May 28, 2011

Friday 5/27/11

How does a SuperMonkey say Thank You?

So today was a very special day - the school year is winding down and expected to end soon.  As I embark on the next portion of my treatment (surgery) I have been thinking a lot about all the people who have helped me through chemo and in that crowd is a special group of 5th graders Ms Stephanie Robledo's class at Ridgecrest Elementary.  I asked Ms Robledo if it is ok if I visit her 5th grade class to personally thank them for making me a very special book.  She asked her principal and they agreed to let me come for a visit.  I had purchased pink silicone bands that say "Fight Like a Girl" with boxing gloves and a ribbon on them.  

Matt accompanied me and we went to personally thank the students for their inspiring actions and words.  I honestly think that as adults we don't always behave the best or say the right things but children have an amazing ability to make things very simple and clear.  Their words of bravery and courage meant a great deal and helped motivate me in those extremely difficult moments.   It seemed these students really understood what I needed and I am sure that had a great deal to do with Ms Robledo's strong desire to teach her students the importance of communication skills. 

Long and short I showed up and spoke to the students about how their bravery and their words helped me be brave during this challenging time.  I told them that I was diagnosed with cancer and it is scary.  I explained a little about what cancer is.  I also told them that my chemo treatment came with a long list of side effects including but not limited to:  weight gain, exhaustion, weaker immunity and hair loss to name a few.  But none of those things received as much of a reaction as the loss of taste buds.  I explained the fact that the cells that divide the fastest are the ones that are most effected (I am pretty sure they heard blah, blah, blah).  But then when I said, "I couldn't taste my favorite foods ... not even ice cream"  They all gasped and their chins hit the floor.  We had an interaction about favorite foods and if you can't taste them what does it taste like the answer is "nothing if you are lucky and medicine if you are unlucky".  What does nothing or tastelessness taste like, this was a hard question.  I threw it back out to them .. what can you think of that tastes like nothing?  The answer - Cornflakes ... and yeah I have to agree that when I couldn't taste food it all tasted like cornflakes, sometimes crunchy and sometimes not crunchy.  Despite the fact that I moved on and covered a lot of topics - showing them my port and talking about all sorts of things they still kept coming back to food and they asked if my taste-buds had returned - and the good news is that they have.  They were all relieved to hear that.  :)

The students were great and when I was done I explained that I had a gift for them - the fight like a girl bands and while I thought the boys would say they didn't want to wear pink bracelets - no one said anything like that.  We took a picture together and I told the students they were all "Super Friends" that I have been lucky enough to make during this journey.  

Picture of me with the class sporting their new bands below.  In case you were wondering Yes I am making a "SuperMonkey Muscle".

Me talking to the class

SuperMonkey with Super Friends

Me outside of the Elementary School

In case any of you are wondering where I purchased the bands I found this super cool store online called The Pink Ribbon Shop and it is an awesome store I highly recommend checking it out.  

Link to the store:  http://www.pinkribbonshop.com/

Link to the breast cancer bands:  http://www.pinkribbonshop.com/breast-cancer-bands.aspx

Thursday 5/26/11

Surgery Prep Underway

Late this afternoon I went to the hospital for my Pre-Operative Tests - I will be having my surgery at Methodist Hospital in Houston and their Pre-Operative Center is a nice new building.  The waiting room has public computers with internet - so you can be on the computer while you wait - a very nice facility.  This visit was full of all sorts of strange, repetitive questions -- what is your condition, what medications are you on, etc.  Suddenly the nurse asked if I could move my neck / head freely from side to side (which I could) and asked if I have ever been told my airways are constricted - to which I answered no.  This of course peaked my curiosity and I asked her why she was asking so many questions about my neck the cancer is in my breast.  She said - it's because we intubate you during surgery.  In all honesty prior to this I hadn't thought of details such as intubation or no intubation.  She then said it was the easiest and safest way to conduct the surgery.  I have to say that this news caught me a little off guard.  I didn't know this would be done or required during surgery - but at this point I am learning to expect the unexpected - I am experiencing all sorts of firsts. 

