New Blog for my classes!

I decided to change my "Food4Life" blog to "Fit4Life" as this will allow me to post all my classes in one place making it easier for people (and me) to see what classes are being offered, times, locations, etc.

I am looking forward to this next session "Fall into Fitness" and hope you will check out the new blog, leave feedback and if you live in the area... come join us for one of the several classes offered!


http://elayne-foodforlife.blogspot.com/

Elayne~

Looking Like Lymphedema

Went to my doctors office today to get a Faslodex shot and a Lupron injection. Lucky me, the Lupron was not in so I get to go back for that one.

I did see the doctor ( not my regular Onc) and asked him to take a look at my arm and hand. I have been having trouble with slight swelling, discomfort/tightness and restricted range of motion in my right arm. This is the side that I had surgery and radiation on.
He gave me some medication to try for 5 days, I think it is a diuretic. If that does not help he said I will need to be fit for a compression sleeve. I would like to talk with my regular doctor first before I take the diuretic. Not sure that is the correct way to go as I have all the "symptoms" of mild lymphedema and would prefer to do the therapy needed before it gets worse or infected.

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff Lymphedema refers to swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs. Although lymphedema tends to affect just one arm or leg, sometimes both arms or both legs may be swollen.
Lymphedema is caused by a blockage in your lymphatic system, an important part of your immune and circulatory systems. The blockage prevents lymph fluid from draining well, and as the fluid builds up, the swelling continues.
There's no cure for lymphedema, but it can be controlled. Controlling lymphedema involves diligent care of your affected limb.
Compression Sleeve;

A Worthwhile Cause....

Hi Fellow Cancer Survivors (and families of),

I found this survey for cancer survivors on Livestrong, one of the strongest advocates of cancer survivorship.  It takes about 15-20 minutes if you are interested.  I think it is a worthwhile cause, and you might want to send it on to other survivors that you know.

I recieved this from a fellow blogger and survivor. Last night I filled it out and feel the questions they asked and topics they covered were quite relevant. Hopefully all the data that is collected will provide more knowledge and help for those of us and our families that are living with cancer.

Elayne

http://livestrongblog.org/2010/08/17/calling-all-post-treatment-survivors/

12 year Cancerversary!

" This is a really hard life isn't it" ? This was a question my father-in-law Ed asked me the last time I saw him. Ed, sadly lost his fight with brain cancer just 9 months ago.
As I now celebrate my 12 year "cancerversary" I cannot help but reflect on that question he asked me.
The short answer is yes, it is a hard life. But... it could be so much harder.
I am sad for so many family and friends that did not survive and at the same time I know how blessed I am to still be here.
God gives us all work to do while we are here and it is so exciting to see what He brings to me each and every day.
Yes, it is a hard life, but it is the one He has asked me to live.

1 CORINTHIANS;
 ¹⁷Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.

Psalm 138:8
The Lord will fullfill His purpose for me.

Session 3 of "Little Swimmers"!

Well, summer here in Texas is coming to an end, by the calendar only. As I write this it is 102 degrees outside at 11:30 AM!
With school getting ready to start swimming lessons have come to an end. I finished my 3rd session yesterday with a wonderful group of kids ages 3-10!
My first class was a 3 yr. old class with Josiah, who I taught at the beginning of the summer. He started out in May not wanting to put his face under water. Now... we can't keep that boy above water! What a great little swimmer he has become!

getting the rings and rocket ship

Josiah age 3!

Also in this class was Izzy, who just turned 3! She was very hesitant with this being her first  swim class, but ended up making lots of progress and just has the cutest smile ever! Motor boat was her favorite song to sing:)

Izzy age 3 singing motor boat and practicing her bubbles

Second class was John & Brianna, brother and sister to Izzy. What a sweet family! The thing that stands out the most to me with their lessons was that they did not want to go in the deeper water. As you can see they both had, as Brianna said "conquered their fears"!

The 3rd group were my "girls", Emma, Abigail & August.

They too were lots of fun and getting to work on stroke development with them was for me personally a lot of fun!
They worked on their freestyle...

Backstroke...

Breaststroke...

Flip turns...

And of course diving for rings and sticks while holding their breathe as looong as they could! They were pretty good at this.

All the older kids in group 2 & 3 also learned to tread water, swim to the bottom in the deeper water and practice safety skills such as how to rest when they need to.

It has been a great summer of teaching and I have been blessed to teach and get to know these 21 "Little swimmers"! Sharing the love for water is a joy!
Have a great end  of summer, stay cool, safe and enjoy the water!
Miss Elayne :)

Teaching my "Little Swimmers"~ session 2

It has been a fun and busy summer, not to mention ridiculously hot! These are some pictures from my second session. I had a total of 8 kids this session ages 2-7

TJ ( my nephew :) doing bobs.

Sophie ( my niece) learning how to blow bubbles and kick ....

Ethan learning how to breathe to the side and dive for rings... always a favorite!!

This is Sarah from one of the 3 year old classes. The goal is always safety first. So, here she is jumping in, swimming back to the wall and pulling herself out of the water with no help!

Summer & Josh from another 3 year old class. It is a great idea to have an instructor come to your house to teach your kids so they learn safety and swimming at the pool they will be in the most. That is what I did for these next two classes.

Learning how to float and swim on their backs. This is a hard one to get them to trust you with, especially if they have never met you before :)

Going to the bottom to pick up the "Rocket Ship"!

swimming through the hoop under water and practicing kicks and arms...  which we call ice cream scoops!

My youngest swimmers of the season were Hayden and Liam who swam with mom in a two year old WaterTots class.... Liam was sick on the last day so Hayden got to be the ham for the camera.. so cute!

Hayden learning to blow bubbles..........
Splashing in the waterfall while doing his "monkey walk" was a favorite.

