I am so sorry to have been such an inconsistent blogger this past year! Almost 5 years ago, on May 1, 2013, I was diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer(CRC) which later became Stage IV with lung metastasis. I am well aware that this story could have ended differently. I am so very grateful to be alive to tell the tale! I continue to blog to be an ambassador for CRC prevention, to share my story in an effort to inspire those fighting the fight, to update friend and family, and to share how my focus on healthy living continues to evolve. Lastly, If I can motivate just one person each year in my community to get a colonoscopy and prevent one case of Colon Cancer, I have done my job!
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| Tahoe with Dales in December |
In my last blog post from July 2017 I left you with a bit of a cliffhanger… I had inflammation changes in my lung scan from June 2017 that could potential be a recurrence. I posted in August 2017 on Facebook the happy news that the lung inflammation had partially resolved and was felt to be non-cancerous (Yay!), but I failed to share this update in this blog. So sorry! This last year has brought me & my family much joy & lots of changes. So, here goes with a much overdue update and a belated kick-off for March Colon Cancer Awareness month.
Health Update and Latest Scan Results...
Two weeks ago I had another routine chest CT scan. The fabulous news from this scan is that there is still no evidence of cancer! 👍 The big picture is fabulous! No cancer! 😊 However, this scan was not all clear and positive. I again have some inflammatory areas in my lungs that elude explanation. My radiation oncologist is not overly concerned about these findings, as they are not suggestive of a disease process at this point. These changes could be explained by something as simple as a cold or seasonal allergies, but I again had neither at the time of the scan. So, again we will not wait for the usual 6 months routine scan interval, but will repeat a lung scan in May to verify if these changes resolve or progress. Since this is a repeat of old findings, I will not waste time worrying about it, but continue to enjoy my life & celebrate my now 3 years 9 months N.E.D!!! Woo Hoo!!!
Other Health Stuff:
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| Meet Play Love tennis tournament in Tucson, AZ November, 2017 |
Exploring Dietary Changes & Listening to My Body:
For years, I have focused on a diet high in fruit and vegetables with a daily goal of eating 10+ servings of veggies and fruit per day (8+ veggies & 1-2 fruit). I was often asked if I had ever considered a vegetarian diet. I had thought about it, but had continued to eat meat, despite having reading a lot of research about meat and animal products causing inflammation in the body. I appreciate that all bodies are different, and believe that a customized diet is the way to go for each individual. Over the years I have become better at “listening” to how my body responds to food. Body responses and allergy test results have told me that gluten and dairy are not so good for me. In the past I have chosen to selectively ignore some food intolerances because i love meat, cheese, bread, meat, etc. Recently, the empty nest situation has opened the door for some new thinking.
My husband, Craig, has recently been reading about the benefits of a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet. After a lifetime of eating meat, Craig and I have decided to explore how our bodies feel when eating a WFPB or vegan diet. We may have fish or other small portions of healthy meat once in a while, but for the most part we have been eating plant based (& gluten free for me) for about a month. I am happy to say that we both feel really great! This is a learning process, so stay tuned and feel free to ask us how it's going!
My husband, Craig, has recently been reading about the benefits of a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet. After a lifetime of eating meat, Craig and I have decided to explore how our bodies feel when eating a WFPB or vegan diet. We may have fish or other small portions of healthy meat once in a while, but for the most part we have been eating plant based (& gluten free for me) for about a month. I am happy to say that we both feel really great! This is a learning process, so stay tuned and feel free to ask us how it's going!
What is your body telling you about the food you eat?
- I thought this article was helpful when exploring the transition to a plant based diet: Tips for Shifting to a Plant Based Diet for Meat Lovers
- This article summarizes 5 important CRC prevention tips that support the food topics above and introduces the awareness section below - please read! Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: 5 Prevention Tips
March is Colon cancer Awareness Month:
CRC is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death, and is preventable!
Colonoscopy saves lives!!!
- Have you recently turned 50?
- Have you had a colonoscopy?
- Is it time for a repeat colonoscopy?
- Do you have a family history of colon cancer or are you at higher risk for CRC?
- There are many types of screening options, & they all start with you talking to your doctor!
Please take that 1st step! Talk with your doctor! It could save your life - It saved mine!
Family Update:
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| Australian Open 2018 |
- Craig & I are officially empty nesters since August 2017. We are adjusting well. We have been traveling a bit more: I went on a fun ladies tennis tournament in Tucson, AZ in November; we spent part of December in Tahoe with close friends, Janet & Foster Dale; and started the new year taking a fabulous trip to Melbourne, Australia to explore this fun part of the world and attend the Australian Open Tennis Tournament. This month our plans to remodel the house have begun in earnest. Our 1937 home needs some love! The project includes replacing a leaky roof, remodeling the kitchen, deck, and floors, so this should keep us busy for much of 2018!
- Jenna is a freshman at Loyola Marymount University studying computer science. Jenna is doing well & will be home this summer to work as a counselor at IDTech Camp (a STEM based summer camp for youth & teens). Yay, Jenna!
- Kayla is in her final semester at University of Washington studying communications & business. She is set to graduate in June, and has lined up a post graduation job in Seattle at Collabera, an IT Tech staffing company. Kayla, you go, Girl! Adult life, here you come!!
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| Sharks Game with Girls :-) |
- This year Elyse has been doing research at UCSF while applying to medical schools. She recently travelled to India with her research group & added a fun side trip to Thailand & Cambodia. She has been accepted at 3 med school thus far, so she is IN and going to med school in the fall! Well done, Elyse!
Craig and I are so very proud of all three girls for working so hard and blossoming into such accomplished women!!!
2018 Relay for Life Kick Off!
Once again this year, I am honored to captain the Love Your Butt team at Relay for Life with my trusty co-captain and dear friend, Susan Sweedler.
This year the Saratoga/Los Gatos event will combine with Campbell to form one larger even more fun event & WE NEED YOU! We would love to grow the team to make a bigger impact on cancer treatment and prevention through the American Cancer Society.
This year the Saratoga/Los Gatos event will combine with Campbell to form one larger even more fun event & WE NEED YOU! We would love to grow the team to make a bigger impact on cancer treatment and prevention through the American Cancer Society.
Please join our team &/or donate at the following Link:
Save the Date!
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018 - SUNDAY JULY 15, 2018
10 a.m. - 10 a.m.
~ Jacki ~
