Ozzy was a special dog. I know, everyone thinks their pet is special, but he really was. His life as a Remers began on my daughter’s last day of 8th grade. She called me from school and the conversation went something like this:

“On the way to school this morning Miss Latham found 3 puppies abandoned on the side of the road, and she is trying to find homes for them”
“NO”
“But Mom, they are sooo cute!”
“Your dad will have a fit. Besides, we have a full boat as it is.”
“Please, Mom!”
“I can’t come and get you right now anyway”
“Miss Latham will bring me home.”

Of course she will…

Ozzy was an amazing dog for so many reasons. We
Know a LOT of people who name their dog “Harley”,
but I often thought that really should have been Ozzy’s name. He was a true Harley dog. He loved bikes. We could hardly get out of the driveway safely because he chased the bikes, barking and biting at the tires. He would lay between them for hours “guarding” his bikes.

Other than chasing the bikes, Ozzy would not leave our yard unless invited. We lived on 1 1/2 acres in the country, would leave our farm gate open sometimes all day and not have to worry. After we moved to Ohio, the same was true for the garage door.

Ozzy was also well behaved in personal matters. He had lots of space in which to “do his business”, but would travel all the way to the back property line. Rain, snow, whatever weather, Ozzy never took a dump at the back door. I’ve never seen a dog like that before, and imagine I never will again.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and having his left ear removed, the cancer returned again in August 2011 – this time it was internal. Not wanting him to suffer one minute we made the excruciating decision to put him down. I often wonder if there is an environmental link between myself and Oz having cancer.

So here’s to you, Ozzy…”My Boy”, my Bubby. As you crossed Rainbow Bridge, I hope you looked back for just a moment and gave me that head nod we shared so often…then ran to play with your brothers, sisters, and new-found friends. Pain free and happy.

I love you. I miss you. Soon you’ll hear my voice yelling, “Who’s my boy?” I’ll bring you your favorite bone!

Love, Mom

I suppose my silence is a result of nothing “exciting” happening. I haven’t really had much to say, or any events to “report”. As usual, I am extremely busy, both personally and professionally.

In the last 6 days something crazy has happened. I mean it’s just insane. Almost unbelievable, really. In the words of Inigo Montoya, “Let me ‘splain”. Okay,
“Let me sum up”.

Like most women on the planet, in my mid to late 40′s I found myself thrown into menopause. Along with the hot flashes and mood swings came the weight gain. For most of my adult life, I have weighed right around 98 pounds. I ate what I wanted when I wanted. I never had to go out of my way to exercise or diet. My stomach was flat and my thighs were firm. Yes, I have been one of the fortunate ones to inherit great genes.

When I entered “Pre-menopause” around the time I turned 43, the weight gain began. By the time it ran its course with me, I had gained 14 pounds. You may be thinking, “Gee, Steph, you’re complaining about weighing 112 pounds, really?”. To put it into perspective, I stand barefoot at 4’11″ tall. 14 pounds to me is 25 to a taller woman! I had to do something.

It’s really not the weight for me, it’s the fat. It’s the way my body looks and the way it makes me feel – both physically and emotionally. It’s realizing not only do your favorite jeans no longer fit, but neither does the rest of your wardrobe! Most of all, it’s the lack of energy. I began walking every evening. Within 2 weeks my “love handles” began to disappear! You can probably guess what happened next. I skipped a day because it rained. Another because I had to work over. Another because my daughter had a track meet. The next thing you know I was out of the “habit” of walking. Hello “love handles”!

My cancer diagnosis in 2009 just made matters worse. The cancerous lesions on my bones cause great pain. I also have severe arthritis along with a form of osteoporosis. I am given steroids to help the chemo drugs work better. Great. Steroids cause weight gain and bloating. The pain medication I take has wonderful side effects also! Sleepiness, lack of energy, and constipation. Since being diagnosed, I gained another 10 pounds. That’s a total of 24 pounds, which is about 45 to a woman of taller stature. I already had no energy, now I am officially an Oompa Loompa!

When my business partner and best friend, Deb Lane and I first heard about 7 Minute Workout from our good friend Joel Therien, we were immediately
excited! A fitness program we could do from the comfort of home in just 7 minutes a day, 3 days a week? Count us in!

