Breast Cancer – Page 8 – SeasonedSistah

Sometimes You Just Gotta Rant!!!

Since, the “texting in the movie theater shooting last week,” I have been ANGRY. Wanting to COMPLAIN loudly. After a while, Hubby tuned me out. Frustrated!!I Gotta Rant? Sorry, loyal blog followers. I need to dump a little negativity on you this week.

Hear Me Rant!!! We Need Better Gun Control Laws

Too many guns in the hands of criminals, YES.

But, also too many “concealed weapons” in the hands of supposedly “law-abiding people.”

Law abiding people acting as judge, jury and executioner.

Law abiding people who, apparently, believe the “license to carry a weapon” anoints them to the level of judge, jury and executioner.

This is a health and safety issue for all of us.

Did you know that “554 people have been killed since May 2007 by people licensed to carry concealed weapons in incidents that did not involve self-defense.”

Allow Me Rant About Five!!

Rant #1: 71-year-old, retired police officer felt entitled to “draw his “concealed weapon” to shoot and kill” Chad Oulson, a 43-year-old father and husband in a movie theater who “refused to stop texting” and “responded to the request to stop texting by throwing popcorn.” (January 2014 – Florida)

Rant #2: Renisha McBride, 19-years-old, injured and dazed following an early morning car accident in a Detroit suburb. Seeking help, she went to a nearby home, knocked on the door and was met with a gunshot wound to the head. The homeowner alleged she was an intruder. Yet, he failed to call 911 prior to shooting her through a locked screen door. And, then left her to die on the front porch without calling 911. (December 2013, Michigan)

Rant #3: Jordan Russell Davis, 17-years-old sitting in a parked SUV at a gas station with friends was shot and killed. The shooter, 45-years old, was angered by the loud music the young men were listening to. When they failed to turn the music off, he randomly fired shots into the vehicle killing Jordan. (November 2013, Florida)

Rant #4: Darius Simmons, 13-years old, shot and killed by a 76-year-old neighbor who suspected Darius had broken into his home and stolen weapons. As Darius mother stood helplessly by on her front porch, the neighbor first pointed the gun at her; and, then pointed the gun at Darius and shot him in the chest. (July 2013, Wisconsin)

Rant #5: Seventeen-year-old, Travon Benjamin Martin, was shot and killed while walking unarmed in a gated community by a neighborhood watch captain. Calling 911, to report seeing a “suspicious person,” he ignored instructions not to get out of the car and proceeded to follow Travon and killed him. (February 2012, Florida)

Closing Rant

I join the many other Americans who believe stricter gun control laws and better mental health restrictions are needed to address this epidemic. It is unthinkable, in this day and age; that people feel it is okay to bear arms and act as though still live back in the days of the Wild, Wild West.

Family: The Best Holiday Gift, Part 2 – Christmas 2013

Family: The Best Holiday Gift, Part 1 – Thanksgiving 2013

In last week’s post, I learned a valuable lesson; “You can’t have a better tomorrow if you’re always thinking about yesterday.” (Unknown).

No doubt, I am stepping outside the boundaries of a “writer’s privilege;” but, the reverse order of this quote provides a better explanation of what happened in my case.

“Thinking about yesterday,” I broke a more than fifty-three year family tradition of spending Thanksgiving with our Children. Guided by the FEAR of a replay from the previous year, I chose to stay in warm Florida rather than expose my compromised immune system and serious lung condition to cold Wisconsin.

“You can’t have a better tomorrow.” Why? In choosing to make a decision about tomorrow, I relied on FEAR and ignored the commonly held theory that FEAR is: False Evidence Appearing Real. This view was validated when I was admitted to the hospital in warm Florida for seven days, including Thanksgiving Day, with both an immune system problem and lung condition.

As it turned out, even though I didn’t spend Thanksgiving with family, I found HAPPINESS in the PRESENT” through unexpected Gifts.

