Ok breathe... take a deep breath. Stay calm.

I am really good at staying calm during what may considered high stress times. I'm not sure exactly how I do it, but I usually take a big deep breath, and breathe out, and stay calm and collected. For anyone in my position, well my position at this moment may be overly worried or stressed out when parts of our lives are a little different or things change with our bodies.

The past few days have been a little weird for me. I've been spacing out a lot, some disorientation, and forgetting a lot of normal things that I usually don't forget. Like taking my meds. Lol. I've experienced dizziness, extreme fatigue, and some other weird effects like forgeting the previous days activities or having to write everything down so I don't forget.

So today, I spent the day, once again at the City of Hope, this time with my friend Lucy. We spent numerous hours waiting and chatting up a storm, while waiting to see my doctor. Dr. Parker, once again had me do some goofy things - bouncing up and down on one leg, putting my feet together and closing my eyes while standing there, and my favorite - the drunk walk- as if I was walking on a tightrope. Lol. All the while, I was laughing, I once again felt like a complete dork. But what would life be like without a little dorkiness? :) I was calm, as I waited for the results of my blood test and what Dr. Parker would have me do next. There before me, stood my two nurse practitioners smiling at me - Miss Lynn & Miss Michelle. Dr. Parker told me that my blood tests and cultures were all normal, nothing showed up there, but he decided that I would need to get an MRI of my brain within the week. Hence he told me that I couldn't drive, until he got the results of the MRI. Oh man! No driving?! That stinks, but I can do it.

My next appointment is a horrible 7am MRI appointment at the City of Hope on Friday the 20th of this month. I already have a ride with my friend Glen, who will be picking me up at 6am! Ugh. I am definately not that functional that early in the morning! And how will I get to the gym this week? Hmmmm. When I know what's going on with me on Friday, I will write once again - before you know it, the results will be in!

The key to dealing with stressful or tough situations is simple. Don't stress out, take it one breath at a time and stay calm. Sometimes we over-react to things that really may have simple answers/solutions to them. We know our bodies and we know whats normal for us, so if something feels out of the ordinary for you, document it - make sure to include the date and let your doctor know how you're feeling. It could be nothing, or it could be something that needs to be treated right away! Don't ignore your body's smoke signals! ;) Till next time.

Cancer Rocked My World

I know it's a weird thing to say, but the truth is... that cancer rocked my world in more ways that one. It changed my views of life, it changed my goals, and it rocked my life in such a way that my life will no longer be the way it was. I am thankful for every day that I have, every day I fight the fight and every day that I have the opportunity to inspire others in their fight against whatever disease they become a survivor of.

Cancer has put me through so much hell, brought me so many experiences that I probably never would have imagined experiencing and helped me meet so many truly inspiring people and brought me so much joy all at the same time. I wouldn't change or trade this experience for anything. In the long run, it has made me not only a better person, but a stronger person as a whole!!