The Simple Things

Unless something, like a surgery, upsets our daily routine, we don’t realize how many things we take for granted, like reaching for a shelf above our heads, bending down to pick something up from the floor, or pushing a grocery cart.

Exercise has improved my mobility, but the expander complicates some movements. It’s rigid and I can feel it move against my chest muscle despite the sutures stabilizing it. This is not painful per se, but not comfortable either.

The good news, the prosthetic will replace it in about two months. (Two more saline fills and a six month wait period before that surgery.) The implant will allow a more natural movement, but it will never be the same as biological tissue. I still prefer it to a flat space and a large scar.

Even if movement isn’t always comfortable, there are many who would trade places, restricted movement better than none. Something I need to remember whenever I’m frustrated. It could be so much worse.

I often think of St. Paul and the sufferings he encountered. He remained hopeful and cheerful despite appalling circumstances.

“None of these things move me.” Acts 20:24.

Someday, I hope I can say the same.

Eight Weeks — New Challenges and Blessings

In my last post I talked about priorities and how mine changed after surgery. Comfort has been at the top of that list, and now that I have healed from the surgery, my surgeon has given me the green light to begin normal activities. Not as easy as it sounds.

Most of the discomfort at this stage of recuperation is from tightened and shortened muscles. Unused muscles are painful. Trust me on that one.

The American Cancer Website for mastectomy patients has a list of exercises to regain flexibility, specialized exercises designed to help regain a full range of motion and prevent permanent muscle damage. I can't say I was looking forward to moving that much. I have to, and I will, but at this stage showering and dressing are still painful activities.

However, an article I read recently gave me additional motivation. A study found a link between the lack of muscle mass and high body fat with a higher risk of death in breast cancer survivors. That announcement gives me increased motivation to exercise. The article said good muscle tone is even more important than BMI (Body Mass Index).

At my age, loss of muscle and increased fat deposits are an issue anyway. Coupled with eight weeks of limited activity, I am facing difficult challenges. However, as we know, all journeys begin with the first small step, then another and another. First, regain my flexibility, add in resistance training with weights, make healthy dietary changes (restrict sugar and carbs, add in more lean protein, fruit, and vegetables), and get some heart pumping aerobics, walking and/or the stair stepper.

To my surprise, my comfort level soared after the first set of stretches and continues to increase with each session. Add in our beautiful spring weather, and I am now looking forward to the increased activity.

I am not overwhelmed with this new set of challenges. Besides the physical benefits from the exercises and diet, I am richly blessed with God’s abundant love and compassion displayed through the support of my doctors, my husband, my family, and friends.

A few days ago, He even sent a rainbow.

Yes, I am blessed, far more than I deserve.

A New Year's Prayer

Lord, lead me to toward a healthier lifestyle with diet and exercise.

Lord, lead me to write the books you inspire.

Lord, lead me in prayer for our world, our country, for all in desperate need of your help, and especially for those with whom I disagree.

Lord, lead me to acts of kindness toward all your creation without pausing to judge who is worthy and who is not.

Lord, lead me closer to you.

Amen.

The Juggling Act - Revisited

I’ve listen to experts, taken their advice, tweaked it to fit my preferences, and then fell right back into old habits. Which old habits? Well, sitting for hours on end and not getting in enough exercise for one.

I blame writing, which dictates I sit for hours at a time. It’s a great excuse for not exercising more, and that is exactly what it is, an excuse. 

The lack of sufficient exercise led to my weight gain, which adds to my lack of motivation to exercise more. (Yes, my age is also a factor, but not as much as I like to pretend.) 

I admit I did better with time management when I was still working outside the home. With less free time, I spent fewer hours puttering away on projects not directly associated with my current works. (Looking for pictures for a future book cover, one I haven’t even started, is somewhat productive. Well, okay, maybe not.)

Experts say short sessions of concentration, punctuated with breaks, stimulates the brain and aides in retention. It’s important to step away and do something else for a while. The same goes for exercise. Short bursts, spread out during the day, are just as effective as longer sessions. That fits right into my agenda.

Now, how do I apply all of that knowledge into something manageable that I can stick with? As a famous author once stated, “There’s the rub.” 

I have come up with a plan I believe is workable, at least on paper. (Yes, I know how uncooperative the flesh can be. That’s how I got into this mess in the first place. My alter ego, Negative Nancy, can just keep quiet.)   

This time I have plenty of flexibility built in instead of a ridged framework that fizzled like warm pop the first time my husband sprung a spontaneous activity. Keeping my focused on increasing my exercise time to an hour and writing at least a thousand words a day, it should be simple. Right? 

So, here’s my plan. After devotions, coffee, and breakfast, I’ll do a ten-minute session of weight training followed by twenty minutes of aerobic exercise. If I use the stair stepper, I can read writing articles or do social media on my laptop. With the built in time limit, I won’t be chasing rabbits for hours on end and get nothing else accomplished. Then shower and get in my word count. That leaves the rest of the day open for the unexpected, except for two fifteen-minute aerobic sessions spread out over the afternoon and early evening. Volia! Goals accomplished. 

Wish me luck?