BIR

Since my last blog entry, Dena and I ran in the Lumberjack days 5K. Again I dropped a few minutes in my time. We had fun stopping for coffee and a little shopping after the race in Stillwater. Next year we might be up for trying the 10 mile.

The Lumberjack Days 5K was the same weekend as the Annual Tennant Family camping trip. It was fun going and seeing everyone. I was able to go on a bike ride. They have really nice trails at Baker Park in Maple Plain, MN.

After my dad was in Scotland for two weeks for work. He returned just in time to go to Brainerd International Raceway for the Lucas Oil Nationals. We went for the day on Saturday and had a great time seeing people and watching some good races.

This is a Ford Mustang that I would buy when I win the lottery. You can buy it directly from the factory, bring it to the track, and race it. It goes 8.9 to 9.0 in the quarter mile.

This is "Fast Jack" Beckman, a professional funny car driver, a fellow Lymphoma Survivor.

Ashley Force Hood, another funny car driver, at the ropes signing autographs.
We went back to have my picture taken with Ashley but she was already done.

Jason Line and Greg Anderson (both from Minnesota) racing in Pro Stock. Picture was taken from our seats.

This is my dad and Jason Line. Jason is from Minnesota and remembers my dad from his days of racing at BIR. He is telling my dad that he still has his old race car and he's bring it home to North Carolina. It's pretty cool that he remembers where he came from.

What I have been up to.

Right before the 4th of July I went to the doctor thinking I only had a knot in my left shoulder. It had been there about 4 to 6 weeks and 4 messages later it hadn't gone away so my dad talked me into going to the doctor to have it checked out. I was lucky to get in right away. I found out I had a hairline fracture in my left shoulder blade. There is not much they can do besides give me pain meds and that took me another week to go get some from the doctor so I could sleep. I was being a little stubborn. I'm done swimming for a while but I'm trying to do everything else. I'm still running. I still have the goal of running in a half marathon in October.

I spent the weekend of the 4th painting in Austin and at the lake.

On the Wednesday after the 4th, 3M (where Dena works) has a fun 5K run. Dena, my dad, and I have run the race before. This year Steve Feeney and Tom Mathews joined us. They came back and finished with me. I had this year's personal best in the race.

Joshua Nicholson got married July 10th to Abby. Joe came home from Wales for the wedding. It was the first time I have seen him since he left. Joe you finally made the blog. Aren't you lucky. (From L to R: Anna, Grandma Wetterlund, Joe Nicholson, Cindy Wetterlund, and my mom Carol)

This past Saturday my dad and I went back to Austin to do some more painting at my grandma's house. We are almost done painting. But while we were gone we had a storm. The pictures below are of the storm damage we had at home in Ham Lake. We are very lucky we had no structual damage just trees. Just a good Sunday afternoon of cleaning up the branches.

This weekend I'm running in the Lumberjack 5K (one of my favorite 5Ks) and it's the annual camp out for the Tennant family.

Have a great rest of the week
Anna

Relay for Life

Sandy (Co-Chair of the Anoka Area Relay for Life) and I

Me speaking at the Relay for Life (I was Honorary Chair giving my Survior's Story)

In line at the Survivor Lap

Here is my Speech

I was first diagnosised with melanoma on my left caft muscle 14 years ago. I was very lucky to have surgery and then go on living my life as a normal invincible 21 year old. Then 13 years later I was diagnosised with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, this time I was still very lucky given a 95 % cure rate. When I was first diagnosised a friend told me God only gives you what you can handle and you have the strength to handle this. I also think that a positive attitude and being a little stubborn helped in my treatments.

When I first found out I that I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, my sister took it upon herself to go to the doctor with me and is still going to the oncologist with me on my 3-month visits. I really think it’s because my doctor is very entertaining. When I was in chemo someone always went with me, my parents, my sister, or one of my friends.

Before my first treatment while in the waiting room at the Cancer Center I saw Julie Benson a swimming mom in for treatment. It’s amazing how much one person's presence can help calm someone. Julie also gave me words of wisdom from her experience.

