Marching to spring

Yesterday was pi day, March 14, which is also my niece's birthday (Eleanor turned 8!) and it was my third maintenance dose of treatment since December 28th. If December is my reference point for how I'm doing (I really wasn't doing that great in December), for comparison sake, I'm doing spectacularly.

However, if I'm really being honest, I realize that I am struggling. The parameters with which I have energy are small. I feel like I go from feeding to feeding and I'm constantly needing more feeding. As it turns out, yeah, my body has been going through a lot and nourishment is one of the keys to getting better. Cell turnover is vital. I talked with the provider I saw yesterday before treatment about this. And she agreed that I needed extra care and nourishment. I wilt like a flower if I don't have a snack handy when my energy runs out. It's a little frustrating but I'm working through it.

Last week I went back to see the physical therapist I had been seeing last summer and fall, (before the reoccurrence), and she reminded me about how much my body has gone through and how I'm pushing it too hard. She suggested I plan my walks and activities in 20 minute increments and give myself frequent breaks in order to help reduce the pain and gradually build up energy. So i've been putting her suggestions to the test and discovered that she's right. The debilitating knee pain I've been struggling with is starting to improve with short 20 minute walks each day. With Freddy working full-time and needing the car, it is a bit more challenging to get out in nature for these short walks, however. But if I'm determined enough, I can find a way. One of the things I love about living in the city is access to the Hourcar, which is a car I can rent for the hour or however long I need, if there is one available nearby.

This morning I was thinking about how blessed I was to discover and connect with the integrative care team at Mayo clinic in Rochester. Last year I was paying out-of-pocket for these services because I didn't realize that Mayo oncology had an integrative care team built in to the system. So I'm loving that I can bill insurance to talk with somebody about the supplements I'm taking or thinking about taking. Knowing I have someone guiding me is absolutely vital.

The online energy medicine training is going really well. I'm delving into the teachings, revamping my morning practice and I started a full moon women's group with other women who have gone through the Medicine Wheel Training (virtually for now) here in the twin cities.

There must be 50 people in the online energy medicine program that I am in. I would like to find out the number. But slowly I'm starting to connect with other people in the class, we're meeting one on one, virtually, practicing what we're learning on each other. I'm learning how to reset the fight or flight response through a process called decoupling, among other things. This is also leading me into some deep shadow work. I'll be more private about this since it's personal, so I'll leave it at that.

It's really beautiful to be supported by this community. So far everyone I've met is so sweet and kind. I'm looking forward to getting to know more of the members of this group. And having my husbands support and encouragement, as I venture down this path even further is a lovely thing.

Spring is coming. We are midway through March. I hope the snow doesn't go away too quickly because I do want to get back out in my snow shoes even if it is in short, time limited increments.

One of my Cancer friends hasn't been doing so well, so please offer up some prayers and healing for my dear friend Amy. She could use some support.

I hope this update finds you doing well. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you be peace. May you be healed. May you be strong.

I gotta go change my sheets mid week because of the night sweats!

Annette