Ten Years Ago....

It's hard to believe that ten years ago I graduated high school.  So much has happened in the last ten years and its hard to even remember what high school was like.  For me, H.S was the best.  I loved it.  Socializing was always fun but cheerleading consumed my life.  We had our clicks but for the most part we all hung out and had so much fun together.
In two days I will celebrate my reunion and I just can't believe its here already.  But, I think back and the last ten years have been filled with so much!
I started thinking today about how much has happened in my life in the last ten years....Also started talking to my dad again.
1.  Went to college and joined Delta Zeta & met some great new friends
2.  Moved out with two sorority sisters
3.  Got cancer after my first year of college and moved back home
4. My ex came back into my life-dated for almost 3 years. (moved probably 3-4 times in that period)
5.My grandma died
6. My grandpa died
7. My whole family decided to move all across the world.. I miss them!
8. Met one of my best friends and I graduated college
9. Broke up with my ex
10. Moved probably another 3 times and had some great times experiencing my 20's
11. Got my first job as the Director of Events at the OTA
11. Partied. probably way too much. Discovered student loans.
12. Met a guy that made me realize that some guys are just plain a-holes.
13.  Got my second job doing PR for the Ford Center
14. Met another one of my best friends thru the a-hole ex boyfriend and moved in with her.
15. Partied way too much again. But, had the best time of my life.
16.  Coached Cheer---my passion
17.  Fell in love with Casey
18. Moved in 4 months later and took another job doing marketing for Allegiance Credit Union.

That's a lot in 10 years!  I can only imagine what the next ten years hold for me.  Hopefully its full of happiness and health.  I pray that my cancer stays away and that I can become a wife and mother.  I hope that my mom is around another 10 years because I don't know what  i will do without her and I would love to travel and see the world a little more.  In the next 10 years I want to get my teaching certificate and do what I have always wanted to do.  But, more than anything I want to make great memories that last a lifetime!

Ten years ago:

Karma?

Last Sunday Casey and I ventured to Muskogee, Oklahoma for a little pre-fishing before his big tournament.  Got on the lake pretty early and decided we would leave around 12:30 so that we make it back home early since we had work the next day.  So we get about an hour out of Muskogee and I'm sleeping in the passenger seat and I notice that its really quiet...so it woke me up.  I asked Casey why the radio was off and he thought he heard a rattling noise coming from the boat trailer on my side.  So we keep looking out my mirror and Bang...His side of the boat trailer had a blowout.  We pull over and we he starts changing the tire but we were SOOO close to the highway that it was scaring the living tar out of me.  Then, a man pulls over and say's he'd like to help.  So nice of him!
So, we get the spare on and continue down the road and not even 10 minutes later BANG.. we have another flat tire on the SAME side..so our spare tire lost its tred.  OMG.  By that time we were pissed.  Luckily, there was a rest stop about a quarter of a mile and our tire was still inflated so we drove in the rest area and called Casey's dad.
45 minutes later Casey's dad showed up with his boats spare and we put it on and headed home.  Not kidding, 10 minutes down the road and the dang thing blew out again.  By this point it was freaking hilarious because we couldn't get mad anymore at this point.  And, we got a flat right in front of Shawnee's Walmart so that worked out pretty well.  $332 later we had two new tires and finally got home but geez...karma must have gotten us that day for not going to my friend Kari's party at Eufaula and going to Muskogee instead.

