Breast Cancer? - Work It Out

Why do we strap on our supportive bras and pull on our moisture wicking workout wear in the early hours of the morning or the end of a long workday? Why do we ride, walk, run, or swim to the accelerated rhythm of our hearts and lungs? Because we want to look good, feel better, and live longer. Reason enough, but new studies show that exercise may also have a significant impact on certain types of breast cancer.

My reasons for exercising became more specific when my mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer after 12 years of remission. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer again, I started wondering if I was doing enough to protect myself. 

I soon discovered that eighty percent of all breast cancers are fueled by estrogen and exercise is a natural way to reduce your estrogen levels, as well as reducing other hormones and growth factors that can cause breast cells to turn into cancer. This research is great news! I am physically active which I now know is a great benefit in preventing breast cancer, but it is also a relief to know that it is not too late for women to reap the benefits of exercise when battling breast cancer. 

According to Brian Sprague, research assistant at UWCCC," A woman's hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout her life, and we have found that exercise likely offers protection against breast cancer regardless of a woman's stage in life. The take-home message for women should be that it is never too late to begin exercising." 

Dr. Michelle Holmes, of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, reports in her research that breast cancer survivors who spent three to five hours each week (or about half an hour a day) doing exercise had the best survival rates.

Now step away from the computer and go get some exercise, because I want all of you to be healthy and happy!

Never Lose The Desire

I wrote this poem in honor of my mom. Even though she continues to lead a life filled with laughter and love despite financial struggles and heart breaking losses, my hope is that one day no one will have to endure the hardship of breast cancer.

"Never lose the desire

to work up a sweat

or enjoy a lazy day.

Never lose the desire

to eat healthy

or indulge a craving.

Never lose the desire

to laugh out loud

or reflect quietly.

Never lose the desire

for simplicity

or the quest for knowledge.

Never lose the desire

to fight for what's right

or make peace when it's time.

Never lose the desire

to love openly

or care deeply.

Never lose the desire

to live."

Work is not just a job.

Random Thoughts - When I came back to work after my vacation, I found myself in a real funk. What I thought was just a vacation hangover has turned into a self-examination of what "work" means to me. 

First, let me say that I am very grateful to have a job in these stressful economic times. But, despite my best efforts, I want more than just a J-O-B. Don't get me wrong, I don't need fortune or fame (though that would be really cool!), I just want to be a part of something bigger than a paycheck and to be appreciated for the work that I do.

Companies and employees thrive when there is a mutual commitment to making the "relationship" work. Yes, I know that I am sounding like a Kaiser Permanente "Thrive" commercial which, by the way, is a great concept when it is not getting lost in the machine.

So what would make me content or, dare I say, happy in my working life? 

* Having the ability to be creative, not only in a design aspect but also in a "How can we make this work." way.

* Being productive. I hate watching the clock. I consider it a waste of my time as well as yours.

* Having a great group of people to work with. Fortunately, I do have right now :-)

* Learning new things. The world of technology today intrigues my inner/outer geek. 

* Earning a living wage instead of a surviving wage.

Too much to ask? I am keeping hope alive. 

Big weekend for music :-)

Music Notes -  I gotta tell ya, Sonoma County rocks when it comes to serving up lots and lots of great music! The house remained a mess and the bike collected dust because I stuffed myself to the gills with our local music scene this weekend.

Friday, after work, Henry and I headed straight to Hanna Winery to listen to St. Peterbilt. Who knew there were that many songs about trucking? Of course ya gotta throw in some Johnny Cash tunes when you have a deep, twangy voice like Paul Riley's.

On Saturday, we worked up a sweat (it was in the high 90's after all) to some incredible music at Earle Fest.  James McMurtry and Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women were awesome as expected but the real surprise was The Belleville Outfit! Now, I am a huge fan of a sexy upright bass and a great horn section, but this gal, Phoebe Hunt, played the violin as well as she sang, beautifully :-) The other great thing about this band was their eclectic style. Henry said "Now that is one CD that I could listen to all the way through and not get bored with." I wholeheartedly agree.

Cycle Oregon, The Aftermath

First, I would like to thank Henry for getting me through Cycle Oregon safe and, for the most part, sound.

The bicycling accident in May had nothing to do with cars, bad riding conditions, or human error; it was the proverbial "Freak Accident". However, it not only left me with very little time to train, it left my confidence thoroughly shaken and stirred!

B.A. -  I easily tucked in, grabbed the drops and followed Henrys move on sweeping descents.  

A.A  - I would constantly remind Henry that I was scared and to GO SLOW. Occasionally, I would just have a good old fashioned girly cry.

Cycle Oregon was a week long dose of immersion therapy and I survived it. I re-taught myself how to relax, improved my reflexes, and just let go of all the worry. If you don't already know, constant worrying doesn't do you a damn bit of good and sure sucks the fun out of a beautiful ride!

