Yes, I Get Angry - A Cancer/Life Update

Do you ever have one of those week, months... maybe even years where nothing seems to go right? You do the work, you dot your i's, cross your t's, you do what you are supposed to do in life and yet, it just seems like the world is caving in around you.

Truthfully? That is how I have felt since March. I am not one for expressing my feelings so much. My fitness journey? Sure. My struggles with cancer... a little more reserved, but I will still share. What I ate for dinner that night, you know I'll share that. But my feelings? Um, not often. One of my girlfriends and I were talking about that this weekend. Her and I are both the "keep the feelings in till they explode like Mount Vesuvius" kind of people. I am like that about a lot of emotions. It's hard for me to share about that.

So a life/cancer update, here we go: I found out about two weeks ago that I was in remission! Yay! This is so exciting. It is one more hurdle that I jumped to get rid of cancer and my family and I are stoked. We feel good about it, but we also got news that in order to fully prevent it from recurring, it would be in my best interest to go through another (BIG) surgery. One that will keep me down for the count for a few weeks and will be a life changing surgery (minorly, but still...) This surgery is not needed immediately, and I want to make sure everyone knows it is not life or death, it is just preventative. I want to wait until we move and I establish a team of physicians that I trust to have it done. When you have been through the healthcare system like I have in my life, you know that this is important. Not only that but I need to find a diabetes specialist who also specializes in cancer as well.... not easy to do in any area. Here in CO, it was a 4 hour drive to Denver. In FL it will most likely be a 2 hour drive to Tampa. So there is that, but the thing that has been really on my mind and the thing that keeps me up at night and wont let me sleep and the thing that I talk about the least is the financial strain this has put on our family.

I thought I was doing really well, keeping on top of our medical bills. (I say "our" because Corey and I are essentially going through this together, there is no "I" when you're going through cancer treatments, you have to be able to lean on someone) I worked hard through 10 weeks of radiation treatment that left me sick, tired, in pain.... to be able to pay the bills as they came in. Cancer treatment is not affordable. It is awfully expensive and we have insurance. I hate money. People say that "the people that say Money Is The Root of All Evil, don't have any" and I truly believe this!  I worked - at the preschool, coaching through Beachbody, teaching Piyo - whatever I could do to bring something to the table financially I did. I put on a happy face and worked through it so I could turn around and pay the hospital every penny I made. When I was done with treatments I was excited. I had stayed on top of everything and felt like I did a good job of nipping that all in the bud. We took a celebratory cruise in February to relax, forget our stress, forget I had cancer, to unwind and just be together as a family. It was perfect.

Then I got home and looked in the mailbox. I had 5 envelopes from the Gunnison Valley Healthcare System... 5. I thought: We've only been gone for 7 days what can all of these be. My heart sank as I opened them. Bills, all bills. More bills. I felt like I was going to explode. 4,593 .... 2,041 .... 1,297 ... 1,698 ... 751 ...  Remember when I said I felt like I had done everything right and yet the world was still caving in all around me. That is how I felt. I was scared to tell Corey. He already carried such a heavy financial burden since I wasn't bringing to the table what I normally did. (I shouldn't have been scared, he is the calm one between us when it comes to things like this and he just said "you can't cry and get mad about this, what was the alternative? Not doing treatment and dying?") I just didn't know what I could do to change things. Probably nothing. I eat right, I am fit, I am active, I live in a beautiful clean air state.... but you still think of the what ifs. I could not sleep at night because all I could think was I want to buy a house, I want to pay my bills, I want to keep my credit up, I don't know what I am going to do. 

