Bikini & Fitness Model Competition update...

I took the above pic last night, nearly 2 weeks into my contest prep for the bikini division.

It's crazy to think that Lionel the kidney cancer mass/tumor lived in there and was extracted (along with Mr Right Kidney) just 5.5 months ago. I was bloated for about 3 months after the surgery but decided to have manual lymphatic drainage, which certainly helped.   I have been in contest prep for 2 weeks now and am happy to see changes - I have lost 2% body fat and 3.5kg.  The main focus (body wise) right now is to cut cut body fat and build lean muscle, it's a cool process to witness.

I am writing all about it on my other blog (GetFoxFit).

I'm also posting daily photo updates on my Instagram and facebook :)

If anyone has any questions about fitness after surgery / cancer please get in touch, I am very passionate about this and always happy to help / support! info@lisannekeir.com

Inspiration for the day...

I came across this on my Pinterest feed today - so much truth and something that we should remember.

The good, the bad and the ugly can happen BUT it's up to YOU to decide on how you react to life, situations, people, emotions, feelings, decisions etc.

Life is what you make it.  It's your responsibility to make "the best" decisions for yourself and how you feel / react to different circumstances (you can change your attitude any second).

Take responsibility and be your own savior ;)

Have an awesome day!

Listen to Ferris!

Still one of my fav movies and quotes.

Like Ferris Bueller says:

The Year of the Magnificent: 2014!!!

Happy 2014!!!

I used to find 1 January (and the whole month of January) a sort of no man's land.  In the past it seemed a little empty after all the Christmas celebrations and excitement, but not this year.  This is the start of seeing things differently and on a magnificent level - from the small to the large.

Even though every day, and even every minute of the day, can be a new beginning, there is something about the 1st day of a new year that just clears the slate and is, in a way, a rebirth.  A clean sheet to start off how you mean to go on.

This morning an email arrived that said What's your 2014 theme word and it got me thinking.  I know what I want to achieve this year and the word that I have chosen is "Magnificent".  How cool will it be to look back on 2014 and know that you did all things with passion and magnificently!  From the small things you do on a daily basis to the big projects and goals that you have set yourself.

As well as having a theme word I really like this:

And let's not forget to write your goals down.  It makes such a difference to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and put those things on a list / word doc where you can go back and review through the year.

Have you written your goals?  And what's your theme word? :)

Goodbye 2013... HELLO 2014

Dear 2013,

I would like to thank you for all that you provided.

You have taught me many things and I am thankful for everything.

A year not to be forgotten but it's time to say goodbye and to welcome 2014 with open arms and an open heart.  I excited about EVERYTHING.

Wishing you all a memorable last day of the year.  May 2014 be filled with love, joy, fun, health, happiness and magic :)

xoxo

A little reminder

Why blog?

My brother from another mother told me, "You need to write more!"

He is right.  In the past I didn't really write - I chose to pick up a pen, paint brush or piece of charcoal and create some art instead.  However I have been pleasantly surprised that I enjoy writing and I should do more.
Do more of what makes you happy, right?! :)

It also got me thinking, why did I start this blog?

I started writing and blogging for a few reasons, but mainly because:

1) I was so happy to have found other blogs by people who had been through the same thing as I was going through.  Reading their story, how they coped and being able to actually get in touch with them was a huge support to me so I decided to share my story in case it could help someone else.

2) I wanted to write down every small detail and thought as it happened, as I knew that in a year or decade from now the memory would stay but the details may fade.

3) Writing became my therapy.  Some people take up painting, music or any other creative outlet when they are diagnosed with a disease.  I took up writing.  This blog became a place where I could write and say all the things that I may not have actually said to friends or family.  Looking back, I don't think I would have told many about "How Mario was going to Save Me" or 'Repressed Emotions' but my blog became a safe haven where I could write my feelings and parts of the story freely.  It was a place that welcomed my honesty with open arms, gave me the time to speak, never asked anything in return and never judged me.

4) Since most people follow their friends and families lives so easily and efficiently via social media (mainly facebook) I thought writing a blog would be a good way to share all the details of my story, my thoughts and "where my head was at" since I no longer had facebook.  Rather than go into the nitty gritty details personally I thought this would be a good place for friends, family or anyone searching for more info to read more if they wanted to.  Not everyone wants to know the full story so this way they could choose.

Over the past few weeks of my recovery writing has taken a bit of a back seat whilst I built a healthy relationship with clean eating and in turn finding my "happy place" with food.  (It feels great to make guilt free nutrition decisions,  I cannot recommend it enough.)

