tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42415592869222078642024-03-06T12:42:44.565+10:00Hatiheri's blogDiscovering my 'new normal' following breast cancer diagnosis at age 34.Hatiherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796313885510654950noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-84843956262809122072016-09-14T20:08:00.000+10:002016-09-14T20:10:17.367+10:00Big NewsFollowing the cessation of my medication (the most recent one being Tamoxifen), we were given the go-ahead to start trying for a baby. I had my rubella booster in October 2014 and from December 2014 we were officially going about it. We made the decision to go straight to the frozen embryos. We had missed the first window of opportunity in December 2014 because it was Christmas time, so I was Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-32608480667580062992014-10-03T17:04:00.002+10:002014-10-03T22:35:17.039+10:00FIVE YEARSThis is just a quick post to share my good news that after 5 years of
treatment for breast cancer (diagnosis in Jan 2009 at age 34), as of 24 September 2014 I am
finally off all my medications.
This is rather a huge milestone for me, as I am sure you can imagine. I
switched from the hormonal treatment of Zoladex + Arimidex in Sept 2013
to Tamoxifen, and seeing as Sept 2014 is 5 years since Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-40736721298742337752013-08-13T14:08:00.000+10:002013-08-13T14:56:06.587+10:00GPS WatchI like doing my own runs on a regular basis, usually 3 - 5 km at a time and perhaps twice to three times per week. Since getting my little Garmin Forerunner 10 watch with GPS, I have been able to really push myself to run that extra 30 metres or so to reach the goal I had set at the beginning of my run.
Unfortunately, my iPod nano did not survive a wash cycle in the pocket of my shorts, so Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-49643015862605841242012-04-21T21:29:00.002+10:002012-04-21T21:43:56.586+10:00Westside News: Mother's Day Classic 2012Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-25755699804675817422012-01-29T21:57:00.004+10:002012-01-29T22:41:19.771+10:00The anniversaries begin
As with many people living with cancer or who currently have no evidence of disease (NED), the anniversaries are imprinted on us: dates, months, years. Usually they are marked by a check-up around the date that something significant happened. I know exactly what I was doing on Friday, 30 Jan 2009.
That was the day I heard from my GP:
Well, you have a little cancer.
Life-changing words to say Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-16163122812074610972011-12-27T20:38:00.001+10:002011-12-27T20:50:38.573+10:002011: It's a wrap. 2012: Bring it on.First of all, I'm sorry I have been so slow at posting since the last post. I have been very busy with my "normal" working life, which I am thrilled to announce is somewhat returning.
Yes, I still..
get tired
am much of a home-body
work part time, although this is slowly increasing and I'm pushing it to the limits
don't drink (a hangover after half a glass of wine really doesn't make it worth Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-32679486389074142492011-08-14T20:18:00.000+10:002011-08-14T20:18:00.711+10:00Creations: Portable Desk & File StorageMike likes to work on his computer and filing while sitting on the couch, because it's nice and warm in the living room. He bought himself this nice handy plastic filing box from a local stationery shop and I spent a few weeks looking at it on the floor of the living room. I couldn't think how to make it easier for him to move it around and have somewhere to keep his laptop until I realised this Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-73802061788568687632011-07-28T17:52:00.002+10:002011-07-29T22:41:26.498+10:00Cancer vocabulary: 'Awareness'People often talk about "awareness" when referring to a certain cause or organisation. "Raise awareness" they say. What does this really mean?
According to my dictionary, aware is an adjective:
"having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact"
"concerned and well-informed about a particular situation or development"
... and the noun awareness in the thesaurus has these synonyms:
"Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-64599698125600875402011-07-21T07:27:00.003+10:002011-07-21T21:21:50.744+10:00My 'other life'What do I do when I'm not sewing headscarves, running, or blogging?
Tutoring
My professional background is in English language teaching. I've been doing that for almost 10 years now.
The great thing about this job is that I have been able to work it into my 'new normal'. For most of my life, I've worked as an employee at various language organisations but now, in addition to Hatiheri, I run my Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-78206340738388677302011-07-18T13:34:00.004+10:002011-07-18T13:34:01.327+10:00Running Accessories: ipod
Recently I wrote that I like to run because I don't need too many peripherals. I still maintain that a decent bra and comfortable, functional shoes are all that are necessary.
However, lately I have been running with my new 'toy', an ipod nano with the nike+running attachment. The red oval shaped device attaches to my shoe and the white part attaches to my iopd nano. It has a pedometer which Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-18126096170521252232011-07-16T20:32:00.011+10:002011-07-16T20:32:01.434+10:00Media: Brisbane Running FestivalThis is from the 'Brisbane Running Festival' website:
Your inspiration Inspired to run because "I want to stay alive"
Distance Brisbane 10km Fun Run
Name Tish Kirkland - (Support Tish as a Hero on EverydayHero and help raise funds for Cancer research)
Where do you reside Milton, Queensland
Favourite Food Norwegian "Gjetost" goat's cheese
Greatest Achievement Outside of fitness: Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-5413438003578435192011-07-14T22:30:00.000+10:002011-07-14T22:30:46.618+10:00Creations: Headphone Hat
I'm the first to admit that running can get a bit boring, especially if it's for anything more than 35 minutes. I can usually keep myself entertained with thoughts for a while but then sometimes I like to listen to something while I'm running. I especially like BBC4 Podcasts or 97.3 FM.
However, I really don't like headphones in my ears and I've heard (haha) that they bounce out when you're Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-46367584565893697802011-07-12T12:15:00.001+10:002011-07-12T12:15:00.312+10:00RBWH: Radiation PlanningI took some photos of my skin after my radiation planning session, which took place at my hospital, the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), on 16 June 2009.
