The Reiki session I had 2 days before the last treatment seemed to REALLY help with side effects. Reiki is an alternative and complementary therapy, which I had tried before. As it was explained to me, Reiki is a natural and simple way to achieve physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing. It works to heal the root of disease, imbalance or disharmony.
The Reiki therapist channeled life-force energy from the universe through her body into mine. She worked on opening my chakra system (major energy centers: physical, mental and spiritual layers of the body), repairing damaged chakras and putting each in harmony and balance with my body (and the universe).
I was on the table with my eyes closed for over an hour, listening to soothing music while my thoughts floated from my disease in general to specifically minimizing the chemotherapy side effects. I could feel the warmth of the therapist's touch as she walked around me, connecting with my energies to bring the highest level of healing possible to me.
It's easy to be skeptical, but as the therapist said, "Reiki can't hurt, you have nothing to lose". So I went home with a daily mantra and intentions of "blessing" the infusion bag on the day of treatment. I've been saying the mantra and I did bless the bag(s). AND MY SIDE EFFECTS WERE MINIMIZED !! This is HUGE !!
I felt fatigue but not overwhelming bone and muscle pain. The pain I felt could be managed with percoset. My problem, however, was overdoing it the day I started to feel almost "normal". The fatigue came back and I've had to spend a lot of time in bed this weekend. By the time I'm finished with the chemotherapy treatment, I'll know how to do everything in perfect balance !!
I speak with the surgeon next week, as the next phase of treatment nears. We'll schedule appointments for tests to see exactly HOW FAR DOWN Igor has fallen in the last few months. I'm thinking hardly a pulse, beyond shell shocked to a whiny pustule of his former self. Then we'll schedule a surgery date, to rid my body of his disgusting residue FOREVER.
I now look forward to a few VERY GOOD days before the treatment on Thursday. Acupuncture, massage, a glass of wine with dinner. I've become, in short, a cheap date.
Thank you again for your well wishes, thoughts and prayers. I'm able to face the road ahead because of you, truly blessed every day.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Going For The Gold
That would be me, heading toward the end of chemotherapy, earning the dubious distinction of having had the most side-effects, reactions and allergies from any given drug at any given time. Actually, I'd prefer to think of it as Dancing With The Stars, the Mirror Ball Trophy for side-effects, reactions and allergies. Which I think would look GREAT on my living room sofa table.
I'm finally up and out of bed following the Avastin with Taxol treatment. I've read Steve's comments from the first "attempted" treatment. I have to say, it was all surreal from my perspective. I was talking to Kathi, my chemo nurse, one minute, sitting up unable to breathe the next. Steve slid to a stop outside the door, people magically appeared in the room, an oxygen tube was in my nose, someone was holding my arm and hand, and everyone was talking at once. I thought, jeez, so this is how it ends ?? I'm comforted with the touch of someone's hand to mine, I have eye contact with Steve, and I'm slowly slipping away. It wasn't a bad feeling, just different. Instead of seeing angels and white light, however, I began to breathe more easily, slowly able to recognize the people around me, although Steve remained a constant. After about an hour I was feeling good. If not for the lateness of the hour, the team would have tried an infusion a second time. Saved by the clock I say.
Steve and I went home with steroids and instructions for me to take several at midnight and again at 6 the next morning. Amazing to think these tiny pills could make everything "a go" the next day, but that's exactly what happened. People hovered outside my room the first half hour or so, then went about their morning as usual, knowing I would be "Okay" this time. Nothing like being responsible for keeping hospital staff on their toes !!
Steve and I are down the Cape for the weekend. We went out to dinner last night, first time in over a week for me. I had a glass of wine. HEAVEN. I've planned many activities between now and the next treatment. I look forward to a day with the girls on Sunday. Katie has found a movie theater that serves food and drinks with the show. Way to go Katie !!
Steve and I have Reike sessions scheduled on Tuesday. I have acupuncture and massage on Wednesday. Treatment on Thursday.
As always, my strength comes from YOU. Stay warm and well. Thank you for your love and prayers, from the bottom of my heart.
I'm finally up and out of bed following the Avastin with Taxol treatment. I've read Steve's comments from the first "attempted" treatment. I have to say, it was all surreal from my perspective. I was talking to Kathi, my chemo nurse, one minute, sitting up unable to breathe the next. Steve slid to a stop outside the door, people magically appeared in the room, an oxygen tube was in my nose, someone was holding my arm and hand, and everyone was talking at once. I thought, jeez, so this is how it ends ?? I'm comforted with the touch of someone's hand to mine, I have eye contact with Steve, and I'm slowly slipping away. It wasn't a bad feeling, just different. Instead of seeing angels and white light, however, I began to breathe more easily, slowly able to recognize the people around me, although Steve remained a constant. After about an hour I was feeling good. If not for the lateness of the hour, the team would have tried an infusion a second time. Saved by the clock I say.
Steve and I went home with steroids and instructions for me to take several at midnight and again at 6 the next morning. Amazing to think these tiny pills could make everything "a go" the next day, but that's exactly what happened. People hovered outside my room the first half hour or so, then went about their morning as usual, knowing I would be "Okay" this time. Nothing like being responsible for keeping hospital staff on their toes !!
Steve and I are down the Cape for the weekend. We went out to dinner last night, first time in over a week for me. I had a glass of wine. HEAVEN. I've planned many activities between now and the next treatment. I look forward to a day with the girls on Sunday. Katie has found a movie theater that serves food and drinks with the show. Way to go Katie !!
Steve and I have Reike sessions scheduled on Tuesday. I have acupuncture and massage on Wednesday. Treatment on Thursday.
As always, my strength comes from YOU. Stay warm and well. Thank you for your love and prayers, from the bottom of my heart.
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