Through the lack of sleep, (due in part to the financial stuff, moreso because my feet hurt so bad from the neuropathy (another great side effect of both Diabetes and where I had radiation done) the lack of ambition to help others set in and my Beachbody business was failing, I wasn't being the leader to my awesome team I should have been, I always felt like I was letting my leader down, I was moody with everyone - from the lack of sleep, the stress... I don't know, but I do know that somewhere in there my attitude changed from this positive, encouraging person I have worked so hard to become to a stressed out and irritable and sad person. THAT is not who I am. I even feel like my temper was short with Brody and I never want to be like that. Ever. I have learned to talk about my fears and my feelings. I was telling a few ladies at my church last week, kind of joking - well if I am being really honest, not joking at all - that I had heard another BB colleague of mine, a very well-respected and successful coach in the industry say how she would scavenge in her house for things she could return to wal-mart to be able to afford food that week and I was considering doing the same thing. It was then that I was told : IT IS OK TO NEED HELP. It's OK to take help. And it is most definitely OK to talk about our struggles instead of keeping them inside. 

They put together this fundraiser for me and I didn't talk about it for over a week. I could not possibly share this. I could not tell people I was struggling. I could not let that facade down that I have been holding up. That I can do it all on my own.... So I told my sister. And she shared. Then my other sister did too. Then a few friends. SO I wanted to post an update as to what is going on so I am totally transparent and honest here. 

I love that I have had so many people there for me over the past few months. I am truly blessed to have a great support system in my family and friends. I cannot say enough thanks. 

If you want to donate, here is the link. It is truly appreciated. 

Help Leanne Kick Cancer to the Curb for Good!

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If You See Me Around Town in My PJ's ...

I have come to realize that radiation is far more comfortable when I am in the comfort of my own PJ's. Haha, no seriously. I am all about comfort these days and have decided that PJ's are the way to go!  The problem - living in a super small town: I see people everywhere I go! I cannot go to the grocery store, wal-mart, or even to get the mail without seeing someone I know everywhere! So bear with me, because if I am out and about in town in PJ's it's probably radiation day or some kind of doctor visit!

Yep - that is pretty much me! 

It's been a while since I last wrote because I have been so so so sick. I have not had the strength or energy to even write, or do anything more than what is required by my job. I did promise updates though, so I will try harder! 

In other news, I got the results back from multiple ultrasounds as well as my surgery and they are 99% sure that they got all of the cancer, so that is fantastic news, however I am still so sick - I just cannot shake the Upper Respiratory Infection I have had since 10/15! I have gotten a shot of antibiotics 3 weeks in a row, and am maybe starting to feel better, but am no where near 100%.  Getting there though. I am still teaching Piyo class (and doing Piyo almost daily) weekly and truthfully, even though I am not feeling it prior to going - I feel SO much better than I did before. I think it's the endorphin's, it's got to be! Lesson learned - even though everyone is telling me to rest and don't do too much, exercise (low impact for now) is my outlet, Piyo is my workout, and it makes me feel better so I am still going to do it!!  

So I am going to go get in another pair of glorious flannel PJ's and cuddle up to Brody and Corey now - because I actually have to get dressed for work tomorrow. 

I am not sure I remember how!

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Radiation, Blood Sugars, Results, Recovery, and Halloween, Oh My!

So... it's been a week and a day since treatment # 1. I am tired. More tired than I thought was possible, but I also did a lot last week on top of treatment and surgery. Yesterday I had treatment #2 and it knocked me down for a good part of the day. Like full out, fell asleep while Corey was home for lunch and didn't even know he left, out of it.  My last week was full and restful at the same time.

I worked really hard to bring Piyo to Crested Butte, finally got a class of my own going and I wasn't about to stop it due to a little thing like surgery and radiation (haha, I am being sarcastic) but seriously, I really don't want to let it fall by the wayside so I taught on Thursday night. I was able to teach my full class - minus the piyo flips, power section (burpees and squat jumps), and knee pulls - but it was not a walk in the park by any means (and for that matter a walk in the park is not so easy either...). But that does not mean I am going to give up on my dreams or my lifestyle. Fitness is a HUGE part of who I am and I am not going to let this change me! A lot of people think I should spend all day, every day resting... and that is just not me. I am most comfortable when I am doing a good workout. (Yes, I am sleeping more than normal too, but I am not giving up my fitness!) Life is, and always will be about how you handle the curve balls God throws at you, right? So my thoughts are you can sit around and be sad or mad or defeated, or you can adjust your sails and move right along.

