Wordless Wednesday : Life at Eight is great

 I still can't believe they are Eight or I made it to eight ! These tiny munchkins were about 5 weeks early - their due date was August 1st. These photos taken on their birthday show how much they have grown and what wonderful cheeky  personalities they are growing into.

3 weeks old.

 

An InLinkz Link-up

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What have you been up to ?

Running, Dragon boat paddling, and living the dream ...endless washing and folding clothes (*sob* my iron is out of action)  making beds (some days) throw in a bit of overdue tax returns and business work for my husband.

Damn it , I feel blessed to be well enough to be doing most things I want to be doing.


Daily, I talk to myself my mind out of every cancer related fear... sorrows and regrets and I get with it. I procrastinate over many a cup of tea and Facebook or Pinterest.

I'm great at excuses.

I haven't really been feeling like blogging with the MH17 tragedy and others about the globe. Plus , several friends going through hell'ish cancer journeys. I dislike the word journey because it implies there is an end, sometime to look forward too - a finish.

Eventually.

Not always the one we planned. It feels wrong to whine.

I'm doing well physically - last week I ran the furthest ever (well I think since online records began) and I'm feeling it. I ache all over and my jeans are still too tight. Bummed is an intended pun. My joints are arthritic (seriously) and running requires a lot of effort. Much torture discomfort before the endorphins kick in. I enjoy it and it is good for my old bones.

Just ! I'm not seeing results in my efforts to undo 4-5 months of too much sitting and hand to mouth. I've really tried to eat , well better and nothing. Setting my mind and soul to run the City to Surf is a great goal. Hanging in , I can do , driven by an unknown force and a little selfishness. A race time is not important to me. Much.

It is my future too and I want hope, for me and my breast friends -that's my real goal.

I am so very grateful for the support behind my fundraising for the City to Surf - $86 away from my $2000 target.

We've started training to participate in Dragon Boat racing at Pan Pacific Games in November. The river water is freezing at 10am (hands get wet and the occasional splash from another paddler or your own inept efforts).

Dragon boat racing , a loud and exciting sport promotes community spirit as well as fitness. A lot of clubs were started by breast cancer survivors , though not limited to them. It's easy to get involved in and so much fun! The grunts (starts) are my least favourite.

It is practiced all over Australia , where there are rivers and waterways , at all ages and levels. We have women and men in their 70's in our club. We are still a sport's club albeit less competitive than other clubs with a lot of youth.

We travel to different regattas and it's quite physical . I am one of the half dozen youngest *cough* in our club of almost 70 members. We only paddle once a week during Winter season.

Anyway, the aching ! I succumbed and booked a remedial massage, the earliest is next week. I will need it even more my then.

Tomorrow, I'm traveling 2hrs to visit a Breast C friend and give her a Box of Sunshine, then to visit another friend and her gorgeous daughters, for dinner.

It's also my REST day. Looking forward to that immensely.

https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/trish

What have you been up to ?

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Wordless Wednesday : Friendly Purrsuasion

What is a cat's favourite colour? Purrple!

Bronte thinks she owns me and my lap ; refuses to leave me alone at the computer .She won't sit still , insists on butting my hands for affection and purring. On the lounge too - she has to be right in your face - this is a rare still moment.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Ticked off

Sunday, I ticked off my first real 'race' run in over 7 months ; 5 months since my Sarcoma surgery , and 5 weeks post radiation.

I hadn't had much time to train so I wasn't fast and damn those Winery hills.

There was never an intention to race , I am saving myself for the City to Surf. I ran most of the way with D and she kept me going.

Twelve local ladies traveled 4hrs to the Hunter Valley and we had fun. Liberated from children and partners - in squeaky bunk beds ( The 2 ladies who arrived last got to share the double) - we laughed a lot and ate too much food.

The biggest lamb shank ever at Potter's Brewery.

We all ticked off some kind of milestone in the Hunter. Ten of us were aged from 42-48 yrs .

Two ladies ran their first ever 10k run (both in mid 40's), others ran post injuries .What a thrill is was to watch our coach (team mentor) achieve her sub 4hr marathon 42kms ; seeing her cross the line. Everyone was so proud of her.