Scary Bicycle Trip

So I've been shopping for a bicycle for the past month or so and have come to the realization that I can't ride the "normal" sized bikes that are 26"and that I need the 24" bikes.  Majority of them are 26" bikes and I can't reach the ground. Anyway...back to the scary bicycle place.  I saw a bike on craigslist that was a Schwinn road bike 24" and thought "this is too good to be true" so I called the number and talked with "Mark."  Mark told me that the bike is in a house...next to his house and there is no real sign in front just yard ornaments and a weeping willow tree.  Reassuring right?  Especially since my friend Bekah sends me emails saying people get killed off craigslist. 
So, I drag my friend Kari with me to go check out the bike since she is a biker.  We are going to NW 30th and Classen.  Yep... not the best neighborhood.  We pass the house and O_M_G.  I immediately call Casey and tell him to write the address down and if I don't call him back in 10 minutes to call the cops.  It was scary.  So repeatedly Kari and I kept saying "we are not going inside" but what do we do... he opens the door and we go in.  On a side note, I only walked in because the 900 bikes inside this 400 square foot house made me feel like this guy was legit.  But, this place was a dump.  Kari kept trying to take a pic of the house to just show everyone how scary it was.  When I stepped on the front porch I thought my foot was going to go through. 
Anyway, after he dug it out of the back yard full of 60 more bikes he adusted the seat and I took it for a spin.  HIlarIOus!  I haven't rode a bike since I had a banana seat on my bike with all of the plastic things you get fromt he cereal box that you add to the spokes of your tires.  You know you did that!  Oh, and I am in high heels and dress clothes.  Nice.
So, about the bike.  It was kelly green like my high school colors and it was cute but it was from the 70's and the rust was there to prove it.  For my first bike I figured I probably need something a little more new and sturdy.
Anyway, after telling the guy that my boyfriend and I might come back tomorrow to take a look at it he did his sales man thing and told me that he had other ladies calling about it because its a rare find.  Apparently they never came to test it out after me seeing him dig it out from under 3 or 4 other bikes.  But, I just didnt feel right about buying the clunker.  I am just hoping that Target will magically come out with a Schwinn 24" or something. 

Either way...that house was scary.

Planning for a baby!

The title got you, didn't it?  LOL  Shoot...first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage.  And, did you really think I would skip the marriage part first, heck no!
But, About 7 months ago I found out that one of my best friends of several years was expecting.  Of course, being the Superb friend that I am and the fact that I love planning parties I asked to throw her shower.  Luckily, I had a team of three other girls that offered to help out and thank goodness they did! We all made a great team and I am just not that crafty life some of them!

Here are some fun pics from her shower this weekend!  BTW, we were under severe weather and rotation was not too far from the house where it was being held.  Nice!  Thank Goodness we didn't get any hail, just rain!

The shower went great!  The food was yummy and Bekah and Michael got a lot of great stuff for baby Carson!  I can't wait for him to get here!

 The party planners-Natalia, Me, Amanda and Amber with Bekah right in the middle.

Congrats to Michael and Bekah! 

I am so ready to meet Carson Michael Berry!

I'm running a Half Marathon!

Today was my meeting with the Team in Training (TNT) at the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  While the cause definitely hits home for me, I was a bit freaked by the numbers I saw on the page under fundraising.  The cause, the purpose, the mission...it all sounded great.  But once I saw the $3200 fundraising goal I freaked a  bit.
But, let me back up a bit.  Three years ago I was in the midst of leaving my job at the Ford Center and was nominated for Woman of the Year with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  Pretty cool, right?  Well...all is dandy until I was told I was up against Amy McRee and Cherokee Ballard AND I was to raise $30,000.  So, not only are the odds against me on this but finding some rich old dude to sponsor me to become famous on some OKC billboards for awhile was doubtful. So what did I do?  Gave up.  Oh yes.  The good ol' "Tabbi gives up on something" story.  But, back to the fundraising.  I saw the $3200 and immediately wanted to leave and give up.  But, if I put this into perspective, I didn't give up my fight for cancer...that is why I am here today.  And, if I raise that $3200 not only will I be giving hope to a cancer victim (yes, victim) but I will also prove myself wrong.
I know I can do this.  I just have to believe in myself.  Maybe that is where I have lacked lately.
So now it was just down to deciding where I want to run and how much.  My goal this year is definitely the half marathon before my ten years cancer free.  There is a half marathon in Florida October 2nd called the Disney Wine and Dine.  I think that sounds awesome...plus, its a night run.
But I am back to worrying about my shins.  The coach today told me that my chemo could have some influence on how my muscles are and everything and that if I walk the half, I walk it.  No big deal.
So I think I am writing myself into commitment for this huge goal.  Hey, why not do something this empowering right before I turn 30, right?

