Back to "Cancer School" - Five Things I've Learned This Week

1. A daily meditation practice is a must have.

2. A walk or hike in your favorite local park at least twice a week is vital for mental health.

3. If you give your troubles to Mother Lake Superior she will literally wash them away and leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

4. It's really easy to be grounded and balanced when near Lake Superior.

5. If you are going to be getting bad news, have your appointments with the acupuncturist, nutritionist , counselor, physical therapist, and energy healing practitioner lined up in the immediate days to follow.

Some context...

This coming week will mark the fourth week of living with the knowledge that the cancer is again active in my breast. Per the mammogram report from Friday, September 2, 2022, "Your recent breast imaging showed a cancer in your breast that is already known. The largest mass measures 9 x 8 x 7 mm and there are multiple other masses."

My oncologist will finally return to the office and we will meet on Friday, September 9. This past Friday the 2nd, I left the mammogram feeling like I received less-than optimal care, perhaps because I already have cancer, where I was told to ask my oncologist about the biopsy that they wouldn't do.

I really lucked out with how my week was scheduled this past week. I was scheduled to see most of my practitioners and received the support I needed immediately following the bad news.

A girlfriend and I had a walked planned on Monday morning so I had forest bathing scheduled first thing this past week! That really helped me set the "reset button" on my stress level and I got a 3 1/2 mile hike in.

The acupuncture treatment has been providing some relief from the chemo-induced neuropathy, helps to release some of the chemo "toxic heat" and helps to restore balance to the meridians or energy channels in the body. (At least that's how I understand it!). I just know I have more energy if I have acupuncture on a regular basis.

The nutritionist provided empowering information about how (and what) to eat (urging me that it's time to go keto) and recommended I put that green smoothie back on the menu each day. Yum, blended greens! (With some homemade almond milk, a squeeze of lemon and and a scoop of Key Greens & Fruit by NutriDyn, a scoop of collagen and protein powder it's not so bad). Because I am limiting carbohydrates fruit is not an option in the smoothie (although I may try sneaking in a tablespoon of blueberries). By avoiding foods that turn to sugar perhaps I can starve the cancer.

The counselor helped with spiritual, emotional and mental support and the physical therapist helped with the knee & hip pain that I'm working on resolving. The energy healing practitioner helped with the light body and provided a sweet guided imagery meditation.

I feel like I addressed all areas of my being. I couldn't possibly have asked for a more supportive week!

Freddy and I decided to go back up to Grand Marais on Friday to look at some more land and take in the sights of the area. That was therapeutic and necessary. Getting out of the condo took the news out from "in front of my face" and put it back in the rear view mirror. It was nice to get back up there and wander in some woods. I felt such peace in the forest, and that confirmed for me that we were on the right path. And we found another plot of land and put in an offer! Yay! The first one fell through but there were options. It helped that we had a set of criteria that we were looking for too.

Today my darling husband and I had a delightful lunch with another couple and enjoyed a really nice picnic. It was so nice! And we got another hike in the woods.

This will be an interesting week. I plan to call Mayo and see what they have to say now that things have changed. Maybe I'll get a second opinion before I see my oncologist! Anything is possible. Here's to wishing you health and happiness. Thank you for reading. Blessings!