When Julie called to check on me Tuesday she asked it she could be included on the "tazir" blog so be in better tough with you guys and what's happening with your famlies. So I let you take it from her . Maybe we can get Mindy to add her blog for this side of the family, too.
Julie's email is juliethurman2008@concest.net
Thanks
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Asking for Julie
When Julie called on Thueday to check on me she asked if she could possible be put on this blog so she'd be in better touch with our family. There are slim pictins at by end but she wants to know how all of you are and see how your families are growing so I leave this in your hand to add her or not.
Her email is juliethurman2008@concest.net
She'd love to hear from you!
Love, Mom
Her email is juliethurman2008@concest.net
She'd love to hear from you!
Love, Mom
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
I feel one coming on...a blog that it
I'm just not sure whene. There are so may thigns I want to say and can't quite it yet. Just now how appreciateive I all to all of your for your love, support and prayers. Can't think of anyone I'd really be with than all of our family. I'll try things on paper and sometimes they don't come any other well and not even understandably here. Love, Mom
Saturday, December 27, 2008
10 Questions
Although I'm just going to post the questions to start with, I intend to answer them in the near future. I have to think about them for a while --- especially the last movie I watched --- does Richard Scary or Ella Enchanted count? Oh! I know-- it was The Nutcracker (Barbie style) !
1. What inspires you?
2. What's your most recent triumph?
3. What's the last movie you watched and how many stars would you rate it?
4. What scares you?
5. What most recently made you laugh out loud?
6. If you were to move to a remote island, what three things would you like to take with you? (Basic needs will be provided)
7. What's the best life lesson you've learned so far?
8. Can you whistle?
9. Which do you prefer -- cookies or cupcakes?
10. What would you title your autobiography
1. What inspires you?
2. What's your most recent triumph?
3. What's the last movie you watched and how many stars would you rate it?
4. What scares you?
5. What most recently made you laugh out loud?
6. If you were to move to a remote island, what three things would you like to take with you? (Basic needs will be provided)
7. What's the best life lesson you've learned so far?
8. Can you whistle?
9. Which do you prefer -- cookies or cupcakes?
10. What would you title your autobiography
Monday, November 24, 2008
Later On
Been having lots of thoughts run through my mind while my eyes have been wide open through the night because of the pre-chemo steroids. I've been making a list of things I will probably post about later on today. I'm hesitant about it because I don't want to be negative or a complainer so I've got to think about it during the day.
Sure love you all.
Sure love you all.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Interesting Article
Aren't you lucky you have the benefit of my chemo reading? Here's an article from Monday's visit:
"Meditation is nothing more than focused attention, inward or outward -- to the breath, for instance, or to an external image or to a silently spoken word or phrase," says Andre Weil, MD, author of Healthy Aging. Whatever your focal point, the object is the same: You are cultivating your ability to concentrate on the present moment. (I think this is one reason the article caught my attention. I've had more trouble concentrating with "chemo brain").
The idea is to stop ruminating about the past and fretting about the future so you mind and body can relax, explains Peter Degnan, MD, an integrative medicine physician at Equinox Health and Healing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. If you make meditation a habit, studies suggest, you may feel calmer and more in control of your life. (hmmmmm, is it like slowing down so I can hear the still small voice?)
There are many types of meditation, but you don't need to practice a particular form to set your mind at ease. To learn how to live "in the moment," simply try one of the easy exercises featured in "Paths to Peace" (at end of article). All you need is a quiet place free of distractions, a little patience and some understanding of the challenges of meditation so you don't give up before you get comfortable doing it. For instance...
Think of meditation as a calming ritual, instead of a mystical experience. Though meditation helps some people connect with their spiritual side, you may get discouraged if you expect instant enlightenment or something momentous to happen. (although I am firmly convinced it can and often does). Your goal is to stay anchored in the here and now, so thoughts of what you have to do today or the argument with your spouse fade away.
Expect your mind to wander.(I can relate to this one!) Meditation doesn't mean making your mind a blank. The trick is to let thoughts drift by like clouds without getting caught up in them, which can be difficult to do . Your aim is to acknowledge your thoughts without judging or analyzing them (it may help to give them a neutral label, such as "thinking about work").
Whenever you get distracted, redirect your attention to your focal point, such as your breathing, a movement or a meaningful word -- or mantra --like "peace."
The best form of meditation is the one that helps you stay focused.
If you're agitated or athletic, walking meditation may be right for you. Arty types may find knitting calming, while prayer can be hypnotic for those who are spiritual. But since the soothing power of repetition is at the heart of meditation, any rhythmic activity that can be done on automatic pilot may produce a meditative state, including ironing, brushing your hair or stroking a pet.(I think rocking/bumping fits in here). "The trick is to be aware of the motion, the rhythm, your breath -- and nothing else, says Dr. Degnan.