So...I will keep you updated on signing that dotted line and I also apologize ahead of time if you get emails and letters asking for a small donation for my commitment.  Just remember, every little bit helps!

Tomorrow I expect to be blogging again.  It's one year since I started my blog and 9 years cancer free.  Let's celebrate!

Tabbi

Time for a change!

For the past four months my work has put a team together and has been training for the OKC National Memorial Marathon.  Starting in January I was a big part of that team until I started having issues with my shins/legs.  It wasn't what you would call shin splints but it felt a bit worse and made it hard to walk.  The pain lasted me about a month and after calling my doc and even talking to a person at New Balance they both told me that my muscle was pulling away from the bone and if I kept running I was going to cause permanent damage.  Not cool. 
Working with several survivors of the bombing and two being in our running group I was really let down when I felt like I couldn't be a part of the team anymore.  I still wanted to give back per say...and be there to experience it all.  So...I took on the 5K.  All in all, Yeah, I probably could have kept going and continued my training with the group but  I was  worried that I wouldn't be able to run.  Running is something I have always hated.  Not my kind of thing but it is something I wanted to tackle...on my bucket list you could say. 

Yesterday was the Marathon and while it was exciting it was really depressing being a part of the "team" but not sharing the accomplishment with them.  Sure, i wore the same blue Memories in Motion shirt with them and yeah, I even got to get in group pics but I still felt like I was the one who gave up.
I've always been the one to listen to doctors and other people even if its news I didn't want to hear.  That is one thing I really need to work on.  If that was the case and doctors are always right then I would have died 10 days after I got cancer, or I would have never succeeded in school because teachers didn't think I had it in me.  I've proved them wrong, so why can't I prove these other people wrong?

So, then I started thinking... did i just give up easy because the National Memorial Marathon wasn't something near and dear to my heart like it was for the survivors who were on our team?  Maybe. Or, did I just not think I could do it?  Probably that too.  But after experiencing the marathon yesterday and seeing old, young, fat, skinny and everything in between...YES, I could have done it.

Another thing that really inspired me after being at the marathon yesterday was the Leukemia Lymphoma's Team in Training.  It really hit home with me and made me think that this could be the thing that pulls at my heart and makes me want to run no matter how bad it hurts.  My nine years cancer free date is just one week week away and I would LOVE more than anything to train this year and dedicate my 10 year's cancer free celebration to the Team in Training.  Not only for myself as a survivor but for those who have passed and survived. 
I'll keep you-my lovely readers- updated on my status.  I meet at the Leukemia Lymphoma Society May 4th for a meeting to discuss Team in Training.  I'm looking forward to this!

HCG Phase 2, Day 6

Well, I hopefully didn't do too bad yesterday.  I got on the scale this morning and weighed exactly what I did the day before.  Yay.  But, no loss either.  My problem right now: Drinking water.  I hate water.  I despise drinking all day long too.  I have a bottle in front of me that I started with this morning and it looks like I have taken 3 drinks out of it.
I also changed my mindset from today forward.  I am going to do the 500-600 calories a day (when I eat much more I am so stuffed) and keep doing my drops but I am going to eat more normal foods..not just a meat a veggie.
Today I had an Asian potsticker Lean Cusine.  It filled me up quick.  And, it was yummy.

Lunch:
Asian Potstickers: 260 Calories

Dinner was a tough one today.  A friend really needed some Tabbi time so we met up at Chili's.  I THOUGHT that their guiltless grilled stuff would be the right choice and I definitely did my homework before going out so I checked out dailyplate.com and realized that majority of their guiltless meals have 1000 or more mg's of sodium.  No thanks.
I decided to get the chicken fajitas.  And, I asked for a side of salsa for added flavor since I couldnt eat all the yummy stuff.

16.9oz Green Tea
16.9oz Water
2- 20oz Tea

Chicken Fajitas: 270 (only because I didn't eat all of it)
Flour Tortilla- 100 Calories

Total: 630 Calories

Not 500 or under but not bad.  I tried to sway away from the "just protein and veggie" meal because I was always starving and miserable.  This helps.  Besides, I think if just make the right choices and watch what Iam eating I will be able to achieve what I want much easier.  This is way better than hearing my stomach growling every night and morning in bed.

