Tag: yoga

Oncology Check-up

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Today was my Oncology check up and while in the waiting room, I saw the tree from the Survivor Day. I smiled while looking for my leaf and mega cheesed when I stepped back to look at the entire tree filled with each survivors’ handwriting. It’s truly an inspiring sight.

When I saw my doctor, it felt nice to not have a list of questions and problems to discuss with her. Lately, the only issue I have is joint pain. It comes and goes and is usually the worst in my left hand and wrist- which we will continue to monitor. And a little bit of neuropathy on the top of my right foot- completely manageable and expected after chemo.

Towards the end of the appointment, she began to tell me she’d see me back in six months. She obviously sensed my anxiety because she paused and then asked me if that would be ok. Initially I said “Oh, yeah. It’s cool” because I didn’t want to be that pain-in-the-ass patient… but immediately laughed and asked if we could do 4 months instead- because I AM that pain-in-the-ass patient. She laughed and agreed on 4 months, even insisting that I’m not a pain… I then asked her if there was anything I should be doing at this point, like trials or treatments. Her response- “Living your life. These will just be more like social visits.” I am Cool. With. That.

At the appointment, we had also talked about how my baby, BABY!, turns two this Friday. His major milestones are also huge milestones for me. Just two years ago, John and I were admitted to the hospital for Little Man’s induction at 35 weeks. In some ways it feels like yesterday and others, like a lifetime ago. Happy almost birthday to my feisty, no longer Quiet, Wyatt. 💙

Last week, with the holiday and John being away for work, I didn’t teach any yoga classes. And while I managed to get a lot done on those free nights, I found that I really missed teaching. I missed the comfort of the studio and the energy of the students. The joy they bring to the room makes my heart so happy.

And speaking of joy, I was also pumped to be back this week because I got to try out my new mat from a local company, https://joiyogi.com/. They make these striking, eco-friendly, natural tree rubber yoga mats 👌🏻 And because rolling out a new mat is always a good time 😍 I even have a discount code for 30% off if anyone is down for a new mat. Just enter MAMA30 at checkout. Dooooo it 🧘🏻‍♀️

Pete Dog trying out the new mat. He approved.

The Kaiser Peer Support volunteer orientation will be at the end of this month and I’m eager to begin connecting with others. I hear they have quite a few people who are interested in the program. In the meantime, I was able to meet up with an amazing gal who was recently diagnosed and lives here in Orange County. We were connected via the YSC San Diego Facebook group and I am so thankful to have been. It’s always nice to meet someone who you can tell you’d be friends with, even if the circumstances were different.

I’m also working on a little blog project for the month of October, I’ll explain more when we get closer but keep your peepers peeled. 👀

Little Har’s first game last Saturday ⚽️

Unicorn

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This past Wednesday, I started back up on Xeloda. I am feeling pretty good so far but I did notice that the bottoms of my feet are turning red again. No pain yet, just red. And my hands are super dry. No amount of lotion or oil can hydrate them which is so frustrating. I’ve always been obsessed with having lotion on my hands so this is driving me nuts. Overall, I’ve noticed that my skin is extremely dry on the Xeloda weeks. 

As far as mood swings, I feel like the extremes have started to level out. I can’t remember crying since my last post… so there’s that. I’m still crazy irritable though. I find myself having to take lots of deep breaths and little time outs to get through things that are not even a big deal. But in those moments, they’re fricken massive issues for some reason. I’m hoping to continue this leveling out business so that I don’t end up chasing all my loved ones away. 😬

Also, this past Wednesday, I attended a yoga teacher training open house at my studio. You guys, I walked into this meeting excited and left completely pumped up! I literally got chills while listening to a past student talk about his experience with the training. And listening to the instructors, it all felt so right. 

I’ve thought about pursuing my yoga teacher certification for several years now. But I always found some reason to put it off. I’d decided that this was the year I would somehow figure it out. The universe must have been paying attention because I have been blessed with an incredible opportunity to earn my yoga teacher training certification with my studio, Yoga Sol in Yorba Linda. 

Thrilled doesn’t even come close to explaining how I feel about it all! I’m eager to see the positive changes to come, along with more physical and emotional healing. The curriculum sounds challenging yet fun and so very interesting. And I can already tell that the class community will be encouraging and supportive- we all seem to bring something different to the group which is super fun. 

Years ago, I wanted to get my yoga teacher training solely so that I could offer prenatal classes to women that were NOT held in the middle of the day. 🙄 … My goals and reasonings have shifted a bit since pregnancy but I still have a strong desire to learn more, deepen my practice and to be able to share it with others. The teachers at Yoga Sol have helped me heal so tremendously throughout this last year and have really inspired me to take this next step. 

Since going back to work, I’ve started to notice some seriously extreme pain on the right side of my neck, shoulder and upper back. At first my brain went to a bad place but then I realized, it’s a familiar pain that I’ve experienced on and off for several years now. I think it all dates back to a 2005 car accident where I ended up in the hospital- it was a Valentine’s Day to (black out from a head injury but wake up shortly after) remember. 😐And I’m pretty sure it’s flaring up again since I’m back, sitting at a desk for work. Thank goodness I have the most amazing chiropractor to help me out. Yup, the same gal who got me through two vomit filled and pain filled pregnancies and just a little life altering diagnosis. Rad. Lady. Posse. 💪🏻 Right after my adjustment, I felt relief. She sent me home with some great exercises so I can help myself along the way. 

I want to end this post with a MASSIVE thank you to my friend Joe at On Season Meals in Fullerton. When I was diagnosed, he offered to set us up with weekly prepped meals. These meals not only fed me, John, and the kids but they also fed caregivers who came to help us out. They saved us on nights where we were so exhausted from appointments, medications, surgeries, overall parenting… that making dinner would not have happened. These meals kept us eating healthy when it could have been so easy to go through a drive thru somewhere and eat crap. 

So, Joe (hah that rhymes 😜) thank you to you and your staff for everything!! I don’t know how we can ever express how grateful we are for your generosity and support! 

Team Filloon- what began as a family joke, has proven to be the strongest team ever. You guys keep us going whether you know it or not. My worry is that it will never truly be understood how thankful we are for each and every one of you. 💜