Something Unexpected
Author: Tony Trott
It is, however, unexpected in a positive way! I would never have guessed in a million years that I would join a gym. But I did just that earlier this year. There were several reasons why I joined; getting in shape and improving my strength, both physically and cardiovascularly was of course important, but the main reason I joined was because I heard a doctor and it reframed my view of exercise. He described exercise in the context of cancer as a treatment and not just a wellness or fitness activity.
I was diagnosed with B-Cell, Non-Hodgkins lymphoma last year and I’m in what is often termed as a ‘wait and see’ mode; keeping an eye out for any specific changes or symptoms, seeing my oncologist every three months for blood work, and having a CT Scan every six months to make sure it is not spreading. Currently, it is low-grade/stage which means that it is non-aggressive and highly treatable. You might look at that and say, great, you don’t need any treatment with adverse side effects like radiation, chemotherapy, or medication. On the other hand, one can feel like you aren’t doing anything to treat the cancer. What I have learned is that treatment can be viewed as continuing to live your life, eating well, and exercising.
I am doing my best at those three things and trying hard to remain positive and not worry. However, I must admit that because I have a degenerative disability, I am hyperaware that changes can occur slowly and may be virtually unnoticeable until they become a problem.
But until then, I will continue to live as best I can, and that includes exercise!
According to experts such as Martin Seligman, who is one of the pioneers of Positive Psychology and the Science of Happiness (in addition one of his first students in this area, Caroline Adams Miller), gratitude is an essential element of happiness.
sort. It doesn’t take more than a couple of seconds to send a text message. So, there is no excuse that it is too time-consuming. And not to sound like a whiner, but when you have a disability it takes significant effort to buy a gift, get a card, wrap it, and go to the event or in some cases go to the post office or UPS store and send it. Plus, it is not like there is a money tree in our backyard.
many times it is totally ironic.
to come. First, a joystick is very sensitive. My friends that have tried to drive my chair thinking it is easy, are incredibly surprised at how out-of-control they become when they attempt to drive the chair with the joystick. So, after I was in the wheelchair, I drove down the hallway toward the elevator on my floor at the rehabilitation center, wobbling back and forth like a drunk driver. I finally got there, and the doors opened but before I knew it, the doors started to shut and BAM!! I crashed right into the elevator. I was unscathed, but I did damage the footrest. I still was required to get in the wheelchair with assistance each day and I slowly improved my driving skills. After almost 36 years using a motorized wheelchair, I am considered a good “woman driver.”
to the hospital. The best moment was when one of the EMTs said “I’ve been an EMT for 35 years and I’ve never done a desk extraction!” All of us were laughing. I guess I can say that my “joystick” did bring a little joy to what was quite a drama.