"Blogging, Balance and Udder Budder..."

OK this blog was my first ever attempt at blogging...

Not the best subject matter in the world, but I think I have stayed pretty true to giving you a clear and truthful look on what it's like to be suddenly diagnosed with rectal cancer and what it's like to live that journey...

I wanted to be able to be a resource for the next person who unfortunately has to deal with that. You only get a very small slice of the view from the Dr's, nurses, books, and such...very different to hear what it's actually like to live through it daily. And as you can gather not a whole lot of fun!

Which brings me to balance...if I thought about this 24/7 (which truly I almost do...given the circumstances you just can't help it) it would drive me insane, and sometimes although I still want to provide an accurate picture, even I get bummed out about writing yet another sad ass story about meds, pain and sadness..
So to counteract that, and to keep the part of my essence that still burns brightly I have started another blog to write about things I love, music, food and whatever else catches my fancy.

Here's the link...because even you dear reader need a break about this time I suspect.

It's entitled rock food love
Right now, you can learn how to make the perfect party dip, hear about my first hand account of being at the infamous Cincinnati Who concert and see how amazing my daughter is...

And to show you not all about my cancer journey is debbie downersville here's a fabulous tip or two I learned so far:

"Udder Budder"...
So coined by my diva friend Cynthia, "my-go-to-girl" for all things to make me look and feel fabulous...she coined it after I was telling her Kevin was calling it "Udder Butter". The actual product in question is "Udderly Smooth" moisturizing cream...but please just because they use it on cows, don't let that deter you from trying this stuff because it is AMAZING!

I had to get it because the hand-and-foot syndrome demands I slather on moisturizer pretty much every hour on the hour. Anything else I was using just disappeared into my skin after like 5 minutes like I had put nothing on at all.
Seriously you have to try this stuff. Smells pleasant. Like lotion, no exotic floral or herb fragrance but not enough to clash with anything else you'd be wearing. Put this stuff on your feet, throw a pair of cozy socks on for the night and I guarantee you will wow them next time you go for a pedicure. Really it's that good!

"Natural Hair Conditioner"
Yep it's called not washing your hair every day...seriously before this whole journey started I was the girl who took a shower and washed my hair every single day without fail and maybe two if I got all sweaty from rocking out or being out in the sun. Now (and please don't be grossed out, Kevin and Em swear I don't smell...and I don't want to ruin the fantasy if they are just saying that to be nice)

At first it made me feel gross, but honestly since I don't move around and sweat that much it's not been too bad. So right now I take a shower a week dictated by the hand and foot thing again, because it makes that go crazy if I get them in hot water...so believe it or not letting my hair go, instead of being awful, has actually done wonders for my hair...I brush it once or twice a day to distribute the natural oils and I haven't even had to use conditioner. I'm not advocating going a week, but if you are an every day shampooer...just try skipping a day or two and see what it does for your hair. A nice little head massage can further help distribute the natural oil as well. And if it makes you feel too uncomfortable there are now some great dry shampoos out there that work oh so much better than Pssst! (extra brownie points to the folks that remember what that product was!)

Vitamin D3
Simply if you are not taking it you should. Pretty much everyone in North America is deficient in this vitamin. Blame our current necessary obsession with sunscreen and vampires. Seriously it's a tough one to get because you either have to get it from direct sunlight without sunscreen or milk. And most adults don't drink enough milk to get it. I've been taking it and it has done wonders for my S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder) it also has the extra added benefit of cutting your chances of contracting colorectal cancer in half!! Also research has shown it's beneficial for helping to prevent other cancers as well. And if you are reading this blog I certainly hope by now you can see what an awful thing it is to have to go through...
So do it, do it tomorrow. And no worries they are teeny tiny pills, and you only need one a day.

So hopefully this post brought things a little bit more into balance for you, I know it did for me...

Still rocking it!