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I am back

8 Jan

Editors note:

In late November I was diagnosed with Metastatic Cancer in the Lung.  It hit my family like an anvil, as I was only 5 months out of treatment for my original breast cancer.  I shut down for the last weeks of 2012.  I had to wrap my mind around this diagnosis, and how it would inevitably change my life and those around me.  Fortunately my “anchors” stepped up, held my hand, and guided me through the numbing pain and sadness.  For that I am grateful because now, I am back.  Sometimes, we need the time to grieve, plan…and move forward.  Thank you for your patience!

 

Pink Ink…

“Even when we can’t see, we know how to feed ourselves.  Even when the way isn’t clear, the heart still pumps.  Even when afraid, the air of everything enters and leaves the lungs.  Even when clouds grow thick, the sun still pours its light earthward.” -Mark Nepo

During my darkest days, one of my closest friends sent me The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.  It is a book of daily affirmations, and lessons on how to be present in your life.  For about five minutes I was skeptical.  But I quickly realized that this was the time that I needed to be open and needed to live…in the present.  Today’s lesson reminded me that “we have inner reflexes that keep us alive, deep impulses of being and aliveness that work beneath the hardships we are struggling with.”  It reminded me that even through this current struggle, my natural instinct is to live!

I have forced myself over these last few weeks to live everyday.  There have been times that have been tough.  But finally, there have been days that I have forgotten that I have cancer…again.

I laugh. I love. I live.

 

My friends…I am back!

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For Life

22 Nov

Pink Ink…

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you are all enjoying your day!  Remember, the holidays are no excuse to ignore your health!  Enjoy the turkey, stuffing, pies etc.  But do so in moderation! Remember, a serving of meat should be no bigger than your fist!  Instead of rushing to the mall, how about walking outside with your family?  When reflecting on all the things you have to be thankful for, consider this:

Be thankful that YOU are control of your HEART health!

Be heart smart!

Be thankful that YOU can control your risk factors:

  • Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol! This is a must during the holiday season!

Be thankful that you CAN exercise!

  • Get off the couch. Do some pushups or jumping jacks during half time! Walk around the block.

Be thankful you KNOW not to smoke!

Be thankful that YOU are in control of your BREAST health! You have the knowledge and ability to be proactive!

Be thankful you know the recipe for breast health.

  • If over 40, an annual mammo.
  • 12 Self Breast Exams.
  • Annual Clinical Breast Exam.

Be thankful that you have access to your breasts everyday.  That means YOU have the ability to know what is NORMAL for YOUR breasts!

Whatever you choose to be thankful for today, remember that you must also be thankful…for life!

Be breast smart!

 

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Enjoy! … the PinkWellChick holiday survival guide (read early and often!)

21 Nov

Pink Ink…

I’m back…

Celebrate

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was finishing up 31 days of pink!  But here we are, prepping for Thanksgiving!  For so many, it ‘s a time for family and friends to gather, give thanks, and reflect on the past year.  But what happens if you are dealing with cancer or recovering from a stroke, heart attack, or frankly, a “life issue”?  The holidays can seem overwhelming.  This I know is true, as last year, I was right in the middle of chemo.  That meant I was nauseous.  That meant that the SMELLS from Thanksgiving food made me even more nauseous.  That meant I couldn’t hug people, due to my compromised immune system.  That meant I was tired. Yet, I had family who wanted to visit.  Frankly, we needed the help.  What I learned from that experience was the “patient” can do a few things to make it a more pleasant experience.  There is no reason not to partake in Holiday Happiness.

Tips for surviving the Holidays: Continue reading →

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When your body speaks … listen!

2 Nov

“Our bodies are amazing. They respond to every little thing going on in our lives. To heal and stay in balance, we must remember that it is our job to nurture and support our bodies the best that we possibly can in any given moment. We must remember to be patient, forgiving and kind to ourselves. We must stop pretending that we know what is best for us and ask our bodies to guide and help us. Our bodies are incredibly happy to communicate with us, we just need to remember to slow down and make it a priority to listen.” ~ Robin Lee, Learning to Listen to Our Bodies Wisdom @ TheDailyLove.com

Guest Post by Tonya M. Evans at WisdomintheWhisper.com

November 2, 2012

Guest ink …

I am honored to share this guest post on behalf of my sisterfriend PinkWellChick™. She is a shining example to me and, perhaps to you, of what it means not only to survive but to thrive!

One of the many reasons I am humbled and awe-struck by her story of survival and tireless commitment to breast cancer awareness, is because she “walks the talk” fearlessly and with grace, always. She uses her life and her story as a beacon of hope for others to find their way and to find their own shine!

I hope you enjoy this post, which appeared originally at my blog wisdominthewhisper.com. And remember … when your body speaks, listen! PinkWellChick™ says doing so saved her life, literally! Please share your thoughts, comments and encouragement for PinkWellChick™ and join her in “walking the talk”! Cancer REAL talk.

Be blessed and a blessing,

Tonya Marie

______________________________________

Sometimes life moves almost as fast as the speed of light. The alarm blares. The family needs. The friends request. The boss demands. Everyone in your life needs something … now.

With all of those demands and expectations to meet, who has time to eat, workout, rest or just take a “Calgon” moment (remember that commercial??)? Then again, with all those things going on, the better question is who has time not to? Continue reading →

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What did YOU do?

1 Nov

Pink Ink…

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is officially over!  What did you do?  Did you wear pink? Did you walk a Race? Buy a product? Get a mammogram? Nothing?  One of the things I did was  PinkItOut for 31 days! Yes, I wore PINK for 31 days!

Some people said, “We get it. You had breast cancer. “ Others said “Oh, that’s cute.”  But no one asked me “Why?” 

Yes, I am a Survivor and yes, pink can be cute.  But that’s not why I did it.  This past February, Star Jones inspired me.  You see, she wore red for a month as a way to promote heart health after she had heart surgery.  “I learned late in life that my heart health is my greatest asset.”  She said when asked why it was important to her.  Each day that she wore red, it prompted someone to ask her about it, or comment on it.  She used her celebrity for good!  As an American Heart Association Ambassador, I knew about National Wear Red Day.  But I loved that her simple act of wearing red created dialog!

Could I do the same thing?  Given that none of my friends asked me why I was rocking pink for a month, one could argue that I was not effective.  After all, I am no celebrity. My friends checked Instagram just to see if I could keep it up.  Again, they thought, “Ok, we get it! You have breast cancer! “  But even if no one “got it”, I “got it”.  I know breast health is a lifestyle, not just a month.  Choosing something pink EVERY DAY, forced me to take action.  The small action of choosing something pink, led me to think about breast health and awareness the moment I got up!  The small step of choosing pink motivated me each and every day to think, talk, tweet, and write about breast health. (For all 31 days, check out “pinkwellchick” on Instagram)

Am I glad I am done wearing pink for a few days? Yes!  But I am even stronger in my belief that breast health is more than a month.  It is a…lifestyle!




What did YOU do?

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