Archive | April 2012

Winnie’s Warriors #23 | McHappy Day

Apr19

Hello dear family and friends:

 

It’s McHappy Day today. As I went through the drive-thru at McDonalds today (just to get a coffee…..no burger, or breakfast sandwich or fries….) they were collecting donations for McHappy Day. Upon which you were able to put your name on a paper shoe that was promptly posted on the window. Of course I donated, but put “Keri” on the boot – since we were chatting on the phone and she LOVES drive thru coffee and McD’s.

 

Aside from McHappy Day – – today, April 19th is the one year anniversary of my “slash” surgery. And, I have to admit, that I felt like I was on edge today (actually started last night). A little crack in the chink of my usually steadfast armour. I couldn’t help it. I relived the night before and the day of. I had a little tear. It was a pretty traumatic day and sometimes it takes time for one to really look back and consider in a thoughtful way what exactly happened. I know that you cannot change the course of what has happened in the past. That you have to let go to move forward. But I think that in this case, that once in a while, you have to remember to fully move forward. To remember the struggles sometimes, can help you move ahead. To remember and ponder helps you realize how far you’ve come and that in itself gives you a boost and strength to continue to drive on. To keep the nagging bad thoughts aside and at bay. This year, 2012 will have a few anniversaries for me. Chemo, surgery x 2, and radiation. I better buy some extra tissue!

 

To commemorate the day, I thought it would be appropriate to do some “retail therapy”. So I did what any gal in my position would do, and I bought a new bra! A “push-up” – – since I figured I needed a little “lift” today….LOL.

 

My brother and Naomi sent me a cookie-gram today. Very thoughtful and sweet. I guess all the years of spoiling him was not wasted after all…… 😛

 

It was a beautiful day today. Sunny and warm. Even drove my car with the top down.  I had some client meetings and went out to dinner with friends. Sported the ‘au natural’ hair today. No wig. It was liberating. Quite cool I thought.

 

This past weekend I was at a little “hen-fest” with a few gals (of which 2 others in the group had been struck with the same situation). You realize that there are so many different types and severity of breast cancer and the methods and treatments that people go through – some by choice and others just because it is protocol. But at the end of the day, it’s the same. It’s cancer. And we all need to accept and deal with it. No matter what kind we have or what treatments we have gone through. I share and tell my stories with my usual candor and slight humor. What has hit me the most in the last little while is how ‘inspired’ people around me are. It’s amazing. Truly. I am so humbled by the entire experience.

 

I close with a note given to me lately: “Winnie, Thanks for being such a great friend and inspiration. You make a difference in every life you touch with your spirit and kindness. Lots of good times ahead!”

Reading it makes me smile inside.

 

So, here’s to “lots of good times ahead”…..that I know we have had, and hope and know that we will share many more together.

Tanti Baci.

Winnie xo

Winnie’s Warriors #22 | Spring has Sprung

Apr9

Hello Everyone:

 

Wishing all those who have celebrated and are celebrating Easter and Passover a very “hoppy” one!

 

We continue to get warmer than the usual seasonal weather here in Toronto. Hard to believe but on March 25th I actually went out and played my first round of golf for 2012. The local public course, the Don Valley, which I live across the street from, opened for the first time in March. I teed off around 11 a.m. It was a little chilly at first, however after the sun came out around 1 p.m. it was lovely. What was even better was just being out and about. I loaded up my golf pull-cart and hiked around the course (it is quite hilly). You have to hit over the river on the first tee box. Of course, I haven’t gone to the driving range and took two practice swings while waiting for the other golfers in my group to hit their balls. I figured I could rely on any natural talent that I had left……..slight miscalculation……my first swing of the day promptly trickled off to the side and down the path and into the water. Horror of horrors! Naturally, I smiled at my other golfers, picked up my ball and proceeded to the drop area on the other side. Ended up with a 6 on the par 4. The second and third holes were a struggle too. I just about decided to walk back to the club house. But there was a nice gentleman who wanted to offer “some advice” – – (I find that men like to do that sometimes….haha). Turns out that I was standing too far from the ball. (No wonder my ball was going to the right and not very far!!). Good advice. I made 2 pars on the front 9 and 2 pars on the back nine. Squeaked in a 96 despite the horrible start and 2 doubles to finish the round. And, best of all, after the first hole, I didn’t lose any other balls!

 

I had been following the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta and was inspired to golf again. I went out Saturday – at Richmond Hill Golf Club and yesterday golf only 12 holes as I wanted to watch the last bit of the Masters (what an ending!) but recorded my first birdie of the season. I got a 3 on a par 4. The wind was going in my favour……

 

I am being careful with my arm and wearing my compression sleeve when I golf as I do when I travel. The thought of Lymphodema scares me but there is nothing I can do about it. Even if you follow all the advice on how to avoid it, you can still get it and it could happen at any time. Sometimes I think I have a little – – my right arm seems bigger to me – – I could measure and compare – – but I don’t want to really know. Besides, I think most people are not exactly symmetrical….and in the end, does it REALLY matter?! Probably not – unless I can’t wear my clothes!

 

My energy level is getting better. I have taken up swimming again – just a short 20 minutes of laps in my pool. I try and swim 2 to 3 times a week. Then a nice warm bath to relax my body. Working on getting my muscles working again (building them up for that matter). They’ve been asleep for awhile.

 

It’s amazing sometimes when I think about things. I didn’t feel so tired and drained before while going through treatments. (Or at least I didn’t notice as much). You have so much adrenaline during that time. Focusing on getting better, going to treatments, staying upbeat and positive that maybe you don’t notice how much you’ve beaten yourself up with the “Slash, Burn and Poison” treatment schedule. Or in my case “Poison (chemo), Slash (surgery) and Burn (radiation).

 

All and all I feel good and welcome the warmer weather, the sunnier and longer days. It’s quite windy outside today. So much so that I had to put my hand on the top of my head….you know, in case my wig blew off…..now that would be pretty funny!! I hope you are secretly smiling at the thought of that……

 

Big hugs to all.

And, I still haven’t had any McDonalds even though lent is over……I’ve been sticking with the Trucker’s Special.

 

Take care,

your “McWinnie” xo