The main thing I remember from the session was having to lie VERY STILL and that it was COLD in the room. One of the technicians had lovely warm hands, which made a huge difference to my comfort. I got my little tattoos that day - Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-21358882363029469572011-07-10T17:17:00.001+10:002011-07-10T17:17:01.158+10:00Nasties: Waking up with mild depression
For the last 2 weeks I have been waking up feeling 'low'. Just before I wake up in the morning, it seems I have a bad-feeling dream and then wake up with that same anxious/sad feeling I have had in the dream. I usually feel better as the day progresses but then in the evening I dread going to bed because I don't want to wake again with that semi-depression.
I don't know what's caused it. I eatTish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-79588316740900178772011-07-08T10:37:00.009+10:002011-07-08T20:57:29.182+10:00Inspiration: Running People
Ask me 2 years ago if I would ever consider running for fitness/fun, and my answer would have been a resounding NO.
I watched some of my friends get into running, namely Zoe and Fi. I admired them for their strength and stamina, and for their perseverance in what seemed like a very boring and taxing 'leisure' activity. They even ran in the cold and rain, which I thought was courageous (I still Hatiherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796313885510654950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-52849619724798433302011-07-06T08:09:00.004+10:002011-07-06T22:18:13.706+10:00Media: Tish & Brisbane Running Festival in the Westside NewsTish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-60950818226707096182011-07-04T13:38:00.002+10:002011-07-04T16:58:12.016+10:00Reasons to Run 3: Osteoporosis
Regular physical exercise, such as running can increase and maintain bone strength by increasing bone mass and therefore decreases the risk of developing osteoporosis.
One side effect of my current condition as an oestrogen-free zone (thanks to Armidex and Zolodex) is the increased chance of losing bone mineral density and therefore developing osteoporosis.
As well as taking calcium Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-74837560372321571352011-07-02T14:14:00.009+10:002011-07-02T20:26:33.905+10:00Reasons to Run 2: It's easyOne thing I like about running is that it doesn't take too much physical coordination.
Basically, it's putting one foot in front of the other. Admittedly, I do think about where and how my feet, knees, shoulders and arms are positioned when I run, because I understand that this is important for short- and long-term injury prevention.
BUT
I don't have to worry about catching or throwing aTish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-21517201263429530992011-06-30T12:00:00.005+10:002011-06-30T12:34:33.048+10:00Reasons to Run 1: It's cheapThe best part about running is that unless I want to, I don't have to pay any fees to join a gym, club, group, or employ a personal trainer. Cost is important, because for me, living with the after-effects of cancer diagnosis means my cash-flow isn't as healthy as it was in the past.
The only start-up costs are a decent pair of running shoes:
... and a sports bra:
I got my running shoes on Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-47510330162546902072011-06-28T10:07:00.004+10:002011-06-30T12:01:54.512+10:00Cancer vocabulary: "New Normal"
One of the new words/phrases in my vocabulary since cancer diagnosis in 2009 is "new normal": a concept I both understand and resent at the same time...
The Cancer Council NSW's page on Life after treatment puts it succinctly:
"Many people are surprised to discover that life after treatment presents its own challenges."Some people feel pressure from their family and friends to get back Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-1472224425354132482011-06-25T10:27:00.003+10:002011-06-27T07:51:17.381+10:00Crafties: Jess Van DenI want to make a special mention to Jess Van Den, who embodies all things crafty, creative and clever!Jess has several projects in operation...1. Epheriell Designs - her main line of jewellery, using eco-sterling silver to create unique, modern designs. 2. Vintette - her new range of fun, sweet, pretty jewellery with vintage and vintage-inspired elements. 3. *bespoke* zine - her crafty magazine.Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-47103162407550820672011-06-09T10:06:00.010+10:002011-06-20T12:43:13.324+10:00Brisbane Running Festival: AboutTRAIN. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.The Brisbane Running Festival is celebrating 20 years this year! In 2011, the official charity of the Brisbane Running Festival is the Cancer Council Queensland, the state’s leading organisation dedicated to reducing the impact of cancer. By training for the Brisbane Running Festival and by choosing to fundraise for Cancer Council Queensland I amTish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-30080288156207111352011-06-07T23:38:00.002+10:002011-06-30T12:02:29.965+10:00Hatiheri as a Guest Blogger: Journeying Beyond Breast CancerToday my post as a guest writer was featured on Marie's wonderful blog, Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer (JBBC).
There you can read my blog post about how I've taken up running since the intense part of my treatment has finished.
Make sure you take a look around the JBBC blog while you're there - it's inspirational, motivational, and educational to say the least!Hatiherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796313885510654950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-65152557192477664192011-06-01T09:00:00.007+10:002011-06-07T23:06:50.399+10:00Bizness Babes Blog: Hatiheri's ProfileHere is my interview for the Bizness Babes Blog Profile:
What is the name of your business?
My name is Tish Kirkland and my business is Hatiheri - headwear and accessories for hair loss.
When & Where did you start Bizness Babes?I did the Bizness Babes course in Brisbane starting August 2010.
How has it helped your business?In so many ways! By guiding me to produce my Business Plan, Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4241559286922207864.post-40272189094772470112011-05-29T20:42:00.002+10:002011-06-30T12:16:29.930+10:00Brisbane Running Festival: TEAM TISHOn Sunday 7th August, I'll be running my first 10km run!
Inspired by my success - and with so much support from friends and family - in running 4.5km for the Brisbane Mother's Day Classic (8 May 2011) and 5km in the Rotary Fun Run (22 May 2011), I've decided to take the plunge and pledge to run 10km in the Brisbane Running Festival (7 August 2011). Two weeks before that I'm going to run 8km in Tish (English Tutor Brisbane)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10648182193174214747noreply@blogger.com0