Thanks to my generous supporters we cracked the $1500 fundraising target. A magic mark to tick off . I believe research is the most effective way to end breast cancer and stop women dying from advanced (secondary) breast cancer where the breast cancer metastasizes.  Cancer in the breast doesn't kill you - until it spreads to other regions in the body , it becomes incurable and eventually terminal.

Of course targets were meant to be smashed so now I'm aiming for $2000 ;

 https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/trish

because the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia’s leading charity raising and granting funds for breast cancer research.

Our aspirational goal is to achieve zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030. With 37 Australians diagnosed each day and seven losing their battle, there is still much to do.

July has been a busy month , so blogging is kind of on hiatus. In the next few months I'll be ticking off a lot more things - two Dragon Boat paddling regattas - including Pan Pacific Masters Games in November.

August,  I'm running completing 14km Sydney City to Surf ,Then the Dubbo Stampede Zebra Zoom my second Half marathon (deep breaths) September 7th, the Relay for Life follows 20-21st September.


It is a unique event where teams of 10 to 15 challenge themselves in a 24hr relay ... 

 Relay For Life is an overnight, community event for thousands of Australians who, relay non-stop as they celebrate cancer survivors, remember those lost, and fight back against the disease by raising important funds.

I'm struggling (mentally) to plan my life more than 3 months in advance because of malignant cancers twice in 18 months .

I am still philosophical that you get on with life and you go about your days as normally as you can. Thankful for second (and third) chances I also want to fight back by raising money as I challenge myself , keep fit and have fun in my community.

Stay tuned as I tick off things . Thank you to all my sponsors I am so thrilled you are on my cyber team.

What have you got to tick off in 2014 ?
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Wordless Wednesday : Just run

 

Last Friday my running singlet arrived ! Three and half weeks to go .

Sunday, I'm running in Hunter Valley Winery Running Festival 10km for fun :) with 11 other local ladies. There may be wine and laughs involved.

  

Please help me make a difference. Let's find a cure - big or small save them all.

https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/trish

♥ #everythingcounts

An InLinkz Link-up

This is great - Kindness Boomerang " One day "

Few words required - just watch and be inspired as I hope 13 and half million others were.

I always have something to say about kindness. This clip is awesome with a catchy tune ; unexpected ending .

Let's hope it sends a ripple of encouragement to those who commit small random and 'planned' acts of kindness every day. You never know how far it travels.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ” —Aesop Fabulist 

 “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.”—Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe German Writer, Artist, And Politician

 Kindness pages to like -
https://www.facebook.com/therandomactsofkindnessfoundation
https://www.facebook.com/lifevestinside

Tell me an act of kindness you received recently ?

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What we're here for !

Yesterday I had the opportunity meet - for the first time - a lovely URL friend that I have been chatting to over the last few months. We have other blogging community friends in common and we are both cancer warriors. I truly admire her determined spirit and courage in the face of adversity. S rarely complains about her rough ride , numerous things that one by itself would break even a strong person.

I recognised S immediately. S kindly rearranged her time , due to my spur of the moment intention to go visit my friend M, who was having major surgery and I knew had no-one to be with her after her op, to meet and wait with me. I was still in Sydney after our 3 day trip to the Snowy mountains.

M had a quick dash to Sydney by air ambulance on Wednesday night. I only wanted to see she was ok and for her to know I really cared. I had dinner with her one night during my rad treatments.

I missed seeing M before surgery by 'that much' about 5mins. I should have worn my runners and sprinted from the train station.

So I waited , the silver lining was I got to meet S. One good thing led to another and S even offered to visit M today. There is nothing more lonely than staring at the walls in a hospital room. The girls have a few personal things in common too. M's hubby will arrive this afternoon from their country town.

M is such a trooper when I entered her room, after 5hrs of surgery and recovery time - she was smiling- awake and bright ! No bed hair either. I encouraged her to let us snap a pic for Facebook ; let her friends and others know she was out of surgery and ok. M has a difficult journey to ahead and will need a lot of support.