I'll weigh tomorrow and see how bad or good this idea is....

HCG Phase 2 Day 5

Today started off HARD with a capital H!  First, I weighed this morning and saw no sign of losing anything.  BOO! Then, My work celebrated an employee's 20th anniversary so they cooked up pancakes, bacon, cassarole, etc.  Walking through the door this morning smelled like heaven but I resisted!  Thankfully they are nice to us healthy eaters and had fruit as well.
Breakfast:
1/2 Orange-30 Calories
4 Strawberries-32 Calories

Lunch:
My lunch sucked today but I got full fast
Crab: 50 Calories
Lettuce:5 calories
Tomato:5 calories
Balsamic Vinagerette:5 calories
2 Strawberrys: 15 calories
Total: 80 Calories

I hardly ate my lunch.  Either I got full fast or I just wasn't in the mood for it.

But, I totally failed on my dinner.  I did it.  I ate sushi.  I couldn't resist.  I didn't eat bad sushi but it totally isn't on the diet plan.
After talking with friends yesterday I did get it in my head that this whole HCG is for some people.  Maybe not for me.  I love working out.  Eating right is what I need to really do more of.  So if I combine the two I sure would be successful.  I feel like I am up for failure if I do the HCG. I'll lose 25lbs and then just gain it back because I get off of a 500 calorie diet.  I dont know....Plus, I like working out.  On this diet they say not to or to only walk.  Boo.

California Roll: 3 pieces 150 calories
Tiger Roll: 3 pieces 160 calories
Edamame: 120 calories

Total: 572 Calories 

I am not displeased with this number so pat on the back to me for at least going out to eat and picking the right stuff.  Or substituting throughout the day.

HCG Phase 2, Day 4

I got on the scale this morning (same time as usual) and I have lost 4.2 lbs.  So, all this starving myself isn't for anything.  Actually, my hunger is getting better but usually by around 5pm I am ready for dinner...like, really ready.
Today I didn't feel as hungry and I hope it stays that way.
Lunch:
Lean Hamburger-220 calories
Onions-30 calories
Mushrooms-6 calories
Mixed veggies- 30 calories
Total: 286 Calories

2-Diet Green Tea
1-0 Calorie Sobe
1-Iced Tea

Dinner:
Healthy Lemon and Herb baked Chicken-110 Calories
1/4 cup Green beans-5 calories
Dinner: 115 Calories

Snack (because I was starving and my stomach was louder than the TV) Chicken Broth-60 calories


Total:461

Sweet!  I stayed under 500 this time!

HCG Phase 2, Day 3

Oh...only 35 more days...not that I am counting or anything. :)  Today wasn't horrible. Actually better than being at home with all the temptation.  I drank more than at home too. 

Lunch:
Lettuce- 15 calories
Balsamic Vinagerette- 10 calories
tomato-5 calories
3oz baked chicken-80 calories
Franks Hot Sauce-5 calories
Melba toast-35 calories
150 Calories

Snack
Apple-80 calories

Green tea
0 Calorie Sobe
water
tea


Dinner:
Hamburger patty-280 calories
grilled onions-30 calories
grilled mushrooms-6 calories
mixed veggies-80 calories
396 Calories

626 Calories

Well that sucks.  I have to figure out how to keep at 500.  Dang. Maybe I suck at this calorie tracking thing. But, I've been starving!

HCG, Phase 2 Day 2

Today I havent started out by drinking a lot of fluids like yesterday. I'm still working on my green tea at noon.  I'll get all my fluids in.  I weighed in this morning and it appears I lost a bit. Down 3.6 pounds

This is what I had today:
Lunch: Taco Salad
lettuce- 15 calories
hamburger meat-80 calories
taco seasoning- 10 calories
tomato 5 calories
salsa- 30 calories
sour cream-35 calories
175 Calories

Mid Day Snack
Melba Toast-40 calories
Small Orange-50 calories
90 Calories

Dinner
Filet Steak-230
Mushrooms-6 calories
Onion-15 calories
Shrimp-35 calories
Green Beans-20 calories
306 Calories

Total: 571 Calories

Another day over!  dang!

