Hello Everyone:
Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those that celebrated.
I was happy for Easter to arrive as for lent this year, (February 13-March 30) I decided to give up eating all types of meat, except I kept seafood in my diet to make sure I got enough protein. For that reason and you just can’t eat that many beans day in and day out! LOL. I guess it was my version of a cleanse. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could do it, as I do love my steaks (accompanied with martinis or a good red wine), but I did persevere. (I think when I was going through treatment I tried to give up alcohol…….I lasted 3 days.) But, as my oncologist said, better to drink a little than not at all! I got up bright and early on Easter morning and went to a one hour Zumba class. I hadn’t been in about 7 weeks and I wasn’t even sure I could make it through the class. Yikes. Maybe due to lack of food so I went home and made myself a good breakfast of bacon and eggs, with some strong coffee to wash it all down. : ) Someone told me that once you haven’t had meat in awhile, that it would taste strange and that maybe my body would reject it……..not so for this girl. I was “Hmmmmm….BACON……” (just like Homer Simpson……wide-eyed……
I’ve been wearing my black compression arm sleeve as I am waiting for the gauntlet to match and wear with my new beige one. So far when people see me wear it, they actually think it’s a fashion accessory! A lady in my Zumba class actually gave me a thumbs up and came over to say she thought I was being quite fashionable for Zumba. Until she realized I was only wearing one sleeve. Who knows? I could start a new fashion trend.
We’ve been having some sunshine as of late in Toronto. This past weekend was lovely, up until Sunday late afternoon. A nice tonic to warm and heal the soul after a long winter season. The only problem with the warmer weather, is that it’s bringing on the hot flashes in a fierce way. Sometimes, it can be a good thing, like when I go skiing, I don’t have to wear as many layers – as I am my own walking furnace. LOL! However, when it starts to wake you up in the middle of the night, or when you’re just relaxing with a glass of wine or doing some chores, it can be annoying. I’ve been trying to hydrate as much as possible. I’m supposed to drink more water to help with the lymphedema anyway.
I’ve had 5 treatments for my arm now. 5 more to go with my OT. Then, I’ll try to find a physiotherapist that has training to treat people with lymphedema. We did measure at my last treatment and it seems that the swelling is under control. My arm hasn’t gotten bigger. Now, I have to continue to manage it and try to maybe get it back to “normal”. I have been swimming 3-5 times a week. Just simple laps for about 20 minutes each time. Taking advantage of the fact I have a pool at my condo. Finally getting some value add out of the high maintenance fees I pay!! Most times I’m the only one there so it is like having my own private indoor pool. Kind of nice. It’s very therapeutic and peaceful. But I think I need to buy a one-piece bathing suit. The bikini can be a little awkward at times. But it’s holding up quite well, considering I paid $10 for it at a street fair in New York City last year (it’s good quality and a brand name….it may have fallen off the back of a truck!). LOL.
Can’t wait for the warmer weather so I can put away the winter coats, hats, scarves, boots and mitts. Since my fast over the Lent period and the swimming I’ve been able to wear my ‘skinny jeans’ again……I haven’t been able to do that since after radiation when I looked a little too thin. I look and feel healthier and that’s not an April Fools joke!
Hugs and Love.
Winnie xo