"I check your blog every day" Bro said, and this means a lot to me - that someone has taken the time to read my blog.   So the least I can do is honor his request.  I will continue to write more (plus post healthy eating recipes) :)

Thank you Bro for your honesty.

Food for thought

Sunrise & Sunset...

#WordsOfTheDay

#wisewords

Why Twitter Rocks

6 months ago I said goodbye to facebook and Instagram (...+ some other social media channels). I had been thinking about pressing that big DELETE button a few months previous and finally took the plunge.  The only 2 that remained was Pinterest & Twitter.

Social media - it changed the world, it really did. Communicating with friends, family and acquaintances changed. Meeting, reaching and speaking with new people changed.  You could meet and communicate with people all over the globe in real time via various channels, be it in 140 characters or less, Skype, Instant Message, facebook, photo sharing apps, whatever.  I met some amazing people who I now consider very close friends via social media and for that I will forever be thankful.  It really does connect people. Everyone is easily reachable, even celebrities.

I initially started using Twitter for business, following marketing and social media enthusiasts. I loved the 'sharing' element where they would post a link to a great article they had just read or written. I learned a lot. There is a whole load of info on the Internet and there is a whole load of trash on the Internet but I felt that getting referred to a blog post from someone I respected was the best way to gain knowledge.

Over the last years I used Twitter less and less - I guess my obsession with facebook and Instagram took over, but I have to say that in these last few months I have a new found love and respect for Twitter.

It was difficult for me to say why, until I saw a RT (retweet) from a friend (thx @Kalisvaart):

'Twitter is about learning, educating, inspiring, spreading kindness and genuinely engaging with like-minded people.' 

(Original tweet by @D2DLondon)

In a nutshell this is why I love Twitter, for those precise reasons.  It is a great place to learn, meet new people who have the same interests as yourself, inspire and be inspired.  Like I said - as stated above :)

One thing I have learned is that your Twitter experience is only as good as those you follow.  So make sure you follow some rad people :)  Oh, and don't forget the #hashtags!  You can find some interesting people through hashtags.

What are your thoughts?  Do you like Twitter?

If you tweet, want to be friends?  You can find me here: @lisannevos

The healing powers of music

Pain.  Something we all have to go through at some point - from childhood scrapes and bruises to dental work to broken bones and everything in between.

Before surgery I accepted there would be pain, I also happily accepted the epidural the anesthesiologist offered me.  Why suffer?!

When I woke up after surgery I was in a pleasant state of comfortably numb. I couldn't really move, my legs were 'sleeping' (the epidural saw to that), but at least I could move my head and arms without too much pain.

The first night after surgery I was on a little fuzzy cloud.  Sleeping on and off for 20 mins at a time with little pain.  That all changed the day after surgery when the nurses had to get me into a sitting position on the bed - nothing could have prepared me for what happened inside me.  Everything moved, everything hurt - real bad!  Pain.  I knew a robot had just been in there, guddled about, cut through muscles, nerves and tissue, and let's not forget it actually cut out a vital organ (with a huge mass attached) and some other bodily parts, so yes my body had gone through a trauma.

After the nurses laid me back down I vowed I would not move again... ever.

Luckily, the human body (and mind) is an amazing device.  The first week after surgery was horrendous - stabbing pains every time you would move position or do anything.  I walked like a hunchback and wondered if I would ever be able to stand straight and walk for any distance again.

Since the surgery I had taken painkillers (prescribed, over the counter and injected) to ease the pain but to be honest none of them really helped, the pain was still there.  One thing that did help me though was music. 

In the weeks leading up to the operation I had read a few articles on the healing powers of music - for pain, anxiety, depression and sickness.  So off I went to fill up my iPhone with loads of new, old and most loved albums.

In my hospital bed I was so thankful and grateful to have had my headphones and music, especially during the dark and silent nights when it was difficult to sleep.   It was the only thing that sent me to sleep and made the pain bearable.

So, dear music - thank you!

Thank you for soothing me to sleep, helping me deal with the pain and for taking my mind off being in hospital and all the craziness that was happening.  I really believe music has been a positive factor in my recovery.  More music - less stress.

An album that deserves a special mention and a whole load of gratitude from me is
Rudimental - Home.  This album means the world to me.  In the midst of pain and long dark nights it was there for me; providing dreamy songs, uplifting lyrics and breakbeats that made my soul soar.  It marks a journey that was unexpected but one that I can look back on with a happy heart and a fearless mentality.

