It comes in threes...

For those unaware, I am now waiting on three, yes '3', different operations!

1.  Lapbad port revision

I discovered in January 2020 that my port has done a 180 degree flip.  This means that they are unable to get the syringe in to draw any fluid out, or put any fluid in.  I got called in to have the operation done only a few weeks after the mastectomy, but for obvious reasons said no! 

2.  Additional Breast Surgery

More tissue transfer to get the breast size even, and provide fullness.  As well as fix and smooth out the scarring.

3.  Hysterectomy 

This has been recommended by both the team at the familial cancer centre, and the gynecologist due to previous abnormal checks, high risk and various issues.  Paperwork has been submitted and I am on the 90 day waiting list as Category 2.  

Waiting isn't so bad...

In saying that though, due to Covid-19 putting a hold on elective surgeries, when they will happen is anyones guess.

As much as I'd love to get them all over and done with, this waiting period is allowing me the opportunity to focus on getting in tip top shape and becoming 'op-ready'.  

Confession Time...

Unfortunately, during my recovery time, the sedentary lifestyle has seen me put on a whole 8 kilos eeekkk, and I have reached a point where I am ultra uncomfortable in my own skin.  I am thankful that I realised my downward spiral before I entered triple figures...just!

My Goal...

-  To be op-ready; mentally and physically strong, healthy, and lighter!

My plan...

- Move more by walking (aim of 10,000 steps per day) and doing physiotherapy exercises.  Not only will this improve physical stamina and strength, I am hoping that coupled with the next goal it will see the scales and tape measurement numbers go down.

- Be more mindful of my unhealthy food choices, and make small gradual changes to improve nutrition.  e.g. drink more water, reduce sugar in cuppas, cut back on crappy carbs!

- Keep my mental health strong by attending psychology appointments, and keeping it real!

-  Most importantly, I will listen to my body, and not get down on myself if I don't reach my steps, or am too sore to do my physio session.

My thoughts...

I am pissed off at myself, and totally embarrassed to be here in this place again!  But, I will forgive myself, and I will show myself love by working hard to reach a place where I will stand tall with pride.  I've done it before so I know it can be done, even with the restrictions that I face.

When I get there, I will share my before photo, so be sure to stay tuned!

Read more "It comes in threes..."

Federation Track

Wednesday 12th August 2020

Todays walk/ride was along the Federation Track; from the end of Holts Lane (Melbourne side) to Darley Bridge, and then back again.

It was the first time that Mark had been to the track, and he found humour in the rhyming sign.

We certainly weren't aiming to break any records for furthest distance in quickest time.  It was just nice being outside away from the school books.

The boys even ditched their bikes for a second to climb a tree.

  

This was possibly inspired by stories we were sharing about tree climbing adventures earlier in the day.

How cool to see a goat on our stroll.

I love seeing my boys hang out together.  As much as it freaks me out, it is also really heart warming to watch Ace teaching and encouraging Jazz to do MTB manouvers.

How pretty is this?!

Wanna know another special thing about going for our walks?

Walking hand in hand with my sweet man!

Be sure to stay tuned to see where our feet take us next time.

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Physio Exercises

Well, I said I would do it and so here it is.  This is my post-mastectomy strengthening exercise program as prescribed by my physiotherapist at Djerriwarrah Health Services.  Please excuse my shabby looking appearance, but it was a matter of just getting it done! Totally cringey but I'll get over it, just makes me more determined to keep on going.  Whilst not about losing weight, it is my hope that it will happen as a chain reaction.

I've had quite a few other exercises before getting to this stage, which I videoed way back at the beginning and then forgot along the way.  Oh well, there is still much progress that can be made so this is still a good semi-starting point.

A movement I am finding difficult is raising my arms above my head.  When doing the movement it feels as though the side of my foob is going to rip open.  This means that I am struggling when it comes to hanging clothes on the line, reaching the top cupboards in our kitchen, washing my hair, and sometimes dressing.  

The exercise I am doing to help is called a Wall Crawl.

Quite simply, in both the front and side positions I slowly crawl my fingers up the wall as high as I can (before being painful), and then crawl down again.