One of biggest reasons for running the City 2 Surf and fundraising for National Breast Cancer Foundation is because of my friend and others with secondary Breast Cancer. There is currently no cure, though many women live quality lives for years with Stage IV cancer it is no walk in the park. Every dollar counts.

I am so grateful for all my sponsors so far.

National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia’s leading charity raising and granting funds for breast cancer research.

They fund research right across the spectrum – from understanding the fundamental basis of the disease to psychosocial research aimed at improving the quality of life for survivors.

Since 1994, $97 million has been awarded to fund over 340 Australian-based research projects to improve the health and wellbeing of those affected by breast cancer.

In that time, because of research, the percentage of women losing their battle with breast cancer has been halved.

NBCF aspirational goal is to achieve zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030. With 37 Australians diagnosed each day and seven losing their battle, there is still much to do.

See my fundraising meter on the right . If you would like donate - I still have 4 weeks.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wordless Wednesday : Best birthday ever !

Please help me make a difference. Let's find a cure - big or small save them all.

I'm running City 2 Surf for National Breast Cancer Foundation
https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/trish

An InLinkz Link-up

I am running again : Towards Zero

I've barely run in the last 5 months - though I had a my leg feels good enough to run stretch for 2-3 weeks during my radiation treatment. I managed 3-4kms each run and it felt good , I didn't try to overdo it.


Then I had too much pain from radiation burns on my inner and back of thigh (exit or entry? burn). Yesterday, was my first run in over 3 weeks. I ran 5.5km - including warm up walking - over 7km.

My goal - is to raise $1000 +

https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/trish

Some days are still harder than others , I live each one of them with hope.
Running helps me face the difficulties that life has dumped in my path.

I'm devastated my dreadmill treadmill is out of action.

As I laced up yesterday (for a trail run on the farm) , I signed up and committed to a Gold Entry in City to Surf - to raise $1000 (the first $100 I have paid for).

I've had a lot of doubts whether or not I could do it due to the radiation ; there is no stopping me.
I will stagger or crawl across the line if I have to...though I'd rather a PB.

Running, for me, is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.
I am not fast and even slower since my time out.

"I have not yet reached my goal and I am not perfect. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead." Philippians 3:12-13

I'll do more reading about running distances  - nutrition, cadence, pace setting, hill training (have you conquered Heartbreak hill. It still overwhelms me)

I'll just run , or walk ; not stop till I cross the line.
I will stuff my head with positive thoughts and carb load.

Pizza.
Best excuse ever.

Come race day  I will be nervous and excited.

I'll be chanting -  check your pace, it's your race - don't worry about those passing you !
Then hopefully under 1:30 mins later - I'll celebrate the  r'awesomeness of crossing that line.

No matter the time or the effort.

It doesn't come easy for me , I want my sons to see me active and know that if you put your mind to something it's possible to do it. We joined our local Park run - 3km each Friday (except I've missed the last 3 but will run again this week)


I'm running 14km City to Surf to raise funds for National Breast Foundation Australia, if you would like to sponsor me - every $ or [$10.00] counts ;) - sponsor me here


https://city2surf2014.everydayhero.com/au/trish

I love 90 people to each sponsor me $10 or more if you are able so I can reach my target. Ten dollars to make a difference.

Too many mothers, sisters, aunts, nanas are being diagnosed and lost to Breast Cancer . My friend , 2 yrs out from treatment , has just found her breast cancer has spread to her hip and she is facing another round of Chemo and radiation. I saw her , so devastated and gutted at the Oncology unit the day she found out 3 weeks ago.

It was only by chance and it motivated me to run for both of our sakes to give all those diagnosed a hope for the future.

Zero deaths by 2030

Are you running the City to Surf ?
If I see you come get a hug or a high five !

I am so thankful I haven't lost the zest for running , though there is quite a bit more huffy puffy breathing at the moment.

I am thankful for second chances.

Linking up with Thankful Thursday

PS: my update currently $488.25 - Everything counts , don't be shy !

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Wordless Wednesday : Eight but first, Cake !

Ready

Set

Blow  + cake bomber

one more of actual BIRTHday

You can never have enough cake !

(My friend took the top 3 - I was lighting the candles and my Canon lens is broken )

An InLinkz Link-up

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