Sweet idea man!!!

Neil Pasricha: The 3 A's of awesome Video on TED.com

Ted.com is one of my favourite sites on the whole entire Internet.  My friend out west linked this video on Facebook this morning and I have fallen in love with this guy's message and blog (I have added it to my list).  What a concept!!  I kind of goes along with my "appreciative" feeling I had a couple of weeks ago.  Makes me think that I need to share more of what I am appreciative of and what really makes me happy.  Watch the video and stay tuned to My life..live for the new flare.

Healing Week

8 days after surgery and my neck is looking good.  It actually looks better in person.

I hit the gym last night for a light jog - ok I pushed it to 6 for most of it but just because I was feeling good.  Jason was there to make sure I didn't fall off the treadmill - I was a little freaked out for the fist 1/4 mile as I was paranoid I would move too much.  I just slowed down and got "my legs" back and all was great. 

Went back to work after 2.5 days off (I know I know..."you're and idiot", "that's too soon" etc etc - I have heard it all from Lennie and Scotty, but really I was sick of daytime TV after 2 days and was starting to feel sorry for myself.

My voice is still a little raspy and I certainly can not sing or yell in anyway as I have lost some power.  There is still some swelling and my face is slightly rounder - swelling I presume.

I am back at the Biggest Loser on Sunday but promise not to lift any weights - I will just do all the cardio and take is somewhat easy - I promise - I DO!

I am hoping for a couple of pounds lost this week but will not be too disappointed since I have gone home after work each night this week and rested (except for last night) so the weight loss will just come from the diet which I have stuck to like glue.

What a pain in the neck!

Well, the surgery is done - only 2 hours in length.  Dr. Nichols said it went really well and now we wait until February 15th for the verdict on if the Hurtle cell is the cancerous kind - I really do not believe it is and I usually have a good sense about this stuff.

I didn't realize how much of a pain in the butt a neck surgery is.  Everything I tried to do killed me - swallowing, talking, moving, coughing and don't get me started on sneezing.  My neck is quite swollen and didn't realize that the inside is swollen too.  It feels like I have a lump in my throat and in an essence I do.  My voice is quite bizarre now too.  I am definitely not sounding the same, it is not possible to yell in anyway and I can not talk for long without getting quite tired - they said this would happen because of the vocal nerve being so close to the thyroid.  I am pretty lucky that I am not teaching right now as I would never last all day talking and would not be able to get anyone's attention without any voice power. 

What really sucked was the recovery room.  I really did not do well - it took me 4 hours to get awake enough to be moved to the next recovery room to go home. I was in so much pain that they gave me a ton of morphine and then tried to get me to swallow a Tylenol 3 - that didn't happen so well.  Then, every time they took me off oxygen my blood levels dropped and they had to put me back on the air.  Then, whenever they tried to move me, I would throw up - eventually when they got me to the car and Lennie was about to pull away, I throw up again - I guess I do not do well with anesthesia.

I did receive some beautiful flowers from my mom, Lish and Lindsay, some delicious spaghetti from Suzy and a wonderful visit from the Dimitroff's with baby Katie.  Lennie was a trouper and took 2 care days to be with me and I really could not have made it without him as I was a mess on Thursday and Friday.  Megan came and babysat me too when Lennie went to basketball.  Even Scotty came over to give us more Sons of Anarchy videos to watch - he kept making me laugh and it killed my neck - jerk!  My brother Johnny and sister in law Vicky called to chat, Rene from work, my mother in law, and brother in law called too to check in.  Nice that so many people care.

I did venture out yesterday to get some air, groceries and got weighed at Olympic Fitness.  Lost another 5.2 pounds and am in 2nd place overall.  Cool.  I am not to work out for a couple of weeks so will have to make sure I am walking everywhere and sick to my diet. 

Stay tuned for the update from Dr. Nichols next month.

Thanks for everyone's support.

Hugs

Timing is everything or not!

So, you are probably wondering why I have a photo of my neck up today.  Well...if you have been following my blog for a while you know that I have a couple of nagging health concerns.  Back in June I shared that I finally got in to see a head, neck and throat surgeon because of a lump found in my neck was biopsied and it was diagnosed as a Hurthle cell lesion.  Dr. Nicols he told me that I needed a hemithyroidecomy to remove the right side of my thyroid to see if the lesion is cancerous or not. (20+%) ((they have to take out the whole side in order to get a clear diagnosis))  If it is found to be cancer then they will remove the other side.  I have been waiting for a surgery date ever since.  Well...they called and the date is Wednesday, this Wednesday. 