My Strength Workout Circuit 

All exercises are performed 10 times x 3 sets 

1.  Stand to Sit Squats 

Start by standing close to the front of the chair.  Then sit down on the chair for a second, and push back up to a standing position.  Hold dumbell weights to make harder.

2.  Wall Push Ups

Start with feet and legs together, standing about 60 centimetres from a wall with your arms straight out in front of you. Palms should be on the wall at about shoulder-level height and shoulder-width apart, with fingers pointed upward. (If you feel like you’re reaching too far, move your feet closer.  The further feet are from the wall, the harder it is).  Bend your elbows and lean your body toward the wall until your nose almost touches it. Ensure your back stays straight and your hips don’t sag.  Push back to the starting position.

3.  Bridge

1. Lay on the floor face up, with knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Place arms at your side with your palms down.  Lift hips off the ground until your knees, hips and shoulders form a straight line. Squeeze the glutes hard and keep your abs drawn in so you don’t overextend your back during the exercise.  Hold for a couple of seconds before easing back down.
3. 4.  Single Leg Bridge 

As above with the difference of one leg straight up in the air with sole of foot pointing towards the ceiling.

I only manage to do 5 on each leg at the moment as other wise my form goes.

5.  Front Raises 

Begin by holding both dumbbells of equal weight in front of your thighs with your palms facing your body. Keeping your back straight and feet shoulder-width apart, lift the dumbbells in front of you in a controlled manner until your hands are in line with your shoulders. Pause, then slowly lower back to the starting position.

6.  Lateral Raises

Stand tall with your core braced and feet together. Hold the dumbbells together in front of your abdomen with palms facing each other. Leading with your elbows, raise the weights out to the sides, making sure you use your muscles and not momentum. Stop at shoulder height, then slowly return to the start.

As 1/2 a kilo was too easy, I decided to up my weights to 1kg.  This made a big difference to the feeling felt through the foobs...not ultra painful but it can be felt!

7.  Bird Dog 

Begin on all fours with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Pull your abs in to your spine. Keeping your back and pelvis still and stable, reach your right arm forward and left leg back. Don't allow the pelvis to rock side to side as you move your leg behind you. Focus on not letting the rib cage sag toward the floor. Reach through your left heel to engage the muscles in the back of the leg and your butt. Return to the starting position, placing your hand and knee on the floor. Repeat on the other side to complete one rep.

8.  Walking

No set distance, just simply moving.  To make it more challenging suggestions include walking with dumbbells, adding incline or stairs, and doing varied walking tracks.

It is my goal to go for a walk, and do the circuit, three times a week, alternating between each.  This will allow me to have one day of rest.

You will notice a few blogs popping up all about my walking adventures...be sure to stay tuned!

P.S.  I want to give a shout out to a mate of mine who has given me a little kick up the butt by sharing his own journey.  Thank you for the inspiration Adam xo

P.P.S.  And...because I get frustrated at myself for not being able to lift as much, or do as much as I once could, here's a reminder of where I was 5 months ago.

Not forgetting the infections, open wounds, and two additional operations a month later.  Plus additional nether region issues to complicate matters further!

Maybe I'm doing a-okay afterall, I've got this, onward I go!

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First Steps

Monday 10th August

Well not exactly first steps, but sadly and embarrassingly, the first in a while!  But, as it was such a beautiful day, we were inspired to venture outside the saftey of our home and go for a walk.

Rather than just hitting the pavement and walking around the block, Ace suggested Peppertree Park.

Mark walked with me.

And, the boys rode ahead (much better for my ankles that way LOL).

Ace led the way, off the path and down a beaten track along the river.  

Watch Video HERE

Definitely not something I would do in summer!

We crossed the river and climbed up the hill to reach the actual proper walking track.

And, I couldn't resist climbing up the old steps.

Watch Video HERE

And then we walked down again.  Well, not quite - Ace rode down!

Watch Video HERE

We went a little further up the track before turning around and heading home.  

All up we walked for approximately 2kms and were gone for an hour, arriving home just as it got dark.  It was a perfectly timed ending to a wonderful family walking adventure!

Read more "First Steps"

Week 3 of Feb 2019

Okay so here it is, week 3 of February in the life of me...