Friday was Halloween party day. First the preschool I do marketing and development for - Paradise Place had their pumpkin party. I can't even stress how cute these littles are or how lucky I am that I have this job. I seriously get to work on a website from home, come in and take photos of the kids, and work on ways to raise money for the school (we're a non-profit) I think about going into work feeling like I do, at my previous job and I don't know if I could handle the longer days, long commutes, traveling to clinics more than an hour away, and I just know I am lucky to be in my position.

Then it was time for Brody's school party.  In complete honesty I need to be thankful for how blessed my life is.  When I am working I am either coaching, taking photos of cute preschoolers, planning fundraising for them, or working on their website, doing photography sessions, and teaching Piyo. When I am not I get to go to school with the Brodster and experience all that I would never get to when I was working on the front range. So while my circumstances may not be the absolute best at this exact moment in time, I have a pretty good life. 

A few from Brody's Party: 

Anyways, the weekend came and trick or treat was Saturday. I started to get really sick on Thursday, but kept brushing it off. It was cold and windy, but we had a great time with some new friends. 

On Sunday I got really really sick. My doctors say the radiation, diabetes, and surgery all lowered my immune system and also amplify my respiratory infection. I did get a big shot of antibiotics Monday morning and feel much better today, but still so exhausted, and I cannot breathe. I have also been using a ton more insulin than normal, because of all of the craziness my body is going through. That is really driving me nuts.  Oye. 

All in all it is not entirely bad news: my results from the surgery came back with no cancerous cells on the outlying tissue so YAY!!  2 more rounds of radiation and I should be declared cancer free. For now I am going to keep on keeping on with my cannabis oils (mainly because they help me sleep while protecting my cells from harmful radiation), working out, getting rest, and eating clean-  because it truly does make me feel good! 

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Those Words You Don't Ever Expect to Hear

Hello my blog friends - today's post is a little different than my normal run of the mill fitness / clean eating / Beachbody post. I am writing this blog post because the next few weeks will be a little tough, I may be a little tired, and a little bit not my normal self and I felt like I should share why - I want to share my story and I just felt this was the best way to let family and friends in on what is going on and keep whoever wanted to know in the loop and updated.

These words have been my motto over the past week especially:

A Little Background

Earlier this year in April, I went in for my yearly check-up with my doctor, she is awesome, amazing and takes care of everything for me from my diabetes to my lady issues. I was so lucky to find an MD like her (she actually spends time with me and talks to me about everything instead of rushing out of the room quickly, as I have experienced in the past). So I had my check-up and that was that, she said she would call me if she had to discuss any results. A few days passed and then my phone rang "Dr. Robinson" popped up on the screen. I thought one thing, "Uh oh, my HbA1C must be high" - and that is exactly what I said to her when I answered. She said nope, that test was perfect. I need to talk to you about your pap, it came back abnormal... what is called cervical cell dysplasia.  I had been down this road twice before, once in 2000, and another time in 2003.  So I was used to the treatment. I went in in May to "take care of" the abnormal cells, and scheduled my follow up in June.
At my follow up they showed no improvement in abnormal cells, and since I was moving out to Crested Butte, the referred me to a doctor closer to my new home.

So I had visited my new doctor, who is equally as awesome (and is a total yogi/Pilates girl too!) and she ran some tests and did a biopsy and an ultrasound. The results did not come out great. They asked me to come in for the results.  I went in on a Thursday. The 17th of September. I just knew, when they asked me to come in that the results were not going to be great, but I think I was still totally in denial.

Then they said the words that no one ever expects to hear. "You have Stage 1 Cervial Cancer. You are lucky, you are proactive about your health and we believe this is going to be very treatable."  I don't care who you are or how proactive you are or how early it is caught, "lucky" and "cancer" do not belong in the same sentence. Like EVER.

