Life's Uncertainties

Realizing I've been noticeably absent from doing any writing for weeks (yikes!!), I thought it high time to say Hi once again. The last fourteen days have been consumed with illness, anxiety, and uncertainty.

First, let me update you on how "Skip's Run" went on June 1. Having made a pact that we would run together, Alexine (a fellow morning workout and RUNClubber) and I lined up at the start line. I was filled with trepidation because, although our "Boogie the Bridge" times were very similar, I knew Alexine was a much stronger runner than I, and she had decided we should do 10-1 run-walk cycles. To say I was worried is putting it mildly. However, off we sprinted, covering the first kilometre in record speed. The quick pace took its toll on me as, after only two cycles, I could feel my energy level dropping like a runaway elevator.  With a devoted running partner and excellent motivator, I crossed the finish line 10 km and 1 hour 7 minutes later. Another major accomplishment!

The day before Skip's Run, I could feel my body succumb to a cold bug David had brought home from up north. An irritated, scratchy throat accompanied me along the entire run route and, by Monday morning, I felt miserable. It takes a lot for me to ditch on a morning workout, but I just couldn't drag my sorry body out of bed to get to group workout or go running the entire week.

Wells Gray Provincial Park beckoned us to come visit last weekend, so we donned our camping duds, threw in all the camping gear -- or so we thought -- stocked up on Halls, Neocitran, sinus medication, and kleenex, and headed off for our first camping trip of the season. Unfortunately, our Friday departure caused me to miss Saturday's RUNClub session, but I wasn't convinced my body was ready to run anyways.

We saw this cute little guy on our way to the campsite.
I love seeing bears from inside a vehicle!!

Remember, we thought we threw in all the camping gear?
Well, we (David) forgot the tent, so this was our home-away-from-home.

Spectacular and stunning ...
Helmcken Falls

The last few weeks have also been wrought with stress -- that 'knot-in-your-stomach', 'sleepless-night' kind of stress -- because of the impending strike by my teachers' union. I refuse to go into the gory details on a breast cancer blog, but suffice it to say that such levels of anxiety are NOT good for my health. Even as I write at this very moment, I am waiting for word as to whether or not school is on for the last two weeks of the year, or whether I'll be sipping coolers in my bikini (HA!) a little early this year. My 'uncertainty meter' is way past capacity, with the suspense just about putting me over the edge.

Tomorrow marks the start of my 6-month check-ups, and I am off to Kamloops for a visit with Dr. M, my plastic surgeon. Although the cord is still noticeable under my skin, the discomfort seems to have dissipated -- either that, or it's become so commonplace I don't notice it any more. My incisions look fantastic, and I'm expecting a good report from him.  Next week brings my two oncologist appointments, and I will admit they bring with them a level of fear and uncertainty.

**********************

I was overjoyed this week to talk to someone whose relative reads and enjoys this blog. My ongoing hope is that it will encourage someone along their journey, bring a smile to a face, or perhaps just let them realize we all have trials and tribulations.

My apologies that this post doesn't have much to do with being a breast cancer survivor. It's just about life :)