Monday 18th 

I woke up and thought..."I need to call the breast care nurse this week to find out what's going on with my appointment". On my first work break I checked my phone and wouldn't ya know it, I'd missed a call from the hospital. So, I called back and discovered that they had me in their system TWICE; my name now and my old married name from like 20 years ago.  Basically they were calling to see if I was indeed the same person, which I am!  I can't remember way back then why I was even at the Royal Womans hmmm possibly the PCOS/T2DM/CFS! Anywho, I asked about my surgical appointment explaining the shamozzle of it all and they apologised saying they had lost my initial referral in their system (I'm thinking maybe because of the reason they rang in the first place), but I would get an appointment letter in the mail within a month. First tick off my to-do-list for the week!

I finished work at 7pm and then pretty much went straight to bed, aka no proper 'exercise' for the day.

Tuesday morning - the 19th

I had a lazy start to the day with a big sleep in.  This meant I didn't get to see the boys off, which I don't like doing as I like being able to wave them goodbye.  They did come in and give me a kiss though, something I am ultra thankful for.  

I also missed going to my husbands medical appointment which I am not happy with myself, or him about (he felt I needed the rest more which is why he didn't wake me up - sweet yes but also ggrrr).  This meant that everything that needed to be addressed wasn't, which meant another appointment for him on Friday AND also another on Saturday as we ran out of time in the first one!  Lessons learnt for next time: A)  Make sure I wake up OR B)  Write a note of things for him to address, actually I should just do B anyway!

The rest of our Tuesday was spent in the kitchen whipping up all of this...

Chocolate Cashew Cups - Raspberry Muffins - Cheesy Broccoli Muffins - Apricot & Almond Balls - Zucchini Breakfast Muffins - Lemon & Coconut Bliss Balls - Raw Peanut Butter Bars - Banana and Pear Muffins - Iced Cinnamon Scrolls - Passionfruit Muffins - Choc Cherry Slice - Blueberry Chia Muffins - Mini Chia and Orange Muffins - Kids Naughty Muffins (not a THM recipe) - Bacon, Corn and Cheese Loaf and Hidden Veg Bolognaise, Stewed Cinnamon Apples & Deviled Sausages.

Also made a couple of others not shown...Mince and Bean Taco mix, Minestrone Soup and Frozen Yoghurt Berry & Macadamia Bars.

Why so much? 

Mostly because with working part time and study soon to start I wanted to eliminate the excuse of not having time to put together a healthy snack/lunch, and also because I kind of found myself enjoying making things from scratch that my family and the kids friends were enjoying...shock horror! 

There has been a downfall though (although one could look at it as an upside), and that is the fact that all this cooking has made me completely lose my appetite, I am so over the sight and smell of food...funny how that works hey! I have been trying to stay on track though and get in as much as my body will allow, which is certainly no where near the 6 meals and 1600 calories I'm supposed to consume.

Oh, I had a question asked about how much it costs me for the weekly meals. Its a bit tricky to work out as I discovered when doing my big pantry overhaul that I had quite a bit of the staples on hand (herbs, spices, flour, nuts, cans, you get the drift...Aldi is amazing for all of those things). But, on average I'd say around $250 per week for the 4 of us, for all our meals on plan plus the kids 'not so healthy' stuff, oh and extra household tidbits.  I'd like to reduce that down more though as it is over budget, it doesn't help that I've been using Coles Online - as convenient as it is, Aldi is way more affordable.  I just don't like actually going out of the house and shopping...who has time for that!

Exercise wise, other than dancing around like crazy people in the kitchen most of the day, I again didn't do a proper scheduled workout.

Wednesday 20th 

Another big work day and I again finished at 7pm, which meant...you guessed it, no exercise!

Oooh I got my hospital letter in the mail and am booked to see the breast surgeon on the 13th of May.  Whilst we were kinda hoping for sooner, it works out that the date actually aligns with my surgical date calculations...well we are hoping anyway!

Thursday 21st 

Quiet work day which allowed me to get back into the kitchen to prep a few other meals. 

That night I again rode my bike to and from aqua aerobics (or water dancing as it has fondly been named).  Not sure I will be doing that too many more times though, as it was dark on the way home and that made me feel a little uneasy; must add 'get bike light' to our wishlists.  Aqua was good, although I did struggle to push as hard as I feel I could have.

