Finding Joy in the Little Things…

I remember feeling like a million bucks last August, just one more treatment of Keytruda left, and just knowing the finish line was in sight! I took my first walk/run on the treadmill after nearly 2 years. I ran a mile and was so excited to share that with my oncologist.

And just like that, I took a million and one steps back and just 2 months later felt like a ran into a brick wall. My thyroid function was always monitored in treatment, and it help on until the very end, but then BOOM! TSH elevated, and wow that symptoms that come along with hypo are unreal. I won’t deny that it was the weight gain that startled me, I was eating healthy during treatment and working out when I had the strength. I had even lost a few pounds. I’m so thankful that I had been logging my symptoms during my entire cancer battle, because if not I might now have fought so hard to get bloodwork and find out what the issue was.

That run feels like a distant memory, and I’ve had to accept the reality check and just take it one day at a time. I hate to admit that it does hurt to have another physical reminder that you are not the old you anymore. Making it so hard to just be patient and give myself grace, but I am working on it and even typing these words feels cathartic and part of the acceptance that I have to navigate every part of the journey, both good and bad.

So what do I find joy in? Daily walks with my doggie Chita, even though she doesn’t enjoy them but we get our steps and vitamin D! I also have grown to enjoy yoga and mobility, cannot say enough about my Peloton app! The old me used to love lifting heavy weights and high intensity and never would have guessed I’d enjoy the slower more focused poses of yoga. I even get the whole mind and muscle connection, and importance of breath work. It just feels good to move and be intentional even if it’s just 20 minutes. My favorites are yoga conditioning (because yes I still need the challenge of holding a light pair of dumbbells). I can even see myself getting certified and maybe even coaching fellow thrivers!