I remember when I was sitting in the doctor’s office after Relay weekend here in Belchertown. I had my CT scan on Thursday and had spent 2 days volunteering at various times with the event and getting our team together to participate. We had received a call from the Drs office and they said that Dr. Levheim would be back Monday and it best that I talk to her. So – we enjoyed our weekend at the Relay, on the boat with family – our favorite summer things to do. When Dr Levheim came in she had this look – look of concern? worry? Not sure how to describe it, but something wasn’t right — my enlarged spleen was about to have a meaning… then she said it — “Nancy – you have cancer, the CT scan clearly shows this mass that looks like lymphoma”. I was Sunk… I looked at Steve, seeing the look of disbelief in his face.. and said, “Are you sure?” — She replied “Well, not until a biopsy would we know for sure. But yes – it looks like you have cancer.”
This is crazy– I thought and said out loud – “I am healthiest person I know – in the best shape of my life – what the heck!” — I eat well, I seriously exercise EVERY DAY. and watch everything, get my screenings and more…. the epitome of health. Eek. “Ok — well what now – what do we do? ” I asked…. “You need more tests” — she said. So we hurried out of the room to get the referrals and appointments, let’s get it done, let’s get it out of my body. Let it begin — that was it. I am glad she made me wait until Monday – although it is all pretty crazy that this happened on my Relay weekend, as this will be my new “birthday” – – the day I learned I have cancer – the Relay will be my celebration of survivorship every year. Count on it.
When my friend and colleague Jeff heard the news he said “Oh man – I am going back to eating donuts!” — that statement put a smile on my face. The first reaction from most people when they hear of my diagnosis is disbelief because I am in such great shape and watch my diet so well! People often ask me what is my diet, how do I sustain this level of athletism through nutrition. And now that I am diagnosed with cancer food takes on a whole new meaning, and different tastes, or lack of makes eating a necessary act, not so much a joy as it always has to me.
I have been on Weight Watchers in the past, my friend Judy got me into it and I recommend it highly just to get the discipline in portions – WW really teaches you the balance of eating and counting the points is so much easier than counting calories. Good food in moderation equals a healthy weight. It is affordable and there is such a large support network. Very cool indeed. I have lost up to 20 lbs on WW. But in the past few years I have been able to maintain my weight through my food choices and exercise.
This is my typical nutritious day:
Breakfast: Whole grain cereal with nonfat milk (my absolute favorite) with fruit of some sort (banana, blueberries or strawberries) on top. OR McCann’s Steel Cut Oatmeal (YUMM!) OR 2 eggs over easy, wheat toast and sausage patties (just for the protein).
Lunch: Cereal again – just for ease and I work at home so I need ease. OR English muffin with PB & J (a true weakness). OR a protein (Soy) frozen fruit (strawberries, blueberries or raspberries) shake in the Vita mix (add Shaklee Performance and sometimes use Physique) with OJ,
Dinner: We love to cook together and get into habits with cooking the same thing time and time again and get pretty good at cooking that one dish. I have various recipes that I love!
Protein is key: Fish, Chicken, Pork or Steak (right now we are on a fish kick — love making scallops in the saute pan)
Salad: Fresh tomatoes are amazing – I love making capresse with mozzarella, basil, garlic, EVOO, & aged balsamic vinegar. We always have a salad. fresh greens, fresh veggies
Starch: Sweet potatoes are the best! I also love Chiabatta with butter and garlic toasted in the oven.
Dessert: Whip up strawberries in the Vita Mix – add Cool Whip — the best dessert ever and so GOOD for you. Always good to treat yourself – we have this most every night.
Snacks: Almonds, Blueberries, fresh veggies
During this period of discovering I have cancer my apetite is supressed, my taste buds changing. It seems I can’t eat very much at all and honestly it doesn’t taste that great. Wine is something I really love, and it just tastes horrible. 🙁 I am sure I will find what “comfort” food works and I will continue to get my nutrition so I have the fuel necessary to train daily as it is so important to me to stay in shape and be on top of it. My health is what is going to keep me strong — so that is my plan.
Please note: I am not a donut eater, although Brother in law – John owns a Krispy Kreme in Puerto Rico and well – they just smell delicious – so I hate to be a Donut Downer! When I was a kid I loved Chocolate Creme Filled and Boston Creme. Sometimes on the way up to Mount Snow we stop and treat Schuyler to Chocolate Glazed DD’s.
