Over the years, I've been asked often about recommendations for local wig stores as friends and/or their family members go through chemo.  Who knew that I'd be a "resource" in this capacity?  Today, I got that request again and it brings to the forefront how prevalent cancer is in today's society and sadly amongst many I know. I have gladly shared my whole experience and think it is worth sharing the high points with you.



1. Give thought to whom will see you bald.  Your husband, your children, your family members, your friends... It is a VERY personal decision, but thought should be given. I debated whether my young son would see me bald or not thinking it would "affect" him or he'd be fearful of me without hair. My sister pointed out that our thoughts of our very own mother had not changed when we saw her bald from her chemo which was the truth.  She was my mother and hair or not, she was STILL my mother and I STILL loved her.  When my son saw me the first time without hair he didn't even react because I was still MOMMY.
2. Cut your hair before it starts to fall out.  Having hair short will minimize the physical and emotional mess. Within two days of my cutting my hair short, I was completely bald.  I remember being in the bathroom combing out clumps of my hair and my husband appeared out of nowhere wondering where I was.  There I sat sobbing about my hair coming out.  He said lovingly, "It's just hair.  It'll grow back.  You are still pretty."  Your wedding day doesn't prepare one for this moment, but he said exactly what I needed to hear.
3. Buy your wig before hair starts to fall out. A seamless transition between your hair and a wig helps your psyche.
4. Buy a couple of wigs so you don't look out of place in the grocery store if your wig is too dolled up for your gym clothes or your hair is to casual for a night out on the town.  I had 3 wigs -- everyday wig, casual going out wig and a fancy wig.
5.  Buy a wig with the re-growth of hair in mind.  You will have to transition from bald to new hair growth so a short wig helps with this transition were your appearance isn't a sharp contrast.
6.  Do NOT shop for a wig alone.  I did and I regretted it. It was so emotional as I watched other women buying wigs for "special" occasions like weddings or birthday parties and I was wondering if I was going to live. 
7. Be bold with the wig.  Use it as an opportunity to change your hair style from straight to curly or vice verse or go blonde or brunette as a complete change.
8.  Enjoy wearing the wig knowing that one day (soon) you'll be washing, blow drying, curling, flat ironing, dying your own hair.  Wigs make getting ready EASY.
9. Using insurance is not a must.  Personally, I thought it was ridiculous to spend hundreds of dollars on a wig that I viewed to be temporary.  Getting wigs via insurance leaves you with few choices. I bought 3 wigs out of pocket for the price of one insurance funded wig and I was happy with my choices.
10.  Transitioning from the wig can be hard has you reveal new growth.  I did it when I had "peach" fuzz and it was my personal badge of surviving chemo.  Sure I got some stares, but I didn't care. 
My hair doesn't define me, my LIFE does!

Loathe exercising?  Keep starting and stopping?  Maybe you haven't found the right fit for you or maybe you are someone who NEEDS variety to keep you interested.  Exercise diversity is the spice of fitLife for me. 

Today, I started to fill my cup with some of the kettlebell "kool aid".  I got my assessment and "form" instruction as I prepare for my first session at Brian Wright - Personal Training -- so looking forward to swinging these cast iron cannonballs. 

Yesterday, I took on a ViPR class at Xtreme Fitness which exposed me to loaded movement training that integrates the entire body for strength, cardio and agility training using a hollowed weighted rubber tube. Today, I am sore so I must have challenged my body in a new way which is awesome.

While both ViPR and Kettlebells have a full-body training aspect, they are vastly different in execution which I personally like.  I'm ALWAYS on the prowl for something new... now I've got two new interests, two new challenges to master and can already see new fitness growth on the horizon. 

The fundamentals of what I do exercise wise changes very little, but my methods do - I lift weights to keep my body strong, I workout with intensity to burn calories and, when possible, I personally prefer full-body exercises to get more bang for my time investment.  Pilates and Boxing were also added to my 2013 exercise toolbox. I'm happy to have Kettlebells and ViPR as part the mix!  Overcome exercise boredom -- try something NEW! 

A picture is worth 1,000 words, but do you assign the right words?  A vision of complete health, but the changing season and cool air brings to the forefront a chemo side affect that I still deal with today -- Raynaud's disease -- where my fingers and toes go numb and turn blue in response to cold temperatures or stress.  Whenever my digits encounter a swift change in temperature they react and often times render me somewhat "handicapped."  An onset of these side affects is very painful and a pain in my butt because I can't do the simplest things like:  type on my computer, hold a pencil or pen or fork, or remove my credit card or money from my wallet after leaving the frozen food section.  Ever ask a complete stranger for help with paying while at the grocery store?  It is embarrassing and it sucks, but it is what it is so I deal with it knowing that I have so many other things to be thankful for. There is no real treatment so I endure and count the blessings of being here to "experience"  my pain. :-)

I used to have clothes in my closet that ranged from size 8 to 14.  Today, I have one size and I feel it keeps me accountable and on track. If my clothes get tight, I do not have the luxury to slip into a larger size from my closet. Instead it is a wake-up call that something is off-track -- not eating healthy, overeating, eating at the wrong time, not burning enough calories, ineffective exercise, etc... Basically, it is time to pull back from the table, reflect on what got me "here" and develop a "come-back" plan ASAP that includes sound nutrition and regular exercise on a consistent basis.

People have consistently asked me questions ranging from exercises to what motivates me as I progressed down my transformation path.  Sure I gladly share this information, but I would have never projected ahead to think I'd be doing "official" presentations about what I have learned during my getting healthy and fitness journey. 

Well, when I was asked to present to a group of about 10 women, I didn't think twice and agreed to share what I learned from my own school of hard knocks.  I shared my background with cancer, my surgeries and how I could not outrun my own genetics of cancer, high blood pressure nor diabetes without losing weight and getting healthy.  My presentation was to be 20 minutes, but it was so interactive and full of pressing questions from attendees that it lasted over an hour.  I spoke about doing what works for oneself when it comes to picking an exercise program because it is not one size fits all.  If you hate it, you are less likely to stick with it.  Goals, consistency and nutrition are also key to a successful program.  I shared what parts of "official" program worked for me and my lifestyle.  My 2-hour workshop ended with a food prep and tasting session where I shared my favorite healthy foods like:  rice cakes with almond butter and low fat, low sodium turkey and my take on a healthy turkey meal that is super spicy and super yummy.

My debut was well-received.  I was honored and felt blessed to spend my afternoon with such a wonderful group of women who have a thirst for health and fitness information.

Friday the 13th I'm on top of the world today… What happens when you get an email from a national magazine that they want to run your story?!  A whole gamut of emotions… I got that notice today that I will be featured in December 2013 Shape magazine as a “Success Story” where they will highlight my body transformation after my many life’s challenges – dealing with my mother’s lung and breast cancer and ultimately death while dealing with my own ovarian related cancer issues (chemo, surgeries), weight gain and my road by to health.

And, this was the same day, I picked up my race packet for my SECOND half marathon. 

I’m stilling pinching myself.

Since 2004, I have dealt the ups and downs of ovarian cancer and the unknowns associated with the results of CT scans.  Naturally, I always wish for the all clear, but until the results are available, I wait, I pray and I worry.  Today, I got the best news anyone who has or has had cancer… the news of a full remission – cancer-free. 

For nearly 10 years, I have waited and prayed for this day. 

I now go to the 5-year plan for scans, but will continue to be watchful and in tuned with my body and its changes.