Sunday, March 27, 2022

My Health Update

So crazy that it has been almost 5 years since I last posted on this blog.  So many things have changed.  We moved to Florida since my husband retired from the Air Force, and my body has done nothing but deceived me the last almost 4 years we've been here.  From infected cysts that made me go bald the first year, to gangrene and necrotic death of my toes on my right foot, to infection of that which caused me to have a toe amputation, which led to a full TMA (trans metatarsal amputation) = all toes gone.  That took 3 separate surgeries.  Because of poor circulation, I had 4 surgeries on my right leg's main artery to include, one balloon, one with stents, one artificial bypass, and one again to try to stent.  All failed.  These were all done between July - September 2020.  With a lot of slow healing, my foot was almost closed up until an incident at work caused my foot to open up this past August 2021, and it hasn't healed up, and now the wound became infected, which also infected my bones.

Wednesday I was admitted to start IV antibiotics.  By Friday I went in to have my fifth metatarsal bone excised, as well as a majority of my fourth metatarsal.  The doc also removed tendon that turned necrotic and was not even attached anymore.  Basically, I have a huge deep hole of nothing on the bottom/outer portion of my right foot. Tomorrow I will have an angiogram to check for possible vascular solutions to increase blood flow to my wound to heal.  Whatever they find out tomorrow will determine what type of surgery they can do, whether using my own veins from my right and/or left leg to get blood flowing down.  Depending on how this all goes, we may then talk about my getting a BKA - below knee amputation.  

This way I can possibly heal quicker, get a prosthesis, and start having some type of quality of life, instead of being bound to not being able to walk far, or at all with a foot I'm not supposed to put weight on for months on end.

So, having dealt with all this insanity for almost 2 years, as this started just 2 months after all this covid craziness hit, has been hard on my mental health.  Fake it til you make it, right?  I'll keep trucking along.  I have too many littles that depend on me to quit fighting.  The most important ones call me 'Mom'.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Making Exercise A Priority



While incorporating Isagenix into my life, I've also been doing my best to keep on track with exercise.  Exercise has so many benefits, not only for our body, but for our mind and soul as well.  I took on a challenge last few months with the gals, Melissa and Shanda, I talked about in my Spotlight for Military Spouses Appreciation Day post, and this month with committing to walking at least 20 minutes a day with some of the ladies in that same group, but this past week I started "Shaun Week".  It's been challenging, but fun all at the same time.

While some may give me heat for supporting Beachbody while being an Isagenix consultant, they can KMA!  I know Isagenix nutrition is superior, but they don't offer workout programs, as they are strictly a nutrition company, so I will find my fun and fitness elsewhere!  I LOVE BB WORKOUTS!  And I love Shaun T!  Sometimes we connect on a more personal level with certain people, and Shaun is definitely a trainer that I can easily be inspired and motivated by.  Each day has been something different, from cardio and weights to basics and speed, this week has been about committing myself to exercise.  Takes repetition to create habit, and exercise has always been my downfall when it comes to being the best me I can be.  Beachbody on Demand has a 14 -day free trial too!  (This is my second time with a free trial, as I had a 30 day free trial previously when it first came out.)   NO hassle, NO risk!  Just call and cancel if it's not for you, but the variety is amazing.

There will always be free workouts online, like one of my fav guys, The Fitness Marshall, on YouTube, whose cardio dance fitness workouts are SO much fun.  I'm a dance fitness girl, so I love anything with loud, fun, energetic music that gets me dancing!  (Hence the Zumba certification!  LOL)  It's all about finding what you love and sticking with it.  Making it a routine, just like going to school, work, or any other obligation you may have.

Anywho, hope you have a great weekend!!  I'm over here enjoying one of Isagenix seasonal shake flavors - MOCHA!!!  Added my Greens and Ionix to it, and I'm set for the day!  Enjoy!!

Monday, June 12, 2017

When Life Gets Busy


Haven't really had much time to blog, since I was in training all last week at Boise State University.  It was through the Idaho Positive Behavior Network and it was Tier 1 and Tier 2 training in SWPBIS = School Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support.  It was a four day training and focused a lot on avoiding having to discipline through having clear expectations with positive results and relationships between students, staff and families.  It was really nice to have this time to collaborate with my co-workers and administration.  Lots of great ideas to take into next school year.

With that said, between that and continuing with my other part time job, the physical toll of it has taking the place of my workouts most days, as the ongoing physical demands each shift feel like HIIT Circuit Training!!  It's getting a bit easier, but there are still some things that I physically can't do yet, like lift anything over 30 lbs above my head, and sometimes things on the top of the racks in the fridge and freezer make me ask for help, but I'm getting there.

Today was the last day for the Isagenix promo with free enrollment.  I'm so glad that some friends have taken a step in their own journeys to try to get the nutrition they and their families need.  Some got their initial orders in 2 days!!  That's insane!  Glad I work with a company that truly puts their customers first.

I'm contemplating doing Zumba classes on base.  I would want to do Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, so I'm going to head to the fitness center tomorrow and see if that would be feasible.  I'm thinking about starting in August, when most people are back from all their vacations, people PCSing in are settled, and it would also give me time to get some great routines choreographed, as well as find care for my lil guy if his Daddy has to work.

As some of you have seen, my child is fully taking advantage of the Kids Bowl Free program, which allows your child to bowl 2 free games everyday throughout the summer.  He usually bowls his 2 and then you turn around and he's on game 7!!  Luckily the bowling center on base has $1 games through the summer outside of the free bowling coupons, so it's not so bad.



So much going on, but it keeps me sane!  Hope you all had a great weekend, and for those of you that have had some trials this week, just know you are strong, loved and deserving of happiness!  I got you!!  Lots of love... Cher


Friday, June 2, 2017

World Eating Disorders Action Day - June 2nd #WeDoActTogether


While people head out today for their free donuts from their favorite donut shop for National Donut Day, there is a more important point of recognition today.  June 2nd is World Eating Disorders Action Day.

While the subject is sometimes hard to talk about, there are 5 key messages to get across today.

Key Messages Of World Eating Disorder Action Day 

  • Advocate for early intervention and evidence-based treatment. 
  • Affirm parents/families as key players in their children’s/loved one’s treatment and recovery. 
  • Call for increased diversity in research, narratives, media, and professionals working in the field, so as to uplift marginalized communities and underrepresented global regions. 
  • Address the lack of access to affordable, culturally competent, representative and comprehensive care among underserved populations. 
  • Promote that eating disorders are treatable at all ages/stages.
Spread the word today with the hashtag #WeDoActTogether or #WeDoAct2017

For more information, materials, events and education, please visit http://www.worldeatingdisordersday.org



Wednesday, May 31, 2017

What's Aging You?

There are so many was to slow the aging process by keeping up on our nutrition, exercising and minimizing stress.  Sitting around, eating processed crap and allowing our daily struggles to get the best of us does us no good.

Get up and get moving, and make sure that you are tackling each day with a commitment to yourself in living a healthy lifestyle.  There are things you can be doing to help yourself do all this, and pass that knowledge along.  Please watch this short video, and contact me about getting started, or what other options are available to you!



Get the system and save, or sign up and save!  Contact me to find out how!

Healthy Aging and Telomere Support System