On the mental side: I always go back to school after a major surgery - three times so far - partially because I always lose the job I had a year after the medical procedure. Because of my previous brain surgeries, my cognitive function declines fast whenever I am not in a structured setting.

These trainings also help me to get new jobs. A couple of my employers hired me knowing about my brain surgery, yet was convinced I could do the job because I scored high on the tests. (And then I'd disappoint them by having another surgery...:(

So, yes, we need to keep busy. Our brain is dead set in the "use it or lose it" condition.

I am a big tennis fanatic and I tried to play tennis as much as I could during treatment, it was a good way to exercise and hang out with my friends. We play and then go eat. I couldn't do it as much as I would have liked. I am now back to playing about 5 times a week and I feel like things are going back to normal. Spritually, I pray and find myself just talking to God during the day. I like to read about near death experience and life after death, just to reassure myself that it doesn't end here...at least I hope it doesn't. I also find peace in just going outside, laying on my hammock and looking up at the sky, especially at night. It brings me peace and reminds me that there's so much more out there than we know. ..sherryg683

Sherry,

Your response so was beautiful. It is amazing how our perception of things change once we have BC.

Amelia

Sherry,
Tennis sounds like it is just great for you. I am glad that prayer and being outside (the hammock sounds great) help with peace. You have a good plan.

Jackie,
Very brave of you to go back to school after surgeries! And you are right about "use it or lose it"- how true. So many of us have tried to stay busy and get back to our lives but have also tried to make sure we have balance in our lives now.
Karen

Sherry, I like to do that also. Although I have only done it a few times, I loved going outside at night, lying on my back on the picnic table and feeling the vastness of the dark sky with all the stars. It really gives me good feelings to feel the power of the universe that way.

Harrie,
A picnic table under the stars!! What a great idea.
kz

Going outside and enjoying the flowers, trees and everything alive, makes me feel relaxed and alive, calmer and what I was meant to be, at one with the earth/God. Beyond that I enjoy a little hot antioxidant tea, prayer, scripture reading, and cuddling with my little son.

The other night at about 2 in the morning I was wondering around like I sometimes do. I walked outside and saw the most amazing sight. The moon had this HUGE halo of light around it. It was perfectly round, all around the moon. I was so captivated, I just layed on the ground and watched it for about 15 minutes. The halo kept getting bigger but stayed in perfect round dimensions. It got so big that it look like it was coming down to engulf me or something. I had what felt like a spiritual moment there. I ran in to wake my husband up and tell him of this heavenly thing I saw and he told me..."that's just ice crystals around the moon, that's what makes this effect".. Bummer there. I still say it was heavenly..:) sherryg683

Sherry,

You've got a knowlegeable hubby with a typical male rational brain. Ask him who he thinks had put the ice crystals around the moon...at exact the time when you walked outside... It is definitely 'Heavenly'. (There's a reason why there are both males and females on this Earth...:)

By the way, did it rain the next day? An old Chinese saying states: "Whenever there's halo around the moon, it will rain afterwards."

Sherry,
I agree with Jackie- I think it was heavenly!!
k

We often have a good view of the rising moon from our house. Some times it DOES seem just huge! I think it is good for us to have occasion to feel the power of the universe and open ourselves to that.

Anyone see this "Eye of God" nebula? It really looks like a giant eye in space.

http://news.aol.com/article/space-photo-gallery/327819

I have done different things during the different stages. During chemo I made sure I ate right. It was like a religion - much more then even though I eat right now. Religiously meant - no sugar, sweets, white food, junk food. I also would not stuff myself. I totally gave up soda, cheese (for the most part) and watched. I even ate my fruit with my meal in order to control my blood glucose. Now, I will eat fruit as a snack and will eat my peanut M&Ms.

Also, I would do my bc research and found this board and it helped me to share my knowledge.

After rads, I found walking and running to be the core of coping. I love being outdoors - exercising, gardening etc.

trying to maintain good health has grounded me and trying to help others uplifts me.

Becky,

How did you know that? :)

Students in Taiwan (possibly in mainland China also) study the 12 principles (virtues) summarized by Dr. Sun Yet-sen, the founding 'Father' of modern China.

Piety, grace, trust (just), honesty, peace, serving others, diligence, perseverance, ...are all included. And the tenth one states: "Happiness is rooted from helping others." He had received his medical training in Honolulu (and was a practicing physician all his life.) The concept must be a universal one.

Young students (4th graders?) often use that quote whenever they are complimented on their good deeds. The culture - Confusius' teaching - is to be quiet about one's good deeds - very much like what's being taught in the Bible. The common response is "Don't mention it". But because kids are required to study the 12 principles, they often use the quote to brush off the 'thank you' to avoid feeling embarrassed.

I tried to maintain some semblance of normality. We spent time with our grandchildren and nieces and nephews. We continued with our gardening and I worked as much as I could for as long as I could. I also tried to make sure that I listened to my body and rested when I needed to. I am still having to learn, sometimes over and over again, that there is a new normal now. (Thank you, Andi.) Still, I think gardening, flowers, veggies, herbs, helped keep me centered through this. I planted things even when I wasn't sure I would be there to see them flourish. Gardening is a wonderful reminder of the bounty of this world. I sit here right now with my freezer full of veggies and meat and feel really blessed. I already have some of my seeds started for this spring. It is also a reminder to me that life is what you make of it.

StephN,
You are right- we must open ourselves to feeling the power of the universe and all that is connected. Thanks for posting the link.
kz

Thanks Becky,
Your message that "trying to maintain good health has grounded me and trying to help others uplifts me" is inspiring.
Best,
KZ

Jackie07,
Very interesting!!
karen

Fauxgypsy,
Thanks for your post. Now can you tell us what we should be planting and when?? I need gardening help.
kz