HCG, Phase 2 Day 1

I mentally have tried preparing for today.  I went to the store, bought several items that will hopefully help me stay on track.  One thing I struggle with is giving up.  The last few things I have started, whether it be working out, running, weight watchers, etc, I have given up real quick.  Which, the running thing wasn't my fault.  I had injury after the first couple of runs.
After reading Coupon Princess blog and heard her success story with HCG I knew it was something I needed to try.  This could be just what I need to lose some extra weight.  I think i have packed on the weight in the last 5-6 months due to stress.   I got to the point where I didn't care what we ate because I either was always on the go or had no desire to go so we would eat anything anad everything.
Two days ago I started HCG.  The first two days are loading days.  I don't know how well I did with loading but I did eat chinese food, mcdonalds breakfast and even Big Truck Tacos. I also made sure I got my dr pepper in. 
Today is my first day on my 500 calorie diet.  So far...difficult.  Not mentally but physically. Drinking throughout the day is hard for me.  Eating no carbs..hard.  But, not as bad as I thought.
Here is what I had to eat today:
1 16.9 bottles of water
2 16.9 bottles of diet green tea
Kabobs.  Steak, mushrooms, green bell pepers.
For dinner I am planning on a taco salad.  Casey is going to have tortillas and I will just make the hamburger meat, lettuce, tomotatoes and salsa.  Not having cheese is freaking me out a bit but if i can get through this first week I think I can handle the next 40 days.  My last day should be April 26th.  Right before my 9 years in remission.

I guess its just been a bit hard due to being stuck inside the house all day since its snowing out.  Planning on keeping this updated for my food journal.



Calories for 2/20/2010
Steak-200 calories
Bell peper-5 calories
mushroom - 15 calories
lettuce- 10 calories
hamburger meat-145 calories
taco seasoning- 20 calories
tomato 10 calories
salsa- 15 calories
sour cream-35 calories
apples with cinnamon-50 calories
strawberrys-50 calories

555 calories= 55 over
3/20/10
Boo!  I went over my first day! I'm sure 555 calories won't hurt me too bad.

My first 5K!

Today I wogged my first 5K. For those who are wondering, wogged means jogged/walked. I walked half way and then Vanessa(my new wogging partner) decided to kick it up a notch after we heard that we hit 25 minutes even on the half way point.
It really was what I expected. First, I am not in the best of shape right now so jogging the entire thing would have been difficult-but not impossible. But, I am really excited to get into running. I only ended up with a blister on my foot and sweaty hair. Not too shabby. I plan on going to The Runner soon and getting some shoes that fit well and doing another 5K on December 5th Downtown. Hopefully I beat my 47.25 time.

I'm a bit red in the face!

The bicycle guy got in the way!

Meal Planning

Besides my Arbonne posts I've been a little out of the loop on this blog. Much apologies. But I bet my three readers haven't missed me THAT much, right?

I never have been much to focus on losing weight or tracking weight but this year I really started to notice my lack of planning ahead when going out to eat, not know what to cook when I am home and not rolling out of bed at 5am to workout. So, four weeks ago I joined weight watchers. I love it. Of course, I've let things slide a few times but all in all I am down 5 pounds and that is without trying my best.

Today I signed up for a really cool meal planner. Its only $1.25 a week and I get to pick what plans suits me. So, I went for the Weight Watchers Points for Two people shopping at Walmart. What it does is sends me a 5 day meal plan, gives me the shopping list and the total I will spend that week (supported by Dave Ramsey) and counts my points plus gives me the recipe. Its made for busy moms but hey...I am busy and I am not even a mom yet...so does it ever get better?

I'll try it out and let you all know about it. A bunch of us at work are chipping in on it and all trying it out.
Plus, if you know me at all...I've never been one to whip up a fancy meal. Click the link below to see for yourself...the recipes sound fantastic.

