Four years ago today, I heard the words, ” I am sorry to say, you have breast cancer”.
Wow. Glad to see the tail end of that one!
Today I am immersed in a quest to exercise. I want to give my body a little something extra, something to grab onto, something more than popping a pill or settling into a passive groove. In my case, lowering body fat is a good thing. I had 100% ER/PR+ breast cancer. Fat and estrogen levels are related. I have been using kettle bells and it has become a bit of a hobby for me!
I found Artemis last year, after the need to store my plate weights and bars (New York City apartment problems). I’ve watched/read Artemis train for the Iron Maiden, an exciting journey to be sure. I am wowed. The Iron Maiden is 3 movements, a press, a pull-up and a pistol squat. Women must do this using a 24kg bell. That is 52 pounds!
Um, yeah. Wow.
I use an online training service through Iron Body Studios and WeightTraining.com. I love it. I even bought a tack-on program called Attack the Bar. I do this at home. I use kettle bells, a Jungle Gym XT, Valslides, a door mounted pull-up bar and elastic bands. I am training Turkish Get Ups, Pull ups, presses. I love it, really. I feel confident. I experience a connection between mind and body, I am becoming aware of my food choices. Slow and steady makes the grade, small changes daily! I have all the time in the world to commit to my program. Thank goodness.
I gladly exchange a love of lifting heavy things and a new more streamlined physique for the stress of doctors appointments. Any day.
Happy Anniversary, Melly! Good going.
In the meantime, I was invited to donate artwork to Virginia Spiegel‘s The 100 Fundraiser to Fight Cancer. The above piece of artwork is my offering for the cause.
I do hope you might consider bidding 100$ for this piece. I would love for you to own it.
Melanie Testa 
Congratulations on the anniversary, Melly. It’s wonderful!
Did you get my e-mail about the Sew-plies purses?
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Miss Melanie
I would love to own this because it’s yours and you’re my friend.
❤
Teri
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Remind me? I am very behind.
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I sent you an e-mail after I posted pictures on my blog of the Sew-plies purses I made for Christmas gifts. (It was January 2nd.) I wanted to make sure you knew I had posted them and let you know how great the pattern is.
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The post is here: http://diannekronika.blogspot.com/2015/01/new-years-changes.html.
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i continue to be amazed by you and your journey. I don’t comment often, but follow your blog closely.
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I remember getting to the 5 year mark and being so thankful. I was hoping to buy ten years and figured that I would be the winner. It is now 17 years later and I am still here. Every day is a gift.
So glad you doing what you need to do. I know what the early years are like. Hugs.
I will be honored to bid on your piece.
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You know I will be bidding. Your nudes are fabulous! In some respects it seems like yesterday that you were diagnosed and in other respects is seems like a life time ago. I am so proud of you. You kicked ass and took your life to a new level. Way to go, Melly!!! (Way to go David, too. I know how hard a diagnosis and the resultant care giving can be on a spouse and family members. David stood strong beside you and is an amazing man.) xoxo
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Beautiful artwork and beautiful news of the 4 year mark and your good health. Your attitude and hard work pay off big time. Congratulations.
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Melly, Congrats to you and way to go on the fitness quest. So glad you are one of THE 100 artists – thank you for the generous donation of your art. Should be a great day on February 4!
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