My ‘Building & Happy Season’ – Life post Breast Cancer & what makes me Happy!

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Hi Friends!

I hope you are well and looking forward to the last four months of the year, the “BER” months, and my fave ones! For me it has been a month to month process, healing, building up my fitness strength, and enjoying moments in life that mean something.

Building back the lean muscle “Gains” Slowly

November 2024 Left – to August 2025 – BUILDING SEASON!!

As per my last post, I joined back the Gym in November 2024 with hopes of going 5-6 times per week like I used to…but after a month I realized it was literally almost impossible. There was a bunch of challenges, one being the extreme joint pain I was experiencing from the Letrozole (aromatase inhibitor given after breast cancer, which you have to be on for 5-10 years) – little did I realise that the extreme joint pain was pointing to something more than just “joint pain.” – I pushed ahead anyway and ended up lifting 3-4 times per week, albeit suffering from delayed onset soreness more than usual. Finally, after having a situation with my right thumb (it would not move) I went to the Oncologist and she asked me to get a Dexa Scan so we could delve into what could be happening with my bones and joints. Turns out I had osteoporosis in my hips (especially the left one), spine and wrists! This can happen when on these medications, if you are not taking a massive amount of calcium. I had not been.

Dexa Scan and Pushing on

After seeing the dexa scan results and speaking to my GP, he suggested amongst other things, that I stop lifting asap. Yet my Oncologist thought it was a good way of helping to build back my bones, so I erred on the side of “down the middle” and decided to continue to lift, but very carefully. My wrist seemed very sore most of the time, and I ended up having an x-ray which showed something to do with my tendon, and a slight hairline fracture!

This was also stemming from the Letrozole. I was switched over to Tamoxifen (which I dread as it has so many risks) and begged the Oncologist to allow me to take half a tamoxifen for the first three months to see how it agreed with my body and she said yes….so nine weeks later, I am still only on 10 mg each day, and feel SO MUCH better from day to day. I have much less joint pain, am sleeping very, very well (sometimes 3-4 hours of deep sleep!) which for me is insane as usually 30 minutes of deep sleep was my norm. I am now able to lift heavier, except we still have that “wrist problem” which I am going to have to have surgery to rectify. That will happen in two weeks.

Building Glutes and Shoulders Post Dexa Scan

For the past four months, I have been focused on building my glutes and shoulders and even upped my calories 200 per day to allow for this. I actually started back at hip thrusts on the Smith machine, albeit not heavy – and deadlifts. I have already noticed the lift in my glutes based on two glute days / sessions per week. Needless to say, progress pictures really make you see the difference. I discovered recently the seated abductor machine, and let me tell you that has been a game changer in my sessions and glute growth. It hits right at the glute medius and burns if you do them right. Every glute session I incorporate abductors. Even as a finisher. Shoulders have always been my strong point, but I wanted to grow them more, without a full cap – this is a requirement for bikini bodybuilding.

What I love doing – what makes me HAPPY! The Mental Balance

  1. Celebrating a special & lovely friend’s Birthday in style! 2. The largest sunflower in my new sunflower garden 3. A group of fabulous souls chatting and giggling at GoldenEye (Tyler Whiteside Picture) 4. My sweet & special little “old world” neighborhood beach 5. A special playlist by me on Spotify – follow along (DJ Neenie Sounds!) – music makes me very happy 6. I made a very cold, divine basil gin martini last week to test it for posting (I did not post it, I drank it instead…balance!) and finally one of my fave Quotes found on Pinterest. **The basil was picked from my own herb garden started in May**

Be that Kind Soul that makes everybody feel like a somebody…

There comes a time in your life that you look around and say to yourself “what else am I here to do” “who are the people I want in the next segment of my life?” – and this I say with MUCH respect, but also due to what I have been through. I want gentle souls around me, people who care and people who ask how am I doing from time to time, without me having to remind them if they are my good friends, that due to breast cancer for example, the medication gave me osteoporosis.