So, I am currently in a new job, participating in the Biggest Loser at Olympic Fitness and about to start training for a marathon.  Perfect timing argggggg.

This morning I hit the gym for our week 2 kick off and I had lost 8 pounds last week - terrific stuff but if I remember the conversation from back in June with Dr. Nicols, I need to be off work for 5 days and not exercise for a couple of weeks.  Wednesday, Lennie and I will learn more post op but this will definitely put a big wrinkle in a few plans.

The first thing that comes to mind is being able to be prepared for Around the Bay March 27th - I can not see myself being able to do that with not being able to exercise for a couple of weeks so, I may shift my thinking to running Run for Retina 1/2 marathon again in April and the focus on the Flying Pig 1/2 for May. 

Last timing issue is that February 4th I am finally having a "girlie parts" surgery I have been waiting for too - I know you must think I am such a sickly person - I am not!  I just have a lot of loose ends I need tied up that were all discovered in the last couple of years because of the great care I received while being treated for Crohns.

I am strong and healthy but this might be a bit too much even for this crazed girl. 

What do you think?

Fitness Test take 2

Hey Jason - how does 1:10:47 sound???!!!!  Not bad eh! 

Did it Thursday night! 

I will hit 59 minutes before you know it!!

Biggest Loser - week #1

Sunday was the start of the Biggest Loser competition at Olympic Fitness.  There are 7 competitors - me and 6 others.  There are 4 women and 3 men and they are all hilarious.  My friend from work Rene joined along with another teacher's husband that I know and 4 new people.  The program runs until the Sunday after the finale of this season's Biggest Loser on NBC. 

We are were expected to arrive at 8:00am on Sunday to meet Lieja.  We would be weighed in, have our 1st workout, get our diet plan, workout book and Reset Kit (cleanse we do for the first 5 days).  We all arrived and right away I noticed that everyone is very determined to do well but to have fun and encourage each other too. 

Lieja had this work out posted.

As you can see Lieja wanted to kill us the first day.  She made us do 6 stations for 2 minutes each 2 times - no biggie right? Wrong! She then made us rotate to either run on the treadmill at 5.5 on incline while the others did the circuit again and then increase the incline every rotation.  Again, no biggie right?  Wrong! As she then made us go and do the circuit 2 more times!!! Then some abs and some stretching - 2 1/2 hours later....

Rene and I looked like this...

When I got home Sunday, first of all I was freaking starving and made me and Lennie oatmeal and then I couldn't walk for the rest of the day and felt like I had just just been hit by a truck.  Holly smokes...and I call myself an athlete NOT.

Monday morning came and the RESET cleanse started.  3 shakes, 2 protein bars, servings of fruits and vegetables.  No coffee etc.  I got the biggest headache Monday night and was a bear at home. (I also was soooooo very sore)  Tuesday was not bad as I have been going upstairs to Rene's office and we make the shakes with the blender she brought to work - several weird looks when staff heard the strange sound coming from the office.  Still sore but feeling better.

Tuesday night we were expected at the gym to do the "fitness test" 5 mile bike ride, 3.1 mile run and 100-35 pound chest presses - no problem right? Wrong?  We were freaking starving and it took us forever.  My recorded score from start to finish - meaning they started the watch as soon as you started peddling and stopped the clock when your past chest press was done was...wait for it...1:18 arggggggggggg.  They don't care how long it takes you to do the items as they keep the clock running.  So, at 1 point I got off the treadmill to get some water and the clock was still ticking - arggggg.

This is just like "stop sign" in Utah.  I know I can do 59 minutes and plan on killing it next time.  I could barely run I was so tired and sweaty.  The only thing that was good about the whole situation was that we all sucked and struggled through it.  The RESET cleanse thing is only 5 days long so I just have 1 more day to get through and actually I have grown to really like the taste, ease and simplicity of this week while my muscles continue to recover for tonight's workout and the rest of the 13 weeks.  So far we have not yelled at Lieja yet for trying to kill us but I can see it coming :)

Jason, the gym owner and Lieja's husband told us the record for the "fit test" is by a guy named Dave and it is 34 minutes - great motivation or what - shut up Jason!!

What is this feeling??

So, the strangest thing happened this morning.  Something that has never happened to me before.  Something I have never felt waking up before (get your mind out of the gutter Scotty)....I woke up...APPRECIATIVE. 

Weird I know. 