Kicking with mom on his front and back!Picking up rings and jumping in the pool. READY...SET...GO!

Just a great day!

Yesterday began with a trip to see my oncologist, Dr. A. This was my first time to make the longer drive out to see him. It was not bad thanks to my new GPS that got me there and back no problem. I am glad I chose to stay with him and make the drive.
The news was great and the PET Scan results read as follows;

‎"There is no abnormal hyper-metabolic accumulation to suggest any evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease. Previously seen uptake in the right anterior chest wall has COMPLETELY RESOLVED in the interim". 

Dr. A said my labs looked fine and to come back to see him in 6 months! I have been having some trouble with stiffness and tightness under the arm that was radiated. He said it is scar tissue and to stretch it, massage and continue with exercise.  Was given the ok to swim ( laps) and train for a tri-athalon if I want to :) He knows I will know what the limits are and trusts me not to push too hard. It is wonderful when there is an equal trust with your Dr. He allows me to live my life and said I have been able to accomplish things he has not seen others do. With that said, he and I both give the Glory to God!

Came home to a nice clean house, thanks to Maria and was able to take my CEC exam to keep my Personal Trainer Cert. current. Passed that, paid my yearly dues and am all set until the next exam in 6 months.

Today ends another session with my "Little Swimmers" and Monday begins session 3!

When you live test to test, month to month and day to day, it is just nice to have a great day!

 

"Lorica"

PET SCAN IS NEGATIVE!!!! Thank you God for your mighty protection...thank all of you for your continuous prayers.

Sigh....breathe....

"Lorica"- named for a Roman coat of armor that is meant for the protection of the one wearing it:

I arise today through Gods strength to pilot me:

Gods might to uphold me,

Gods wisdom to guide me,

Gods eye to look before me,

Gods ear to hear me,

Gods word to speak for me,

Gods hand to gaurd me,

Christ with me, before me, behind me

Christ in me, beneath me, above me

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, sit down and when I arise

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me, in every ear that hears me

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity.

What has become a routine morning for a husband & wife

This morning Chris and I were up early to head out for a PET scan and more blood work. They sure took a lot of tubes today.This test is for me one of the harder ones.
It begins the day before with the restriction of all caffeine, sugar, exercise/activity for 24 hours.Already I am not having fun. Without failure I wake up with a headache that continues to get worse by the minute and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
After an hour drive to the hospital, we check in and wait to be called for labs. Here a port is put in my arm, about 6-8 tubes of blood taken and off to the next waiting room.... radiology.
OK, here is the part that just kills me. Most people in this room, like me have not been allowed food, drink, caffeine, etc. So as soon as you walk in ahhhh..the smell of fresh coffee! But most of us can't have any! I asked Chris if he wanted some, he looked as bad as I felt. He said "no, I will wait for you". I said, it won't hurt my feelings if you get some ( I sure would of it I were him:). He was kind and waited till I was called back before he got some.
Next, I am escorted to a room about the size of a closet where you sit back in a recliner to begin.

           "During a PET scan, a patient receives an injection of a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) into their bloodstream.  There is no danger from this injection.  The radiation exposure associated with PET is similar to that of conventional CT scanning.  Next, the patient will wait about an hour while the injection is distributed through their body.  Then the patient will lie on a table, keeping their head still, that will slowly pass through the scanner. 

            The entire visit lasts about two to three hours.  The actual procedure is safe with no side effects, and lasts about forty-five minutes". Today, I fell asleep listening to my ipod during the first part and had to be woken up :)
The difficulty I have with this test is from the headache and lack of food. I usually feel very tired and weak. 
I am very fortunate to have Chris bring me to the hospital and then take me to Corner Bakery when we are done for food and coffee!It makes me feel better when he is with me. He tells me "don't worry, I've got your back".

I give myself a break on these days to take it easy after I get home and rest so I feel better tomorrow to teach my classes.
I hate doing these tests but also realize how necessary they are to monitor how I am doing, and to see if my treatments are working.
This was the first scan since my surgery and radiation.... so please pray for great results. While I waited in the scanner today, I simply prayed to God and said "you know".

Another life lost to cancer....

Good-bye my friend and "sis" Dalilah. I will miss your smiling face, your love and faith in God, a friend that understood and encourged,who was always brave, strong and inspiring. I know you are now free from pain and at peace. I will miss you. Thank you for your friendship.

 

OK, so maybe it was too soon for the backpack!

Today I saw my radiologist due to some pain/ swelling and discomfort under my arm and in the chest areas where I had surgery & radiation.
It began while we were on the trip and we were suspecting I strained the muscles and maybe was developing some lymphodema.
The doctor checked it out today and said it is not acting like typical lymphodema and feels I overdid it carrying the backpack.
I tried swimming yesterday to see if that would loosen it up, but it just made it worse.
The good news- he said he could not feel any cancer and thinks it is just strained. I need to let it heal.
The not so good news is I can't and wasn't supposed to be lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk. I also can't swim ( lap swimming) until next summer.
He said over this next year it will be healing and scar tissue will be forming as well as some changes to the skin. So... until next summer, I have to take it easy on that arm and keep the radiated area covered from the sun.
He said running is still fine :)
I am scheduled to have labs and a PET scan to check everything out. I will then see my oncologist. This is all part of my normal care/check up. I believe the PET scan will be next week, so prayers for good test results are appreciated :) Thanks all!

Getting back to it!

I think we are finally over jet lag and everyone is back to work including me :) I am currently teaching my second session of swimming lessons. We began classes yesterday and had a great time!
This session I am getting to teach a few of my nieces and a nephew so that will be special. I have one more session lined up for August and then back to boot-camps and 5k run groups in the fall.

Little Swimmers- session one....