Another ooohhh is that before heading back into my 3rd and final year of the Bachelor of Complementary Medicine degree in March, I decided to take on a little side course in Mental First Aid.  My manual arrived today and I am super keen to get started and work towards accreditation.  Mental Health issues affect so many people in different ways and I am passionate about being able to build upon and learn new skills that will help to make a difference in peoples lives.

Oh, I have to share something we found hilarious tonight.  So I'd already prepped and started cooking our dinner, following the recipe for 4 people, but we ended up with an extra mouth (I should of known better as we usually have an extra), so I just divided it figuring that we also had dessert so it would be ok.  

The boys reaction when they came to the table and saw it was hilarious, with them enquiring as to whether this was just a "snack".  To add to that, during our prayer time, Mark also gave thanks for the "snack".  For me personally, it was more than enough and I was full after the 3rd mouthful LOL.

TGI Friday 22nd.  

I had a quiet work day finishing off with Mum, who then shouted us out to lunch at Stoneys.  I went completely off plan and had Beef Lasagna, salad and chips, which was DELICIOUS and it all stayed down WINNING!   

From there we went to the doctors for my darling husband who on top of his diabetes giving him grief, had another bout of prostatitis and a toothache, and so desperately needed some antibiotics and pain relief.

That evening we dropped the boys off at their Dads, popped in quickly to visit Mum to pick up the vape she had for us and then it was home.

Friday night we had a visit from the gorgeous Bec which is always awesome.

And the rest of the night I backed up my photos from my phone to the computer.  I had like 6000 photos on my phone which for me is like a WOW moment.  I'm usually one of those who clears her phone every week.  Admittedly, it was only my photos I hadn't done in a while.  My emails and text messages get cleared or filed daily.

Saturday 23rd 

After the docs it was a kidfree cruisy day with Mark pottering in the shed and me moving photos from computer to hard drive. 

Around 1.30am we decided to have a little nip of 'fake' baileys before heading off to bed.  

Not long after Mark said that he felt like he needed to be sick so got up to head inside to the loo (we were ofcourse sitting outside on the back patio).  He made it into the back door and that was it, he went down.  Somehow I managed to half catch him, thus preventing him from hitting his head on the concrete.  Talk about being shit scared, but somehow I kept it together...check for a pulse, get him into a more comfortable position and call the ambulance - all whilst calming talking to him, trying to bring him too.  As I was doing this, my CPR training kept running through my head.  Have I mentioned how scared I was? I seriously thought I had lost him.  As I said, he came too and so I got the lady on the phone to keep talking to him while I ran inside to open the front door for the ambulance...I was so scared to leave him incase he passed out again.  By the time the ambulance arrived he was more alert and able to sit up on a chair.  They did all their tests and turns out it was a diabetic hypo (low sugar), as well as a reaction between the small amount of grog with the medication.  He had something to eat/drink and was back to his cheeky self again just like that.  We went to bed and he slept like a log, with me staying awake to check he was still breathing every 5 minutes.  

I have told him that if he EVER does that to me again, when he comes too I will knock him out myself.  Frecking heck maybe the ambos should of checked my vitals!

Sunday 24th 

I was still in shock and the tiredness had hit like a tonne of bricks.  But we pushed through and picked up the shopping and got ready for the week ahead.  The boys got home at 3.30pm.

Ace came home with oil burns on his hand/arm from the deep fryer, why he was allowed to use it unsupervised is beyond me.  Aloe Vera to the rescue!

And thats that, week 3 of Feb in the life of me and mine, done and dusted!

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I'm a healthy Mummy...

Okay, so I know that I KNOW what to do both food and exercise wise, but I just need it to be something I don't have to overthink and so I joined up to give THE HEALTHY MUMMY program a try.

I decided to give it a go mostly because the recipes shared on their facebook page looked like stuff the kids would actually like, and as I don't want to be doing something for them and something for us, I thought its a good way to do it together.

On Sunday night I worked out the meal plan for the week, got shopping ordered ready for pick up in the morning and psyched myself up ready for a kick arse week...remembering that in a previous blog I said that I am content where I am and mostly only doing this to lose weight so I can have the prophylactic masectomy operation and be able to bounce back quickly!

Day 1 - Week 1 started on Monday the 4th of Feb...