While I was excited, I was also a little skeptical, personally. Given my current health issues, would I be able to do this? I would soon find out…

The plan is very simple. You log in to your personal website where Joel and his partner Chris Reid have everything laid out and explained very simply.
Everything can be personalized to your specific needs, including the workouts. There is a members forum where you can ask questions and exchange stories
and ideas with other members. There is even a nutritional area to help you learn how, what, and when to eat to help burn fat, calories, and to “feed”
your muscles. Joel and Chris have made videos demonstrating each workout that are simple and easy to follow. Then there is the live training, held several
times a week in an online conference room!

Now comes the real test – can I physically do this? I navigate to the exercise videos and choose “Beginner, Non-Equipment”. I view the first video, which is about 2 minutes long. I do the exercise, no problem! Now I’m excited! On to video 2, again about 2 minutes long. This one is a little more challenging - pushups! No way…so I decide to do “girl pushups” on my knees. This I can do! Videos 3 and 4, short and explained well. I completed the first day’s workout with ease, and man do I feel good! Mostly emotionally – I am proud of myself not only for being able to do this physically, but also for taking ACTION!

Two days later I log in, watch the videos, and complete my second workout. I am starting to feel better already! I have a strange amount of energy I thought
would never return. I am learning about the other things my body requires to reach my goal of feeling better, like drinking water and consuming the proper
amout of fiber. After completing one set of workouts in 10 days, not only am I energized but I am feeling stronger and better than I have in several years.
I seem to have more stamina, and my biceps are getting toned! Oh yes, I have lost 4 pounds – that’s a bonus! This is strictly from the exercise along with
the water & fiber intake. I haven’t even started on the nutritional aspects!

The bottom line is, this is the easiest and most simple “exercise” program I have ever experienced. I do this at my own pace from the comfort of my home for 7 minutes every other day. No packing a bag and driving to the gym. No walking around the block, or driving to the mall to walk in the winter. No
ordering special food. I feel better than I have in years, and my family has noticed the difference not only physically, but in my attitude. I am gradually becoming the happy person I used to be! My husband is so impressed, he has decided to start working out with me!

If you have any interest in feeling better I urge you to take a look at 7 Minute Workout. Seriously, if I can do this, anyone can!

]]> http://stephanieremers.com/7-minute-workout-review/feed/ 1 http://stephanieremers.com/is-a-busy-life-really-a-happy-life/ http://stephanieremers.com/is-a-busy-life-really-a-happy-life/#comments Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:46:11 +0000 Stephanie Remers http://stephanieremers.com/?p=91 Once again I have been remiss in posting here on my personal blog. They say a busy life is a happy life, and as I  like to say, “I must be ecstatic!”. Or maybe it is the old “No news is good news”? Nah, I always have news….or at least a really good story

Back in October I flew to Austin, TX to spend ten days with my best friend and business    partner Deb Lane. During those ten days, we traveled       down to San Antonio to attend the first ever GVO Seminar. GVO, or Global Virtual Opportunities) is one of our main online businesses. For those who have never met any online friends in person, it is an amazing experience! This happened last March when we met in Las Vegas to attend the Marshall Sylver Turning Point Seminar. This time we saw many of the people we had also met in Vegas, but many, many new faces were there. People recognized us from our weekly webinars as GVO Academy instructors. We felt like Rock Stars as folks rushed up to us, most of them dispensing huge, warm hugs! As always, what we came away from the Seminar with was priceless. We learned so much, we are completely re-vamping our websites and online business. Naturally, the time we got to spend together was way too short. We did manage to take some pictures together and even shoot a little welcome video for our main website, Marketer’s Edge (You should see the outtakes!).

On the personal front, my granddaughter Josephine turned three on November 21. It is these events that make you realize just how fast time passes, especially as you get older. I continue to be amazed at how smart she is. Really. Not just because she is mine. I thought my daughter was smart, but with the computer age these babies are gaining knowledge at an exceptionally rapid rate.

Ric had a second surgery, this time on his right shoulder, on December 9. The doctor found a large amount of scar tissue had built up and was the primary cause of his pain. Ric says it’s like a miracle! He still has pain and tingling in his left shoulder, but the doctors say that is most likely due to his inactivity over the last year while dealing with the other issues.

