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Tina’s Finish Line

ByMichael

Good morning everyone – it’s Tina.

As you are reading this, I am completing my last radiation treatment.

Join me and let’s go back to the beginning.

A long six months seems so short looking back.

When I started this journey on March 4, I joked about a quick weight loss and not having to shave my legs.  Little did I know that I would be blessed with so much more.

I can’t help reflecting on the blessings that occurred as a result of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  I am humbled by the number of cards, care packages, phone calls, flowers, sweets, and prayers. Not a day goes by where family and friends are not supporting and cheering me along the way.

I have met friends and strangers who have battled cancer at so many levels. They have supported me in understanding this journey and have kept me from feeling alone.  Their grace and strength are humbling.  My journey has been uncomplicated compared to others.  I do not say that lightly I say it with gratitude.  I count my blessings.  Cancer is tough.  Cancer Really Sucks and early detection is a MUST.

I learned early that this journey is mine and it is also yours. There is no correct way to experience it or support it. PRAYERS and positive thoughts carried me through!

I also realized that my Cancer path is not unusual or ordinary. It is a roller-coaster filled with incredible highs, elevator shaft downs and spine whipping curves.  Just when you think you are at the end of the ride you come to understand that actually you are on the slow ride up not knowing when or if you would descend into a breath-taking emotional drop.

I learned to wait for each test result and to prepare for the unexpected result.  I was being proactive as I rode the Cancer roller coaster and I hated all the turns and twists.   I wanted to quit and get on a different roller coaster.  I’m glad I stayed. Every time I thought about giving up, one of you would show up.  You were my strength.

The medical team I surrounded myself with are and continue to be great advocates. Their humor has guided me to laugh at myself and to trust my instinct. You must be your own advocate.  And yes, I questioned my doctors many times.  I wanted to understand what was coming next on this roller coaster.

Michael and I both do not believe in coincidences.  An unexpected meeting at the Smoothie Factory led us to become friends with the owner of Mimi’s Wigs about a year ago.  Today, I want to say a special thanks to the team at Mimi’s Wigs. They have gone out of their way to help me find the perfect wig to represents my mood, keep me upbeat, and encouraged me to laugh at myself and with them.
Today I celebrate. I am 100% cancer-free. For the next 10 years I am on medication and monitoring to ensure that nothing changes. Life is short enough we cannot take for granted that each day is a gift.

Over these six-months have learned to appreciate simple things:

Attitude – It is a gift. It is not only my attitude. It is the attitude of everyone around me. I am not on this journey alone. It has been hard on my family, friends, and coworkers. Yet, I have been supported every step of the way.

Sunshine – I had to grab and hold on tight to that bright ray of sunshine to remember how fortunate I have truly been.  I miss my “old” normal life. I am craving a morning run along White Rock Lake with friends followed by breakfast.  My “new” normal will continue to have challenges, just ones that I choose!

Friends – The greatest gift is being blessed with you. My family and friends. Thank you is an understatement — you all have filled my heart and my soul.

My Request of You

I want you to reduce your cancer risk.

I don’t want you to go through this. While some cancers appear out of the blue, many can be prevented with just a few lifestyle changes – stop smoking, lose extra weight, protect your skin from sun damage, and watch what you eat. Please go see a doctor for regular check-ups, mammogram and demand follow-up whenever pain, bleeding or unusual lumps show up. Many people can live long and fulfilling lives if this disease is discovered in its early stages. I want you to have a long and fulfilling life.

Take nothing for granted.

Enjoy the life you have right now. Take time to wake early and see the sunrise, hug the people in your life, and feel the wind on your face. Marvel at this amazing world God created and thank Him for bringing us together.

Thank you for your love, your generosity of time and words and most importantly being in my life yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Tina Tannery
tina@tannerycompany.com

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    Wasted Time

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    What is wasted time?
    Unscheduled, unplanned time doing the simple things of life
    As kids out summers were spent riding our bikes, playing in the creek or playing any game we could make up. All of this was outside and required very little parental supervision.
    Ain’t it funny how the best days of my life was all that wasted time
    – lyric from Keith Urban’s song – Wasted Time
    Today, I observe adults and children over scheduled with activities and over connected with every electronic device possible. Wasted time is where creativity is created.
    We are the “Attachment Generation”.
    Based on my observation about us becoming the “Attachement Generation”, I began to pose this question to friends and clients in my conversations.
    “What is your daily routine and how connected are you”.
    The #1 answer was – immediately when I get up or I take my phone to bed with me.
    I would get the answers and ask my favorite question – why?
    Why do you have to keep your phone with you, even taking it to bed?
    Why do you immediately look at it when you wake up, no matter the time of the night?
    They answered with various reasons that attempted to make the attachment to their phone seem normal.
    This simple idea of not having your smart phone with you 365/24/7 caused people stress.
    “When people are so plugged into their devices around the clock, they often lose the ability to be fully present to themselves and to other people,” says Jeffrey Rossman, Ph.D., director of Life Management ar Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts. “It negatively impacts our peace of mind and relationships with others.”
    When is the last time you had “Wasted Time?”
    If “I can’t remember” is your answer then you have become part of the Attachment Generation. It is time for a digital detox and some “Wasted Time”.
    Take my seven steps toward finding your Wasted Time.
    1. Let go of the phone – start with taking it out of the bed. Your phone needs to sleep in the other room, not in the bed or on the bedside table. I made this change and the results are positive. (the phone was on the bedside table)

    2. Don’t touch your phone for the first 30 minutes of your day. Let your mind and your body refresh from the night’s sleep.

    3. Eliminate all of the “push” notifications on your phone and your desktop. This also includes your watch. I see many people distracted and looking at their smart watch for the text notifications during a meeting. It is unprofessional and inconsiderate.

    4. Drive your car without looking at your phone at stop lights. (No texting should not even be mentioned)

    5. Stop using your phone to occupy all of your free time. If you are standing in line at the grocery store, it is Ok to let your mind be unoccupied.

    6. Meals are Digital Free.

    7. Plan some wasted time each day without a screen in front of you. That includes a TV. Go workout, take a walk or have a conversation with your spouse, your children or take a bottle of wine and go visit a neighbor. I prefer reds however a chilled white will work this summer.
    Be honest
    You probably use your smartphone way more than you should, but you’re far from alone. It’s addictive checking social media, playing games and of course just staring down at it when you’re in a socially awkward situation.
    Try either taking the Apps off your phone or try one of these six apps to break your addiction.
    Tell me about your results of finding your Wasted Time.