I’ve had a good couple of weeks. I began walking again and
doing yoga- light. I had my 4th treatment Wednesday (5/7/14). My blood
pressure and heart rate have finally
returned to normal (they were very high these past couple of months- most likely stress), my
weight has stabilized (I was losing
a little weight), and my labs all came back normal (except that my White
Blood Cell count is low but not critical- WBC’s help fight infection so I need
to just be careful). The plan is to finish the 6 treatments with Taxotere then have
a scan (either a PET, if insurance pays, or a CT) to check for response. Most
likely in June. I’ll also be due in June for an Echo to check my heart EF. I
will continue with Perjeta, Herceptin, and Zometa indefinitely. I basically am
feeling good, just tire more easily. So, still just swimming and living in the
moment.
I’d like to share my discovery of Mindfulness. Many people
have mentioned Mindfulness to me: my yoga instructor, social worker, nurse. It
was not until my therapist recommended two books- The Art of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh and Full Catastrophe living by John Kalnat Zinn that I began to fully
understand what it means. I thought it was an abstract mediation practice that
I would never have time for- but I was wrong. Mindfulness is what I’ve been
grasping at while I say “live in the moment” and “take one day at a time.” It’s
about being aware, being present, and learning to appreciate the here and now.
I highly recommend anyone looking for some peace to look into it! It has truly
helped me to center and pay attention to the present.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers, I’m truly
blessed!
“According to the Buddha, life is available only in the here and
now, the present moment. He said, “The past is already gone, the future is not
yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live, and that is the present
moment.” If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life.”