I'm amazed with all the words of encouragement, and generosity people have shown. I'm must say this wasn’t easy but it's a lot easier with the support that others gave me.

During a pre shaving hair cut, I was in the hairstylist chair telling her I wasn’t going to spend my money on a wig. I was going to be a hat and big earring girl (thanks to a cousin for the earring collection) when I lost my hair. She told me to call the Cancer Society and I could get a wig from them. It was fun trying on different wigs and trying to figure out my new look. I also took the Look Good, Feel Better class which was so much fun. Not only getting tons of new make up but also being with women who had gone through different cancers and were in different stages of cancer treatment.

I also took advantage of the Neighbor to Neighbor program at Unity Hospital. I was able to get massages, healing touch. Pilate’s from Pilates on the Porch by far my favorite. I wasn’t able to do much for exercise during my treatment so that made me feel like I was doing something.

Other then some respiratory problems I didn’t have any major problems with my chemo or radiation. On November 20^th I was told I was lymphoma free and I could get my life back to normal. It’s a new normal I can’t do 100 things on one day but I can still do a lot of things with a nap in the mix. I also had all exercise restrictions removed. I will say my dad wasn’t overly impressed with the doctor the day he said I could start running with no limits. I’m not back to where I was physically but I’m getting there in time. I have a goal of running a half marathon in October. I have been lucky to run with my dad, sister or a friend. They are super good to me and don’t let me go run by myself and are helping me reach my goals.

This Saturday, I and some awesome co-workers made a road trip to Tracy Minnesota to see a co-worker get married.

Elisabeth with the lovely flowers her friends from Community Ed made.

Bryan, Elisabeth, Tricia, and myself

Things I have learned

About a week ago Dena and I met with Dr. Larson. Everything looks good, no change. The scar tissue in my lung hasn’t changed so they figure it will always be there. So another 3 months off from doctor visits.

Last weekend we had my grandma’s estate sale. Lets just say it interesting what people are looking for and what they are willing to pay for. My mom, Dena, and I helped my dad during the sale.

This week I met with a Nutrition Educator to see if that could help with my fatigue. Here are a few things I learned.

She pointed out to me that I have lost over 40 pounds since I finished chemo and radiation. That averages out to 1.8 pounds a week. Let’s just say she was impressed. I guess the walking, running, kickboxing, swimming, and trying to eat better has paid off.

I’m not getting enough calcium. I’m getting about half of what I need. One thing calcium does is helps activate enzymes needed to convert food to energy. So she suggested I take a calcium pill (I’m not sure how I feel about that) and also try and eat lite yogurt, lowfat cheese, and I can have a small non-fat latte everyday.

The next thing is I need to eat more protein. I’m getting about half the amount of protein I need. Some ways she suggested that I help increase my protein is to add edamane (soy beans) into my soups and salads. (I guess I should try the Trader Joes brand) which is about 14 grams of protein per ½ cup. I should also try Boca Soy Burgers with about 18 grams of protein per burger. I can also add more cheese to my salads, soups, and onto vegetables. I should eat more egg whites, they only have 20 calories with 6 grams of protein per one egg white. I need to strive for 82 grams of protein a day.

On that I didn’t know (or look up) note, I really like Caribous Very Berry 7 grain oatmeal. It has 460 calories so that’s maybe not the best choice for breakfast. But it is good and I can have it once in a while.

I need to work on keeping better track of my food and write a food journal. I’m not very good at keeping up with my food journal.

This summer I decided I could give softball another try. I haven’t played in about 10 years. So I’m subbing on a co-ed team. The last two times I was asked to play that games where rained out.