Family: The Best Holiday Gift, Part 2

What a beautiful Gift for ME and Hubby over the Christmas Holidays in the PRESENCE of the special people who bring happiness into MY Space on a daily basis. I am strengthened throughout the year, as the receiver, of their Gifts of encouragement, unconditional love, and support.

MY IPAD Amateur Photo Gallery

Hoping to avoid having to answer over-and-over again, “What are we eating?” I prepared the week’s menu so everyone knew what to expect:

Christmas 2013 Menu

I was able to capture the images below of my Gifts on an IPAD camera during their seven-day visit. While, the photos may not be appealing to the eye, they will join the other memorable treasures of past family gatherings. For, I truly believe, “memories are a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” (Unknown)

Hubby and Youngest Granddaughter –His Little Cupcake

Younger and Elder Daughters

Son and His Five-Year-Old Daughter (AKA, Cupcake)

Nephew/Surrogate Son

Son-In-Law Married to Elder Daughter

Eldest Grandson (24-years-old) and Baby Sister

Granddaughter (22-years-old) and Grandson (17-Years-Old)

Youngest Grandson (13-years-old)

Cupcake said, “I got this Banana Pudding!!

The Only One that Still Believes in Santa

Last Day – Quality Time with Two Granddaughters – Pedi/Mani

Visit Over – ME and MY Quality Time

Closing this week’s post, with the memorable family quotes I choose to embrace:

“Having someone to love is a family. Having a place to go is a home. Having both is a blessing.” (Donna Hedges)
“If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable – each segment distinct.” (Letty Cottin Pogrebin)
“What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.” (George Eliot)
“I sustain myself with the love of family.” (Maya Angelou)
“Spending time with the ones who are dear to you is like being in a dream is it not?” (Sakura Tsukuba, Land of the Blindfolded, Vol. 3)

A Grateful Five-Year Breast Cancer Survivor – Part 3

If the fear of cancer keeps you from moving forward,

enjoying life, being with loved one, laughing,

then the cancer won, even if it never comes back.

But if you reclaim your life, then even if the

cancer comes back, it didn’t win, because YOU, the PERSON, survived.

Lisa Weissman, Hematology/Oncology

October 1, 2013 the beginning of Breast Cancer Month, I made the choice to eliminate the fears about MY condition.

For more than five years, after a diagnosis of Breast Cancer, I lived in fear of the unknown —–

Fear of monthly self-breast exams;
Fear of periodic mammograms; and
Fear of appointments with the oncologist.

Since MY diagnosis, these unknown fears always ended with “no sign of cancer recurrence.” A welcomed, temporary reprieve until I had to undergo the next monthly self-breast exam, mammogram, and/or oncology visit.

Last month, as I prepared to write this four-part series on MY Breast Cancer Journey, I visited a number of blogs written by breast cancer survivors as well as breast cancer organization websites. These blogs and websites served as MY first introduction to Metastatic Breast Cancer and a new fear to deal with. The question is why MY oncologists never once discussed this condition with ME. Rest assured, on my next scheduled visit in December this will be MY first question to the oncologist.

While, I am Grateful for the excellent treatment provided by MY oncologists; I am a bit disappointed that they failed to discuss and explain Metastatic Breast Cancer. I may have made different lifestyle choices if they had shared information like the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance facts:

“Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to different parts of the body: bones, liver, lungs or brain.
early detection does not guarantee a cure. Metastatic Beast Cancer can occur 5, 10, or 15 years after a person’s original diagnosis and successful treatment checkups and annual mammograms.
An estimated 155,00 Americans are currently living with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Metastatic Breast Cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
20% to 30% of people initially diagnosed with early stage disease will develop Metastatic Breast Cancer.
Metastatic Breast Cancer is not an automatic death sentence. Although most people will ultimately die of the disease, some will live long, productive lives.

Despite the above-information, I overcame the FEARS of Breast Cancer. How?