For anyone about to embark on a hospital stay my best piece of advice is pack your headphones, iPhone / iPod charger and fill your device with loads of music.  Because music is probably the best medicine you can have ;)


Below are some cool articles on the healing powers of music:

How to use music to reduce pain

Music therapy for pain relief

Music therapy - Cancer Research UK

How music soothes anxiety in cancer patients

More music, less pain

Why listening to music is the key to good health

12 Things Happy People do... and some more inspiration for a Happy Monday

Wishing you all a Happy Monday :)

I AM...

Good morning and Happy Sunday Funday!  

Been home for a few days now and taking it easy; resting, regaining energy & strength and being very well looked after.

The Catfish weekend break on MTV is providing the perfect entertainment... What a show. The stories, the people, the outcomes and of course Nev and Max. Some are so crazy you couldn't make them up and some have such heart warming outcomes.  To see the struggles people have with themselves (self esteem issues) or others (bullying) for example just opens your eyes to the fact that you never know which battles a person may be fighting.  I think it's such a positive programme to air so others can learn from these experiences and what can happen in online/real life relationships.  It's also a valuable reminder - 'Dont trust everything you read on the Internet' ;) 

Anyway, let me share with you today's The Secret message, I really like this one as it's the simplest way to put The Secret into action and only requires the use of 2 simple but powerful words - I AM...

You can fill in the rest... Whatever you want to be, feel or have in life - just add after I AM. Simple right? 

Today I choose to say:

I am healthy

I am strong

I am comfortable

What do you choose? 

list alert!!! What to pack in your hospital bag...

It's been a few years since I had to pack a hospital bag and I remember googling to find a good list.  So in case this can help others who are wondering what to pack (and questioning if they have everything), here is what's in my bag:

• ID card, insurance card and hospital card
• Medicines (if you take any)
• Night clothes / PJ's / long T-shirts 
• Underwear (I packed loads of socks #sockaddict)
• Bathrobe / hoodie
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, face moisturiser, brush, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner)
• Slippers / flip flops (I'm going for flip flops, it's still summer after all #beachlife) 
• List of dietary requirements (if any)
• Glasses (if you need them)
• Something to relax: iPhone (packed with music), charger, headphones, books

Happy to hear suggestions from others if I have missed anything ;)

How about going "1995" for the day?

I was emailing with a friend and we were talking about 'back in the day' before iPhones and mobiles.  It was a simpler life.  One where you were not continually concerned about what others were doing or had the feeling you were missing out on information.  If you wanted to see how someone was doing, you called or you arranged to meet up.  You made an appointment at a time and place and you stuck to it (Saturday 1pm at One Up) and we actually had to print out photos to share them.

Another friend sent me this awesome link - Gavin 'Cloud Appreciation Society' Pretor-Pinney's TED talk, which highlights how the digital world conspires to make us feel perpetually busy.  Answering emails, updating your facebook status, twitter feeds, uploading Instagram pics etc. and how cloud spotting (of all things) legitimizes doing nothing, and sometimes we need excuses to do nothing.

We have to remember to slow down, be in the present and let your imagination flow.  It's good for your soul and the way you feel ;)


So, my challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to go "1995" for the day.  All you have to do is 1 of 2 things:

1.   If you are having a "house" day, turn your phone off (yes, off) and put it in a drawer (out of sight)
or
2.   If you are out and about, leave your phone at home


*Warning* this may result in some, or all, of the following:

• Time
• Feelings of liberation and freedom
• Inspiration to try something new or do something you haven't done in a while
• The ability to 'stop and smell the roses' and appreciate things you haven't noticed recently (like the aforementioned clouds)
• Happiness
• Good (crazy, or fun) ideas
• Being creative 

As Gavin, from the Cloud Appreciation Society, says in his TED talk, "Always remember to live life with your head in the clouds."

Now I'm off to the gym.  No, not to do some jogging, squats or pull ups, which I would like to do (don't worry Dr I'm listening :) but to accompany (read: shout at / support) Mr V in the gym and then enjoy a mountain of sushi, sans phone.  How about you? :)

Next to be checked off the list: the box - "fear and other negative emotions"

When I was on one of my googling trips I was excited to come across this post on 6 Behaviours that Cure and Prevent Cancer.  To be honest if this mass of mine is cancer then so be it, I will do all that is possible in my power to cure and/or prevent cancer from happening again.  I am sure that the article above can be very helpful to anyone who wants to prevent or treat any illness or disease, which is why I want to share it as well as my experiences with the 'list'.

That being said let us go through their list and see what still needs to be done.

