Mine was headaches and stress, that's about it. Dad and Janet came over to help me at the flea market and Carol helped also. I like going there mostly to see all my flea market friends, yes, and to make a little extra money. Ha, it still puts me under the poverty level but I enjoy going and spending time with my family and friends.
I am still waiting to see my oncologist, keep your fingers crossed. I really want this to be gone and then I can get on with my regular chemo every 21 days and kill the rest of this cancer, because now I haven't got anything fighting the other parts with cancer. That causes my stress level to go way up, sometimes it’s like I'm having anxiety attacks, which can be scary and make the headaches worse.
Almost everyone has anxiety once in awhile when there is a clear reason… like flying, speaking in public, new job or even being in a large crowd. Often a series of slow, deep breaths will help and it's over. But when it's a condition that happens almost every day then you should see the doctor to get help.
When you get anxiety occasionally, sit down and close your eyes. Shift your focus away from the problem that's causing the anxiety. Scan your whole body for tense muscles then relax them. Allow thoughts to flow through your mind but don't focus on them. Breath deeply, slowly and regularly.
You can also do yoga and meditation. Relaxation. But if you have anxiety attacks often make an appointment with your doctor. It is a real condition your doctor can help you with and make you feel like yourself in no time.
I have to get a mammogram, lucky me. You would think that would be a good time to only have one breast. Ha, nope, because they still try to get the side with no breast in the machine. Now that's a job in itself, that side hurts more than the side with the breast. Over the course of a lifetime one in eight people will get breast cancer; by having regular mammograms the numbers become fewer. So get your regular checkup, and maybe save your own life.
I am happy for every day of life even if it seems like a bad day. It really isn't; I am happy to be here to regularly argue with my father, that's how we show each other we love each other and it isn't real. We talk on the phone two or three times a day.
I will be selling at the flea market on Saturday at the Abercrombie community centre, hope you can get out there to look around, stop and say how’s it goin’ eh? Or even mainland talk, hi there, ha.
Weight wise – 146, oops, but I am drinking the water. Thank you to George for buying me all the water flavours, they are great.
The VON nurse is coming twice a week now. I'm doing better – my blood pressure is staying low and the only thing you can do to bring up your blood pressure is eat. So I'm trying.
It sure is hard getting through this month. I miss my mother so much, I can't believe she has been gone six years. But I always feel she is watching over us. I can't really say rest in peace mom because she was never a person to stay still, so I know she is teaching the other angels something new in Heaven. Instead I'll just say keep up the great work mom, love you and miss you.
I went to town with Vicky today, we had a good day of roaming.
All the people I met this week who read my column – it makes me feel good when they say they love my column and it is helping so many people. I'm glad to hear I'm helping people understand that, just because they tell you that you have cancer doesn't mean you have a death sentence. It means you have to fight hard and do everything your doctor tells you.
Have a good week folks – and yes the leaves are turning pretty colours that the East Coast is known for.
Kathy Golemiec is undergoing cancer treatments and writes about her experiences each week.