Rather than focus on fear, I seek information, encouragement, and self-empowerment by connecting with:

Fifty-eight (58) Amazing Breast Cancer Bloggers
The Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance Website
Metastatic Breast Cancer Network Website
Living Beyond Breast Cancer Website
National Breast Cancer Foundation Website
Sisters Network
Sisters4Cure – Milwaukee

Rather than focus on fear, I seek spiritual uplifting, inspiration, strength, serenity, happiness, and peace through MY daily readings:

100 Perks of Having Cancer – Plus100 Health Tips for Surviving It, Florence Strang, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed. and Susan Gonzalez, R.N., B.S.N.
The President’s Devotionals – The Daily Readings that Inspired President Barach Obama, Joshua DuBois
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, Sarah Ban Breathnach
The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin
Simple Abundance Living by Your Own Lights (Audio Book), Sarah Ban Breathnach
Happier at Home, Gretchen Rubin
The Pink Bible an Invitation to Hope

I have chosen to “eliminate the fears” and “embrace the present”……..

“With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future, I live now.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
“Forever is composed of nows.” (Emily Dickson)
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future,, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” (Buddha)
“We are always getting ready to live but never living.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
“Today is life – the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today.” (Dale Carnegie)
“We steal if we touch tomorrow. It is God’s.” (Henry Ward Beecher)
“If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine.” (Morris West).

I am Grateful for the positive changes in MY lifestyle since the Breast Cancer diagnosis.

I am most Thankful to the Divine Spirit for guiding ME to write about MY Breast Cancer Journey.

A GRATEFUL FIVE-YEAR BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR – PART 2

INTRODUCTION

I designated October as the month to read everything MY 70-year-old brain could absorb on Breast Cancer. Also, the goal was to write a four-part series about MY five-year journey as a Survivor.

Relying on Google searches, I visited Breast Cancer:

Organizations
Personal Blogs
Support Groups Online
Support Groups for Family
Forums and Discussion Groups

But, before I could finish Part 2 of the series, a bout of bronchitis entered MY space and gained control. For almost three weeks, I was totally out of commission. But thanks to an excellent primary care physician, nebulizer inhalations, antibiotics, and cough medicine; I am bronchitis-free, feeling great, and ready to complete what I started.

###########

PART 2 – SURVIVING AND OVERCOMING BREAST CANCER

In the beginning of my Breast Cancer journey, I was frustrated, depressed, anxious, fearful and just plain angry.

Without warning, this “unwelcome” and “unfamiliar” condition, Breast Cancer, invaded MY body and changed MY life. There were so many unanswered questions about life expectancy, diagnosis, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Did I really want answers? No, denial and rejection of any topic related to Breast Cancer served as MY safety net. I chose to make Assumptions rather than face Reality.

Assumptions:

MY Five Year Survival Rate for Stage 1 Breast Cancer was 97%.
Stage 1 Breast Cancer was serious but not life threatening.
After five years, Breast Cancer was no longer a risk.

Sadly, for more than five years, I relied on these Assumptions.

But I was left with no choice but to face Reality as I prepared to write this four-part series on Breast Cancer. After reading a number of blogs written by Breast Cancer survivors and caregivers as well as visiting different Breast Cancer organization websites, I confronted —

Reality

American Cancer Society – “The five year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live after their cancer is found. Of course, many people live much longer than five years.”
Oncology Practice, Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Global Patient Survey – “Worldwide, one-third of patients who present with early-stage breast cancer will go on to develop metastatic disease.”

Now, I must face the Reality that MY

98% five-year survival rate has ended; and
despite an early diagnosis of Stage 1 Breast Cancer, I may be among the one-third who develops metastatic Stage 4 Breast Cancer.

As I continue down the path of this Breast Cancer journey, I will strive to improve the quality of MY life, on a daily basis, through:

Exercise
Meditation
Pacing
Distractions
Sleep Health
Diet and Nutrition
Massage Therapy
Aromatherapy
Spiritual Growth

I plan to put forth an extra effort to remain optimistic and stay positive in preparing to write Part 3 of this series on metastatic Stage 4 Breast Cancer. It’s a topic that I fear but I no longer will rely on Assumptions to avoid Reality.

