Learning Golf -- And Other Excuses for New Shoes

Shannon:

August 11, 2009

Make fun of me and I'll get you.

Upon the occasion of receiving my compression sleeve my husband commemorated said event by buying me my very own set of golf clubs. Now I am not the most athletic of women, but in my determination to be a vivacious individual with a positive outlook on life I am willing to give it a go. Saturday and Sunday we went to the driving range so that I could learn how to swing the golf club, and in theory hit the ball while doing it. I would like to emphasize the “in theory” of the previous statement. After I geared up with my compression sleeve and gauntlet, I lined up my feet and shoulders, adjusted my grip on the club, concentrated on moving my arms according to my husband’s directions, and swung with all my might.

Much to my chagrin the ball was still sitting perkily on the tee winking up at me…I swear the malicious little thing was laughing at me. Thus I learned my very first lesson of golf: you don’t watch your club, you watch the ball.

I think I can apply that little lesson to my treatments. If the treatment in it’s entirty is the club and the cycle I am in is the ball…I just need to keep my eye on the ball. I can’t think, “I am only starting my second month and this goes for two years.” I need to instead look at the cycle for what it is. I am already on day 5 and I only have 9 more days of this drug, 4 days of the second, and then I am back on my 10 days of rest. It really doesn’t seem so bad after all when I look at it like that. But back to golf.

So after a couple/few swings without connecting with anything, I kept my head down and actually hit the ball! It was a glorious feeling of accomplishment. Sure the ball sliced all the way to the right and only landed about 15 feet away, but I actually hit it. I actually started to get the hang of it, and the more I concentrated on the ball instead of everything else the better I hit it. The second night we went to the driving range went much better. I was consistent and hit the ball straight. I just can’t hit the ball very far. I think the best compliment was from my silence prone husband on the way home when he said, “You weren’t as bad as I thought you would be.” He just warms my heart.

So with two “lessons” under my belt I am going golfing on a nine hole course this coming weekend. I of course need golf clothes. A brilliant smile has lit my face as I realize that golf has given me a perfect excuse to buy new shoes. My grin widens as another thought hits me. “I wonder what else I can start learning that I have to buy new shoes for?” and then “Could I talk Ben into ballroom dancing?” I gathered myself and went to Dick’s Sporting Goods in order to get some golf shoes. I quickly discovered that the smallest women’s size golf shoe was a size 6 and so I was ushered over to where the children’s section was. There were four boys shoes and one girls shoe. I have no clue how to convert a woman’s 5.5 shoe size into a child’s size so the salesman brought out a range of shoes. I was a size 3. So now I am the proud owner of one pair of girl’s size 3 white golf shoes with pink polka dots. At least they match my clubs.

Don’t let the bumps in life’s road derail you from trying and learning new things. Take on the challenges and adventures that come your way and always do it with style.

Cycle Two -- Shoe Swap

Shannon:

August 6, 2009

I went to Franklin Square Hospital today to pick up all my drugs and supplies to start my second cycle of treatment. I am already tired of it and it is only my second one! I am sad that my ten day break is over; it did not feel nearly long enough, but I take a deep breath and continue on. I felt like I needed some encouragement so I looked on my favorite synonym site and looked up persevere. It is defined by the site as to keep at; work hard. Some of my favorite synonyms felt like phrases of encouragement and are:

be determined
hang tough
leave no stone unturned
plug away
see it through

I was also reminded of a scripture verse given to me by a family friend at the beginning of my diagnosis and read it again as encouragement. Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint.” I could not remember the reference and when I looked it up another scripture came up for patience and jumped out at me as very encouraging. Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”

So now encouraged I pull myself up by the proverbial boot straps and continue on. My dad is going with me so that I don’t have to take the long drive up to the hospital by myself. It is a short appointment. Literally picking up what I need for this cycle and a blood draw. I have something random and fun to look forward to though – a shoe swap.

I recently order new shoes and the store accidentally shipped me another woman’s shoes. Quite on the opposite end of the spectrum from what I ordered the shoes while quite stylish and pretty were not a size 5.5 black stiletto peep toe, but rather size 11 chocolate flats. Luckily I was able to contact the lady they belonged to and she indeed received mine. So this morning she met me at my appointment and we swapped shoes. As she said “What women will do for their shoes.” I am so happy to have my shoes today they were the perfect pick me up for the afternoon.

Starting Cycle 2 with style!