The rest of the testing was blood draw, urine sample, EKG and chest X-Ray.  As I understand it from my plastic surgeon the concern is infection - the tissue expanders are very sensitive and if you currently have an infection in your body your tissue expanders will get infected.  If they don't call me back I am clear of any infection.  Either way the next 2 weeks until my surgery I should be aware of where I go and who I interact with because any type of illness requires immediate treatment prior to surgery.  No pictures to share this time - Matt didn't join me for this visit so I will have to remember to ask others to take a picture of me at future visits Matt doesn't attend.  

Wednesday 5/25/11

Matt returned from New Mexico late this evening.  He has been gone since Monday and I missed him.  It’s always good to have him back home.  

Sunday 5/22/11

Today was another Track Day for Matt.  Matt and I now have the track day prep down to a science, we arrived and unloaded the gear and our friends Mark and Stephanie arrived shortly thereafter.  So everyone was ready to go and Matt and Mark spent the day in and out of class and on the track.  Stephanie and Mark’s children spent the am getting oriented to the track, the facilities and the schedule.  

Matt seems to be getting pretty comfortable with the bike and the track atmosphere.  It was nice having Stephanie and Mark's children there today - this made the day go by a lot quicker.  And while the day started with very tolerable weather it did heat up!!  I don't know the exact high reached today - but I think "hot" pretty much sums it up. 

Today MotoHouston also had a BBQ at the track and had a pretty large turn out.  The morning started with a Lamborghini parked behind our pit area -- very nice car and pictured below.  But as the day progressed and the tracked filled up with spectators and motorcycles the expensive cars multiplied.  Lambo was followed by a Ferrari and the Ferrari was followed by a Maserati.  Now Matt and Mark had to negotiate between 1 million dollars worth of cars to re-enter our pit area with each trip out to the track.  While sitting in our area discussing how hot the day was we saw mirages appearing and disappearing in the form of half dressed women, OMG they were all hanging around the expensive automobiles.  While I have heard of such mirages, I have never witnessed them first hand and seeing it on a day as hot as today made me wonder what else might appear.    These women could smell the money and they were circling just as sharks circle their prey in the ocean.  It was sheer entertainment!!

A couple of pictures below to show the spirits of the day (overall very positive).

Mark with his KickAss Hat

Stephanie posing for the camera

Matt and I

Matt in front of the exotic cars

Lambo in the early am before the crowds arrived

On a much more inspiring note:

I have told my story to almost everyone I interact with on a regular basis at work about my diagnosis and treatment.  I have to say that everyone has been so supportive and encouraging.  One of my co-workers Megan in San Francisco told me that today she was running a half marathon and that she read in a book a while back about an idea to run with beads each representing a person you know.  You think of them during their mile and draw strength and motivation from thinking of them.  She told me earlier in the week that one of her beads represented me.  I would be mile 12 - represented with a pink bead.  I must say that this was a super awesome idea and I felt so good all day Sunday thinking that I was helping Megan in her half marathon and ever since hearing about this I am still moved by the idea and Megan's actions.  You should know that Megan did very well during this event (her second half marathon).  Megan - I am glad you kicked butt during the Half Marathon - SuperMonkey Style!  Picture of Megan's beads below.  

Megan's Beads
(mine is the pink one on the far right)

Saturday 5/21/11

Today was a big day - it was the Iron Man in The Woodlands, Texas - which is north of Houston.  I have only seen IronMan competitions on television - so of course I had to go to see it in real life to show support for our friends.  For those of you who don't know the IronMan is a Triathlon consisting of 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.  Having competed in endurance races I can tell you that a race of this magnitude allows you plenty of opportunity for self-reflection.  I have never competed in an IronMan but I have a tremendous amount of respect for all athletes who tackle this beast.  This was a very special course in that we were able to see the runners while they ran their marathon in 3 loops.  We were lucky enough to see most of the people we were there to support run past us 3 times.  We arrived early enough to see the professionals run - it was pretty amazing to see how fast they were running given their full day of competition.  