Expressing Gratitude for the positive changes in my life after Breast Cancer. Everything happens in accordance with God’s Plan.

Also, Appreciation and Thanks to Amanda, Living in Another Language, for creating the new blog design.

Weekly Wishes #7

Wish is a “desire or hope for something to happen” (Merriam-Webster.com). I write about the failure to fulfill past Wishes because I choose to hold ME accountable for MY failures. Especially, when they are under MY control.

Unfulfilled Wishes Weeks #3, 4 and 6

Since I failed to complete the Wishes below, I added them to MY Wishes for Week #7:

Learning to use the Digital Camera is the only remaining Wish from Week #3 and #4 that remains unfilled. However, it is a work-in-progress; this week, I viewed a number of instructional You Tube videos and reviewed the manual.

I failed to Prepare a Healthy Dessert as Wished for in Week #6. Devoted quite a bit of time looking at a number of recipes to find just the right one; finally, I settled on a Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe found in one of my cookbooks, “Fantastic Food with Splenda,” by Marlene Koch.

Things “outside-of-my-comfort zone”, I will push to the bottom of MY “mental to do list.” This is the case with Desserts whether healthy or not, I can recall only a few successes; and, the last camera I used was a Kodak Instamatic in the 1970s. Yes, I am on a mission to overcome these challenges. Facing them week after week may open ME up to bringing the “unknown” and “uncomfortable” into my “comfort zone.”

Fulfilled Wishes Week #6

This past week was busy. Despite, the number of things on MY “to do list” and the “scheduled appointments”; I completed the following Wishes:

Viewed instructional YouTube Videos on Canon Digital Camera;
Created a Calendar of Activities: Breast Cancer Awareness;
Posted “A Grateful Five-Year Breast Cancer Survivor; and
Visited and commented on Six Breast Cancer Blogs

I opened MY eyes, looked and learned so much from the Six Breast Cancer Blogs, I visited this week:

Misifusa’s Blog – “Life is about the now, not the past, not the future.” I am inspired, motivated, and uplifted after reading her posts.
I Hate Breast Cancer – “I had just graduated from high school and seen my mom die from metastatic breast cancer. Now I have it. But this isn’t about me – it’s about making a difference for other people.” Reading this blog peaked my interest to learn more about metastatic breast cancer.
Telling Knots – “Empty Promises: If we’re not aware of metastatic breast cancer, we’re not aware….About 30% of people diagnosed with breast cancer at any stage will develop distal metastasis.” Living as a five-year breast cancer survivor unaware of these facts until I started to explore the cancer blogs.
Rethink Breast Cancer – ‘Young women get cancer too – Their concerns are unique. Their needs are distinct and their survival rates are lower than those of older woman.” I plan to share the link to this blog with my young survivor friends. This advocacy and support blog as well as the listing of over 30 books recommended by young breast cancer survivors may be helpful.
The Perks of Having Cancer – “Being a survivor is not all about being cancer free….it is about attitude.” This blogger and her blogger friend have joined together and published a book, “100 Perks of Having Cancer Plus 100 Health Tips for Surviving It.” Ordered the book from Amazon.com; and, I look forward to reading about the “perks” and “tips.”.
Chemobrain…In The Fog – “I was the person with an organized spice cabinet. Today, I may not bring my mail in for three days. Might not open it for another three.” At this blogger’s suggestion, Signed up to with the Army of Women, I want to be a part of their “mission to move beyond a cure to find a way to prevent breast cancer.”

I am Grateful to God that “MY eyes were opened” to review and comment on the Six Breast Cancer Blogs. The lack of knowledge about Breast Cancer is a “self inflicted wound” that could well affect the quality of MY life; and, I choose to become a knowledgeable and informed Breast Cancer Survivor. In the words of Peter Drucker, “Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.”