This to me, is an important fact, not an opinion, and the circle around you should feel an organic need to comfort you in hard times, plus visa versa. I thought long and hard about this for about six months and it is a learning process. I know one thing, I am moving forward into my future with the type of person who makes me laugh, includes me in things at times, does not judge and is easy going. If they are needing a shoulder, I am there. I find myself gravitating to anyone who loves animals and helps with the stray animals in Jamaica, which is a problem. I find myself gravitating to anyone who does not judge as that is not for them to do, advice however, is a good thing. I find myself gravitating to persons who care about themselves enough to feel confident wherever they are – and to feel good about themselves. It is a tribe I am building, and after having had breast cancer, it is hard to describe why you feel this way, but it is probably because you have been been through a battle, and do not have the energy to battle any strange energy, or vibe – or feel bad about yourself from anyone on this planet – we need to come together and be kind!

ONE OF THE STRAY DOGS I FEED AND WATER DAILY, HE LIVES AT THE GYM PLAZA. DESPERATELY TRYING TO FIND A HOME FOR HIM IN JAMAICA!

The Future…

My future I have always felt would have something to do with saving the beloved stray dogs in Jamaica and being part of setting up new laws on protection of strays, and stronger, harsher punishment for poisoning them. That happens a lot here. Surprisingly a lot more than we think. My Aunt and Mother just lost their precious fave dog when they let him out one morning for a quick run – by the time he came back he was gasping to breathe, that is how awful & strong whatever it was they left out for him was. A terrible, horrible thing. We need to change the laws and have police charge persons who do this. Enough. Next, I have opened up my own Marketing Company and the premise is to continue to build it this year….the balance is of course all of what I have written about above.

Here is to living our lives with balance, good friends and experiences!

One love,

Neenie

Building a Balanced Life: Fitness, Health, and Mental Well-being

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Hi Friends,

I cannot believe it is February already. Where has the first month of the year gone?

This year I admit, I have a long list of goals, hopes and dreams to realise. It sounds a little over the top, but why not. Last year I hosted my Annual Vision Boarding Luncheon at my home and had about 8 ladies in to do their own vision boards. Usually I collect magazines from year to year in order to have a batch of them ready to go. I decided to do my Board for TWO years as even then, I know I had a long list.

House Goals

This is the year we intend to purchase a home we are in love with. I have been obsessed with Pinterest of late, having created a very detailed Board about a light refurb once we purchase the home. The categories are kitchen, pantry (yes there is space for a Butler’s pantry); new sunroom windows and doors, A Potting Shed, Loft light refurb, attic light refurb (where my office is); and backyard where we intend to put in a small pool and completely redo the landscaping. It is a huge piece of land that can easily house components of a pool, herb garden, BBQ deck and fire-pit area. I cannot wait. I have pictures saved on Pinterest, but also on my Vision Board which I look at each and every day. Manifestation comes from holding those images and thoughts close to you and the energy you put out there with those images, eventually happens.

The ”after” of The Attic Office, not much to do – simple and fresh!
The final look of the backyard after small pool and English Style Landscaping -this is an AI image from an APP but exactly how I want it!
Fire pit. Section of the Backyard

Building my Business and Fitness Brand

I have been thinking about my Brand. I launched a Company last year to do digital marketing and have a list of clients (luxury boutique hotels in the Caribbean) to pitch to. However, I am also passionate about fitness, wellness and health:

  • How to live a balanced life, getting workouts in without extremes
  • Using macro-nutrients to help with keeping meals healthy with the right amount of protein + carbs and fat.
  • I love working out in the Gym but do not like boot camp type exercises. I started lifting in 2015 and never looked back. My Program will be based on lifting, whether lightly or heavier.
  • My weight stays in a healthy range all year around. I know for sure that is from lifting that has caused my metabolism to increase ten fold.
  • I intend to start coaching online this year, and taking clients. My Fitness certification now becomes me stepping up to become a personal trainer – that Course starts in March, woot woot!