So after meeting with my team, we set out a treatment plan to be initialized on the 19th of October... Then I got the flu. Bad. So they pushed back my first treatment by a week.

The Plan

• Cold Knife Cone Biopsy to remove the cancerous cells. Since it was caught so early it is only in my cervix, it has not spread at all, so they will remove a large portion of tissue, examine that tissue to make sure there are no cancerous cells in the outlining tissue they removed. If there is not any then that will be that for surgery. If there is then we may talk about a total hysterectomy. (I really really do not want to go that route, but we'll do what we have to do to keep me healthy.)
• 3 rounds of high- dose radiation each one week apart from each other. 
• Cannabis Oil 
• No Chemo is needed! Yay! 
• They said my nutrition is THE BEST they have seen in a long time! (Thank you Shakeology and Autumn Calabrese!!)

So I had my surgery and the first round of radiation on Monday. All in all I am doing OK, I am really tired, and had a few unpleasant side effects all of Monday into Tuesday morning, but am feeling much better as of today. 

My family and friends who already know have been completely supportive. I am so lucky to have a great team behind me. Brody has been great too, telling me I need "the hydration" and getting me anything I need. Corey is also wonderful and has been cleaning the house, doing the dishes, cooking dinner, keeping the fire stoked, and all of this while working 8am - 11pm every day.   

I will come back and update often and I am totally open to any and all questions you have. 

<3 Leanne 

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PIYO Ski Conditioning is Here!

Since I'm sitting here getting ready to launch PiYo in Crested Butte tonight, it seems like a good idea to address how to use it to get your body ready for snow sports before it's too late. Since we are just about 5 weeks away from opening day you might think it's already too late. Luckily, with Piyo you can get awesome results with your strength and flexibility (eh hem - Injury and joint protection!!)

In a perfect world, you'd begin your training for skiing as soon as the last season ended. This would give your body time to adapt and grow strong before it needed to engage in the rigors of the sport. But we don't live in a perfect world, so let's start today!

PiYo Strength is a mix of basic yoga moves (primarily basic Sun Salutation, Warrior 1 and 2, Triangle and Reverse Warrior) My class is a fast-paced workout designed for balance, coordination, strength, and stamina, and is recommended for anyone from the beginner to the advanced athlete. PiYo is a mixture of Pilates and Yoga, a bit of cardio, and a lot of strengthening!   The plus is that attendees of PiYo classes should go and can go at their own pace  This dynamic fusion workout is easy on the joints, yet delivers strength, balance, agility and flexibility in one unique calorie burning workout - which will all help you prepare for a great season on the slopes or Nordic trails. 

You know that feeling after the first day or two back on your skis? The "i'm so sore, I need to hobble around" feeling? Well conditioning your joints and muscles beforehand can help lessen that initial soreness. Often the large muscles can take the constant motion and pounding of the legs, but it is getting the secondary muscles trained and conditioned to help avoid injury: that is the key to avoiding that sore muscle feeling. 

Here are the primary muscles used in skiing and how they are utilized: 

Quadriceps: Quadriceps are probably the most used muscle group in skiing. These muscles hold you in position as you ski and provide protection for your knees. Great exercises for the quadriceps include squats and lunges.

Hamstrings and Gluts: When skiing downhill, you typically hold your body in a flexed position, which is leaning forward from the hips. This requires great strength from your hamstrings and glutes as they help stabilize your body. Work your hamstrings and glutes with squats, one legged squats, warrior 3, down dog, and single leg down dog. 

Inner and Outer thighs: Your inner thighs work like crazy to keep your skis together. Your outer thighs keep your body stable and help you steer. Some great exercises are side lunges, inner and outer  thigh strengthening muscular movements, and bowler squats/lunges.