Weekly Wishes #7

In addition to the two Unfulfilled Wishes; I Wish to:

Locate – Additional Breast Cancer Blogs
Visit and Comment on Six Breast Cancer Blogs
Post – “A Grateful Five Year Breast Cancer Survivor” Part 2

October is dedicated to increasing MY awareness of Breast Cancer and sharing MY five-year journey as a Breast Cancer Survivor. Every day, I will express Gratitude to God for His Gift of Life.

A Grateful Five-Year Breast Cancer Survivor

First in a Series of Four Posts

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And, I am a Grateful Five-Year Breast Cancer Survivor choosing to share my journey by: (1) stepping outside of my comfort zone; (2) moving beyond the “mere act” of wearing pink; and (3) writing this blog series.

First and foremost, I express gratitude to God for the Gift of Life since my Breast Cancer diagnosis in February 2008.

SEEKING ANSWERS

In the early stages of my journey, frustration, anger, fear, and depression prevented me from expressing gratitude and appreciation to God or anyone else. Instead, I was seeking answers —

HOW? I had a clean mammogram seven months ago.
WHY? There is no history of breast cancer in my family.
WHAT? Is my survival rate?

TREATMENT

While I never received a clear medical answer to the HOW and WHY; my five-year survival rate is 97% based on the success of the following treatments:

Lumpectomy (Left Breast) – removal of the cancer and some of the normal breast tissue around it. (Medline Plus)
Chemotherapy – IV Injection, eights hours one day per week, for 12 weeks
Radiation – Five days per week for eight weeks.

Prior to the Lumpectomy procedure, they warned me about the possible pronounced and disfiguring breast asymmetry. For me, this was not an issue. At the time of diagnosis, I was 66-years-old, married to Hubby for more than 48 years, and knew HE would continue to love ME as well as MY lumpy and disfigured left breast. The size difference between my breasts never concerned me. If I had been younger, it might have been different.

Beyond the five daily treatments, irritating skin burns, and feeling worn out; there were no significant problems with Radiation therapy.

I faced several challenges during the Chemotherapy phase.

Challenge #1 – After working for almost two years coordinating a Family Reunion scheduled to take place in our city, I could not attend. Two days earlier, based on lab findings, the Oncologist placed me on home quarantine; and I was told to continuously wear a surgical mask. Not because I was dangerous to “others,” but “others” were dangerous to ME. Feeling miserable and alone with over 200 family members arriving for a full weekend of fun and activities, Hubby and the Middle-Aged Kids allowed those who were closest to visit me at home for a short time. No hugging, no touching, no bodily contact and they were only allowed to stand outside of my bedroom door. Not sure if my Oncologist would have approved. But, in this case the benefits outweighed the risk – at least I thought so.

Challenge #2 – I did not complete the full 12 weeks of therapy as ordered. In Week #7 the Oncologist cancelled my chemo; after, I reported unusual sensations in my feet and toes. The Oncologist said this was a side effect of one of the chemo drugs. I was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Pain). I knew there were side effects. But, the benefits of the chemo drugs outweighed the risks. So, I now must live with another chronic condition for which there is no known cure.

Challenge #3 – I was depressed. It was difficult to watch my hair fall out braid-by-braid, a little more everyday, and, finally total baldness. Eventually, I was able to overcome the depression by repeating over and over the proverb, “This too will pass.

Ever Grateful to God

for the

Gift of Life

Dedicated to A Breast Cancer Warrior

Mentor, best friend, and the sister God placed in my life shortly after I married her younger brother more than 52 years ago, died in December of 1988 after a long battle with Stage IV Breast Cancer. During her four-year fight to survive, I never heard one complaint. With confidence, I can say every one who watched her go through the repetitive rounds of chemotherapy; radiation treatments and hospitalizations will agree that she exemplified all the following “Pink Warrior Symbols.”

