No words necessary.
Oh yeah. One more thing. 7. cancer. free. years. Life is beautiful.
God is good.
"While trauma can be hell on earth, trauma resolved is a gift of the gods- a heroic journey that belongs to each of us." -Peter Levin
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
reverb10, #14
Today's reverb10 comes from author Victoria Klein. "Appreciate. What's the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?"
No words necessary.
Oh yeah. One more thing. 7. cancer. free. years. Life is beautiful.
God is good.
"While trauma can be hell on earth, trauma resolved is a gift of the gods- a heroic journey that belongs to each of us." -Peter Levin
No words necessary.
Oh yeah. One more thing. 7. cancer. free. years. Life is beautiful.
God is good.
"While trauma can be hell on earth, trauma resolved is a gift of the gods- a heroic journey that belongs to each of us." -Peter Levin
reverb10, #13
Another day, another reverb10 prompt! Author Scott Belsky asks, "When it comes to aspirations, it's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?"
I can break this question down into a few parts. Personal. Career. Family. Different sectors of my little happy life. Personal aspirations? Achieve physical balance and health. I've already lost 8 lbs since Oct, halfway to my goal. I plan to continue to eat healthy (as I always do, minus chocolate :), and keep busting my ass at work. I come home sweaty and exhausted and I'm certain the physical nature of my job has helped with the weight loss. I plan to continue to stretch, exercise, keep going to PT and massage to get my body into tip-top shape for when that little baby decides it'd like to shack up and stay for 9 months or so....I wanna make sure my body is a happy home before getting pregnant.
Career. I'm happy at work. I'm overwhelmed at work. I feel stupid each. and. every. day. at work. I'm hoping that feeling subsides as time goes on. I feel like this prompt applies very much to my career aspirations. I'm a lifelong nerd and am already looking deeper into post-masters and doctoral programs to satisfy my hunger for learning. I come home most days from work thinking, "what do i have to study tonight?...oh, yeah, NOTHING because school's done" :) I am seriously considering three different programs that would lead to one of two different advanced practice nursing degrees. Yes, my ultimate goal is to be a nurse-midwife, win a million dollars or two and open up the first freestanding birth centers in Illinois (the law passed years ago, rules and regs are going thru the gov't, now just need investors/hospital backing to build). But. I want to have a semi-normal life. I am selfish right now and wouldn't want to be on call on Christmas or my future kid's birthday or graduation because my patient is in labor. I think midwifery is my ultimate calling, but perhaps once my future children are older. I am looking at the Frontier School of Nursing in Hyden, Kentucky. It's a very well respected program, started by one of the founders of nursing practice, Mary Breckenridge (who provided care by traveling on horseback in Appalachia). They have an amazing Women's Health Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse-Midwife distance learning post-masters or doctorate. You take most of the didactic courses online, go to Kentucky once a year for a week, then when you're ready for clinical residency, you work with a preceptor in your community. It would take about 2 and a 1/2 years part time. Evanston would pay for about $4000 a year! I'm hoping to apply for next school year. So, yea, I think I will pursue Women's Health Nurse Practitioner certification in the near future. I like the nurse educator role and I know I'd enjoy a clinic setting, helping educate and help women throughout their lifespan. Basically, I want to do everything and be everywhere. I want to help as many women as I can. I want to see health equality and transparency in maternity care in my lifetime. I want to advocate for evidence-based care not anecdotal recommendations to drive patient care. I want to give power back to the woman and encourage education and self-empowerment.
Family aspirations? Save. Enjoy. Travel. Babies. Time together. Pretty much just savor the time with my amazing family. I've got one incredible husband and we're both a bit overworked. Spending quality time together is medicine for our souls and renews us. Spending fun times with our family does the trick as well, I love nothing more than laughing with our family over a nice yummy dinner. We are so blessed.
What sets you on fire? What do you hope to achieve in this one lovely life?