Calves: Because your knees are bent as you ski, your calves (specifically the soleus) help you stay upright so you don't fall over (your boots help too). You can work this muscle by doing seated or standing calve raises and of course keep it flexible with stretches. 

Abs and Back: As you're in a flexed, bent over position, your back has to work like a maniac to hold your body in that position. To protect your spine from injury, your core must be conditioned. Work these muscles with exercises like beast (you'll learn!), kick throughs (pictured below), V-ups, back extensions, planks, and push-ups!

Arms: Along with your back, arms help push off with your poles while stabilizing your shoulder joints. Be sure to work your biceps and triceps along with the rest of your body and Piyo will certainty get that done!

This is a whole body workout to do for the ski preseason which will be great for getting your body in shape and keeping it flexible and strong to prevent injuries! 

Leanne is an APTA accredited Physical Therapy Assistant for the past 12 years and has been in the health, fitness and wellness industry since 2001. Leanne carries a passion for assisting clients and athletes in the planning and execution of any and all mind, body and wellness goals. She is a certified PiYo instructor and certified diabetes educator specializing in clean eating and nutrition as well. Since moving to CO in 2011 she has taken a passion in outdoor activities and getting the cross training experience indoors to help you become a better outdoor athlete! 

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Interrupting my Usual Fitness Posts to Bring you my Photograph of the Day....

So I realized today that in order for my life to feel fulfilled I not only have to live a life full of health and wellness, but I also need to have my camera in hand.  I have not been doing much photography lately (with my camera anyways...) and I miss it!  With so much beauty surrounding us, how can I not go out and explore with camera in hand?!?!  So I will try daily to not only share a fitness post, but also a photograph from around town!

Enjoy

I don't know what kind of views your park has.... I drive or ride my bike past here every day and have never noticed a park. Well on this perfect first day of fall Brody and I went after-school and it was so gorgeous! 

You know just hanging out, Snodgrass in the background. 

I love how happy he is on a swing!

And one for the road. Aspens are changing. Fall is here. I love this one because it has a little of every color.

Have a great day!

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Priorities - A Challenge

So much of changing your lifestyle is all about your priorities. I budget Shakeology into my monthly expenses. Well actually 2 (sometimes 3, sometimes 2+ supplements, or the 3-da refresh.... you get the picture) bags into my budget!! OMG IT'S SOOO EXPENSIVE..... yep that's what I constantly hear..... day in and day out. Let me tell you something: 

👎Cigarettes are Expensive
👎Alcohol is Expensive I don't care if you drink at home or at a bar.
👎Seven (they happen to be my favorite) Jeans are Expensive
👎Fast Food is way Expensive
👎Daily trips to 7-11 or Walgreens for snacks are Expensive
👎Eating out is Expensive (Duh!) And you never know what exactly is in your food at that point!

👎Diabetes is Expensive
👎Heart Disease is Expensive
👎Doctor Visits are Expensive
👎Hospital Visits are Expensive

Shakeology is not expensive when you invest in your health and take time to look and see where you are wasting $5 a day!

I challenge you to right down every single PENNY you spend for one week and see where your $$$$$$ goes. I have been taking a good hard look at my life lately and living in a SMALL town without a single fast food restaurant, without an affordable convenience store, without a Wal-Mart or Target nearby and was SHOCKED by how much money I didn't realize I was spending on BS.  We flush so much $$ down the toilet on unnecessary things. I know I'm not the only one out there. Everything lies in your priorities.

Drinking Shakeology has SAVED me $$$ not cost me more. No more spending $8 a morning on Starbucks, yep my grande cafe mocha with an extra shot of espresso and a croissant; or stopping into the gas station or 7-11 for a diet coke  or a Burger King (yeah, I prefer BK to McD's) Value meal ( Hahaha Value)!

Trust me when I say YOUR HEALTH IS WORTH MORE!!!

So next time you are debating weather or not to get that bag of Shakeology you have been wondering about or that fitness program that looks like fun, try saying this to yourself: 

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