Silver Anniversary

At 10.30 we will cross that 'threshold' metaphorically to our silver anniversary.

The years fly. I can barely remember this time 25 yrs ago.

The future was before us, a blank slate, waiting to be filled with shared dreams and adventures.A future that was filled with all the hope and promise two young twenty-somethings with the world at their feet could ever imagine.

When I think of all we have been through together, the brilliant and not so. Life has sometimes thrown us what we least expected but we survived by the grace of God..

Hard times can rock the boat , sink the love.We have certainly had our share of hard times...so the kayaks were a great gift - staying afloat through whatever came our way. We've endured many obstacles and and been through storms of infertility, loss of our daughter and both had cancer.

It's hard to believe that 25 years have gone by since we stood together and our marriage vows were first spoken...how did we get this old ?

I had the crop the ugly concrete out. The wedding album is somewhere.

 
We have survived owner building a home , living in a caravan (x 3), renovations and running our own business and working together for 19 years.We also suffered the loss of our daughter born still.

The strength to stay together in the face of these trials has truly been a gift from God; our faith has held us up tremendously.I give thanks to God.

There are no secrets I can share, no recipes for love , no magic formula for why our relationship has out lasted many others. I don’t think my hubby and I are any better at this spouse/husband/wife gig than others around us.

I can't begin to know or understand what other peoples reasons were, but I’ve no doubt they were good enough reasons. Sometimes there isn't even 'reason' enough. Not for a minute do I consider or judge couples that divorce; that didn’t try hard enough to make it work, or love each other enough, or any other 'enoughs'.

For many people divorce is not the first line of defense. It can happen sometimes when one person is least expecting it. I know that even when a marriage is suffering or plain bad , deciding to end it is painful.

Love is an act of the will, and can be expressed in various degrees. It isn't always truly, madly deeply.
I hope that we have a respite from the struggles and can pause a moment , to just reflect and recognize all that we do have and enjoy it simply for what it is, without thinking about what it is not.

I feel blessed to have found someone I can live with in relative happiness and who can say the same about me or perhaps we just put up with each other faults & all.

Really I wonder if we’ve just been lucky... meeting as we did on a blind date via the radio (pre internet).

I shouldn’t ever take for granted what I have and to always put an effort into showing my long suffering dear husband that I appreciate him. Like many others I can be difficult to live with sometimes...

9125 days

219,000 hours

hundreds of second chances !

 ♥

This is their story ~ Relay For Life

Once a year , all through the year , communities across Australia come together to walk (run and wheel) alongside carers, survivors and supporters - fun and friendship ensues.While there is a truly sad side , it also is a time of celebration.

The Cancer Council took to the track to ask our Relayers to explain in their words - What is Relay For Life?

This is their story and this is Relay For Life #ThisIsRelay

Whether you Relay to honour a loved one, to show how proud you are to have survived cancer or simply because you want to make a difference. Every Relay has a story.

I am sharing this because I am passionate about Relay for Life -



 ♥

A Scoby of Kefir Milk - What the ?

A friend from the local group of women (& kits) I run with offered me a Scoby of milk kefir.

I had heard of it but until this week I had no idea what it actually was, what it did or what it looked like. Kefir is a delicious probiotic beverage.

A Scoby is a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeasts !


It has opened up a whole new world to me ! 

I took her up on the offer Wednesday afternoon and I am hooked. She also shared some of her garden with me - raspberry and strawberry plants , peppermint and I have more offers of plants when my garden is ready. As she showed me around her garden and her chooks - I was most envious and ready to stick a cracker under my husband inspired to dig deep .

Now - I've joined the local Plants and Gardens Facebook group. More plant , garden and information sharing.

There is also so much to learn and the community of fermenters (not a bit like dementers) is so supportive. So what are kefir grains ?

Alex Lewin, ‘Kefir grains are combinations of yeasts and bacteria living on a substrate made up of a variety of dairy components.’ 

The live kefir grains look a bit like cottage cheese or cauliflower florets. They have a gelatinous in texture - mine was a soft blob. Don't be put off. 

credit - wki pedia.

 Milk kefir , rich in beneficial bacteria, contains phosphorus, vitamin K, biotin and folic acid - all essential nutrients to health and well-being.

The best site for information I have found - which has everything you need to know about fermenting and preserving is Cultures for Health - this is about Kefir


Another Facebook friend added me to this Australian group when I asked - PRESERVING, FERMENTING and HEALTHY EATING - Australia.


This was my first batch - last night.

 You can get Water kefir too - I didn't get any of this yet because it is much slower to grow.

My interest is the research (I admit I've only just started reading the literature ) that Cultured dairy foods potentially play a role in the prevention of cancer as they exhibit anti-tumoural effects.