Cycle Oregon, Day 7 continued

Bike Babble - 4 miles to the finish and we get a flat! CRAP, CRAP, CRAP. Henry quickly changes the tire, races to the finish, pulls up to the beer and wine tent and says, "Honey, why don't you get yourself a bottle of wine, and I'll take care of the luggage". Either he really loves me or he is tired of hearing me whimper and groan - probably both. Nothing a bottle of Eola Hills Pinot Noir can't fix, or at least numb:-) 

While I was recovering in the beer and wine tent, I overheard a guy talking to one of his friends, "Dude, I was trying to draft behind this tandem that was screaming down the mountain but I just couldn't keep up!" "What color was the tandem?" I couldn't help but ask. He replied, "It was an orange Co-Motion." I just smiled and said, "Yea, I saw you in my rear view mirror." HA! Whatever we lack on the climb we more than make up for on the descent baby!

Oh and check this out. We met a another tandem couple from Sebastopol at the beer and wine tent. They have ridden all 23 Cycle Oregon rides!

Cycle Oregon, Day 7

Bike Babble - 75.8 Miles 6,650 ft. of climbing. Yes, 20 slooow miles of steady climbing. The night before we had a pretty impressive thunderstorm with high winds during the night in Pendleton. I had to use the leaning port-a-potty on top of the hill during the night. I kept praying, "Please don't tip over." I am now sleep deprived and sore but I pull on the spandex, place my booty gently on the saddle, clip in, and peddle. What else ya gonna do?

FYI. The best form of advertising for my jerseys is during a long slow climb. We heard a lot of "On your left" followed by "Hey, really cool jerseys!". Of course we also received several compliments on our handle bar tape as well. Yes, we know how to "pimp our ride".

Cycle Oregon, Day 6

Bike Babble - A rest day and we are off to the Pendleton Rodeo, Yeehaw! I was checking out the livestock while my friends, Tracy and Rebecca, were checking out the cowboys. The men had their best blue jeans on, you could tell by the ironed crease in them, while the women sported their "bling, bling" belts. Of course it was easy to spot us Cycle Oregon folks. We sported flip flops and CamelBaks.

I sooo wanted to visit Tepee City but it was a gated community. I guess turnabout is fair play.

New Terminology

Bike Babble - "Pumpkin Head". The guy in the orange jersey (I am sure you do not know who you are) gets the credit for the name. A Pumpkin Head is a cyclist that refuses to ride single file even if a semi truck is right behind them and several cyclist are yelling "Car Back!". A Pumpkin Head is just asking to get smashed some day. Geeeez!

Cycle Oregon, Day 5

Bike Babble -  72 exposed miles. It rains sporadically but we are grateful for the cool weather. The bummer was that we got 4 flats that day! Fortunately, Henry is the master at changing a tire. Oh yeah, and we got some grit in the bottom bracket so the tandem made a squeaky, chirping noise for 60 miles. The theme for that day was "Polly want a bracket?". James the "Bike God" from The Bike Gallery cleaned it up the next day. We love you James, you are the man!

Cycle Oregon, Day 4

Bike Babble -  Rest day. HA, not on a tandem! I can't let Henry, my Captain, miss out on an extra 44 miles. Besides, we got to ride into Walla Walla and do some wine tasting :-). We found a great Chardonnay from Da Ma Wines and brought back two bottles to the tent. Yes, another picture of a wheat field but this one has a bicycle carved into it. How cool is that!

Cycle Oregon, Day 3

Bike Babble - 83.2 miles and lots of rolling wheat fields. My booty is feeling every single mile. For the last 40 miles, I am consumed with thoughts of the beer and wine tent at camp. Hey, it is strictly for medicinal purposes ;-)

BTW I have Celiac Disease, which means I cannot eat wheat, rye, or barley. When I mention this to the lovely townsfolk that serve our breakfast, most of them farmers, their eyes grow wide. They give me extra bacon and pray that it's not contagious.

Cycle Oregon, Day 2

Bike Babble - Day 2 - 86 miles, 4,762 feet of climbing, and a whole lot of steep, switchback filled descending! 1/4 of the way down, I am practicing my Lamaze breathing - 1/2 way down, I have lost my sense of humor - 2/3 the way down, I am talking to God. Check out the view from the top of the climb.

Cycle Oregon, Day 1

Bike Babble - Rode 47 miles. Piece of cake. Got lots of compliments on the Argyle Gone Wild jersey :-) A guy said that he loved the fact that there is no writing on it. "That's the plan man!" I told him.

Tomorrow - 84 miles. Hope it doesn't suck Cheeze Whiz. Hmmm, two food references in one post, must be time for dinner!

Cycle Oregon

Bike Babble - So I thought I would start off by telling you about my adventures at Cycle Oregon 2010.

To start the drama off.....

I was in a cycling accident in May. My wrist was shattered, it was rebuilt
with bone cadaver and now has a permanent plate.

As a result, I have had only 6 weeks to train for this grueling adventure
and, on top of that, I now have a fear of crashing which I will have to deal
with.

Fortunately, there is a beer and wine (whine) tent at the end of every ride.

Introduction

Hello all,

Welcome to my blog or as I like to refer to it as "blahg". Hey, maybe if enough people refer to it as a blahg the word might even make it into the Urban Dictionary!

Anyway, this blahg is an attempt to incorporate all the creative, geeky, professional, humorous, and thoughtful aspects of my life.

Check out my creative side on The Un Club
and my geeky side on A Design Tech

Thanks!
Amy