In Between Bounces

ct scan oral contrast

Two large cups of Oral Contrast which I drank between 2:30 and 4:15pm, the day of the scan

I had another routine CT scan last week, followed by a few days of fairly typical post-scan fatigue. “You don’t bounce back quickly from these scans,” observed my hubby. We’ve often said this about my energy levels in recent years, but this time these words evoked an image which captured my imagination: a ball hitting a wall in super slow motion. What a perfect picture of how my energy level gets flattened, then takes so much longer to be back to “the new normal”.

Screen Shot 2018-08-11 at 4.48.43 PM.png

I can relate to that tennis ball, flattened on impact, then regaining its shape ever so slowly! (tennis ball video)

I don’t bounce back like I used to! There are many variations on the, “You don’t _____________ like you used to,” theme. Choose your favourite word or phrase to fill in the blank! I could write a whole series of blog posts about the ways we could fill in the blank, and the ways I grieve and miss my pre-cancer life. It would be easy to get caught up in this way of thinking instead of being grateful for what I can do and what I do have.

Rather than focussing on what I can’t do, I’d much rather focus on what I can do.

My intention is to invest time and energy into my priorities, like family and friends, being involved in church, leading Bible study well, and -lately- caring for lung cancer patients and helping to raise lung cancer awareness and funds for research.

It takes me a long time to bounce back, but in between bounces I’m trying to find my particular niche in the lung cancer landscape. I want to strategically help make a difference for lung cancer patients, improve outcomes and help us hold onto hope.

Lung Cancer is the deadliest cancer. Although it receives only a small amount of money for research, that investment is leveraged into a large impact for some lung cancer patients. Imagine the difference more funding could make!

If you’d like to work with us to explore ways to help lung cancer patients, please message me. It takes a whole team!

7 thoughts on “In Between Bounces

  1. Thank you so much for your candid story. I really appreicate the tennis ball analogy. Your focus and purpose is clear. I hope I may help in some small way. I look forward to reading your blogs.

  2. You are an inspiration to me Jill ,so happy I am getting to know you better . Hoping you will feel
    More energetic soon . I love your positive attitude
    & all that you are accomplishing for lung awareness .See you Monday .

  3. Excellent read Jill – keep ‘bouncing’ back……you are an inspiration and continue to be in my prayers. ((Hugs)) Marcia

  4. Thanks Jill. Well said. So right. More needs to ge done. You are a fantastic advocate. It was great to see you and the smile on your face. Hugs and wishing you well.

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