My oncologist is absolutely amazed every time I go for chemotherapy. My bloodwork is good. I tell her things I do, like shoveling snow last week, and she can’t believe it! I am sure the chemo has a bit to do with it, but I still give credit to the Immunocal, which I never miss a day of taking. I even took it to Texas with me.

Now you see what I meant by the “busy life” comment. I have chemo every Thursday for 3 weeks, then I skip one. Ric has Physical Therapy every weekday. Three nights a week he has counseling from 6 – 9 PM. We babysit Jo four days a week. I do all of the grocery shopping and most of the cooking. I help run an online business. Cancer? I have no time for the usual side effects of cancer. I am now two years into a disease which has a usual prognosis of 5 – 10 months.

My grandpa turned 85 on December 22. He’s definitely slowing down, but still doing great “for his age”. We treated him to Applebee’s (he likes it), then cruised around town looking at Christmas lights. This has become one of our yearly traditions. Gramps fell asleep in the car.

We have certainly had our challenges over the last few months, but we always find a way to deal with them. At the end of the day, we are family, through thick and thin. I think “they” are right – a busy life IS a happy life!

Stephanie

On August 16, my DH Ric finally got the surgery done
on his neck to fuse the discs. They actually inserted a
titanium disc in his vertebrae which will fuse with the
others. Wow, the wonders of modern medicine. This
was done on an “outpatient” basis, he came home the same afternoon!

One morning in September I woke up with terrible pain
in my right side. I called my Oncologist who sent me
to the hospital for a chest x-ray. Fluid in my right lung,
great. I had to go see a Pulmonary Specialist. Funny
how the Circle of Life works – I had an appointment
with a Dr. Colangelo. Hmmmm the name sounds
familiar. This is the same  doctor who drained the fluid
from my mom’s lungs several times before she passed
away. Now I am about to undergo the same procedure.

100 cc’s of fluid came out of my right lung. Dr.
Colangelo is a little  perplexed at the fact that there is
less fluid now that there was on the chest x-ray 2
weeks before. Only I know why…I had stopped taking
the Immunocal two months prior. I went back on it as soon as I found out about the fluid.

My good friend (and work from home “Boss”) Joel
Therien had called me to tell me about a different
product which cost much less and did not have an
Income Opportunity attached to it. I tried it, but got
very sick due to not following the proper protocol.

Now they test the fluid to see if it is cancer or just
infection. It’s cancer. Damn. Dr Paula (my Oncologist)
informs Ric and I that I have Stage 4 cancer, and that
we knew that from the beginning. Ummmm, no….
no one ever said those words. Anger. Rage. Tears.
For a year and a half I have been undergoing
chemotherapy treatments thinking I would eventually
go into remission. Well, I won’t. Not with traditional
medicine, anyway. Dr. Paula says we are “buying time”
and trying to give me the best possible quality of life,
however much I have left. Sorry, those who know me
well know I ain’t buying it. I have already beat the
odds as far as time for Stage 4 cancer, and I intend to beat it even longer!

We’re going to change my chemo again. Back to 3
weeks on, one week off. I have had two sessions so
far, with less side effects than with the old chemo
drugs. No major “crashing”, just a bit of fatigue. I actually feel pretty good.

Needless to say I will NOT stop taking Immunocal -
EVER. I feel so strongly about the boost it is giving to
my immune system that I have decided to become a
distributor, not just a customer so I can try to help
others who may need it. I already make money
working from home, I may as well make a difference in another life at the same time.

As always – One Day at a Time,
Steph

So today is my birthday! I turn 48 today, hard to believe. For the past 15 years or so, I have not really considered my birthday to be special. Yes, my family has always made a big deal out of birthdays, celebrating with gifts and a cake. I just pretty much considered it another day.

This year is different. To a cancer Survivor every day is a gift, but especially a milestone like a birthday. Once you receive that terrible diagnosis, you really don’t know how many more birthdays you will be around to celebrate. So in honor of ME, I have been up since 6:45 to make this day last as long as possible. I have my hair done and my makeup on. I will be wearing the dress my daughter Mikie bought me last year that I have never worn.

I received an early birthday present earlier this week. A lady I know through business who is my Facebook friend told me I have inspired her. What greater gift is there than to be told you have impacted someone’s life?

I will be surrounded by those who love me today, feasting on my favorite food, Lobster! We will celebrate our gifts of life and love, not only today, but every day.