I can break this question down into a few parts. Personal. Career. Family. Different sectors of my little happy life. Personal aspirations? Achieve physical balance and health. I've already lost 8 lbs since Oct, halfway to my goal. I plan to continue to eat healthy (as I always do, minus chocolate :), and keep busting my ass at work. I come home sweaty and exhausted and I'm certain the physical nature of my job has helped with the weight loss. I plan to continue to stretch, exercise, keep going to PT and massage to get my body into tip-top shape for when that little baby decides it'd like to shack up and stay for 9 months or so....I wanna make sure my body is a happy home before getting pregnant.
Career. I'm happy at work. I'm overwhelmed at work. I feel stupid each. and. every. day. at work. I'm hoping that feeling subsides as time goes on. I feel like this prompt applies very much to my career aspirations. I'm a lifelong nerd and am already looking deeper into post-masters and doctoral programs to satisfy my hunger for learning. I come home most days from work thinking, "what do i have to study tonight?...oh, yeah, NOTHING because school's done" :) I am seriously considering three different programs that would lead to one of two different advanced practice nursing degrees. Yes, my ultimate goal is to be a nurse-midwife, win a million dollars or two and open up the first freestanding birth centers in Illinois (the law passed years ago, rules and regs are going thru the gov't, now just need investors/hospital backing to build). But. I want to have a semi-normal life. I am selfish right now and wouldn't want to be on call on Christmas or my future kid's birthday or graduation because my patient is in labor. I think midwifery is my ultimate calling, but perhaps once my future children are older. I am looking at the Frontier School of Nursing in Hyden, Kentucky. It's a very well respected program, started by one of the founders of nursing practice, Mary Breckenridge (who provided care by traveling on horseback in Appalachia). They have an amazing Women's Health Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse-Midwife distance learning post-masters or doctorate. You take most of the didactic courses online, go to Kentucky once a year for a week, then when you're ready for clinical residency, you work with a preceptor in your community. It would take about 2 and a 1/2 years part time. Evanston would pay for about $4000 a year! I'm hoping to apply for next school year. So, yea, I think I will pursue Women's Health Nurse Practitioner certification in the near future. I like the nurse educator role and I know I'd enjoy a clinic setting, helping educate and help women throughout their lifespan. Basically, I want to do everything and be everywhere. I want to help as many women as I can. I want to see health equality and transparency in maternity care in my lifetime. I want to advocate for evidence-based care not anecdotal recommendations to drive patient care. I want to give power back to the woman and encourage education and self-empowerment.
Family aspirations? Save. Enjoy. Travel. Babies. Time together. Pretty much just savor the time with my amazing family. I've got one incredible husband and we're both a bit overworked. Spending quality time together is medicine for our souls and renews us. Spending fun times with our family does the trick as well, I love nothing more than laughing with our family over a nice yummy dinner. We are so blessed.
What sets you on fire? What do you hope to achieve in this one lovely life?
Sunday, December 12, 2010
reverb10, #12 - body integration
Today's reverb10 prompt is from Patrick Reynolds.
"Body integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn't mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?"
This year, I've delved deeper into alternative and complementary therapies in efforts to achieve a balanced and united mind, body, and spirit. About 3 years ago, I started acupuncture, which has been an incredible journey. Acupuncture branched off into holographic memory resolution (healing troubled spots in the body that store traumatic emotions), mayan abdominal massage and yoga for fertility. I am open and willing to try just about anything to nourish this one body I'm renting for this lifetime. The moment this year when I have felt most integrated with my body was definitely during an acupuncture session. I could feel my mind drifting away, yet deeper and deeper inward into my body. Feeling warmth and energy rushing through the meridians of my body while having not a single thought in my mind was an amazing, peaceful feeling. I would 'awaken' from acupuncture feeling refreshed, cleansed and totally exhausted at the same time. I often told my acupuncturist that I might get pulled over for a DUI, as acupuncture made me feel high as a kite. I find that western medicine can only take me so far, and I have found great success in utilizing complementary treatments to improve my cycles (and in turn improve fertility), help my back pain and increase energy levels. Step outta your comfort zone and try something new! Your body (mind and spirit) will thank you!