Just for a little perspective I thought I would include the top performers  / times. 

First place male finished the entire race in 8 hrs, 8 min, 20 seconds and the first place female finished the entire race in 8 hrs, 57 min, 51 seconds.  

There are lots of inspiring stories in this competition from the blind competitors who compete while tethered to another athlete to the current Vice President of marketing and development for ironman - who has successfully fought thyroid cancer, stage 3 lymphoma and had back surgery all within the last decade.  

All competitors are "heroic" the amount of training and dedication invested in showing up for the race is remarkable.  But as I stood there - watching this incredible race with all types of competitors I couldn't help but think about how lucky I am.  Lucky because I really do understand the sacrifice competitors make to prepare for their races and lucky because I know that training for the big races in life has prepared me for the most important competition I have ever known, competing against and beating cancer.  Truth be told I do sometimes forget that I am competing and I get tired and discouraged, but events like this and days like today are excellent reminders.  I have selfishly worked really hard to continually inform my support crew (family, friends and co-workers) of my status so that I can continue to receive the much needed support.  I still need people on the sidelines motivating me to keep going, and believe me when I say that I am so grateful for every positive thought and encouraging word.  

Congratulations to all of today's IronMan competitors - Great work!!

Question:  How does an IronMan race keep the spectators interested
Answer:  Don't tell them how to find the course
(these maps were terrible)

IronMan Motivation

Friday 5/20/11

Early this morning I dropped off the dogs at the groomer to be re-shaved and while this might be new news to some of you -- there is actually a cut that is a lion's cut (that makes your dog look like a lion).  Our pets don't have enough fur for a full on lion's cut but they do have very full tails.  I asked for a lion's cut for their tails and I gotta say it is so ridiculously cute!!

Today I went to the office and it was great seeing and catching up with everyone.  Since transitioning to work from home in December I haven't been back to the office very much.  Today was special - I went in for a co-workers' baby shower.  It was a great time!!  My co-workers had a lot of words of encouragement about my treatment.  It feels good to be around such optimism.  

  

Check Out the Lions' Tails

Stay tuned for more SuperMonkey Adventures,

Nancy

AKA:  SuperMonkey

"The difference between school and life?  In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.  In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson."

 - Tom Bodett

May 18, 2011

Wednesday 5/18/11

Today was a normal day at work - when I received a call from my Plastic Surgeons' office stating that due to a recent change in her surgery schedule the doctor would not be able to see me tomorrow as originally planned.  They asked if I could instead come in late this afternoon for my initial consult / to discuss my treatment plan.

The experience of completing the required paperwork to see a plastic surgeon is unlike any other experience I have had ... lots of language about the elective nature of the visit related to responsibility for payment (language explaining that if not approved by the insurance company I am responsible for paying for basically everything).  I was met with a very pleasant surprise in the room - the robe you wear is an actual robe (pink terry-cloth material, not paper and not cheap) much more soothing and comforting then the what you feel when you are dressed in paper.       

Super Happy in a Cloth Robe

The doctor walked in while Matt and I were in a full on belly laugh from some ridiculous thing one of us had just said.  I don't think this is the normal tone the doctor walks in on.  She said "wow it is fun in here" and Matt responded "always".  

The doctor was very patient in discussing / reviewing all the variables that go into planning the next steps:  Surgery Type (lumpectomy vs mastectomy, nipple sparing vs not), Additional Treatment Needs (Radiation in my case), Future Needs (plans to have children or not) and lastly Age (which in my case is young).  

The visit went very smoothly and I feel confident that I am in good hands and that this doctor is completely capable of providing the type of care I want / need;  Non-nonsense, roll up your selves and get healthy attitude.  Both Matt and I were struck by the compassion and kindness we felt from everyone we met; the receptionist, the nurse, the Physicians Assistant and the Plastic Surgeon.  

