Up and coming...

Surgery #2 is weeks away. And how funny that it's 4 days before the day I was diagnosed 4 years ago. As usual, I'm not looking forward to the surgery and as the weeks and days get closer...I get more nervous. But I'm keeping my eye on the prize, a boob! Funny how you cope and deal with having to stuff a fake boob into your bra every day, wrestle it back into place as it shifts constantly throughout the day, avoid certain clothing so people can't see it...things like that. It's a pain in the ass but you do it without complaining. In a few weeks, I can actually wear whatever shirt I want, including yoga tops and do yoga without worrying and checking if the fake boob is in a weird place and noticeable to others...you get the idea. Exciting!

I try not to look back much but it's amazing to review what I've been through. And still going through. I hope that innonence that life's big scary things won't happen to 'us' is something everyone gets to hang onto. Facing your own mortality head on and the process of lab tests, waiting for results that your life literally hangs on, surgery, chemo, radiation, and life long coping...let's just say I'm happy to be a survivor but don't wish it on anyone.

Better news...Melissa's with the Fortney sistas in September! A whirlwhind weekend awaits of a sisterly gathering, 10K run (walk?), and laughs and bonding. I can't wait! And how funny, again, that I'm doing Melissa's just weeks after another surgery. Only this time, I won't be caught in official race photos shifting my fake book around lol. Last time it was me without a boob, now it's me WITH a boob.

That's the update...feels good to get the surgery babble off my chest and breath a little. Starbucks is calling...

Yeehaw!

Well, it was a whirlwind tour home but so great. Being away from my hometown definately makes me appreciate it even more...but I always appreciate it. I'm proud of where I come from. Kind of like the lyrics in one of Paul Brandt's songs 'Alberta Bound' where he says, "its a pride that's been passed down to me". I'm proud to be an Albertan. Thanks dad.

The city is so green and smells so good right now. And of course Stampede was a lot of fun! I spent a total of 3 days on the grounds and saw the rodeo twice. I think that's the most I've ever been to the Stampede in my life! But I wouldn't be a good Calgarian if I didn't go this year...it was the 100th anniversary. I ate my fill of warm mini donuts, smokies, corn dogs, and weird deep fried food. And of course I saw a girl wearing a pair of cowboy boots that I now NEED to have and can't find anywhere. I will keep searching!

I saw friends and family and can't wait to see more of them in August. I also got the craziest psychic reading on 17th Ave that felt exactly like one of the ones you see on TV and get goosebumps from! Not a word of a lie, this lady nailed numbers, dates, events, and other pieces of info that were spot on. It was awesome! I've never experienced that before, I had goosebumps the entire time. And it left me with such a good feeling.

I'm back home in the US now and prepping for my next trip to cowtown for surgery. Not a fan but at least this will be the last one and I'll have a boob again. No more stuffing my little insert into my bras and making sure it doesn't shift around, etc...thank goodness for that. Its a pain in the ass. Whatever the docs gave me in my IV right before my surgery was SO relaxing last time, I think I'll be OK once that kicks in. Ugh. I find it so scary.

The next month will be busy trying to get the back yard in shape...it's getting there but there's a lot more to go. I'm so excited to get a big outdoor table and start enjoying the yard...its a good size and has so much potential. It'll be a great space once its all done. Even in the fall. The goal is to spruce up the back in the summer and then focus on the inside of the house during the winter.

Other than that, my head has been bursting with ideas...I plan to do some creative stuff, and I've been blogging...I have a new idea that I'm really excited about it. Just something for me to feel good about. And I'm hoping to start my cancer workshop idea in October...and the web business planning this fall. Feels good to have all these ideas coming in! I'm on my way to finding my north star.

Almost Home...

Not much to report but I felt like posting something today. My ashtanga practice is coming along...ever so slowly but its coming along. I was sick for about a week and didn't have the strength or energy to go to the shala regularly. So that set me back a bit. And I know I caught the bug from a guy at the yoga shala...dang it! I'm finally feeling better today and went to yoga this morning. I now know all the 'fundamentals' and will begin learning the 'primary series' when I get back from my trip home. In the meantime, I just practice what I know every day while I'm at home...and I'm not supposed to be "a bad lady...don't be lazy". Lol.

I like the yoga and feel pretty confident that I'll keep it up-its become a routine. Now I struggle with reintroducing Zumba or starting to try and run, AGAIN. I love Zumba. Its fun and it's a great workout. But I really have this urge to try and get myself running again. What to do? Add in what I love and put off running longer? Or dive into running and add Zumba later? Maybe I should just do the running and Zumba...alternate them. I have a tendency to do too much all at once and I'm trying to slow my roll so that I don't get overwhelmed and keep this up long term. This is why the dilemma.

I'm heading home on Sunday for a surgery consult and the 100th anniversay of the Stampede. I'm really looking forward to going home and really looking forward to having fun at the Stampede. It'll be busy trying to visit with friends and family and going to the Stampede but I'm excited to be home for a while. There really is no place like home.