My Story. It's Been A Bumpy Road..
In 2013, on my 40th birthday, I was told that I had breast cancer. Since then, I've tread through some murky waters navigating chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, recurrences and side effects.
When They Told Me I Was Done With Treatment..
I was so scared.
I knew I was supposed to be happy, but I'd seen doctors every week for years. All of a sudden I was supposed to just go home, go back to normal and see them in 3 months?
I came out of treatment with less energy, less muscle, less clarity and less hope.
What steps was I supposed to take to heal from all of this?
I needed guidance about how to move forward, but it was difficult to find.
After trying lots of options, I began to focus on what worked. I wrote down what made me feel stronger both mentally and physically.
That's when I wrote myself 2 prescriptions:
I decided I wasn't just going to survive each day, I was gonna thrive doing things that I loved.
Fast Forward To Today
Think Outside (the boob), the breast cancer recovery program I created, has brought me to my current health.
- Energy and endurance have increased
- Muscle mass has doubled
- Stress levels are cut in half
- Even the foggy brain has improved.
But let me be clear. I still have down days where I just can't function. Chronic fatigue, anxiety, chemo brain, achy bones and lymphedema all get to me.
Yes, I have to work with medical professionals, but I also know that my side effects need a nature fix.
Think what YOU could do for your recovery, if you gave yourself a dose of nature and adventure!
Hi, I'm Christi.
Geographer, Educator, 4x Breast Cancer Survivor, Mom.
Yep, I'm a nature geek. I get excited about about maps and apps and all things earthy. I live for the marine layer in the mornings and the golden glow of the sunset in the evenings.
I love to pet my kitty and laugh with my family, read books and listen to music. The windows are always open in my house.
Hiking is my excuse to heal and go on another adventure. I want to be in places I love AND get a prize for going to them, so I set goals that give me both!
Can you tell I need rewards to stay motivated?
I find ways to reward myself for any type of progress (I mean any)! Doing this reminds me that each small step leads to finishing something bigger - and even more rewarding.
The catch? A natural setting improves quality of life. It has to be a part of my recovery plan to - THINK OUTSIDE.