I have specific instructions for pre-operative testing and directions on medication to avoid prior to surgery.  Overall the experience was very positive, warm, compassionate and even fun.  I know that is not what you would expect from a plastic surgery consult - but I have learned something about the tone I experience with each medical provider.  I am very much myself - and while having cancer is what has lead me to all these doctors and nurses, it does not define who I am or the attitude I have towards life.  It is merely a diagnosis and while I will always be a Cancer Survivor I will Not Always Have Cancer!!.  

I will say this - to date everyone I have encountered has almost ignored my age - saying we just have to treat the cancer and work on getting better.  This attitude is something I whole-heartedly agree with.  But today I met the first doctor who was truly perplexed by my diagnosis given my age and my lack of family history (risk factors).  She asked more probing questions about possible exposure that may have lead to such a young diagnosis.  It really validates what I have experienced to date - the diagnosis and treatment of Breast Cancer is really geared to a more mature patient.  It does sadden me to think that there are other young women out there who maybe struggling to find the "healthiest way" to approach and deal with their own Breast Cancer diagnosis.  I hope it isn't always this way.  I hope we can do more to make the process more palpable for young healthy people.  My top questions for the plastic surgeon today were focused on returning to fun activities such as: running, biking, racing and motorcycle riding - she pacified me by saying that they want me to walk and do things -- but running and biking will come later (maybe 6 weeks post operation) with a clear disclaimer that everyone is different and it could take longer, I had to remind myself that she doesn't know me, I am SuperMonkey.   :) 

Well all week I have been anticipating this visit and I am really happy with how it has gone.  It really does make me grateful for living in Houston (which is recognized for some of the best Cancer Care today).  

Matt and I celebrated with a Beer and a Burger at "The Broken Spoke Cafe" on Washington Blvd.  I haven't been here for a burger since December (before I was diagnosed) and while I could only half way taste the burger or the beer I still enjoyed myself as Matt and I toasted to one another and the fabulous care I have been lucky enough to receive.  

Stay tuned for more SuperMonkey Adventures,

Nancy 

AKA:  SuperMonkey

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

 - Author Unknown 

May 15, 2011

Sunday 5/15/11

Today I felt good enough to get a work out in - before heading out Matt and I did 20 sit-ups each on his new sit up bench.  Due to the position of the bench I left for the workout feeling my new "back fat" - not pleasant.  We ran about 4.5 miles at the park and while we fully intended to ride our bikes - the run really kicked my butt.  I felt it mostly in my legs but my body still feels pretty full of the chemo chemicals - this final treatment is taking me longer to bounce back from. 

We came home and I went down for a nap - I felt as though I had run at least 15 miles / I was exhausted.  The rest of the day was very relaxed - we did lots of stuff around the house.  

Saturday 5/14/11

Track Day

So today Matt had a track day at "Texas World Speedway" (TWS) in College Station, TX.   College Station is about 1.5/2 hours away from Houston, therefore this meant that we had to be up and out early in the morning.  Since Matt likes to be at least 1 hour early to everything we left the house at 4 am - we were in line at TWS by 6 am (nice and early).   The day was expected to reach high 80s - but turned out to be a lot windier then I was expecting.  Thank goodness I brought a blanket :)

This was our first time at this track and the facility is very large.  Since we started so early as soon as the car was unpacked I went back to the car for a nap. 

A track day consists of rotation between class instruction and track time.  Matt started classes at 8 am and made it out for his first lap at about 9 am. I used this time to get oriented to the facility - the grounds are pretty big and while today's track crowd wasn't large - it is obvious that the facility can accommodate large crowds of racers and spectators.  

TWS Sign -- this thing is HUGE

Matt and I in our Pit Area

Matt Chillin'

While Matt was busy with class and track time - I wasn't able to find a good spot to watch the riding - so I spent a lot of time in the paddock with my book and crochet.  The paddock is covered and equipped with electricity.  Since the day was pretty windy I was actually pretty cold - so I spent most of the day sitting in the sun to keep warm - it worked out quite well .. As the day went on more and more people sat in the sun. 