1. Change diet - CHECK (as discussed in a this post)
2. Deepen spirituality - CHECK (always been something I've been interested in and practicing)
3. Feel joy, love and happiness - CHECK (Every. Single. Day. and using it to heal, as discussed in this post)
4. Release repressed emotions - "UNDER MAINTENANCE" (see below...)
5. Take herbs and vitamins - CHECK (incl. green tea, Omega 3 and Multi Vits)
6. Use intuition to make treatment decisions - CHECK (From the beginning I have felt 100% confident, comfortable, relaxed and happy with the medical team around me, surgeon and surgery scheduled on Monday)  

So, number 4 - released repressed emotions has been something I have been focussing on these last days.  It's an interesting one let me tell you and it really makes you think about your thoughts and emotions (as well as feelings and energy), especially those held from (and possibly built) weeks, months or years ago.
What we need to do is 1) identify them and 2) release them to return your nervous system to a relaxed state and boost your body's self-repair mechanisms.  Sounds good to me, so in an attempt to possibly help others and give some real life examples I thought I would share my own.

So, here we go... Let's take the main negative emotions and go through them:

• Grief - Yes, definitely been feeling that one for a month so now it's time to let that one go. RIP Gran.
• Fear - This is an interesting one.  I guess the one thing that has scared me sh*tless since I can ever remember is death.  I have thought about this a lot over the years and just don't know why.  It wasn't something that someone had said, or something that happened, but I can only put it down to the fact that it is the 'unknown'.  I don't like the idea that one day I won't be here, as it just doesn't make sense to me.  Now, here is the funny thing.  When I was sitting in the Dr's office and told this I did not freak out.  I seriously didn't.  If you had told me years or even weeks ago that these words would have been said to me, I probably would said that I would break down and be full of fear, but that just didn't happen.  Faced with death may just have been the thing I needed to let the fear go.  I can type these words and have no fear, I am not worried about it and when it comes it comes.  Now another thing that comes to mind regarding fear is the scene from the 1980's hit Alien when Sigourney Weaver gets a chestburster.  Don't laugh!!! :) But when I saw this all those years ago I was filled with fear, I did NOT want that to happen to me.  The irony in all of this is that it kinda has happened - hopefully it doesn't have teeth like her's though haha.  I remember thinking - if that ever happened to me I would want that thing out ASAP, how could you walk about and live with something that wasn't supposed to be there inside you?!?!?!  I would get it out myself if I had to.  However, being in this situation I have not had that response at all, I have been happy to wait these 2 weeks for my surgery.  I have even named the mass (Lionel) and we have made peace.  He knows he has to move out on Monday and take with him any gatecrashers that may have joined him.  He is happy enough to be leaving and we are living in harmony until Monday Moving Day.  So, I can happily say I have let those fears go.  Amazing how faced with the very fear you have can be so enlightening. 
• Anger - Hmmmmm.  Still thinking about that one.  Do things that annoy you count?  Like when the fridge door won't close or when an internet page won't load fast enough?  Oh OK - yes, I have been angry about my cr*ppy LASIK experience, but since The Diagnosis, I have let that one go considerably.  I can still see, be it a bit blurry but it could be worse!  So, on those moments that I get annoyed by my bad eye, or cr*p internet connection, or a fridge door that won't close I will just breath in (re-arrange the contents of my fridge) and let it go.
• Resentment - I'm going to put my LASIK experience in here too.  I really regret my decision to do it, but I cannot reverse time.  I made my decisions.  
• Loneliness - No worries there, I have absolutely no problem about being on my own.
• Pessimism - No room for pessimism here, so that one is checked off the list.
• Depression - Not really.  I guess when you are a teenager you go through phases of "Life Sucks" (usually when you don't get your way :) but that's about it.  
• Anxiety - Interesting, yes I think I have had this once of twice... the born worrier in me has known to be anxious about stuff in the past, so I will bear this in mind if it ever re-occurs.

I have to say that going through 'number 4' was an interesting process and I wish I had given it more time before now.  So, have a think about these emotions, what comes to mind (past experiences or current situations)?  If you are holding on to negative emotions - ask yourself why and try to let them go.  Negativity never helped solve anything and it doesn't make you feel good, so just release these emotions.

As the article says "it's not just treatment, it's prevention" and don't we all want to be healthy and happy?  I do! :)

Ways to help loved ones

One thing that annoys me more than anything about this whole thing is seeing my loved ones worry.  Just cr*p.  