Tell me have you heard of Kefir ?
Do you ferment or preserve food ?


  ♥

5:2 Baked Parmesan crust Chicken Schnitzel with no oil

I recently started the 5:2 lifestyle with 2 days of fasting* (loosely followed at the moment).

After, watching the full documentary Eat , Fast and Live Longer from Michael Mosley and the science made sense to me with my nursing background. It is also recommended for those who want to reduce their cancer risk.

You can forge your own 5:2 path with any type of healthy 'diet' - Paleo , Vegan / Vegetarian using this basic plan. Google it , there is so much to learn.

There are 5 days of week to eat normally (obviously not pigging out excessively if you want looser pants) and 2 days of only 500* calories (women) 600 (men).

I am also joining in with Kirsten and Co for #operationloosepants - be careful with the #hashtag though #operationlosepants sounds more fun.

Last week was #4 and I'm late to the party - the mission to get looser pants by Christmas.

I've been following my own #operationskinnyjeans path and already have weeks 1-3 nailed.

I am in perpetual motion - doing 70,000 steps a week running , walking and incidental exercise. Plus I've been following a 30 day (day 25/30)  challenge involving sit-ups, lunges, push-ups, planks, wall sits and tri-dips. I've passed 600,000 in only a few months.

Paddling training will also resume 3 days a week now it's daylight savings (if I make it to all sessions). 

As Kirsten says - it's all about little steps…that don’t lead me to the fridge

 I digress - Week Four:  Try A New Recipe = get in the kitchen and give a new recipe a go!

Without a drop of oil ...I made healthy Chicken Schnitzel with Parmesan crust

I used this 5:2 recipe found at Lavendar and Lovage - for inspiration -  around 300 calories a serve (about 2 pieces because I used tenderloins here).

I didn't have time to style my food because my husband thinks eating food is more important than instagramming or photographing it.

Serves 2

250 - 300gms Chicken Breast or Tenderloins
1 egg white lightly beaten.
2-3* Tablespoons Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
2-3* Tablespoons Dried Breadcrumbs (I used homemade with wholemeal bread toasted)

(I prefer more crumbs and to have some over then trying to get every last crumb)

1. Slightly flatten your chicken breast or tenderloins until they are an even thickness.
2. Lightly beat one egg white.
3. Rub breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese together - put them on a plate.
4. Dip the chicken schnitzels into egg white , then crumb mixture and coat evenly.
5. Place the onto a non-stock baking tray or onto baking paper (then bake in the oven until golden and cooked through (depending on thickness of chicken used) . I used my Actifry and they took 12mins.

I decided to use lightly beaten egg white to bind my breadcrumbs because the Actifry has a grooved base. I skipped the garlic and herbs this time because of my fussy lad.


Parmesan Crusted Chicken Schnitzel passed the particular husband test too !Served  with steamed vegies or grilled tomato - it was so delicious.

The ActiFry 2 in 1 made it so easy and it took 12 mins. I have used a similar recipe in my oven before. 

Today, I made a tasty chicken schnitzel, avocado and rocket sanga for lunch with leftovers.

Linking up to #IBOT and Essentially Jess

  ♥

What I think about Pink.

I celebrate the diversity of life and that we make up our own minds when we make a purchase.

It's Pinktober again.

I've come to dislike the plethora of pink merchandise  - commercialism of pink ribbon and breast cancer for profit.

I'm just over two years out from my Breast cancer and two days into October I've seen some bizarre campaigns to promote awareness or in the name of donating to research.

Several breast cancer bloggers I follow are disgusted about one hotel chain's plan to raise money and awareness for breast cancer - by promoting a woman in a provocative pose with their  “Get into Bed for the Cause” campaign offering guests luxurious pink sheets, pink robes ...

I am just as appalled.

Each year an increasing number of pink products are being pumped out and pimped with a pretty pink ribbon.

Breastless and bald doesn't make an advertising campaign. The all things pink and pink ribbon has been hijacked by some  unscrupulous and well meaning companies whose purpose is to boost sales, push products on the public because they will donate 10 cents to cancer research or awareness.

Yes, while contributing only a fraction of the profits they proceed to lure people into buying for a good cause - yet are you really donating to charity or to the cure ?

Make a bigger difference by donating directly to your Cancer charity of choice.


We're aware. Please find a cure for my friends diagnosed with 'terminal' secondary (breast and other) cancers that will ultimately cut short their life and give them grief and suffering trying to outlive the treatment.

Many were diagnosed early and it made no difference. The cure is what we need.

This is what breast cancer really looks like, not a woman in bed, legs in the air - adorned in a pink robe.