About making friends at the track days - I have found myself treating track days a lot like I treat plane travel. I limit my conversations with others to folks who seems normal and even more then that limit it to those who spark a conversation with me - I am ok if I don't make any new friends at the track.  With that said today I met someone - "Bill".  Bill had actually said hello to me early in the day and seemed both nice and normal which fits the airplane criteria to conversation.

Bill eventually came over to chat with Matt and I.  Bill is actually a cancer survivor and his story is an amazing one.  He asked about my treatment and offered some fabulous words of encouragement.  We hit it off immediately - Bill's approach to treatment was unique - he was very athletic prior to his cancer diagnosis and was very aggressive with his cancer treatment.  I learned a lot about Bill and his incredibly positive attitude.  I was so excited about making a new friend and talked about Bill on the way home when Matt made a comment "I am glad you made another friend ... SuperMonkey made another SuperFriend". While Matt was half way joking I really liked the new label, I really do see Bill and others like him as a SuperFriend.  

Today was a great day - both Matt and I had an awesome day at the track!!

So Matt’s current track bike is a bike I formerly called my own - has now become a family track bike.  As a Ducati Xerox 999R owner I would get one question everywhere I went - “How fast have you had this bike?”  I always joked with Matt that my next answer would be that I have gone so fast on the freeway I turned myself right around.  I never actually had a chance to give this answer to the question in real life but I still find it funny to think about how Matt will answer when people ask him this question at the track.  Today I think Matt did go fast enough and I think he actually did turn himself right around on the track ... just kidding - he didn’t go SuperMonkey Fast.  But I did see some guy ride a wheelie through “Hot Pit” - I know I wasn’t the only one who saw him - but he went right back out on the track - that guy is crazy!!

Matt in Turn 11 at TWS

Matt in Turn 9 at TWS

Friday 5/13/11

There is very little to report this week as side effects go the biggest issue I have lately is stamina - I tire pretty easily.  I have found it necessary to nap everyday after work.  Not a lot of excitement to report this week ... But defiantly a lot of napping.  I gotta say that I would have previously categorized myself as a "nap failure" - I always woke up feeling tired only to go back to sleep later in the evening when I felt tired enough to do so.  But now I am a lot better at recognizing when I need a nap and my body actually feels rested when I wake up.   So I am not so much of a "nap failure" maybe more of a "nap newbie". 

My Sister-In-Law Annah just started Triathlon Training and I am super excited about the fact that she is interested in joining the ranks of healthy competition.  Of all the things that have helped prepare me for this the most challenging thing in my life I think competition has made the biggest difference.  I am excited about all the friends she will meet and the excitement she will feel when she wins her first medal.  I know she will do really well - I can’t wait for the race reports.  :)

Monday 5/9/11

In preparation for my upcoming surgery I was curious about how long my hospital stay would be.  I don't meet with my plastic surgeon until 5/19 so I decided to call to ask how long of a hospital stay I can plan for.  The nurse was very sweet and said that the double mastectomy and placement of tissue expanders is much less complicated then reconstructive surgery.  She estimated my hospital stay to be one night - baring complications.  I also asked about the type of activity recommended during recovery - she said the only recommended activity is walking - no running or biking. It is important to allow the mastectomy time to heal. 

Curiosity also pushed me to ask about prosthetics with the tissue expanders - she informed me that with tissue expanders they don't recommend the use of prosthetics.   I will probably be able to use a bra that is slightly padded, but that is all. 

This entire process has pushed me to learn all sorts of things and once again I am learning. Before today I hadn't really thought much about what surgery and my own treatment / recovery plan had in store - I was focused on one thing and that was kicking cancers' butt. But today it dawned on me that I would have to figure out what my life and I would look like during the process.  

