A Cancer Survivor & Fighter's Blog
Short term and long term!
Short term plans- when my father comes out next month I think we’re going to rent a rototiller and put in blueberry bushes by the fence. Our property already had a fence on two sides but we live in a busy area and with one fast toddler and a toddler in training we felt it was time to step it up. It looks so ugly right now with just dirt where the old privacy hedges were, but I think with the blueberry bushes on the inside and some plants/flowers on the outside it will be quite an improvement. My goal is to eventually have an “urban garden”, or at least more than our three tomato plants and herbs. Although we have a 1/4 acre lot which is pretty big for the DC metro area we also have huge trees that shade most of it so full sun garden beds are a premium.
I did make the first step in my fitness goals by joining a gym today. I visited four and picked the nicest one that was the closest- it’s less than a mile from my house. Half the battle for me is just getting there. I really hate traffic and it would kill me to drive more than 10 minutes to work out. I just don’t have that kind of time!
Long term- Developing a second cancer has put a crinkle in my employment plans. I had planned to end my active duty service next summer and work part time contract so I would have more time with the boys. However with the follow-up and medications I will need for the rest of my life now that my thyroid is gone plus the risk of developing even more cancers I’m seriously rethinking that plan. I’m leaning towards making a career. If that doesn’t work out I am going to try federal service as a civilian. We shall see.
On the cancer front tomorrow I am going back to have my blood drawn and check my calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. I would love to be able to stop taking horse pill sized calcium supplements twice a day.
My name is Kate Stowell. I’m a cancer survivor two times over! I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1997 and diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 2009. Besides surviving cancer, I am a graduate of SUNY Geneseo (2004) and SUNY Binghamton (2006) and work as a registered nurse in a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I have two wonderful children, a loving husband, and a sweet black lab. The purpose of this blog is to keep a record of all the ups and downs my growing family goes through both during treatment and everyday life. I welcome questions and comments. Welcome!
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