I got the weigh in, measurements and fitness test done and dusted first thing that morning!

As I didn't start work until 11.00am, we also got time to do our first workout video.

Again...I know that I KNOW what to do training wise, afterall I did do my PT qualifications and have done plenty of sessions with awesome trainers in the past BUT I don't want to have to overthink it...okay, I don't want to become obsessed with it and there is a very fine line that I could easily cross that I don't want to cross!

Day 1 went off awesomely and I managed to get in and keep down most of the food for the day!

Day 2...Tuesday 5th Feb

As it was my day off, and as such my sleep in day, we didn't have breakfast until almost lunch time which meant I didn't get in any snacks, AND I chucked most of lunch.  Dinner was delish though although Ace wasn't too much of a fan (hmmm, Mr. Fussy strikes again, he did enjoy the salad though - ofcourse he did MANGO)!

Exercise wise since linedancing hadn't (still hasn't) started back we went on a family bike ride.

I did have all intentions of heading down to do the Avenue track, but considering it was my first bike ride in a very long time (so happy my cycling gear still fits albeit a little snug), Mark and I worked out in the morning (did the same video as the day before because silly me made a booboo) plus danced around like idiots for a little while (hahaha we have joined the zftuesday bandwagon) AND I needed to be able to move the next day so I can work (not a good look when the massager can't move without winching)...I figured it was best to ease into it!

Apart from the boys cutting me off a few times (helllloooo trying to stay on here), it was really enjoyable and I didn't fall off or get off to walk once - WINNING!

Day 3...Wednesday 6th Feb

Food was good...dinner didn't stay down though AND I made a booboo on the amount of noddles eeekkk, Ace thought it was good so thats a bonus!

Decided to do something a little different on the exercise front and just dance around like idiots to some Fitness Marshall Clips on YouTube...omg so freaking funny, but it helped with my cranky "technology sucks" mood - kids and their freaking xbox dramas OMG!

Day 4...Thursday 7th Feb

Struggled with the food today and only kept down 3 meat, rice and veggie balls.

Exercise wise, the boys escorted me (Mr. Grandpa Ace, didn't like the idea of me riding on my own...sooo sweet) to Aqua on our bikes.  Bloody hell!  Their short cut IS NOT SHORT LOL!  Also, it was the toughest but also the best session of Aqua yet!  It was like a normal PT session just in the water; shuttle runs, weights, walking lunges...it got my heart rate up and I loved it!  Then, the boys picked me up and we rode home.  Eeekkk that bridge is a bit sketch to ride over, but I did it!

Day 5...Friday 8th Feb

Started the day with a bloody horrible green smoothie eeeewww!

Was going to exercise in the evening but didn't, instead we dropped the boys at their Dads then climbed into bed and watched a movie...yes, with microwave popcorn - No guilt though, I'm still gonna splurge here and there BUT for the most part I want to be ontrack towards getting 'op ready'.

Progression NOT Perfection!

Day 6...Saturday 9th Feb

Food today was very little, I even spewed the pizza!

Exercise wise was more about movement, and boy did I move!  I cleaned my pantry and then the entire kitchen and then took stuff out to the shed for the upcoming (been upcoming for over a year) garage sale!

I also worked out the menu for Week 2 and ordered the shopping ready to collect tomorrow!

Day 7...Sunday 10th Feb

Today was a better food day than yesterday.

Whilst I again didn't do any proper movement, I did go the psychic expo (I spoilt myself with crystals) with a good friend and walked about the market AND up and down the steps to get in LOL...okay, so clutching at straws there *giggle worthy though*

I also did a little food prep, which was good.

Oh and did I mention that I've been drinking 2 litres of water (sometimes more) a day!  That for me is huge...and a big goal of mine!  Oh did I also mention that I've been getting up umteen times during the night to pee...that part really does pee me off a bit LOL!

Oh another thing, I've been meeting curfew of 11pm for bed (so not tonight as I'm typing this, but every other one)!

Anywho...that is week 1 done and dusted, I've signed up for 4 weeks as a starter and will see how we go.  Slow and steady will win this race...I've got a whole year and a bit to get there, and I WILL get there, I just refuse to cross that fine line!

Read more "I'm a healthy Mummy..."