So I thought I would dedicated a post to how you can help loved ones, split into 2 sections:

1. Helping loved ones when YOU have an illness (i.e. what I am trying to do)

2. Helping loved ones when THEY have an illness (i.e. what my family and friends are dong for me)

1. Helping loved ones when YOU have an illness

Scenario - you have been diagnosed with something, or are living with some sort of illness.  After going through the 'telling them' stage you see your closest family members (parents/husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend etc.) are worried.  What can you do?  Well I am a proactive kinda person so I wanted to make sure they could take their minds off it somehow. 

I really believe that the best way for them to cope is to have a creative outlet or project (which is also very helpful for you too BTW, but that will come in another post).

I may be the one who has the unexpected visitor, but they too should have a way of managing and rather than spend their time on negative thoughts or energy, why not help them focus on a project? 

Ideas for them:

What are they into?  What are their hobbies?  What is their passion?  If you don't know, ask!  (You may be surprised at their answer and learn something:).

Get them focussed on that, encourage them and, if you can, help give them more resources to do their project.

I am happy to say that Mr V is expanding his RC range and is now building his 4th Remote Control (built to scale) car from scratch (which he is making for me to drive, awesomeness) and my stepfather has started writing and blogging about his life stories (check out his funny blog here).  I'm still working on a project for mum, but as a self confessed "Faffer" (I seriously laughed out loud when I read that description) I know that she is happy faffing and just doing her wonderful thing, as well as being an avid Pinterester and gardener.

Now, curious kid is too young to fully understand exactly what is going on (apart from knowing mom is going in for an operation and will get a "really big plaster"), but we are spending such fun times together building Lego cars (believe me there is therapy in Lego!), playing iPad video games (the scores currently stand at: Curious Kid 12 - Mom 10 for Beach Buggy Blitz), drawing and coloring, playing Eye Spy, reading, watching music videos etc.

When I see their minds are busy with something else (rather than worry) that makes me happy, so it's a win-win situation :)

2. Helping loved ones when THEY have an illness

I am blessed to have such awesome friends and family, seriously they rock my world.  (I will never know how to repay the love and support I have received from them apart from say 2 words - thank you.)  

So what can you do for those who have been diagnosed with something (whatever it may be), or those who are already living with something?

*Disclaimer* I must add this is based on my opinion, but I am sure others may feel the same (if not, blame it on 'a blog you read on the internet' haha).

• Don't dwell on the 'illness' or situation.  In my case I will easily answer any questions people have and talk openly about it, but I don't feel it's the only topic of discussion.  It is something that has happened, but there are far more interesting things going on :)
• Try not to feel sad, sorry, bad or pity.  Unless you want to dedicate time, money and/or energy to finding a way to control or cure an illness, there is nothing you can do apart from support your loved one.  This is a tough one and one I wrestled with when my gran was diagnosed.  When she told me I cried but she said "Don't cry", which I just didn't understand.  How else am I supposed to react?  Now I totally get it, I really do.  So if you feel sad or have any negative emotions just let them go - it won't help you feel any better and it certainly won't help your loved one.  Be happy instead, you and your loved one are here so be thankful for that.   
• Provide entertainment - we all like to have times when we can take our minds into another world and I am so grateful to friends who have sent movies, comedy shows, links to YouTube videos and music - you have no idea how awesome (and necessary) it is and I am sure others will feel the same.  What better way to pass the time waiting for surgery or results, recovering and healing! 
• If you are thinking about sending an email or message, in the words of Nike... Just Do It.  However big or small - be it encouraging words, a photo, a card, an emoticon, a sentence, a funny screenshot, a recipe, an article, a video, a Pin, a 'quotivation', a song, a story of hope that you think the person would appreciate.  Think of what your loved one enjoys, what they like and what their passions are.  I guarantee these will mean so much to them.  I am so grateful to have received the support that I have, seriously speechless actually.  I am positive others in my situation would feel exactly the same, no matter how big or small the message is, it will matter to your loved one.
• Be happy around them.  The best piece of advice I received from a friend when my gran was diagnosed.  Instead of me moping about the house (which I probably would have done if I didnt get her advice) we enjoyed the time we had together, shared stories, I gave her a facial and pampered her.  She loved it and I cherish those memories. 

Let's also remember that an illness does not define a person.  It is not what a person is, it's something that has happened to them.  Your friend, relative, loved one, or acquaintance is still the person they were so do the things you would normally do, or talk about the things you would normally talk about. Just be you and they can just be them ;)  They will appreciate it.

I'll take both, thanks!

Came across this on Pinterest, which screamed "PIN ME!"

No matter what life throws at you it's all about your attitude.

I also believe that you can see the beautiful in the 'terrifying' ;)

Wishing you all an awesome day!