Power and Courage
Plants for Life, Growth and Survival
A Feather for Kinship
A Dove for Peace in the Battle
War Paint, Showing Readiness to Battle
A Tree for Love, Standing Tall
A Heart, for Standing Strong
Angel Wings, to Honor Those Who Have Died

Four years my senior, she was the big sister I dreamed of growing up as an only child. What a Blessing!!! I was gifted with the opportunity to spend quality time with this very, very special person during the last days of her life

You see, in August of 1988, my husband invited her to live with us in Madison, Wisconsin. She had reached a point where she needed around-the-clock care. The two of us cared for her evenings and weekends. Her daughter, brother, sister, cousin, nieces, nephews, and aunt provided care on weekdays. Fortunately, all of them lived in Madison and were available during the day due to retirement, student status, evening work, or paid time off usage. Our family knew she would prefer a home setting rather than a sterile hospital room. Although the spare bedroom, in order to accommodate her needs, was set up much like a hospital room with a hospital bed, over-the-bed table, and oxygen tank. Yet, it was a lived-in home environment. Family members were providing the needed care.

The best reasons for her move to Madison. It placed her in the same city as her youngest child, a daughter, who graduated from high school in June of 1988. She was scheduled to start classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the Fall 1988 semester. Though away from her own home, she was able to maintain a close connection with her husband and adult son. Madison is only a three-hour drive from Chicago.

On November 25, 1988, she celebrated her 50th Birthday in our spare bedroom. Less than three weeks later, she quietly passed away in this small spare bedroom surrounded by members of her nuclear, extended family and close friends.

This post is dedicated to my sister-in-law, Shirley Mae Thomas Conda, a Breast Cancer Warrior, who bravely fought the fight, but lost the battle.

Through the many seasons of my life, I have faced my share of trials and tribulations. However, nothing challenged me more than the diagnosis of Breast Cancer in February 2008.

Thank you Shirley. You were still my “role model, some 20 years later” as I went through a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Being in your presence as you fought Breast Cancer, continues to give me the courage to fight this condition for which there is still no known cure.

On this 5^th Anniversary as A Breast Cancer Survivor, I am:

Thankful for my husband, children, grandchildren, extended family members, PMTC family, and friends who went beyond anyone’s expectations in sharing their love and support as I went through the early, and sometimes scary times, of my cancer treatments.

Grateful to Sisters4Cure, Milwaukee Affiliate, for their on-going support, information and education to increase my awareness of Breast Cancer.

Finally, I give praise and honor to God. Thanking Him for bringing me this far.

Living Life as One of God’s CREATIONs

The exact day of the week is unknown, but in February of 2010, I made a decision that would change the course of my life. I chose to begin the journey of “Living Life as One of God’s CREATIONs.” On long-term medical leave, bedridden, recovering from a serious illness, bored, and television channel surfing, I landed on a religious cable network. Immediately, I was drawn into the commentary and lively discussion on the topic of the day. I have to admit, the religious cable network is not one of my “go to” networks. My cable channel programming preferences lean more toward Home and Garden TV, The Food Network, OWN, and MSNBC. But on this particular day, I chose to channel surf. Why, I may never know, but the information shared in this program led me down a new path that has improved the overall quality of my life.

The discussion topic was the book by Monica Reed, M.D. entitled, “The CREATION Health Breakthrough.” Dr. Reed, is a former Medical Officer of Florida Hospital and most recent the CEO of Florida Hospital’s medical facility – Celebration Health. Having a lifetime commitment to whole health, Dr. Reed suggests there are “eight fundamentally, powerful and scientifically proven essentials to reverse the effects of lifestyle, prevent disease in at-risk people, and ultimately achieve total health and wellness.”

I questioned whether it was possible to “achieve total health and wellness.” If so, I needed to get on board. At that time, I was a chronic pain survivor having been diagnosed both with Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis more than seventeen years earlier. After so many years of being by themselves, I guess these two conditions were getting lonely so in a two-year period, I brought them four new major conditions: Breast Cancer (2008); Peripheral Neuropathy-Nerve Pain (2008); Epiglottitis-Severe Respiratory Distress (2010); and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2010).

