Hello everyone
It's been quite a while since I posted, sorry for that, but between courses and infections time has passed me by!
So not much response on the indoor endurance sponsored climbing event I mentioned - not sure if this is because you think it would be too hard, don't think it's a good idea, or keep thinking, I must get back about that one! I really like the idea of it, but cannot organise it for a team of one!
So the idea is, we get a team of enthusiastic people together who want a great challenge to get the blood pumping and can spare a day to do it. We actively try and involve the local papers/radio to get War on Cancer out there and gain some followers and sponsor pledges. We the "climbing team" - then set about climbing the equivalent height of Mt.Everest - this will be a tough challenge, but so rewarding...and of course a massive team effort! Anyone who has ever had any involvement with War on Cancer's event know we have a great team spirit going - I hope to get a tram together to do this challenge and show everyone else how good and strong our team spirit is.
Can you contact me through this blog, Facebook or phone to register your interest with me - I would ideally like to look at sometime in November for this event.
Big shout out virtual hugs to my cousin Jane who is ploughing on through her treatments. She has had a few dodgy do's and a couple of hospital stays but is in fine fighting spirit. From myself and all War on Cancer readers, I wish you continuing love and support in your battle with cancer - you are a really strong, positive lass and I know you can keep strong through it all. Your outlook on life and sense of humour show through when times are a little rougher - you go girl! So hugs and kisses from us all.
I've been pretty much out of it from a physical/ exercise point of view for the last few months. I am in this terrible cycle of infections! I have practically had an infection for the last 8/10 weeks nonstop. Uti and kidney infections abound! I have been seeing my bladder specialist every 3 weeks and everytime I go back to see him, another raging infection.
So I was back this week to see him, yes another raging infection ( I asked if it was the same one just not clearing properly), so he said we'll start you on another series of antibiotics, clear the infection and see what's what when it's gone. So he was going to put me on a high does antibiotic for 5 days and then a nightly low dose one for a number of months - he says to me, that will definitely clear it up. I pointed out that the low dose one he was going to put me on I was already on and had been for over 5 months, and that he'd put me on them!
He then checked the lab results of my last culture sent off about 3 weeks prior to see that the infection had become resistant to the antibiotic I'd been on for all those months....seems the bacteria is fighting back! So I am on tow different antibiotics and the long term low dose one I'll be taking in a few days is actually going to be 250 mg's a night. I will take this for initially 3 months, I will see him again in 6 weeks and then a further follow up after the 3 months to see what's going on. Of course if I am still getting flare up's in between, I'll be back with him for further action.
He said to me, don't worry, we will get there. I said okay we'll get there, but please appreciate where I am right now, I am feeling unwell all the time, extremely tired through the infection and broken and very poor sleep. I'm suffering with a fever, lower back pain and flank pain almost constantly. Not to mention the bladder spasms, bearing down pains and all the usual symptoms you suffer with a uti... this is a really debilitating situation to be in and very frustrating too.
At the end of the next 3 months worth of antibiotics - I will have been on them for over 10 months straight - it makes me wonder long term how that will effect everything....will my body start building up a resistance to them and so reduce their effectiveness on me? - who knows.
My biggest frustration with this is the fact it is again stopping me from cracking on with my exercising! - I'm sure anyone who has ever read any of the blogs know that I am very driven and motivated to exercise, to
get myself fit again, to increase my stamina and endurance.
I want to personally exercise for various reasons and I'm always encouraging others to do the same, the health benefits are great.
I exercise to help my body fight off the threat of certain cancers, to try keep my bones has strong and healthy as possible - especially since I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis brought on by the chemotherapy. The best way to help your own body try and fight Osteo is weight bearing exercises - this stops your body releasing much needed calcium from your bones. I don't even fully understand the implications of the Osteo on my body or my future life, but I know I want to do everything in my power to try and reduce the potential impact of what is known as the "Silent disease" - I don't know all the ins and outs, I know the risk is greater for very low impact fractures, the real risk area's are wrist, spine and pelvis....so yes I get frustrated when I cannot get out exercising.
I am due my DEXA scan in the first quarter of 2013 - the results from this will be interesting. Since my first scan where I was diagnosed with full blown Osteoporosis ( Doctors quote ), I did 11 months on the cancer prevention drug Letrozole which causes Osteo....so it will be interesting to see what impact the drug had on my body already with Osteo verses my exercising and attempts to stop/slow down the diseases impact on my body. Interesting times ahead!
I'm busy studying now - a fully fledged student no less! - in between job hunting and all that, I am now attending Bradford College for two separate courses. I am doing a part-time Bsl course which I love! and also a ITQ course. The ITQ is computer office applications - the modules I've chosen are Excel, Word and Access ( databases ), these are required more and more these days from potential employers....we live in the electronic world now and these skills are necessary in the job market for anything office based, so if you aren't already working, this course and qualifications will help you immensely.
So I'm a busy lass looking at re-training and moving my life into a new direction.....this is very exciting and I'm enjoying every second of it. So two part-time college courses, a maths refresher course, job searching and a 6 month voluntary job search related package have got me really busy and on my toes these days and I couldn't be happier.
I've come a long way since stopping my cancer prevention drug - I'm no longer ill and unfit for work - I'm back out there living my life, It proves if you want it bad enough....you will do whatever you need to get it!
Remember - life is for living, no regrets!!
Until next time
Tracy
