Pancreatic Cancer: Hell On Earth

Yes, that's what I said.  HELL on earth.  Although my Daddy has some good days right now, he is having many more BAD ones.  A week ago today he had his 3rd chemo treatment.  This one has been rough, and although my parents try to shield us (and everybody else), I can see with my own eyes what it is doing to my Daddy.  The weight loss is staggering.  He was once a size 36, really needs to be in a 32 now, but won't give up the 34's.  Maybe it's a mind thing with him, I'm not quite sure, but he is wearing suspenders to hold up pants that are entirely too big for him!  Every time I see him, it's alarming at the weight loss...did I mention I HATE cancer? 

After his 1st chemo treatment, the tumor size had been reduced by 20%.  He was full of hope at that 2nd treatment and was ready for them to bring it on!  Last week, the marker numbers for his cancer were back up to where they were at his diagnosis.  My sister and I did all kinds of research and reading and told him not all oncologists use these marker numbers, not to even think about it, because his state of mind has as much to do with his healing as anything.  I truly believe this.  He said he had put his trust in God, not those numbers, that he is going to be okay.  Let me tell you, pancreatic cancer is painful.  My Dad's tumor is in the body of the pancreas, and touching vessels and nerves.  Right now, because of the pain medications he is taking, his pain is bearable.  It's the side effects of the chemo regimen that make daily life a roller coaster for him and my Mother right now.  I don't know where her strength comes from, and some days I see through it, but she's a trooper.  She's his primary caregiver at home, and like him, she's having good days and bad days. 

My Daddy has always been a very independent, busy body kind of a man.  Pancreatic cancer is taking that from him.  One day he may get outside on his tractor and spend hours doing yardwork, and the next he is almost totally wiped out from the day before.  He pastors a small country church, and cancer has all but taken that from him as well.  Can you imagine how YOUR life would be changed by this disease?  I cannot even begin to know what he really feels knowing the current survival rate of  pancreatic cancer.  The statistics are scary.  This cancer is scary.  I want my Daddy to be one of the "all too rare" survivors of this HELL on earth! 

I am trying to put my anger, sadness, and frustration about my Daddy's illness into something positive.  In August, I will be doing my first ever 5k.  I have partnered with Pancreatica Walks/Runs through Active.com to raise funds for research and funding.  They have sent me all the "purple" things I need to bring awareness to the event, as far as I know, I'm the only one raising funds for Pancreatica at this event in August.  To make donations to Pancreatica and show your support for me, go to the link below and give whatever you can!  Take your lunch money for one day, your coffee money, roll up some change, whatever it takes, give to this organization so that lives can be saved!  Pancreatic cancer is relentless.  This could be your Mom, Dad, spouse, child.  It does not discriminate.  Help me create a little bit of HOPE.  Thank you.

http://www.active.com/donate/ToFightCancer/MRTEESATEAM

XOXO,

Tina

Love Shakeology!!!

Happy Friday!  Today, I started a new meal replacement shake, Shakeology, by Beachbody.  I chose Greenberry, no particular reason, there is also Chocolate and Tropical Strawberry, but always being different, I went with the one I was the most unfamiliar with.  I replaced my lunch with this shake.  I used 1 serving of the Greenberry Shakeology, 1 banana, 1 cup of ice, and 1 cup of 2% milk. 

My first Shakeology Meal Replacement

So here goes MY personal review...I LOVE IT!!!  I am so excited to have found a meal replacement that I actually love the taste of that I want to share it with everybody!  As they say at Beachbody, this stuff is health in a glass, the real deal, liquid life!  It definately makes it easy, and gives you peace of mind to know that THIS is the healthiest meal of the day.  A 90 day research study came up with the following results after replacing one meal a day with Shakeology:

by the end of week 1
*  Improved digestion and regularity
*  Reduced cravings (important for me!!!)

by the end of week 4
*  Increased energy and stamina
*  Lost weight (what a plus!)
*  Improved mental clarity

by the end of week 12
*  Lost 10 lbs and 2 inches off the waist on average :)
*  Reduced risk for heart disease and other degenerative diseases
*  Lowered cholesterol on average by 30% and as high as 70%!
*  Healthier skin, hair, and nails (another plus, plus, plus!)

My first month's supply of Shakeology came with a handy calendar with a month's worth of different recipes so that you can change up your choices day to day and never get bored.  After 30 days, I will blog my first months results as far as energy level, changes in my weight, etc.  I am very excited about Shakeology!!!  If you are interested in trying Shakeology for yourself, go to my website at:
http://myshakeology.com/tbturner  or contact me at tbturner2007@yahoo.com with any questions you might have!  I am working hard to live a healthier lifestyle!  Join me!

XOXO,

Tina

Tracking My 90 Day Journey With P90X!

Day 2 of my 90 Day P90X and I decided to blog about it to keep up with my progress.  Day 1 I went all in and did the jump training (plyometrics) because it is my favorite workout.  It's also tough!  I also got in 4 miles in 1 hour...got a lot of work to do on that! 

Day 2 I did the arms and shoulders, and also got in a 3 1/2 mile walk.  That was a little tougher today, did it outside and the temps were already rising.  Got it done though!  Already feeling a burst of energy, so much so that I got alot of home organizing done, mowed my yard until it started raining. 

Feeling some soreness in my legs, don't remember having before when I drank the recovery drink, so in the a.m. I am going to order another tub of that!  I actually love the taste, and it helps with the soreness you feel in the first days of your workouts.  I cannot wait until I begin to see the progress of my hard work!

If you would like to order any P90X products, go to my website at:  http://myshakeology.com/tbturner
http://beachbodycoach.com/tbturner 

To keep myself accountable and to be able to buy my fitness products at a discount, I have become a coach for Team Beachbody!  It is giving me the support of other people who are also on this journey to a healthier lifestyle and I can track my progress through my website as well, and share it with others. 