Arbonne Blowout Sale

Lucky You! I'm cleaning out my Arbonne inventory and having a blowout sale for all of my best clients!

Here is how it works:
All products are new and sealed. First come first serve. No returns but I will promise your money back if you are not completely satisified. Most products are 50% off or more. All sales end October 12th and will be sold on Ebay. These products have been purchased for parties that never happened.
Now is your chance to stock up or buy some Christmas gifts. Email me your order with your phone number and I will call and process your order. I accept cash or checks and will deliver or mail all products.

Thanks for shopping!

Arbonne FYI
Ambitious Body Better Body Cream 7 oz. $9.00
Flirtatious Body Better Body Cream 7 oz. $9.00
Vivacious Body Wash 7 oz. $9.00

Arbonne Intelligence
Intelligence Exfoliating Masque with Thermal Fusion $18.00 SOLD Suzanne
Intelligence Body Lotion $9.00

Arbonne FC5
FC5 Purifying Toner $13.00 SOLD Christin
Invigorating Body Cleanser $13.00 SOLD Amy

Arbonne Nutrimin Re9 Anti-aging
Renewing Gelee Face Wash $20.00 SOLD Lisa S.
Re9 Anti-Aging Day Cream with SPF 8 $29.50 SOLD Lisa S.
Arbonne Gold Tote Bag $2.50

Arbonne Holiday
Arbonne Holiday Black Orchid Cassis Gift Set. Includes body spray, 2 body lotions and body powder. $20.00 SOLD- Kandi
Arbonne Holiday Star Jasmine Gift Set. Includes body spray, 2 body lotions and body powder. $20.00 SOLD-Kandi
Arbonne Holiday FYI Glitz and Glamour Gift Set. Includes pink bag, liquid eye liner, three lip gloss, compact mirror and body shimmer powder with scent. $30.00 SOLD Kandi


Arbonne Aromatherapy
Awaken 4 pack mini lotion bottles. $12.00 SOLD Amy
Awaken 3 pack sea salt scrub. $12.00 SOLD Amy
Ginger Citrus body butter. $6.00

Arbonne Detox SeaSource Spa
Purifying Sea Soak 8 pack. Regular $60 on sale for $20.00 SOLD Suzanne
Purifying Sea Soak 8 Pack $20.00 SOLD-Kandi
Purifying Sea Soak 5 Pack $15.00
32 ounce Spa logo bottle $3.00



Arbonne Face
Sweet Frostings Color Palette for lips and eyes, Sweet Sugar Body Balm and Sugar Coated Powder Duo. $25.00 SOLD Rebecca
Virtual Illusion Primer $20.00 SOLD Melissa



To receive the HTML version of this with pictures of the products email me at tvanhoutte@msn.com

Spotted

About two years ago I started to notice some dark spots on my forehead and really couldn't figure out what the deal was. So, I started doing some investigating. Around that time my doctor put me on a new birth control called Ortho Evra AKA "The Patch" which contains a huge amount of hormones. Apparently, you get these spots when you have too much Melanin in your hormones and it produces dark spots on your face and hands. I just wonder why I couldn't have gotten the hand problem and not the entire face. My luck!

Apprently, you can get too much Melanin in your skin when your pregnant as well...something to look forward to I guess.
Recently I switched to a new birth control due to my crappy insurance and found the same problem again only it started to get worse and I had no idea what I was going to do because paying for procedures at places where the person who promotes their business has extremely tight skin from the 40 procedures they had was not in my budget.

And then it happened... Arbonne released a new product in April called Revelage which targets age spots, sun spots and darkened spots on your face and hands. I figured I would give it a try even though I haven't seen any before and after pictures yet. But, given that I have huge faith in every product Arbonne puts out I knew it would deliver me results.
I did read a blog about a girl who tried it for two weeks and she could tell a big difference. So I ordered it last week and applied it last night to my face(practically all of it). I had Casey take some pictures of my face before and in two weeks I will follow up with my results.

The two products I decided to try were the Concentrated Age Spot Minimizer and the Intensive Pro-Brightening Night Serum

I'll post my pics in a few weeks for results!