Chemo's most obvious collateral damage was the loss of my hair.   Hair loss was something I chose not to hide - walking around with limited head coverings and most often choosing not to wear my wig.  

And given my need for radiation the next collateral damage is my breasts.   I will not have reconstruction until 2012 so I will live without breasts from 6/13/11 until reconstruction.  If it was the old days I would probably live the rest of my life without breasts and be thankful that I still have my life - so I am grateful that reconstruction is an option for me - even if it doesn't come until later. With that said I know it will require adjustment  to think about how I will look and feel without breasts.  

Society teach us a lot of things ... And for girls one of the lessons is that certain standards equate beauty. 

Stay tuned for more SuperMonkey Adventures,

Nancy

Aka:  SuperMonkey

"In the end, you're measured not by how much you undertake but by what you finally accomplish."

- Donald Trump

May 8, 2011

Sunday 5/8/11

Happy Mother's Day!

We are 3 days into "The Great SuperMonkey Chunk Off"  and we had an unofficial weigh in this morning - Matt has lost 6 lbs and I have lost 3 - of course weight is different then % body fat :)

This afternoon was heavy with resting and napping in preparation for a little workout this evening.  Matt and I showed up to the park at about 5 pm and started with a mountain bike ride, unfortunately I haven't been on a mountain bike since last year.  3 sad miles and 150 calories later I was done, due to extreme nausea.  We followed this with a run ... Unfortunately I made it about 1/2 mile before I realized the nausea was just too much today.  I turned around and did the 1/2 mile walk back to the car.  Matt caught a few more miles ... But I did a total of 1 mile and burned another 160 calories.  I am so excited about the conclusion of chemo .. But have to remember that the road back is a long one.  In all honesty it is a little frustrating to be where I am - not quite sick and not quite healthy.  I can walk around with nausea and live my life, but once I start to exert myself it becomes unbearable.  I know that I need to be patient with the healing process - but I miss feeling well and I really miss adventure.  There is nothing like the adrenaline that comes with an 18 mile marathon training run or a fast lap on the mountain bike at Double Lake.  These are the things I didn’t fully appreciate before all this began.  Picture below of me after my bike ride (someone isn’t happy).

We made it home and after a shower and dinner it is going to be an early evening ... Not always a bad thing.

Sadest SuperMonkey In Town

Saturday 5/7/11

Matt worked out today with Tommy and Vera at the park and burned 1200 calories.  I wasn't feeling up for the early morning workout so I stayed home and rested.  

As you can see our approaches to weight loss have to be different while I make it past my chemo side effects.  I am restricting calories (within reason), Matt is working out and restricting calories.

Today was a really relaxed day ... Errands actually wore me out and I took several naps throughout the evening.  Hoping for a more energetic Sunday!!

Friday 5/6/11

Today I returned to the clinic for my final Neulasta shot (white blood cell booster).  This medication makes my body ache for about 7 days - but it also helps keep me healthy and my treatment on course (well worth the sacrifice).

Thursday 5/5/11

Today was a great day ... It was my final chemo treatment.  While I will have to continue on one maintenance medication for one year ... It does not carry the same side effects.

Picture of me below after my final treatment!!

Best Cinco I have ever had!!!

The major side effect that I am taking with me post-chemo is the extra weight I have gained.  With all the medication I am on I have had to force myself to eat to avoid getting / feeling sick.  My steroid also has increased my appetite.  Your average breast cancer patient gains 30-40 lbs ... Which let me just say is pretty sad news.  I gained about 10 lbs ... Although I was walking around with an extra 5 lbs.  So I am sitting at 15 lbs overweight.   

So what does this mean ... It means it is time for a friendly competition in the Jordan household - "The Great SuperMonkey Chunk Off".  Matt is convinced that he has gained sympathy weight so he has a few extra pounds he would like to lose.  In order to go about this the right way we have decided to measure not only pounds but body fat.  I had already ordered and received my fat calipers via mail and we have taken our measurements and the competition is up and running.  The winning criteria is based on highest percentage of body fat lost.