These last four conditions were due to the side effects from medications prescribed to treat one condition causing the onset of a new condition. Most over-the-counter and prescribed medications will list the side effects – even some carry the statement, “rare but serious side effects.” It is my understanding less than 1% of people prescribed a medication will have “rare but serious side effects.” Four incidents in two years, was I qualified to be the poster child for the “rare but serious side effects” ? I survived four, but what about the future. I was even more concerned after reading an article on MedicationSense.com reporting that medication side effects are the #4 leading cause of deaths in America.” So on this cold day in February 2010, recovering from a life-threatening illness, I was more than ready to look at alternative therapies to manage my existing health conditions.

As soon as the program ended, I ordered Dr. Reed’s book, willingly paid extra for the overnight delivery, and read the entire book in one-day. What resonated most was the section on Lifestyle Diseases, which Dr. Reed defined as, “a group of harmful behaviors practiced over time, which result in decreased quality of life and ultimately to the onset of chronic illnesses leading to premature death.” I had to “fess up” to having more than less of the harmful behaviors.

Little or no physical exercise
Lack of sufficient or fulfilling sleep
Sustained exposure to stress
Participate in high risk behaviors such as smoking or drug use
Minimal or no personal playtime or time for solitude
Limited family or meaningful relationship time
Lack of a spiritual connection

Yes, regrettably I had a long-time relationship with five of the eight behaviors as indicated by those highlighted. Actually, there could well be six, if I were to include “smoking,” a 20-year habit until I quit in 1980. I was ready to get on board with Dr. Reed and the CREATION Health Lifestyle.”

Some three years later, I am grateful and humbled by the improvement in my life since starting the journey to “CREATION – God’s 8 Principles for Living Life to Its Fullest .”

I no longer control my long-term chronic conditions with medications that carry the label “rare but serious risks.”
On March 8, 2013, I will celebrate my Fifth Anniversary as a Breast Cancer survivor.
My pulmonary issues are adequately managed with minimal use of an inhaler and nebulizer.

My personal CREATION plan for living life to its fullest is ever-changing, I am happy to share the latest with you:

C = Choice – The choices I make, in large part, determines my destiny. Strive daily to make good choices in all areas of my life. Choose to be happy rather than sad. Choose to focus on the positive rather than the negative. Choose to show gratitude and appreciation daily for all of my blessings rather than coveting what other have. Empowered and in control to make healthy choices relating to my health.

R = Rest –Take time out during the day for “solitude time.” Reading, meditating, and “total silence” is what I choose to do during this time. Take a full Sabbath Day on any day I feel my body is in need of rest and revitalization.

E = Environment – Home is a safe haven it brings me peace, serenity and tranquility. I enjoy sitting on the rear patio looking at the vibrant colorful flowers overflowing in beautiful pots brings happiness into my life. I love the feeling of “isolation.” Large trees in the conservation area backing up to the rear of our home and flanked by tall shrubbery on both sides creates my own private oasis.

A = Activity – Exercise at the YMCA four days per week for one hour. Recognize exercise reduces my pain and stress levels.

T = Trust – Trust in God. Develop healthy relationships based on mutual respect and trust. Trust my other half. Trust my children.

I = Interpersonal Relationships – Pursue supportive and positive interpersonal relationships beyond my immediate family. Stay connected with my Wisconsin friends. Open the door to attract new friends in Florida.

O = Outlook – Far better to find the good as opposed to the bad in any given situation. Choose to be optimistic rather than pessimistic. Keep a positive outlook and visualize the unlimited possibilities available during this season of my life.

N = Nutrition – Continue to develop a realistic nutrition plan. Limit intake of animal fats and cholesterol. Limit sweets and refined foods. Increase intake of high fiber foods.

The quality of my life is getting better every day by – Making good Choices; Taking time for Rest; Enjoying the Environment; Exercising four days per week as an Activity; Learning the true meaning of Trust; Expanding Interpersonal relationships; Maintaining a positive Outlook; and knowing the importance of Nutrition.

I Am Gonna Make the Rest of My Life the Best of My Life