Little by Little

So the last time I blogged I believe I told you that I was starting "The Biggest Loser" Challange at work. Whoever wins gets $150 and two days off work. It started three weeks ago and I have really changed a lot of my eating habits and started working out 7 days a week...which I think has been my downfall. I figured that drastically changing my diet would show up on the scale but as of today I have only lost 2lbs. 2lbs in three weeks! UGH! It's aggravating. I don't know whether I am just adding muscle, losing inches or not doing much at all.
I have become quite addicted to www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate where I track my calories every day as well as my workouts. Its more like my accountability partner in all of this. I eat no more than 1439 calories a day and when I workout I don't use up those calories that I have burned. My biggest problem is drinking a lot of water. I hate water. But, I am trying. The biggest achievement I have had is going into a restaurant and ordering the best thing available for me...that is one thing I would have usually let slide.
Finally, after three weeks of waiting for the ebay dude to send my DVD I finally got the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred workout. I got it last night and figured I would wait until Monday to begin because Casey and I leave for our vacation tomorrow and I highly doubt that I will be watching and logging my calories each day...I mean, it's vacation!
I am extremely excited to get away for four days though. We are going to Beaver's Bend. I hoping for it to be relaxing. Of course Casey will be doing his fishing and I will be trying to get a much needed tan!
Wish me luck on the other 4 weeks of my Biggest Loser Challenge. I'm going to workout about 4-5 days now instead of 7 and let my muscles rest a bit and keep tracking my calories each day. I found out that my gym does Zumba on Tuesday evenings so I will definitely be going to that!

Tracking the Calories

This Monday I signed up for "The Biggest Loser" challenge at work. It works a lot like the show only we aren't getting our butts kicked by some awesome trainers. Bummer. I started working out with my co-worker Kari during lunch and I have drastically changed my diet. Thanks to another co-worker I have fallen in love with http://livestrong.com/thedailyplate. I track my calories every day and it becomes more of a game with me..I try and see what I can do to hit below my target calories and I work out harder to earn more, even though I am not hitting my max calories. I love the site. It lets me track my workouts, it saves my previous meals so I don't have to re-enter them in every time and it keeps me focused on what I can and can not eat.
Last night Casey and I went to the grocery store so I could buy some food and I was glad that he jumped on board with me on this. We got lots of healthy food so I think it will be much easier to cook for us both now.
Last night I had a hard time figuring out what I was going to do with ground Turkey to make him happy but it made a great sloppy Joe and Casey was pleased plus the calories weren't bad at all.
I plan on keeping this updated every week to let everyone know how I am doing on my "Biggest Loser" challenge. I can get two days off and $150 if I win....I could use both! =) More than anything I want to kick my butt in gear and make working out fun again! I love seeing results!

My Eight Year Milestone

Just eight years ago today I never thought my life would change forever.
On May 5, 2001 I had just finished my Spring semester at UCO-my first full year of college. I really did all of the things my first year of college that I shouldn't have done such as skip class, partied, ate dinner way too late, worked three part-time jobs and made my social life a priority. Never in a million years did I think that I would be faced with an illness that I would have to deal with for what feel like forever.

Two weeks prior to going into the hospital I started getting a burning feeling in my stomach and my neck started to swell. It looked like I had severe strep throat(which is super normal for me) but my throat never hurt. I went to see my doctor (which I will never recommend to anyone) and he sent me home with amoxicillin for my "tonsils being inflamed" and my blood count being at 21.000. (normal is between 4,000-10,000)
I lived with two of my sorority sisters at the time in Edmond and I remember my roommate Brandy kept telling me that my neck was getting bigger and bigger.
Finally, May 5th I started throwing up blood. I called my mom and she made me come to Jones to stay the night. As soon as I walked in her house she told me that we were going to the ER.
After several hours of testing, the doctor along with 3 EMT's came into this tiny room and told me that I had a form of Leukemia. All I could think about was "My cat had Leukemia and died!"
They also told me that my blood count was 57,000 and that was the highest white blood count that they had seen on someone my age.

