Do you make plans for the next year?
2024 was the year I was going to take control of my fitness. January 1 started off with an 8 week shred. Cooking a weeks worth of food every Sunday so that I wouldn't be tempted by convenience. Stopped gluten, dairy, sugar, soy and processed foods. My workouts consisted of an hour on the treadmill every day in my target heart rate and lifting in my basement gym for 1 - 1.5 hours 6 days a week. I saw some real progress on my speed and elevation in the 8 weeks while maintaining the target heart rate and an increase in strength.
It was HARD but I felt amazing!
My first trip of the year was a cruise to Barbados in early March with my mom and sister and some friends we had met a few years prior. I had done so much hard work that I committed to continue with the no sugar and eating as clean as possible. It was easier to stick to because just before I left, I had an irregular mammogram and the cancer word was floated around. Even suggestions that it had metastasized and was in my lymph nodes was put out there. I couldn't get tested before the trip so I was left wondering the state of my health. And knowing cancer loves sugar (and junk food) it helped me stay disciplined with my eating while on the trip.
After the trip, I went for more testing and it was confirmed that I had breast cancer. More tests showed it most likely did not spread yet and we set a date for a lumpectomy. I met with radiation oncologists and spent hours and hours doing research about breast cancer and the treatments that were being recommended to me.
The lumpectomy surgery was a success. All I had to do was sleep through it, my surgeon had the hard work. I couldn't do much for a few weeks and slept a lot and did more research. I made the difficult decision to go against the advice of the doctors and NOT do radiation treatment and to NOT go on hormone suppressants. I instead decided to go to a functional and alternative clinic that dealt with cancer and autoimmune disease. I felt it was a perfect fit since I had both.
The clinic ran so many tests about my overall health as well as tests to find out specifics about my cancer (not generic breast cancer, but mine). And then a treatment plan was made.
In June, after sufficiently healing from the surgery, I took a trip to Africa. I went on a photo workshop with the company Wild-Eye (one of my favorite companies to travel with). On that workshop we went to Sabi Sabi and Mala Mala in South Africa.
Because I was concerned about my strength and endurance after the surgery, I invested in a new camera system - The Olympus micro 4/3 system and this was my first trip to try out the new system (OM1 - Mark 2). The micro 4/3 system is much lighter than the full framed Canon system I have been using for decades. I was concerned that the quality wouldn't be up to the same standards as my Canon cameras. And if you compare side by side - it's not. The Canon has more detail (45 mega pixel vs 20) and more dynamic range. But, the Olympus was a dream to use!
Once the workshop was over, I flew to Zambia on another Wild-Eye group trip and visited the Lower Zambezi National Park. It instantly won my heart and has become my second favorite location for wildlife photography after the Masai Mara. I can't wait to go back one day.
After Zambia, I started some of my treatments. I had work done on my teeth. The doctor at the cancer clinic believes that infections in the jaw can lead to disease in the body. They sighted multiple examples of women with breast cancer that had a root canal and infection in the tooth that meridian line maps to the breast with the cancer. I was no exception. I had a 6mm hole under the root canal filled with infection. This was treated as were many cavitations in my jaw. Just the left side of my mouth was done at first which included the removal of both wisdom teeth and the root canal tooth.
Shortly after the mouth surgery, I left for a trip I've been dreaming about for over 20 years. A chance to swim with humpback whales. I was quite worried as my fitness was not where I wanted it to be with the surgeries and going off my hormone replacement therapy (which severely impacted my sleep). But I was equally as excited.
Getting to Tonga is quite the journey and I broke it up with a visit with some friends. One, a long time friend, we spent 3 days on the beach and our friendship became so much more. I am so blessed to now be in a committed relationship with an amazing man. A friend for years, someone I know well, and a very special someone to share life with.
Then a stop in Nadi Fiji for 2 nights to try to help get over jet lag. I didn't explore Nadi and just stayed at the hotel resting and trying to keep my strength up for the swimming experience with the whales.
I finally made it to Tonga and Vava'u. What a beautiful island. The experience of swimming with humpback whales was everything I could ever imagine and more. These powerful and huge animals are incredibly graceful and peaceful. It was more than a dream come true.
4 days after retuning home from Tonga, I started the cancer treatments. First part was working on the right side of my mouth - that left me with nerve damage and I still don't have all the feeling back. Then a Pic line insertion for all the IVs and infusions (5 days per week).
The cancer treatments were 5 days a week about 6 hours a day. I had treatments to kill the cancer and treatments to boost my natural immune system. I had been following a strict Paleo diet per dr. orders. I had thoughts of getting thru my photo database and writing a lot of blog posts while undergoing treatments but most days I was feeling nauseous and quite tired and pretty much just laid on the sofa and watched / slept through Netflix after my treatments were done for the day.
The treatments were done over 10 weeks. It was a harder 10 weeks than I was prepared for. It was broken up with a visit from my photography friend Michelle who left me all sorts of notes to help inspire me and keep me going. Also by frequent talks with my family and with my boyfriend. Always encouraging and bringing a smile to me during a pretty difficult time.
10 days after my treatment was completed, I left for Kenya. I was so excited to be back in the bush, back in nature with the animals I love so much. My nervous system really wanted that breath. (I once again brought the lighter weight Olympus system on this trip but left my "big" Olympus lens at home.)
This trip was a bit different than most of my heavy photography trips. It was exactly what I needed. The first part of my trip was set up by my friend who is a travel advisor. She wanted to check out a few lodges. We spent 4 nights in Saruni Basecamp in Samburu. It was the first time I set up my trail camera. There is a water hole in the valley and I set the camera up there. Not knowing quite how to set up the camera I ended up with a lot of elephant feet and bellies. But it was still amazing to see them coming to the water hole through the camera.
We then spent another 3 nights in Sanctuary Retreats in Ol Pejeta. We saw amazing wildlife in both locations.
After the first week, we went back to Nairobi and met up with my sister and another friend and had our visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It started with a private visit in Nairobi National Park and then we went to Ithumba reintegration unit and then to Umani Springs reintegration unit. Spending time with the orphans and the keepers was inspiring and just what my soul needed. It was one of the shortest trips I've taken to Kenya but even with that, I was exhausted and ready to go home. My travel companions were so thoughtful and gave me the closest rooms since I was so beat after the chemotherapy.
After a few weeks being home, I flew to California to spend a short week with my boyfriend. We had a great time together. During that trip, we both worked a lot and I finished my course work to become a travel advisor. I am now an independent consultant for Travel Planners International. With my love for travel, it seemed to be a good fit and I look forward to helping friends and family plan their vacations and adventures. I'll be adding information on my website soon.
Christmas was spent with my amazing extended family and New Years was typical for me - hanging with the furries and going to bed early.
2024 Summary
29 pounds lighter (with still a long way to go)
15 countries visited (10 on a cruise and 5 for wildlife photography)
breast cancer surgery
10 weeks of cancer treatment
160 days away from home
Many experiences better than I could have ever dreamed
Entered into a committed relationship with James
As 2025 is just around the corner, I am getting ready for the year. I have an amazing trip planned in the 4th quarter - a 100 mile trek through Tsavo National Park in Kenya. My main focus is to get into the shape I need to be in to succeed on this journey. There will be some trips along the way including a month in Kenya, a cruise with my mom and another long time dream - Borneo as well as multiple visits with James.
Stay tuned to my social channels as well as my website for updates along the way.
May you have a blessed and adventure filled 2025!