VSG Maintenance Group
SATURDAY, May 18, 2019
Weight: 138.6
Macros: Calories - 1,296, Carbs - 97, Fat - 34, Protein - 135, Fiber - 22
Sleep hours: 6
Veggie/Fruit Servings: 11
Water glasses: 3
Exercise: 7,000 steps
Meditation: Yes
Cecily, early this morning I finished watching the Brené Brown video on Netflix. I've avoided reading or watching her ever since I first heard of her when she was already wildly popular. Perhaps I'm a snob or just burned out after a long life of hearing people who have found "the answer." Probably both.
Anyway, I got over myself enough to watch her Netflix special. And shocker ... it was excellent! In fact, this morning I watched her initial 2010 TED talk on vulnerability and liked that even more than the Netflix special. This morning I truly needed to hear about the value of vulnerability as I mentally prepare for a very uncertain day--my niece's junior college graduation commencement ceremony and, this afternoon, a family barbeque.
Why will this day be difficult? Because my niece's mother (my youngest sister) hasn't spoken to me in four months after unfriending me on Facebook over something that's WAY too long to describe that hit her hard where she holds a lot of pain. The rupture in our relationship is likely to make more tense a day that's supposed to be joyful.
My inclination in this situation is to show grace and do nothing to raise the temperature. In other words, keep things tamped down because today is about my niece and not the time/place to resolve disputes. However, being vulnerable requires that I show up and be/remain present for and receive whatever occurs. Of course, breathing deeply in/out slowly won't hurt. Bottom line: I'm nervous.
Oh, and there are NO veggies on the barbeque (beef only) menu other than mushrooms stuffed with cream cheese and "jalapeno poppers" (jalapeno peppers stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, breaded and deep fried).
******!
Today's theme: Being vulnerable invites uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.
ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
Oh boy, family ruptures are so difficult. One can stop seeing former friends, but that isn't so easy with family members.
SIL has more and somewhat better (?) news. She has stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma). But the oncologist considers it "treatable" though not "curable". Immunotherapy (think KEYTRUDA) has made great strides over the last few years and for a certain percentage of recipients can make a huge difference. Apparently she has some indications in the appropriate protein which make him feel it might work well for her. Perhaps by giving her another 3-5 years. The other option is a clinical trial which uses both immunotherapy and chemotherapy. She needs to decide fairly quickly but one big consideration is quality of life. The KEYTRUDA would be by IV every 3 weeks, while the trial would be by IV every 2 weeks. She would have to travel into Boston (90 minutes away) each time. They would transfer her care to Cape Cod, but she prefers not to and I think she is smart to stay with the Boston oncologist at Dana Farber. The surgeon who cancelled her imaging didn't do her any favors. Other SIL is taking her to Boston for a brain MRI today and I am taking her Monday for a PET scan, some other tests and a visit with the oncologist. I am glad to be able to help finally as I have felt so useless. DS is going to stay with DH.
Other than that, I have some cleaning to do in preparation for our departure tomorrow but most work left has to be done tomorrow morning before we leave at noon (laundering sheets, closing up toilets, disconnecting electronics, finishing packing of carry-ones, etc.).
It will be nice and sunny today - maybe I'll jump in the pool one more time? DH was pretty easy tempered yesterday even though the full moon is today so maybe he will be the same today and tomorrow (meaning that there is no full moon connection to his behavior).
Have a satisfying Saturday!
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
I have an acquaintance who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer about 4 years ago. If she had been diagnosed even 6 years ago (or so) the newer therapies wouldn't have been available and likely not survived long.
But, they were, and she has been hop scotching from treatment to treatment, as needed, as her particular cancer's mutations allow. Her brain mets vanished from scans with treatment. Lung spots shrunk but still visible.
During that time, quality of life has been remarkably good, overseas travel/trekking, etc. Only recently did she need to switch to a combo traditional chemo plus newer agent. I need to look at her caring bridge to see how she is doing. But, over all, really pretty amazing stuff although (as you know) no stage 4 treatment is easy.
Best wishes for your SIL. I am sure she is thrilled to have your support.
HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32 Mo 2:-13.5 Mo 3: -13.5 Mo 4 -9.5 Mo 5: -15 Mo 6: -15 Mo 7: -13.5 Mo 8: -17 Mo 9: -13 Mo 10: -12.5 11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached! Mo 11: -9 Mo 12: -8 12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!
What hole have I been living in that I hadn't heard of Brene Brown? I will have to find a podcast.
DianeS, healing hand wishes to you! The bandages don't sound conducive to clay therapy. (Maybe cover them with plastic wrap first?)
Mt St Helens trip would be on Wed but weather is turning it into a tailspin. I absolutely won't go if Avalanche risk is elevated much past normal. Also....weather. Lordy, have you watched the weather swirling around? For right now, Wed might be a break in the weather so it will likely be a game day decision.
Ann, what a cool aunt you are! Good luck with your sister....I am sure she also is nervous but also just wants a great day for her DD. I bet you two will rise above it.
A patient yesterday said that he learned how to read faces professionally and he can tell that I am adventuresome, independent, resilient , and have a sight authoritarian streak. Check, check, check, check. He also said it was hard to read my eyes because of too long bangs (check for hair cut tomorrow) but he thinks that I might not be a natural giver. That last bit hurts, but, I think there is truth in that, too. Darn it. '
I would give you a great day.....but I can't. It isn't in my squinty eyes. So, just make a great day on your own :)
I freely give Ferg pets and hugs....all the time. And a ball to balance. My squinty eyes can't take that away.
Shel
HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32 Mo 2:-13.5 Mo 3: -13.5 Mo 4 -9.5 Mo 5: -15 Mo 6: -15 Mo 7: -13.5 Mo 8: -17 Mo 9: -13 Mo 10: -12.5 11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached! Mo 11: -9 Mo 12: -8 12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!
You are TOO a natural giver! :)
We'll be watching the weather with you this coming week and waiting to hear if you're going up St. Helen's.
If you do attempt an ascent this week, can we get a GPS dot to follow?
ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
Thank you for your support :). I swear it was the bangs! Seriously, tho....I am not a natural caregiver (for example) in the way some of the rest of you are.
I'll send you and Diane instructions and links to my dot. If anyone else wants to check in occasionally on the slowest moving dot on the planet, message me your regular email.
HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32 Mo 2:-13.5 Mo 3: -13.5 Mo 4 -9.5 Mo 5: -15 Mo 6: -15 Mo 7: -13.5 Mo 8: -17 Mo 9: -13 Mo 10: -12.5 11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached! Mo 11: -9 Mo 12: -8 12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!