Honestly, I really wasn't too scared at first. For some reason I knew that if my mom couldn't make it all better (she usually does that) then God would for sure be on my side. The first time it really hit me was when I had to call my boss at Chilli's and share my news. That was the first time I said, "I have cancer."

On May 8th, Dr. Mahmood (another one of my lifesavers) came in to do the bone marrow test. Let me just say, that was the worst pain I have ever had. The needle was at least 2ft long and we won't go over just how thick it was. In order to do a bone marrow test they have to jab that needle in your hip bone over and over. There was with a numbing agent on my hip, which barely worked...now, I hear they actually put you to sleep for that darn procedure...and they should!
Dr. Mahmood diagnosed me with Non-Hodkins Lymphoblastic Lymphoma which later turned into Leukemia in all of my bone marrow. This type of cancer is rare but treatable. He also thinks that it was hereditary (thank God since I am adopted!)

The worst part for me was losing my hair. I remember lying in my mom's bed and turning over and my pillow had clumps of hair on it. Or taking a bath and my mom washing my hair and all of it would be in her hands. I refused to shave it but I did wear hats every single day. We got a wig but it looked ridiculous on me plus it was hot and I had hot flashes like every other 4 minutes. No joke.

If my mom wouldn't have been by my side the first 17 days I was in MWC hospital I guarantee you that I would have not made it. My mom was lucky enough to have her police officers donate time off to her at work so that she could be with me.
Once I got home I was barely weighing 80lbs. and could hardly walk. The chemo really made me sick and made every inch of me hurt.
I ended up in ICU with a severe infection after a few days at home and my heart wasn't beating right so they ended up giving me some very strong medicine and watching me very closely.
After my six months of chemo I started maintenance pills. I took 26 pills a day for 2 1/2 years. Oh, I forgot to mention that I went back to school the following spring semester after getting sick and pushed my way thru the day. It was hard to walk up stairs or even make it to my 2pm government class-I haven't decided if it was the chemo or my lack of interest in government. But, I wasn't going to let this illness set me back on getting through college.

Throughout the years a lot has changed about me. I learned to always tell people how I feel each day, you are never promised tomorrow. I also learned that my mom was my best friend and that she has done so much for me, I know I can never repay her! I learned that God had a plan for me and God has so much in store for me. Lastly, I learned that life wasn't about parties, doing poor in school, working my life away or making everything about me. Once I got to school I changed my major to PR. My ultimate dream was to plan walks for the Cancer Society or even the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. I also made time with my grandpa and talked more with him. I got to know him and he became one of my best friends. Family became a priority in my life. I started to straighten up! partying occasionally =)

Now, I see my oncologist every 6 months and its a way for me to have piece of mind on my health. I often worry too much about anything that is wrong with me, can you blame me? And, I also nag at everyone around me to go to the doctor (not the one I went to) if they are sick. I never want anyone to go through what I did but I know someone will...what I do want for them is to survive and have a story to tell like I do. I celebrate every May 5th now and have so since I reached my 5 year mark which is considered a cure.

I don't attend meetings for hope or counseling or anything of the sort but I do believe in reaching out to other young adults and sharing my experience. I do want to help kids with cancer..I just have a hard time not crying. Last year I walked in the Light the Night walk in honor of myself and raised over $1200. My friends came out to support me and that meant so much to me.





I want to thank everyone for everything they did during my battle with cancer. Jones HS did a blood drive for me, Mrs. Young's first grade class colored me pictures, I received cards from several friends, to my sorority & Melissa Mann who did the Light the Night walk for me, my family & friends stood by my side and got me out of the house and on my way to recovery, my friends visited me in the hospital and claimed they would shave their heads for me (I'm glad they didn't!), Carolyn did several fundraisers for me to raise money, the numerous people who donated money and my mom for everything she did to pay my bills, waited on me hand and foot and never let me give up, she kept me alive. She is the strongest person I know.

I hope that there is a cure for cancer one day. I am so thankful that God wanted me to be here much longer than 20 years! I am also thankful for my friends and family and all of their prayers throughout the last 8 years! I celebrate this day every year-What a milestone!