Consistency is more important than the time you clock. Like any skill, meditation requires practice. It's better to meditate for a few minutes every day rather than to devote an hour a week. "Even short periods of meditation can be relaxing," says Dr. Degnan. Start practicing for five minutes and then try to work your way up to 20 minutes or more.
PATHS TO PEACE - Here are four easy ways to focus your mind and ease anxiety.
CONCENTRATE ON A CHORE. No time to meditate? Turn everyday activities, such as washing dishes and folding clothes, into opportunities to be mindful, suggests Jeffrey Brantley, MD, author of Five Good Minutes. Focus on the movements required to do the activity. Then "take a moment to fully experience the satisfaction of completing the task," says Dr. Brantley. I wonder if that's part of why I enjoy folding clothes -- I like the stacks to put away.
SAVOR A SMALL BITE. Note how a morsel of food looks and smells before you put it in your mouth. Then chew it slowly and taste with attention; think about how it feels on your tongue (smooth, cold, crunchy) and then experience the flavor (spicy, sweet, a hint of cinnamon). I'm looking forward to experiencing flavor again one day !!!
MEDITATE ON THE MOVE. In a safe, traffic-free area, walk slowly and focus on your movements and sensations: lifting your foot, swinging your leg, putting your foot down, shifting your weight from your back foot to your front. If you find it difficult to concentrate, try silently saying "lifting, swinging, placing, shifting, as you perform these movements.
Pace too slow if you focus solely on your stride? Then zero in on your breath instead of your steps by thinking "in" as you inhale and "out" as you exhale.
PRAY. Repeating a prayer over and over can serve as a type of meditation and confer similar health benefits. According to a British study, reciting the rosary slows breathing, which can help lower blood pressure. Maybe I'll try reciting the Articles of Faith or a favorite scripture for this one, along with prayer! End of Article by Mary Elizabeth Terzella in Caring Today magazine, May 2008
So there it is for what its worth; at least it is something to think about.
"Meditation is nothing more than focused attention, inward or outward -- to the breath, for instance, or to an external image or to a silently spoken word or phrase," says Andre Weil, MD, author of Healthy Aging. Whatever your focal point, the object is the same: You are cultivating your ability to concentrate on the present moment. (I think this is one reason the article caught my attention. I've had more trouble concentrating with "chemo brain").
The idea is to stop ruminating about the past and fretting about the future so you mind and body can relax, explains Peter Degnan, MD, an integrative medicine physician at Equinox Health and Healing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. If you make meditation a habit, studies suggest, you may feel calmer and more in control of your life. (hmmmmm, is it like slowing down so I can hear the still small voice?)
There are many types of meditation, but you don't need to practice a particular form to set your mind at ease. To learn how to live "in the moment," simply try one of the easy exercises featured in "Paths to Peace" (at end of article). All you need is a quiet place free of distractions, a little patience and some understanding of the challenges of meditation so you don't give up before you get comfortable doing it. For instance...
Think of meditation as a calming ritual, instead of a mystical experience. Though meditation helps some people connect with their spiritual side, you may get discouraged if you expect instant enlightenment or something momentous to happen. (although I am firmly convinced it can and often does). Your goal is to stay anchored in the here and now, so thoughts of what you have to do today or the argument with your spouse fade away.
Expect your mind to wander.(I can relate to this one!) Meditation doesn't mean making your mind a blank. The trick is to let thoughts drift by like clouds without getting caught up in them, which can be difficult to do . Your aim is to acknowledge your thoughts without judging or analyzing them (it may help to give them a neutral label, such as "thinking about work").
Whenever you get distracted, redirect your attention to your focal point, such as your breathing, a movement or a meaningful word -- or mantra --like "peace."
The best form of meditation is the one that helps you stay focused.
If you're agitated or athletic, walking meditation may be right for you. Arty types may find knitting calming, while prayer can be hypnotic for those who are spiritual. But since the soothing power of repetition is at the heart of meditation, any rhythmic activity that can be done on automatic pilot may produce a meditative state, including ironing, brushing your hair or stroking a pet.(I think rocking/bumping fits in here). "The trick is to be aware of the motion, the rhythm, your breath -- and nothing else, says Dr. Degnan.
Consistency is more important than the time you clock. Like any skill, meditation requires practice. It's better to meditate for a few minutes every day rather than to devote an hour a week. "Even short periods of meditation can be relaxing," says Dr. Degnan. Start practicing for five minutes and then try to work your way up to 20 minutes or more.