A little background - we had actually decided to start this about a week ago.  Matt later told me that he had actually been "chunking up"  for the past week (eating pizza, pasta, ding-dongs and ho-hos) in preparation for the measurements / weigh in.  I call this cheating - Matt calls it competing - as a matter of fact he put on 6 lbs in a week.

My current percent body fat is 32 %

Matt's percent body fat is 35 %

Official start 5/5/11.

The competition ends 9/1/11 and will be measured by highest percentage body fat lost.

Stay tuned for more SuperMonkey adventures,

Nancy

AKA:  SuperMonkey

"He is able who thinks he is able."

 - Buddha

May 4, 2011

Wednesday 5/4/11

This is an out of the ordinary update - I don’t have any pictures to share or any funny stories. 

I am merely interested in posting some super awesomo news.  Tomorrow 5/5/11 is my 6th of 6 chemo treatments - you guessed it my last one.  While I will continue on one of my chemo medications monthly for 1 year it comes with much less side effects and does not cause hair loss.  

I have learned a lot about myself since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and starting chemo.  The most important thing I have learned is the value of a positive attitude.  It is my positive attitude that has reminded me every day that there is a lot of fight inside of me and I am not going to give up that easy.  

I won’t give up when I have trouble in the bathroom (you know the kind).  

I won’t give up when I feel so much nausea I can’t even get out of bed.  

I won’t give up when people react to me having no hair (I didn’t realize that people carried so much judgement in their eyes).  

I won’t give up when I realize how limiting being sick can be at times (I no longer have the option of doing all the fun stuff I used to do because I am tired or ill or working hard to manage my current side effect).

I won’t give up when I feel sad about my sudden diagnosis (going from 0 to 100 is not always a good thing).

I won’t give up when I get sick and the over the counter medicine actually makes me feel sicker (Mucinex DM was a bad experience).

I have spent a long time thinking about and focusing on getting better and while I have had some very dark moments I have to say that the biggest reason I won’t and haven’t given up is because a long time ago I started building my cancer fighting army ... and I didn’t even know it.  

I married an amazing husband - who reminds me of my butt kicking attitude every minute of every day (even when I don’t remember).   By the way I think this was partly associated with looking for him really hard and being lucky enough to recognize how special he was the moment I got to know him.  

I have worked hard to maintain positive relationships with my family.  

I have been healthy, daring and competitive enough to participate in some amazing activities from Bike Racing (road and mountain), Adventure Racing, Running Races and Motorcycle Riding to name a few.

I have been lucky enough to meet and smart enough to befriend some amazing friends (mostly through all the fun activities that I mentioned above, but also through work and home) - I guess I have befriended in most areas of my life.  

My point in saying all this is not to remind you of how great I am ... that’s right I said remind you.  My point in saying all of this is to remind you of the things and people in my life that have helped me see the greatness in my journey.  All those things I learned about myself and others were only possible because of how I lived my life before all this happened and those individuals I had in my life before really helped me when I most needed it and they probably didn’t even realize it.  

Cancer doesn’t change you - it just makes you more of who you already were.  For me this has and continues to be an incredible journey.  The system isn’t perfect, but I have learned so much about all the opportunities in the experience of being diagnosed and being treated for cancer.  Thank you all for loving me, caring about me, encouraging me and educating me - it has made a big difference in my butt kicking journey ... Cancer never had a chance!

Stay tuned for more SuperMonkey Adventures,

Nancy 

AKA:  SuperMonkey

Today’s Quotes are from Joel Osteen - the first 2 are from his book “Your Best Life Now:  7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential”

"Don’t just accept whatever comes your way in life. You were born to win; you were born for greatness; you were created to be a champion in life." 

 - Joel Osteen

"We may get knocked down on the outside, but the key to living in victory is to learn how to get up on the inside." 

 - Joel Osteen

"You cannot expect victory and plan for defeat." 

- Joel Osteen