My dog, The Diva, has been my greatest nag throughout this entire cancer process. Not only does she NOT care that I'm feeling bad, but she's consistently insistent on taking our daily walks. And with few exceptions, we've walked regularly throughout this process.
My doctors told me initially that exercise would help me and suggested I walk regularly. Since I was already walking, lifting weights, and going to boot camp class, I felt that wouldn't be a problem. But as things started to happen, my lumpectomy, port placement, chemo, and as the weather grew colder and the days shorter, I began to make excuses as to why I couldn't go walking. Enter The Diva.
The Diva doesn't let up when I get home from a long day at work and would rather lay on the couch than walk her. She whines, cries, and nags me until I give in, simply to make her stop. If it's snowing, she sits in front of the closet where my coat is, just so I know I can wear my coat and boots to walk. If it's dark, she's satisfied with a shorter walk. The end result of all this exercise is less depression and a satisfied rush when we get home.
We were walking mere days after surgery; we've walked the day of chemo, and the days after chemo. She doesn't care if I'm slow, which is good because I'm frequently slow. She does care if it's not long enough, so we're walking at least two miles each time we're out. I'm not allowed to cut it short, and if I do, The Diva is not a happy girl. She's pushed me to exercise, and I've felt better for that.
I appreciate my Diva girl, mostly because she's not feeling sorry for me. Instead, she's motivating me to take care of myself and to not wallow in pity because I've had cancer and chemo.
And now, it's time for our walk.
#breastcancer
#breastcancersux
#cancerawareness
No comments:
Post a Comment