PATHS TO PEACE - Here are four easy ways to focus your mind and ease anxiety.
CONCENTRATE ON A CHORE. No time to meditate? Turn everyday activities, such as washing dishes and folding clothes, into opportunities to be mindful, suggests Jeffrey Brantley, MD, author of Five Good Minutes. Focus on the movements required to do the activity. Then "take a moment to fully experience the satisfaction of completing the task," says Dr. Brantley. I wonder if that's part of why I enjoy folding clothes -- I like the stacks to put away.
SAVOR A SMALL BITE. Note how a morsel of food looks and smells before you put it in your mouth. Then chew it slowly and taste with attention; think about how it feels on your tongue (smooth, cold, crunchy) and then experience the flavor (spicy, sweet, a hint of cinnamon). I'm looking forward to experiencing flavor again one day !!!
MEDITATE ON THE MOVE. In a safe, traffic-free area, walk slowly and focus on your movements and sensations: lifting your foot, swinging your leg, putting your foot down, shifting your weight from your back foot to your front. If you find it difficult to concentrate, try silently saying "lifting, swinging, placing, shifting, as you perform these movements.
Pace too slow if you focus solely on your stride? Then zero in on your breath instead of your steps by thinking "in" as you inhale and "out" as you exhale.
PRAY. Repeating a prayer over and over can serve as a type of meditation and confer similar health benefits. According to a British study, reciting the rosary slows breathing, which can help lower blood pressure. Maybe I'll try reciting the Articles of Faith or a favorite scripture for this one, along with prayer! End of Article by Mary Elizabeth Terzella in Caring Today magazine, May 2008
So there it is for what its worth; at least it is something to think about.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Been a While...
Posting to the carepage each week has taken my thoughts away from the blog, although there are things which are more appropriate on one than the other.
One thing I've been thinking about the last couple of weeks is what my cravings have been. Who ever knew going through chemo would give you cravings for strange things? Most of the time there aren't many things which sound good to eat at all so I guess when one does crop up, it becomes a quest to see if you can secure it and if it will taste as good as it sounds.
The first one occurred a few weeks ago when all of a sudden, garden beets with greens --cooked and topped with butter and lemon juice -- sounded delicious. I checked with my friend Gail but the rabbits had eaten her beets. Melanie came to the rescue, asking her garden buddy Bud Strupp if he could spare a few ==== MIGHTY FINE, I tell ya! Just what I had hungered for so that's what I had for three meals in a row. Last week Joyce Strupp sent over some additional ones which she had frozen and then were good, too! Next came tuna fish -- don't know why but those sandwiches have been tasty...Dave even served one to me in bed -- how's that for room service! A few days ago, a batch of artichoke dip for french bread was just beckoning to me, but then found the artichoke hearts had been hijacked from the cupboard during someone else's snack quest and I was out of sour cream. Shalee came to the rescue on Wednesday when she whipped up a batch for me and even toasted the bread. Hit the spot! V-8 and toast is something I can handle just about any time, especially if the V-8 is cold.
In looking back over these items, I don't know whether they could combine for a "balanced" meal or not but at least they are not from my usual favorite food group -- sugar, although I do hear a batch of dream bars calling my name.
One thing I've been thinking about the last couple of weeks is what my cravings have been. Who ever knew going through chemo would give you cravings for strange things? Most of the time there aren't many things which sound good to eat at all so I guess when one does crop up, it becomes a quest to see if you can secure it and if it will taste as good as it sounds.
The first one occurred a few weeks ago when all of a sudden, garden beets with greens --cooked and topped with butter and lemon juice -- sounded delicious. I checked with my friend Gail but the rabbits had eaten her beets. Melanie came to the rescue, asking her garden buddy Bud Strupp if he could spare a few ==== MIGHTY FINE, I tell ya! Just what I had hungered for so that's what I had for three meals in a row. Last week Joyce Strupp sent over some additional ones which she had frozen and then were good, too! Next came tuna fish -- don't know why but those sandwiches have been tasty...Dave even served one to me in bed -- how's that for room service! A few days ago, a batch of artichoke dip for french bread was just beckoning to me, but then found the artichoke hearts had been hijacked from the cupboard during someone else's snack quest and I was out of sour cream. Shalee came to the rescue on Wednesday when she whipped up a batch for me and even toasted the bread. Hit the spot! V-8 and toast is something I can handle just about any time, especially if the V-8 is cold.
In looking back over these items, I don't know whether they could combine for a "balanced" meal or not but at least they are not from my usual favorite food group -- sugar, although I do hear a batch of dream bars calling my name.
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