need to stay steadfast and persevere. Only 51 days till Spring!
Speaking of spring, I am beginning to bring out my bulbs that I have been forcing inside and thought I would blog about how to grow buibs inside.
Growing bulbs indoors lets you enjoy the color and fragrance of spring when it's months way. The key to sucess with indoor forced bulbs is to plan ahead! Many people do not know how to force bulbs indoor or that there are two types of bulbs for inside growing. The first is the ones you need to chill and the others are those you don't chill. The non-chilling ones are the easiest to force. The non-chill bulbs are native to warm climates, so don't need a chilling period to force inside. The bulbs that are in this category are:
Amaryllis (bulbs 6-8 weeks after planting), Paperwhites (blooms 3-5 weeks after planting). Both can be brought at a local gardening center or on-line at a site like www.gurney.com.
Bulbs requiring chilling are:
Tulips ( chill 14-20 weeks to bloom) , large flowering Crocus ( chill 15 weeks to bloom), Hyacinthis (chill 11-14 weeks to bloom).
Chilling spring bulbs are stimulated by a biochemical response inside the bulb that "turns on" the embroyonic flower. Plant the bulbs in pots with soil and keep in an area of 35-45 degrees ( cold frame, unheated basement or garage) for the entire cooling period. Keep soil moist, but not wet for the entire chilling period. To flower in January plant in September, for February blooms plant in mid-October and for March blooms plant in early November. As I said earlier, forcing bulbs requires advance planning!
It maybe too late to force bulbs today, but you can mark your fall calander for next year. As part of my cancer care, this advanced planning gives me incentive to care for myself by making my doctor appointments, eating well and keeping my spirits high. I want to be here next year to see my bulbs bloom! Please do the same for yourself and loved ones.
It' the time of the season
"Don't keep allowing the same things to upset you. Life is to short to live that way. Every day is a GIFT." Joel Olseen
Happy tuesday! Here in New England we are experiencing the Blizzard of 2015, which gives me a good time to reflect.
One benefit I discovered from having cancer is every day is a gift and every moment is truly a gift if you allow it to be. I've also learned that when I couldn't "do", God was just pleased with me "being". This reminds me to stay grateful and focused on what is truly important. I believe this is even more important to remind myself when you are dealing with a devil like cancer,
When I was first diagnoised with cancer in December, 2011, I remember crying for 10 minutes and then it was over. I told myself to focus, pull myself together and begin to fight. So I did, not giving up on myself.
I'm currently doing better and some of the time I can forget I have stage four cancer, although in the back of my mind, I can't help wondering what and where my cancer is doing in my body. This is when I take time out of my day to just meditate and relax.
Let it snow, let snow, let it snow!
Happy tuesday! Here in New England we are experiencing the Blizzard of 2015, which gives me a good time to reflect.
One benefit I discovered from having cancer is every day is a gift and every moment is truly a gift if you allow it to be. I've also learned that when I couldn't "do", God was just pleased with me "being". This reminds me to stay grateful and focused on what is truly important. I believe this is even more important to remind myself when you are dealing with a devil like cancer,
When I was first diagnoised with cancer in December, 2011, I remember crying for 10 minutes and then it was over. I told myself to focus, pull myself together and begin to fight. So I did, not giving up on myself.
I'm currently doing better and some of the time I can forget I have stage four cancer, although in the back of my mind, I can't help wondering what and where my cancer is doing in my body. This is when I take time out of my day to just meditate and relax.
Let it snow, let snow, let it snow!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Lip spa treatment
"Learn to be alone and LIKE IT. There is nothing more freeing and empowering than learning to like your own company." Mandy Hale
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Today is the first major snow storm in the New England area. A good day to stay home and give yourself a little TLC. Yesterday I launched this blog with intend to put a pretty face on cancer, which I presently am fighting. I decided to begin my journey in this blog by dealing with the parched and cracked, as old shoe leather, lips that resulted from my cancer meds and treatments. (The cold weather doesn't help either!) Our lips don't have oil glands to keep them soft and moist so moisturizing our lips is essential.
I am devoting myself to softer lips and commit to giving them tender living care year round. I am marking my calander weekly, with a big red kiss, to remind me to give myself a lip spa. I suggest you do the same!
I begin with a exfoliant treatment and finish with a conditioning/moisturizing treatment.
EXFOLIANTING TREATMENT
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar mixed with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Spread over lips, massage in circular motion for 45 seconds. Clean off with warm moist cloth. Repeat if necessary.
CONTITIONING/MOISTURIZING TREATMENT
1 teaspoon of coconut oil mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey . Add the liquid oil from a vitiman E capule that has been punctured. The vitiam E promotes cellular renewal. Apply to lips.
OTHER TIPS TO IMPROVE LIPS
* Mostures lips from the inside out by drinking 8- 8 oz glasses of water a day. While this won't prevent dryness, it will keep lips from getting worse.
* Use dark creamy lipstick with SPF-20.
* Run a humidifer in your bedroom while you sleep to prevent chapped lips.
* Eat food rich in vitamin B such as whole grains, nuts and green vegatables.
* Avoid licking lips. Saliva contains digestive enzymes that dry out lips.
Hope you enjoy this blog and lip treatment. DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON
prettyinpink057.blogspot.com Tuesday through Saturday.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Today is the first major snow storm in the New England area. A good day to stay home and give yourself a little TLC. Yesterday I launched this blog with intend to put a pretty face on cancer, which I presently am fighting. I decided to begin my journey in this blog by dealing with the parched and cracked, as old shoe leather, lips that resulted from my cancer meds and treatments. (The cold weather doesn't help either!) Our lips don't have oil glands to keep them soft and moist so moisturizing our lips is essential.
I am devoting myself to softer lips and commit to giving them tender living care year round. I am marking my calander weekly, with a big red kiss, to remind me to give myself a lip spa. I suggest you do the same!
I begin with a exfoliant treatment and finish with a conditioning/moisturizing treatment.
EXFOLIANTING TREATMENT
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar mixed with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Spread over lips, massage in circular motion for 45 seconds. Clean off with warm moist cloth. Repeat if necessary.
CONTITIONING/MOISTURIZING TREATMENT
1 teaspoon of coconut oil mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey . Add the liquid oil from a vitiman E capule that has been punctured. The vitiam E promotes cellular renewal. Apply to lips.
OTHER TIPS TO IMPROVE LIPS
* Mostures lips from the inside out by drinking 8- 8 oz glasses of water a day. While this won't prevent dryness, it will keep lips from getting worse.
* Use dark creamy lipstick with SPF-20.
* Run a humidifer in your bedroom while you sleep to prevent chapped lips.
* Eat food rich in vitamin B such as whole grains, nuts and green vegatables.
* Avoid licking lips. Saliva contains digestive enzymes that dry out lips.
Hope you enjoy this blog and lip treatment. DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON
prettyinpink057.blogspot.com Tuesday through Saturday.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Good Morning! I would like to introduce you to my new blog and welcome you to a journey that I am personally involved in. That journey began three years ago when I was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Although this is a very frightening subject, I hope to encourage others with cancer , to explore the possibilities of enjoying a better life. Each day I hope to bring fun and beauty to those who are suffering with the disease. I also hope to give strength to those who are emotionally involved with another love ones journey through cancer illness. Please feel free to express in this blog any thoughts, feelings or questions you may have. My hope is that we can all work to give this disease a prettier face! Again, welcome and hope you enjoy the journey through this blog.
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