My eyes opened and all of a sudden thoughts of happiness came over me.  I had thoughts of so many things that I am appreciative of with my life; my 17.5 year marriage, my beautiful comfortable home, my challenging career, having a best friend, healthy happy family and most of all... my health...it was as if I have finally found contentment.  Sad that in all my 42 years it took me so long to recognize or find this feeling. 

Now I am wondering why.  Why today?  Why now?  What is it about today or right now that has caused these feelings. 

Funny part is that there are many reasons to not be happy (weight, knee pain, wanting to do more at work, couple of friends needing reconnection) but I really don't care - so many other things are so fabulous that my mind is content with what is happening. 

I could not be more pleased.

What do you think it is and how do I keep this feeling going in tough times?

Week WON (this is not a spelling mistake)



Flowers from the department.

I know this is my first week on the job so it should say week one but really I have won!!  I ate lunch 4 out of 5 days, got to pee everyday ;), no yard duty (sorry teacher friends) felt really supported (I always have but it is nice to feel it from new friends :)), and I was not twitchy at all!

First of all, the staff rock.  There are 5 of us in the department.  The team is smart, creative, funny and have really high work ethics!! I love the atmosphere and pace - they will be "keep'n me honest" so I like that.  We have a department meeting every Monday morning - we review the 5 "Cs"; catch up, calendar communication, candor, and closing.  What I liked was that those themes continued throughout the week i.e. "Can I be candid with you?" or "Can we take a look at calendars?" Awesome stuff.


My desk - huge and lots of
working space.



Next, the building rocks.  Everyone and I mean everyone is friendly, calm, funny, busy and willing to help you.

Next, I have participated in some great discussions, panels, teleconferences, meetings and professional development - the reason why it was so great was that I was able to "be there" I wasn't thinking about anything but was happening at the time - got to focus!

Next, I quit the Athletic club.  I know this doesn't sound like I won but I have joined a new club called Olympic Fitness and signed up for their Biggest Loser competition starting on Sunday - 12 weeks - 4 workouts/week - 1:1 support, diet and getting my butt kicked - I have won already.  There are 8 people participating including my friend Rene from work and the rest are men - should be interesting.  The winner at the end of this season of the Biggest Loser wins a 1 year membership.  I am going to work really hard to stick to the plan for the 12+ weeks.  It is being lead by Netherlands shot putter Lieja Tunks who owns the gym with her husband Jason Tunks.

Plus, I have signed up for my next race and clinic to continue my running. 

Do not think that I will burn out - I won't - the timing for the next 12 weeks works great and I am going to work hard to "balance" ( I really hate that word) be flexible with my time and remember to take some time for me - we all know what happens when I don't - we do not need to speak of 2006/2007 do we?

Here is a video of my new office - gorgeous or what.
I have won!

PS AO staff I miss you and kids terribly

Hello 2011

I am pretty excited.  Tonight is the night before my new job starts, I got back into training for a 30km run in March and I actually got my hair done.  I know, I know boring to all you folks but in my little world, this is all big stuff.
I ran the 5km Resolution Run on December 31st with my best bud Megan and we had a great time.  It was really warm (5 degrees) and rainy but we didn't care.  Neither of us had run in a awhile (she has a sore knee and work took over for me) and we still felt great and had a great run.  We then went back to Megan's house where we enjoyed New Years with the husbands and Megan's 2 kids.
Today I got up and ran the 7km loop I love and felt terrific.  It was freezing (-6) but it felt great.  I saw over 100 runners and walkers this morning so it felt like old times. 
I have registered to run a 30km race in March and am excited to try the distance.  It is the oldest race in North America - Around the Bay in Hamilton.  Cool fact is that you finish inside Copps Coliseum - great idea as spectators can stay warm and when you finish you can dry off inside.  I am excited to start the big training over again. 
I am not going to lie, I was burned out from the marathon.  The race is not the burning out part, it is the 19 week training plan.  I have lots of new tactics for this spring in order to not burn out so we will see if my plan works.  Most of all, I should feel and do better as the emotional side of planning to run a marathon is over.  The self doubt that creeps in at night kept me awake for weeks and that led to a terrible cold the week of Chicago - not this time I am telling you!
As for the hair thing, I needed to spruce things up a little for the big new job tomorrow.  We just got back from seeing my parents in Florida and I was able to purchase some new Jones New York outfits and shoes. I am happy to be off doing yard duty for awhile and therefore be able to wear some skirts and nice shoes without worrying if I need to go outside sometime during the day to get a kid off the yard.
Welcome 2011 I am ready for whatever you bring.