Audacity: The Art of Boldness

Shannon:

August 1, 2009

Today I started a daily tradition that I believe I will continue. I looked up the synonyms for the word “boldness”. I loved the list of words that came up. Also in my search for boldness, synonyms for the words “audacity”, “chutzpah”, and ”assurance” came up as associated words with boldness. Here are some of my favorite synonyms under boldness, audacity, and assurance:

1. Chutzpah
2. Courage
3. Daring
4. Dauntlessness
5. Determination
6. Aplomb
7. Faith
8. Poise
9. Trust
10. Valor

I have had blessed assurance through my diagnosis, subsequent tests, surgeries, and treatment. I also had boldness when talking and dealing with my doctors. I find that I am going to need audacity when I have to do some of the things that make me feel a little foolish. Some of the things that might make me feel a little foolish are the precautions I now have to take.

There are many precautions that you have to take when you have had an ancillary lymph node dissection (removal of the lymph nodes). My lymph node dissection was on my right side under my arm so some of my precautions are related specifically to the right arm. Here is a very helpful link to the precautionshttp://www.breastcancer.org/tips/lymphedema/avoid.jsp .

The risk of infection is the main reason for many of the precautions listed. So now I need to avoid being poked, bitten, scratched or cut now. So with this in mind here comes my need for audacity. I went to a crab-feast today. Now anyone who has ever picked steamed crabs knows that you get tiny little cuts all over your hands. So to prevent myself from getting lymphedema I have to wear a glove on my right hand.

Maryland Steamed Crab...Yum!

So here I am. Yes, I got laughed at a little, but the same audacity that allows me to wear neon pink maryjane stilettos allows me to rock my new look. I have to say that I wish I wore a glove on the other hand as well. I did not get any cuts on the hand I wore the glove on and when I was finished I just wipped off the glove and viola! Finished.

I of course tied in my outfit so that I matched my glove. I wore a bright blue lace cami under this top and a blue and silver tooled leather belt. My shoes unfortunately were downgraded to mere flip flops…it is a dirty crabfeast after all!

No matter how silly you may feel the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and your time with your family and friends and of course to do it with style!

The Comfort of Rest: Flats

Shannon:

June 29, 2009

I chose to participate in a clinical trial for the treatment of my melanoma. My treatment will last over a period of two years overall. The treatment involves immune booster biotherapies in the form of shots that I administer to myself. There are two different immune boosters and my shots run on a schedule that forms cycles. I am lucky in this. I have periods of rest and freedom from treatment built into my treatment schedule. It actually says on the schedule printed out from the doctor’s office and in the clinical trial protocol paperwork “rest” during the days I have no shots.

Right now I am in a time of rest which lasts a total of ten days before I start my series of shots over again. I am glad that this isn’t a no rest for the weary situation. I need that rest so that I can build myself back up for the next round of fighting. Even during a boxing match there are rounds, and as the bell dings signaling the end of the round – the fight isn’t over, but the fighter has time to breathe, time to wipe his brow, and time to gather herself for the next round. (Now I realize some may have paused at the herself in reference to the boxer, but let’s face it. I am a woman, there are women boxers, and it’s my blog - therfore “herself”.) I realize that I am lucky and that my rest is built into the treatment itself. I believe that just because it is a period of rest doesn’t mean you can just stop thinking about it. You may still have the proverbial straining muscles, mental fatigue, and mental and physical bruises, but you still have to take the moments you can to just breathe. You have to do something relaxing and fun for yourself, and give yourself the feet up on the ottoman time and wrap yourself in comfort.

Comfort means flats to a shoe addict. I mean really sometimes comfort can mean just a really great fitting pair of stiletto heals made of soft Italian leather, but for all day adventure while maintaining comfort we’ll go with flats this time. Just for God’s sake (and your own) do not put Crocs on your feet. Resist the urge to go only for comfort! They are hideous and should be burned before put on someone’s foot. I realize that they have improved with the flip flop v. the clog, but they are still just plain ugly. No, instead go for a flat with glamor, maybe with a great pattern, maybe just with a great color or small special detail, and go for one that fits what adventure/treat you are giving yourself. I mean I have an awesome pair of gold glitter ballet flats, but I am not going to wear them into the dirt and grime of a crab-feast.

So what adventures am I going to pick during my days of rest and the bigger question…what shoes am I going to wear? My first little treat I am going to plan out for myself is dinner and an evening on the water with my family. To me nothing is quite as relaxing and comforting as being out on the boat and enjoying a nice casual meal with loved ones. Now there are logistics I have to worry about with going out on the water or being outdoors in general now. The major one is staying sun protected. So instead of starting with the shoe which any self respecting shoe addict would build an outfit on I am going to have to start with the opposite end and build from a great hat. And I do have a great hat. I have a lovely asymmetric straw cloche with black ribbon detail – very retro. So with my retro hat, bright blue t-shirt with pleated collar detail, and denim pencil skirt I need a shoe with comfort, ease, and some pizazz. I of course have the perfect pair. I am going to go with my other equally awesome pair of ballet flats- the ones with a sassy leopard print.

So remember to make time for yourself to breathe, rest, and wrap yourself in comfort and above all do it with style.