Exciting things coming up

Saturday June 5^th Dena and I are running in the Monica Jensen 5K for the Monica Jensen Foundation which is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to raise awareness, educate, and provide funding for research and treatment of Melanoma. Both Dena and I have had melanoma. http://www.monicajensenfoundation.org/

Also Friday June 25th I will be giving the survivor speech at the Anoka Relay for Life. I don’t know what I’m going to say yet but I have some time. http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=22974&team_id=583042

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

Anna

Happy Birthday Bryan and 5K

Bryan Happy Birthday.
He's trying to explain something to us.
My Dad, Dena and I ran in a Cinco de Mayo 5K today
Pre-race picture
Yes I do actually run. (in the gray shirt)My dad and Dena went back to finish with me.
I dropped 3 minutes off my last 5K in April.
Not where I was, but I'm getting better.

Happy May Day

Ross and Jeanine

Chris and Anna (Dena was out of town for work).

Happy May Day now summer can begin.

Last weekend we celebrated the marriage of Ross and Jeanine (one of my dad's cousins). It was fun seeing family since most of the time it's for Funerals or Weddings. My dad's family has had a lot of funerals in the last few years. It was fun dancing the night away. I also got to share chemo/radiation/ recovery stories with one my cousins. Who suggested I go see a nutrientiets to see if that could help with my fatigue. He's also surprised on what I can do and how much I can do today.

Also last weekend I went to a wine tasting at Wine Styles in Champlin http://www.winestylesstore.com/ with a group of Community Education people. I was really fun. I'm not much of a wine drinker and they did a good job of not only having us taste wine but educating us on wines and what to look for.

On Thursday night I went to a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society banquet. We heard from a doctor who works at Childrens Hospital and does research. This summer one of my friends is hoping to take a group in to get a tour of his research lab. That will be pretty cool to see.

I will say I'm tired after this past week. I had lots of meetings at work that interfered with my nap time so I wasn't able to get my normal naps in. I have spent quailty time this weekend sleeping so far.

I'm also working on finding a sunscreen that I can wear without getting a rash from wearing it. I'm hoping to find something soon that works since I'm at a great risk for Melanoma which I had before radiation.

I'm also excited to be back to getting the boys on the bus after being off for 6 weeks. Now I'm just going out to their house on Thursday which just happened to be treat (donut) day for the boys.

Have a Great May Day
Anna

Spring Break is over

It's been a while since I last updated. I'm getting really bad at updating my blog.

I had a crazy Spring Break this year, it was Wednesday to Tuesday. It was nice having a week off, but it was a busy week. I started the vacation by going to the Minnesota Zoo for a sleepover with 50 4th and 5th graders. It was a good time with a lot of learning time for them. We got to the zoo around 5:00pm and they were learning about dolphins and the other aquatic animals until 10:30pm. It was a long day for the kids. Wednesday I went to the Wild game with my little friend Alex. It was fun seeing the game through his eyes also the importance of snacks. Thursday the whole family went down to Austin to help my dad and Auntie Patty clean out my grandma's house. I will say and my aunt may hurt me next time she sees me but I was upstairs at my grandmas and my aunt was talking downstairs and I told Dena she sounds just like Grandma Gabrielson but don't tell her. We had fun giving my aunt a heart attack when we were moving the stove from the basement. Friday I went to a movie called the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I can't say it was good or bad but the kids at school really like it. We also had some family over to see my aunt before she left. Saturday, I actually ran in a 5K. My goal was to finish which I did. I can't believe how good it feels to run again. Sunday of Spring Break was Easter, it was nice spending time with family. Monday was my day of cleaning and resting. My last day of break I went to lunch with Joshie (one of the boys I used to get up in the morning). It was fun seeing him and his friends.

This past weekend Dena, cousin Mary, and myself hosted a Bridal Tea Party for our cousin Jeanine who got married in February. It was fun meeting Ross's family and seeing Mary. Sunday I meet some girls from the pool and their babies for brunch at Oak City http://oakcitymn.com/

Now I'm back to work and life is back to normal or my new normal. I'm still running and try to swim a little. I'm throwing the idea of doing a 1/2 marathon before the end of the year and maybe a sprint triathlon in August. My parents keep telling me to be practical and don't get my hopes up to high and that I need to listen to my body. It's also been nice that I haven't had to to go the doctor in a month and I still don't have to go until May.