Stephanie

I know this year will be especially difficult for my DH, Ric. His father passed away suddenly this past January. We will be spending the day with the Remers side, so at least he will be with his brothers and sisters.

Growing up in a non conventional family taught me a lot about relationships. I learned early on that we were different from most of our friends. We didn’t have the mom & dad plus 2.5 kids and a dog. We had Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, three kids and two dogs. At the same time, our friends didn’t seem to notice or mind. At least I felt pretty normal.

I learned the difference between a biological father and a “dad”. That fathers come in different forms. I also learned that not having your biological father around was not necessarily the end of the world. Sometimes it’s better.

Gramps is 84 and still working part-time. Unfortunately, he has to work on Father’s Day, so we will be having cake for lunch before he leaves for work

If you are fortunate enough to still have your “dad” like I do, cherish him every day, not just on Father’s Day.

Stephanie Remers

I may look like hell, but I’m still smiling. It’s not that I think I am exceptional, it’s just that I refuse to let it win. Besides, one can only watch so many Lifetime movies, or do so much to keep up with the Kardashians I don’t even like television, really – there are too many other things to do in life.

It’s funny too, I go read all the Facebook updates from my friends since I have been away. The whiners are still whining. “It’s so hot out”, “I don’t feel good” they say. Are you kidding me? I’m not being mean, just real. I wish I could spread a little zest around, help them see how fortunate they are to have the (“crappy”) health they have. Come lie with me for three days honey, I’ll make you laugh The thing that bothers me most is these comments are usually from my daughter’s friends – my “adoptive kids”. They’re 20-something and feel bad. One in particular is pregnant. STOP THE PRESSES! She and a million other 20-somethings! Suck it up, baby. Wait til that child gets here! LOL

I think most folks just don’t understand chemo – I mean, it is pretty frightening! They think you get these intravenous drugs for a while, your hair falls out then grows back, then you either go into remission or die. Welcome to Limbo! Sometimes you are lucky and just have chemo for years, like me.

But alas, tomorrow is always another day! I sure wouldn’t want the alternative…… So I’ll continue to lie here every three weeks, reading how crappy others feel, smiling and hoping. Hoping the next time is only as bad as this time.

Stephanie

Thursday June 10 is Chemo day. I may or may not feel like being online in the day that follow, but will continue to drink my Apple juice Immunocal cocktails. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Steph

After five days of taking Immunocal, I have to say it tastes great! I mix it with apple juice and drink it every morning. So far the only effects I am experiencing are some increased pain in my back and legs, my problem areas. I am hoping this is the product at work, attacking the spots on my bones. I will continue to take the product and make regular updates regarding its effects and my progress.

I received and began taking the products a week before our trip to Vegas, hoping they would provide the stamina I would need. Boy, did they! Deb and I had been worried I would be fatigued and possibly need to go rest in our hotel room in the afternoons. Not once in five days did I need to! Well okay, I did once during the Turning Point Seminar, until Marshall Sylver ‘hypnotized’ us, and this skeptic awoke completely refreshed and gambled until 2 AM! The recommended dosage was 10 drops of NCD 7 times per day, 10 drops of Agari Gold once per day. Not only did I maintain the necessary energy I needed on my trip, I barely “crashed” after chemotherapy when I returned home!

Okay, so the products from Waiora clearly help me…so why have I stopped taking them? The price tag. I know one should’t put a price on their health, especially when we are dealing with cancer, but the NCD alone costs $50 a bottle. A bottle at my dosage lasts less than a week. One of the things Marshall said in his Seminar was that the problem with nutritional companies is they price themselves right out of business. Man, is he right! I mean we’re talking 300 bucks a month here!

While in Vegas we met Don and Janet Legere for cocktails. I don’t usually advertise that I have cancer, but Janet knew I had been dealing with “health issues” and finally asked. As it turns out, Don’s father has cancer and takes a product which Don says helped him “beat cancer twice”. I told them I was giving the NCD a fair shot, but would definitely let them know if I wanted or needed to try something else. That something else is Immunocal from Immunotec. It certainly costs a lot less at $85 for a month’s supply.

My first months supply should arrive tomorrow, June 1 via UPS. I look forward to keeping you posted on my progress with this product!

Til next time,
Stephanie