"Body integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn't mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?"
This year, I've delved deeper into alternative and complementary therapies in efforts to achieve a balanced and united mind, body, and spirit. About 3 years ago, I started acupuncture, which has been an incredible journey. Acupuncture branched off into holographic memory resolution (healing troubled spots in the body that store traumatic emotions), mayan abdominal massage and yoga for fertility. I am open and willing to try just about anything to nourish this one body I'm renting for this lifetime. The moment this year when I have felt most integrated with my body was definitely during an acupuncture session. I could feel my mind drifting away, yet deeper and deeper inward into my body. Feeling warmth and energy rushing through the meridians of my body while having not a single thought in my mind was an amazing, peaceful feeling. I would 'awaken' from acupuncture feeling refreshed, cleansed and totally exhausted at the same time. I often told my acupuncturist that I might get pulled over for a DUI, as acupuncture made me feel high as a kite. I find that western medicine can only take me so far, and I have found great success in utilizing complementary treatments to improve my cycles (and in turn improve fertility), help my back pain and increase energy levels. Step outta your comfort zone and try something new! Your body (mind and spirit) will thank you!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
yes!
Went to the doc today for a checkup!
I lost 8 pounds since my last visit in the end of October!
WOOOO HOOOOO!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
family pics
Some cute pics from Dave & Shelley's rehearsal dinner! We had a great time! We sure miss Lindsey, Uncle Dick and Aunt Linda!! XOXOXOX P.S. Thanks to Katie for letting me borrow the super cute top! :)
happy thanksgiving!
Some pics from our Thanksgivings! We spent most of the week down and out with the norovirus! Yucks! We had a great time at the Merks and ate delicious homemade pizzas! We had a wonderful day with the Bruno famiglia, especially cutie pie Grams.
best day ever! well, really the worst, but now the BEST!
Sorry for the blog overload...lots of catching up to do!
No. big. deal.....I just celebrated my 7 year cancer-versary!!!!! YES! It's been an interesting anniversary...less anxiety, more peace, more 'back to normal.' I remember shortly after completing treatment, I confided in my psychosocial oncologist that I prayed that one day would pass without thinking about cancer. Many days pass without it crossing my mind. When it enters my mind, a memory from treatment, a fear, a scary thought, it simply swirls around in my consciousness....I acknowledge it, honor it and it passes and disappears. It's a beautiful place to be. I am blessed for the support I had through it all, my amazing mama, there with me every step of the way. I felt this weird obligation to celebrate just to give myself the peace of mind that I didn't let this occasion pass by without appreciating it or celebrating it. Sure I get scared of what the future could bring with long term side effects, but I feel grateful I have my health now. I am incredibly, incredibly blessed. There are no words to describe my gratitude.
We celebrated the weekend by going to Tufano's for a yummy dinner and Zoo Lights with Matty and Danielle. Here's some pics from the night:
What a fun night and a great way to celebrate! To life!
No. big. deal.....I just celebrated my 7 year cancer-versary!!!!! YES! It's been an interesting anniversary...less anxiety, more peace, more 'back to normal.' I remember shortly after completing treatment, I confided in my psychosocial oncologist that I prayed that one day would pass without thinking about cancer. Many days pass without it crossing my mind. When it enters my mind, a memory from treatment, a fear, a scary thought, it simply swirls around in my consciousness....I acknowledge it, honor it and it passes and disappears. It's a beautiful place to be. I am blessed for the support I had through it all, my amazing mama, there with me every step of the way. I felt this weird obligation to celebrate just to give myself the peace of mind that I didn't let this occasion pass by without appreciating it or celebrating it. Sure I get scared of what the future could bring with long term side effects, but I feel grateful I have my health now. I am incredibly, incredibly blessed. There are no words to describe my gratitude.
We celebrated the weekend by going to Tufano's for a yummy dinner and Zoo Lights with Matty and Danielle. Here's some pics from the night:
What a fun night and a great way to celebrate! To life!
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