Legacy of Living Well – Page 11

One More Day!

Just One More Day…!

An incredible song, “One More Day” by the group, Diamond Rio, topped the charts in the year 2000. It resurged again in 2001 as an anthem to all the loved ones lost on 9/11. That same year, on December 1, 2001, my father called to tell me that he had just been diagnosed with acute myelocytic leukemia. That phone call forever changed my perspective on the holiday season, along with so many other things in my life!

I had always been very close to my dad, so I couldn’t imagine existing in a world without him in it!

Six months to the day, my father died of leukemia. It seems hard to believe that twelve years have gone by since that time. While driving home from work the other day, I listened to a request and dedication program on the radio, and the song “One More Day” was requested by a listener who had just lost a loved one. Feeling rather reflective as the song played, my thoughts wandered to various scenarios that might play out if I had just one more day with my dad…

Enjoy listening to the song, “One More Day” –and read the lyrics here.

I know the conversation would flow easily. My father was always interested in hearing all about everything that was going on in my life, however, after catching him up briefly–for once, I’d let my dad do most of the talking. My father often let me know how proud he was of me. How I miss that unconditional love that only a parent seems to know how to give!
I know he’d be happy! My dad would show concern for my worries, but he would wisely tell me, as he always did, that I had so much to be happy about too!
I know he’d tell me how much he loved being with my mom! While growing up, I was fortunate to hear my father express his love and appreciation for my mother often…theirs truly is a love story that spans the eternities!

The following story is one that my father related on occasion; having lost his parents and a brother at a relatively young age, my dad always seemed to have a good understanding of the fact that we may not always have “one more day” with someone we dearly love!

I’m so grateful for my faith and the belief I have that I will one day see my father and mother again, along with many other loved ones after this life!

The holiday season should always serve as a good reminder for us to “tend to the things that are important in life”!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and can share some happy times with special loved ones!

–Mary

Think Pink…And Hunter Orange!

Think Pink…It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I think that one of the most important things I do as a nurse on a woman’s care unit, whether someone has just had a baby or is recovering from a gynecological surgery, is getting patients ready to leave the hospital feeling empowered and more capable about taking an active role in their health and well-being! Despite the endless healthcare debates that have been dominating the media, we should all understand that there are a lot of things we can do right now to maintain a healthy lifestyle that are separate from the complicated issues and talking points being discussed.

One of the best things any healthcare worker can do for anyone seeking more information about how they can better take care of themselves, is to put things in simple, easy to understand terms that will feel attainable for them in respect to their everyday lives. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and since I usually have a fairly captive audience when teaching patients before they get ready to be discharged after their hospital stay, I’ve outlined a few things that I tell them about breast cancer awareness.

Think Pink!!

Perhaps my affinity for remembering important facts by virtue of an acronym was first established when my mom used to have me make birthday cards for family members when I was growing up. I also studied for many nursing school exams using this approach. I took the liberty to use this technique in creating this “Think Pink” message that I hope will impress upon every woman’s memory what their individual responsibility is in terms of how they can safeguard their health as it pertains to breast cancer awareness!

A self breast exam needs to be a priority on our monthly “To Do” list! It is recommended that the exam be done approximately 5-7 days after a menstrual cycle. Post menopausal women, or ones who have had a hysterectomy, will find that doing the exam at the same time each month increases the likelihood that they will be done regularly. Most doctors recommend that breast-feeding women also perform a routine exam, ideally just after the baby has been fed. The new machines at most medical facilities also make having a mammogram with breast implants less painful. Many hospitals will provide some payment assistance when a scan is done on those without insurance coverage, and may even offer to do them free of charge.
Breast cancer prevention surgery for women with a family history of breast cancer has been highly publicized lately. However, doctors have advised for many years that those who fall into this category be extra vigilant in taking the necessary steps to insure healthy outcomes! My paternal grandmother fell victim to breast cancer, so my daughters and I are at increased risk.
The recommended age for yearly mammograms was recently changed from age 50 to 40 years old, since the occurence of breast cancer has been on the rise in younger women. By doing self breast exams, along with having regular check-ups, more educated decisions can be made if subsequent care is needed.
I believe that being aware of what’s “normal” for our own body is the best guide to help each of us know when something is not as it should be, so we can then seek further medical attention as required.

Think Pink…And Hunter Orange!

If nothing else sways your determination to keep pace with good health options, maybe look around at your family, or keep a photo close at hand that you look at everyday to help remind you that it is worth every effort it takes to invest in a happy, healthy life!

In honor of breast cancer awareness month and the first official day of the deer hunting season, I’d like to take the opportunity to tell my family how much I love them and that I am trying my best to be a good example of healthy living. I also had my last mammogram this past August and got a clean bill of health! (Although this picture was taken approximately ten years ago, the streaks you see are not due to the aging process–it’s because my family was hunting in a snow storm! I know, craziness! I think I went shopping with friends that day!)

If you have an inspiring story concerning breast care awareness or breast cancer, I’d love it if you’d share it. Sometimes another person’s story is what helps us set better health standards in our own lives!

–Mary

Happy One Year Anniversary!

Happy One Year Anniversary!

It’s hard for me to believe that I’m celebrating the one year anniversary of my website going live! Whew! Thanks to all my supportive family members and friends! Also, I’d like to once again thank my daughter-in-law, Whitney, who held my hand (and often saved my sanity) during the beginning phases of this venture!

Lessons I’ve Learned From My Tribute Journal!

I love to browse home decor blogs and party/entertaining websites. A few years ago, if I’d ever had the inclination to start a website, perhaps I’d have gone this route. I’m sort of a closet designer and my daughter is an interior decorator and we both love fun parties, so it might have been a good mix.

Then a life changing experience altered my perspective of things so drastically that all I could think about was trying to somehow find a way to better define my life as I knew it! Luckily, the amazing foundation my parents gave me during my childhood helped me withstand my heartbreak, so from that standpoint, I knew I needed to take a really good look at what they’d taught me so I could once again see all that is really wonderful in the world! I also felt a strong desire to broaden my scope even more by inviting others to share what they’ve learned from their parents and important mentors in their lives. Thus, the birth of “My Tribute Journal”!

I think it is brave when someone lets people take a peak inside their home and lifestyle, but believe me, you have to be a little fearless to share what’s in your heart!

As a “baby boomer”, so to speak, taking on the task of grasping more than the basic fundamental details of working with a computer was a bit daunting, to say the least!

You’ve heard the saying, “Hope for the best, but expect the worst!” Hope is definitely the name of the game as you re-invent yourself to a certain degree, and step outside the box! In being realistic, you can build on your strengths and seek help from others more qualified where you may fall short. Your expectations can then remain well grounded and you live your life accordingly. It’s all about juggling life’s tricky “balancing act”!

I can say with certainty that I have definitely broadened my horizons in the social media world, but with the ever evolving influx of new information, it’s impossible to become totally proficient in all that it encompasses. I vowed when I started out on this journey that a personal phone call, a handwritten note, or finding that perfect gift for someone would never be replaced with the sometimes impersonal nature of the internet world! I find that I “Like” myself enough to never let the valuable relationships of those I “Love” so dearly, not know some personal attention!

Thanks from the bottom of my heart to family members and dear friends who have made this such a wonderful year of growth!

–Mary

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