 I'm a survivor of life,  and all its challenges so far . I don't know if I will survive my two different cancers. I say I had Breast cancer , if someone wants to know and I'm a warrior not quite a survivor. I will live in it's shadows always.

My battle scars from the storms and wars I've weathered remind me every day. There is no avoiding it I feel even when my clothes cover the scars. 




  ♥

May 29 : Random Act of Kindness

Overwhelming kindness has been  filling my cup lately. Since my second cancer diagnosis , I have been blessed my many random and planned acts of kindness.


Week Five of radiation is almost completed ; time is flying by incredibly fast or not !

Wonderful things have filled my cup - not just gifts but also good conversations, a relaxing run in the park and being cheered on by spectators , a fabulous warm 'shrug' find at the Op shop thanks to the Volunteer and more !

• Denyse's friend , who lives locally - gifted us a massage - a well timed , incredible RAK for my husband too! She read my story which Denyse shared.

I want to share the beautiful wise words of Maya Angelou - who passed away today- she wanted all people to believe we had the power of change within us.


"My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness" ~ Maya Angelou

Blanket of care from a lovely friend and a cake !

A Warm Hug from another friend and she send me regular cards too

Box of sunshine

• Two cakes , one from my SIL and the other my friend who gave me the purple & pink blanket... they got gobbled before a photo.

• A lovely prize won with a huge stash of goodies.

Daily, I am astonished by the kind words, [mentions of] prayers, cards and messages , from friends and even acquaintances ;  there is no time for sadness when I feel cared for and comforted by bith friends and people who barely know me.

Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

Scott Adams (1957)
Creator Of Dilbert Comic Strip 

(credit )

It is never too late to make kindness a habit...{ignore the date below I just liked the list }

download it here

Though we have little practical family support at home , others have stepped up during a really difficult time for my family and I. Our church friends have provided two meals per week while I am away and I am so very grateful.

I posted five cards two weeks ago and it felt heartwarming as I posted them thinking about the recipients .

Hopefully, I've got a few RAKS up my sleeve too for some of my fellow lodge residents next week.

Have you felt the touch of kindness recently ?
Do you pay it forward ?

 ♥

I Touch Myself Project

I started to see news of this project featuring Chrissy Amphlett's “I Touch Myself” filtering through my Facebook feed last night.
It is too close to my heart. It stopped me in my tracks.

• Talking to strangers or people in my real life about my boobs or lack there of. I feel a bit creeped out weird about what I overshare ; things I wouldn't have dare previously said out loud  to people about in real life .

Right now I have a pain in heart and a tear in my eye. I'm living in fear.

As Chrissie rode out on a horse called Music , she left us this legacy (sorry Willie) when she passed away almost a year ago

Early detection is vital.
My friend the dear Mrs Woog is an ambassador for

I Touch Myself Project.

Go ahead and check it out , then check yourself I'll wait.

Not sure how ?

One of the reasons I am blogging about my breast cancer journey is to raise and spread awareness. I know that reminding people to check their breasts could save their life.



Right now - I have a tortuous and terrifying 8wks wait (for a PET SCAN to see if the nodules found recently on my lungs are something to worry about - related to Breast cancer (or my MPNST Sarcoma) or nothing. They are too small right now to biopsy . The fear is crippling me. I wouldn't wish it on anyone - so please take note and touch yourself.


Touching yourself is healthy habit that should be as much a part of your daily routine, like showering, dressing and looking in the mirror. 

You don't need to wait for a special day, check your breasts wherever and whenever works for you but do it regularly. A minimum of monthly is recommended.


I was always a little Breast Aware but even so I was slack and hap hazard about checking.
I wasn't aware of all the changes to look for ...it isn't just a lump.

Most breast changes aren’t due to cancer - but if you find a change that is unusual for you, see your GP to make sure.

I had 2-3 symptoms at diagnosis - though my breasts were always lumpy. I found this website which tell you what to look for

A new lump or lumpiness, especially if it's only in one breast. A change in the size or shape of your breast. A change to the nipple such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion. A nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing A change in the skin of your breast such as redness or dimpling. An unusual pain that doesn't go away.

I had 2-3 symptoms at diagnosis - pain, discharge on squeezing (because I had pain) and my breasts were always kind of lumpy. I did see my GP immediately, both times I had nipple discharge. May 2011 it wasn't breast cancer (that I know).

How do you reduce your risks ? 

How do you calculate your risk based on evidence ?
Calculator

 I didn't know that an inherited faulty gene only accounts for 5% of all breast cancers. Even then breast cancer is so common that it need not be a faulty inherited gene that causes BC within the same family.

I thought it couldn't happen to me , though I've had several mammograms and ultrasounds despite that misguided belief...just for reassurance.


So have you felt yourself today ...you can never be too busy !


