If a jackhammer interupts your meditation, bring your meditation to the jackhammer.

Technotini-PINK

So, as the clouds from Superstorm Sandy cleared, I got the call confirming that it was cancer.  Those first few weeks  were a complete whirlwind of doctor’s visits and tests, starting with the MRI to see what we were dealing with.  I arrived at the radiologist’s office and the nurse navigator was ready for me with some preliminary test results and a really nice pink journal/notebook to keep all of my important information in.  I have to admit, it was fun getting  a little present at the doctor’s office.  She then told me a little bit more about the different kinds of breast cancers and said, “You want to have positive receptors.  The more the better because then you have a better chance of the drugs working effectively.”  I put this in the back of my head for later use.  Then I heard my name called; they were ready for me in the MRI room.

I was a little nervous but the technicians were really nice and were trying to make me laugh which put me at ease.  They let my husband come in the room and sit in a chair.  Lying on my stomach, there was a mirror under my chin, so I could see my husband smiling trying to reassure that it would be fine.  You always hear stories of MRI’s sounding so scary.  “Oh don’t do it if you’re claustrophobic, etc”  but I didn’t think it was bad at all. You have to lie so still that you don’t even notice the machine around you, and the front part closest to your head is open so it doesn’t even seem like you’re in a closed-in area.  I was starting to feel really good and thought, “I can handle this.  It’s not so bad-just a little test.  I’ll just imagine myself lying on a beach somewhere.”   They put on some relaxing classical music and started up the machine.  I could hear the soft whir of the engine getting louder and then the loud banging began.  It sounded like a jackhammer at a construction site!

“What?! This is not relaxing nor does it jive with my Hawaiian daydreams,” I thought to myself.  The banging sound got even louder.  At this point, I couldn’t hear my relaxing classical music at all and I started to cry.  It was one of those completely uncontrollable cries where all the emotions from deep within your soul just push their way to the surface and rush out.  “Oh no! Get back in there!” I told myself.  “I can’t cry! Not here, not now!”  I could feel the warm tears streaming down my face and remembered that I was not wearing waterproof mascara!  “Oh great,” I thought.  “I’m going to look like Tammy Faye Baker by the time this thing is over.”  I tried top pull myself together.  I started taking big, long, relaxing yoga breaths and imagined myself back on a Hawaiian beach-this time next to a construction site (to account for the jackhammer).  It worked!  Soon my sobs had subsided.  Then the machine suddenly stopped and I hear a voice say “Umm, Ms. Sutton, it appears there was some movement.  We’re gonna need you to take smaller breaths.  No yoga style breaths.  Let’s start again from the top.”

Ughhh, how embarrassing!  My emotional breakdown was caught on the MRI tape!  I compose myself and go back to my peaceful beach.  This time I’m ready for the loud jackhammer noise and whatever else may come my way.

Technotini Paring: 

A classic Mai Tai because what else would you be drinking on the beach in Hawaii?

• 8 parts white rum
• 4 parts dark rum
• 3 parts orange curacao
• 3 parts simple syrup
• 2 parts fresh lime juice

Shake all ingredients except the dark rum together in a mixer with ice. Strain into glass and float the dark rum onto the top. Garnish and serve with straw.

*This mai tai picture is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mai_Tai.jpg

admin

HI! I’m a Shana, self-proclaimed Media Mixologist, wife, and mom to two little girls. I love to mix up cocktails of crafts, recipes, wellness, family and business with just the right amount of sparkle to help you shine everyday. So, grab a glass, and let’s celebrate the cocktail of life!