XOXO,

Tina

~Making Changes~

"Everything changed the day I understood that if I was to become a runner, I would have to run with the body I had. " - John Bingham, The Courage to Start

This just may be my new Mantra.  Isn't that just such a simple statement, yet powerful?  In the past 5 years, since becoming a full time stay at home Mom, I have made many changes in my life, trying to become more fit, trying to live healthier, but with my Dad's cancer diagnosis, I realized I haven't done enough.  I want to do everything possible to be able to be healthy and take care of my aging parents and be available for my own children and someday, grandchildren. 

It's not about "skinny" for me anymore.  It's about healthy.  While doing online research on my Dad's disease, I ran across the Pancreatica Walks And Runs Foundation.  You can sign up for different walks/runs locally and at the same time raise awareness and funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research.  Currently, cancer research of the Pancreas is the least funded.  That struck me.  The cancer that my Dad is battling is the least funded in research...I am only ONE person, but it only takes one person to make a difference! 

During the process of finding a walk/run to participate in with the Foundation, I stumbled onto a training program.  The "Couch To 5K Program".  I had seen this online, but this program is with a group of people who are also wanting to begin running, but don't know where to start.  Doing this online, I have been able to get to a certain stage, and then develop shin splints, which then caused me a set back, and I would have to start over.  I can do 10,000 steps a day on my treadmill, but I just haven't been able to become a full fledged runner! 

This program seems to be just what I am looking for to succeed!  You train with a group of people who are on your level, so the intimidation factor isn't there.  Well, I hope not...LOL  Training is about 8 to 10 weeks, you set yourself a goal race and work towards that.  I plan to be a runner by the time September rolls around, and I intend to sign up and run every chance I can to raise awareness and funds for the Pancreatica Foundation.

My first stop in a couple of weeks is getting fitted for the right shoes. (This will give me an excuse to go shopping, LOL)  My Dad has just begun his journey to recovery from Pancreatic Cancer. If he can fight this fight, I can muster up the courage to start to become a runner! It may take many walks/runs and months, but I will get there! 

Take the negative things that happen in your life and turn them into positives!  Make a difference!  Inspire! 

XOXO,

Tina

~Learning That Your Parent Is Sick~

I haven't blogged in nearly a month now.  That's because on April 26th, the world as I know it changed.  My Dad ended up in the ER after being up all night in pain.  What came next was the most unexpected shock of my parents lives.  My Dad was told it was possible he had pancreatic cancer.  I will NEVER forget the moment, the exact thing I was doing, when the phone rang and it was my sister on the other end.  She asked me what I was doing...I started a full fledged conversation before she interrupted me with "they think Deddy has pancreatic cancer..." 

And life as I knew it changed.  Things that seemed overwhelming and important weren't anymore.  I had never heard much about cancer of the pancreas, other than about the two very famous men who brought attention to it recently.  Patrick Swayze and Steve Jobs.  Powerful, famous men who ultimately succumbed to the disease.  I began to do my research.  I didn't like what I was finding.  Early symptoms, (of which my Dad was having, but were going undiagnosed), were major weight loss (40 lbs), fatigue, pain in his abdomen that sometimes went into his back, and loss of appetite.  The disease of pancreatic cancer is called the "silent killer", because early symptoms are sometimes so vague, the disease can remain undiagnosed until it has reached advanced stages. 

My "Deddy", Cody, and Mama at Cody's high school graduation 2011

My Dad's cancer is in the "body" of the pancreas.  It is a tumor, or "mass" that is enlarged to a point that it is possibly touching vessels, which explains his severe back pain.  The Whipple Surgery Procedure isn't an option until they shrink the tumor.  Shrinking the tumor means an aggressive chemo regimen with new drugs, and my Dad had his first treatment today.  My Mom dropped him off for chemo that started around 11 a.m. and finished up between 4:30 and 5 p.m.  He will do this every 2 weeks until the Doctor feels it's time to do another scan to see if tumor size is changing.  My Dad is in pain, but has a positive attitude!  He is doing a lot of scripture reading on Faith, healing, and trusting God. 

My Christmas gift to my Deddy, his retirement has turned him into a great "house husband".  :)

I've been reading that Pancreatic Cancer can be cured, if it is caught before it has spread and the tumor can be removed by surgery.  My hope is that chemo begins to shrink that nasty tumor and it can be removed, and my Dad can go on and enjoy his retirement years with my Mom.  He retired in December 2011, and became sick shortley after.  We have said this sickness is just a detour, because my Mom wasn't set to retire until December 2012, but God had plans for her to retire now.  My Dad becoming sick has given me a whole new outlook on life.  You realize what the important things are, and they aren't things.  They are people.  Relationships.  Being available for my parents during this time has been the most important thing I have done with my life lately.  The only thing I can give them is my time.  And I realize THAT is what we all need to do in every relationship we have, give our time.  Once it is gone, you cannot get it back. 

I will definately be blogging as my Dad's cancer treatment goes on.  It's therapy for me.  And I am learning and reading and maybe something I come across will help someone else.  On the other side of this is the story of a survivor.  My "Deddy" as I have called him since childhood...he will be a cancer survivor. 


XOXO,

Tina

The parentals and I at graduation 2011 THS

 

Newborn Keepsake Bracelets~

Along with creating toddler and little girl jewelry, I am also making keepsake bracelets for newborns.  Please contact me at tbturner2007@yahoo.com for details! 

Sugar And Spice~

I have been working on some precious little girl jewelry, jewels just like mommy.  These are the most precious little keepsakes!  If you are interested in having me create a keepsake for your little angel, contact me at tbturner2007@yahoo.com. 

XOXO,
Tina~