 I'm sorry if this makes your uncomfortable !

Watch the video and share it with all the women (and men) you know.

Thanks to Allie's suggestion - yes there is an app for that .

a fun one - Your man reminder

http://www.ibreastcheck.com/  in App store and Android.

  ♥

Bracing myself for what comes next - update.

On Friday I noticed my left thigh seemed to be more swollen. I wondered if it could have been related to another trip to Sydney on Thursday. This time my husband drove so we could attend a funeral of my dear friend's mum - about 9-10hrs return. It got worse over the weekend despite massage.

I wish I'd thought to wrestle slip on my compression [running] pants. Today, I chased around trying to get an ultrasound since I'd self diagnosed a seroma (accumulated fluid) ,much easier to deal with compared to the alternative an infection/abscess or something else - though it was unlikely.

The GP couldn't get me an appointment at either of the two local imaging centres , so he said present to the hospital.

Thankfully, I had my iPad and 2048 and Sudoku to pass the waiting time. My mobile wifi refused to connect.

 I'm grateful I got the ultrasound because I would have cracked it I don't want anything to delay the start of the radiotherapy. My appointment with the Professor -Radiation Oncology is tomorrow to get that rolling.

As it was a seroma (and I was a private patient for my surgery in Sydney), the Dr rang my surgeon in Sydney, out of courtesy, for advice. I need to have the accumulated fluid [seroma] drained by a needle and syringe aspirated under guided ultrasound tomorrow at 9.45am, at the hospital.

It took a while to get everything sorted and then I was quite stressed because I had to be home to meet my boys at the school bus. I made it just in time.

Bracing myself for what comes next because I might need to have it done a few times, I hope it sounds worse than it actually is ?
Fun times.

EDIT - Well we were wrong - the fluid was a haematoma and a collection of blood not serous fluid - about 70mls was aspirated by a bloody big 19 gauge needle and syringe. It is still a bit swollen looking but swelling has reduced. The worse part was the local anaesthetic injection. It is now sorer than before but I'm sucking it up and going to paddle today anyway.

I am now (in the next week or so) in waiting, for the call to give me an appointment for Radiation treatment planning.

  -♥

Wellness and Chasing your dreams {Giveaway ~ RedBalloon for Mother's day}

This post is sponsored by Wellwoman and Digital Parents Collective

Many of life's great issues receive the same treatment .We size up the situation, we sift through evidence, weigh things in the balance and respond to the change in circumstances as best we can.

When you think about cancer and what you would do if you had to face that trauma - burying your head in the sand isn't very productive.

The inevitable question we ask is how do I stay well - physically , emotionally and financially ? Without question , after getting through my initial treatment , financial security has been one of our biggest concerns since my breast cancer diagnosis.

Australia has one of the best healthcare systems but there were many out of pocket costs and if you want your choice of surgeon you can expect to pay more.

Then how do you cope with the financial burden of maintaining your lifestyle,  ensuring your home life runs smoothly without too much disruption. It isn't easy to dismiss the little things like childcare, getting the kids to school, preparing meals - let alone the bigger issues like the mortgage or paying the rent.

Wellwoman, by AIG Direct, is a newly launched cancer insurance product in Australia for women aged 18- 69yrs - to assist in maintaining a woman's lifestyle as she focuses her energies on recovery.

When you are diagnosed with any of the seven cancers specific to women - Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer, Cervical cancer, Cancer of the uterus, vagina, vulva or fallopian tubes. Wellwoman - cover pays a one-off, lump sum payment of between $25,000 and $45,000 after a confirmed diagnosis, Subject to the exclusions and conditions in the policy. Of course if you have already had cancer then this may not be for you. 

Wellwoman insurance is designed as a one off measure of support should a woman face a female specific cancer diagnosis and is not intended to replace health or life insurance.

This leaves you to focus on your treatment and recovery ; things that matter most - steadiness and stability.The payment can be used for anything you choose e.g. a holiday or mortgage repayments or for you to chase your dreams.

My next favouite quote at moment ...unknown author , my photo !

 I am ready to chase my dream again and put my energy into my most important goals . I have the determination to focus on wellness and happiness . I need to put some other goals on hold for now ...like running a half marathon.

For now, I've picked a few goals and I'm focusing on those that make me feel a well woman like ...exercising, feeling sand between my toes and even enjoying a massage !

RedBalloon

Now I get to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Day Spa treatment from RedBalloon – a One Hour Full body and Mind Massage (valued at $110 - available in Australia nationally). Just in time for Mother's Day.

Tell me what makes you feel like a well woman ?

Click here to see the full terms and conditions of this giveaway - the closing date of my giveaway has been extended until  14th May 11.59pm.