My Mental Health

The year started out very strangely as I am sure many of you had the same experiences. The wildfires affected me terribly and I have not been able to sleep thinking about this, as well as all the other tragedies unfolding around the world. As a result my sleep has been seriously affected. It does not help that I am on strong meds to prevent estrogen production. This was due to the breast cancer in 2023 being hormone receptive. I must say it is a challenge from day to day having to deal with the symptoms emanating from being on this medication. I read up on Instagram about SO many women going through the same on this medication! Loss of sleep, and extreme joint pain are two of the hardest. I have been on it now for almost two years and just at the point of asking the Oncologist if I can come off of them now, and what is the risk factor for me at the age of 58? Mental health is so important for me. To wake up and feel happy and positive is something I have always been accustomed to until these meds came into my life. Sometimes I have to talk to myself and say God is looking after you, you are strong you can get through this! The ways I help alleviate the downside of the medication or any “blues”:

  • I wake up early, always by 6:00 a.m. each day even on a weekend. I feel this is a great way to get ahold of the day and enjoy it to the fullest!
  • I make the best cup of coffee (Nespresso or Blue Mountain Coffee) in the prettiest cup, and walk outside into the garden just to breathe in the cool air and be in my garden
  • Looking at the flowers, plants and trees, I feel there is a bigger purpose out there, and that God wants me exactly where I am, to do what I put out there – I breath in and out knowing that my day ahead will be GREAT!
  • I spend time with my precious dogs, putting them out in the garden with me and enjoying their company
  • Writing. I go up to my attic and sit at a desk facing a window, with the breeze coming through and write down my goals, dreams, for the day and year – and also write pages for the book I am in the process of writing. This is also when I pray and meditate.
  • Starting work early. I start working by 8:00 a.m. and work consistently through to about 12:30 p.m. when I break for a quick lunch and then head to the Gym for a great workout.
  • By 3:00 p.m. after doing errands after my workout, I am back at my desk for my afternoon session, with fresh lavender or fresh herbs in a vase, and a lovely thermos of cold water….
  • At 6:00 p.m. I go downstairs, put the TV on a nice cooking channel and start dinner awaiting hubby’s arrival with the dogs.
  • We eat, watch tv and enjoy the peacefulness of the house with our candles burning, and the TV low volume. The curtains are drawn, but one window gives a glimpse of the pretty lights in the shrubs that we did (pink & white.)
  • Lights out by 9:30 / 10:00 p.m. the latest!

Like Minded, Creative Souls

I am looking to grow my “tribe” to add on to my already lovely, amazing friends’ circle – like minded, driven but creative souls who are true to themselves and know who they are. I have prayed about it, and see changes with new people coming into my life for a reason. I really do not care how old the person is, as long as they are wise, happy, creative, supportive as I will be, not covetous or envious at anything I am doing or have acquired, as like I am not of what others do. As we all have our own paths and journey! And that means we might not be on the same timing of what we hope to achieve. After having breast cancer I am now on guard for these behaviors when anyone comes into my life. Whether at work or in my personal life. Material things for example, and the excessive want for them, does not and cannot make you happy. You see the amount of wealthy & famous persons who take their own life as they were so unhappy? My point exactly.

Happiness really comes from within…

If you are not happy from within, try finding joy helping others, or learning a new hobby, praying, meditating and doing things in & for your community. I know when I wake up in the morning, I am happy with my own self, and what I have. Most of all my health but the simple, beautiful joys of life. I am not thinking about what I do NOT have, I am grateful for what I have around me. It could be that the garden is blooming, or a hummingbird flew into a feeder, the dogs are nearby or a good cup of coffee. You get this gist ❤️

I hope for each and every one of you, that this year blossoms into something wonderful for you. I would love to hear in the comments what your plans, hopes and dreams are!

With love,

Neenie 🌸