Here we go again

Greetings!

The trial/study with Mayo has begun. Treatment was on on Thursday, November 3, 2022. It went well. I think the nurses and I were all on our best behavior. Right away I noticed their jovial attitudes and laughter. I also noticed how close their desks were to the infusion rooms. Even though I am trying to go in with a "beginner's mind" I couldn't help but remember how far removed the nurses station was from the chemo infusion rooms at Regions Hospital.

The Mayo nurses took their time with the two chemotherapy infusions, stretching it out over four hours in case there would be a reaction. Luckily there was not a reaction. I also received the trial pill, TVB-2640, that I am taking daily around the same time. The same time thing is a challenge. I'm finding that this pill is interfering with my regularly scheduled feedings and it's odd to fit in. I'm supposed to take it one hour before eating or two hours after eating and I'm not sure if my green smoothie is considered "eating" or not. Melanie, the nutritionist, reminded me that most people who have cancer die from malnutrition, not the cancer itself, so we added some goodies like full-fat coconut milk and flax to the smoothie for extra nutrition and calories.

Because the lab wanted me there at 7:40 a.m. on Thursday I decided to go down Wednesday night and stay at a nearby hotel. Freddy is taking classes at the U of MN, he's studying medical device design, and even though it's a "hybrid" class that meets online and in person, he needed to be there in person so I hopped on the airport shuttle that goes from MSP to Rochester and he came down to Rochester on Friday to pick me up after I was done. So the logistics were a bit complicated but I figured it out and it went smoothly. (Well, actually, the ride down there was quite bumpy so I've proven my princess status when it comes to my transport requirements). I found another passenger bus that also goes down to Rochester so I have another ride option to try that looks like it may be more comfortable if that comes up again. Which it may, since I'm back to weekly treatment for the time being.

I'm still working in the deep end of the healing pool but I had to pull myself back from drowning. Mayo doesn't want me to start any new supplements and the nutritionist agrees, so I'm not starting any new protocols at this time. I was looking at a parasite cleanse but decided that can wait. Now just isn't the time for that.

One of my practitioners (thank you Dr. Anna McConville) gave me a script that I could use to create my own self-hypnosis guided imagery meditation. Yesterday I recorded a version that is a little fast. I will record another version with slower speech. I think that could be really effective! Earlier this year I tried Quantum Healing Hypnosis Therapy with a practitioner from Eau Claire and I noted right away how slowly she spoke. So I will be giving self hypnosis the 'ol college try here this time around in addition to quiet meditation and other guided imagery meditations. Lately I've been listening to Kelly Howell's Healing guided imagery meditation found on YouTube. I like to listen to this as I fall asleep.

I realize that I have a lot of support and people in my life that I didn't have the first time I went through weekly chemo. I'm working with some really helpful people that are giving me tools (and working their magic) that I can immediately put to use to try to ease the side effects and maintain a positive attitude.

I'm already noticing side effects, however. Yesterday I was in touch with the Nurse Practioner I had seen on Thursday before chemo began again. My palms are very red and I am feeling a lot of heat in the palms and the soles of my feet as well as some itching, burning, tingling sensations. And my eyes are dry-very, very dry. I am starting this with some baseline neuropathy but I'm hopeful that the supports I have in place can help me manage the increase in side effects and bring the volume back down on that.

I've had a bit of a panic because I realized Mayo doesn't have my complete list of supplements that I am taking but I am meeting the Oncology Integrative team this coming week and will figure out how to get this sorted. Earlier this year, when I was doctoring with Regions and Healthpartners, I met with a pharmacist and we went over every single thing I was taking and she looked for interactions or potential for interactions. I found that to be very helpful. So I know that I may ask for an appointment with a pharmacist if necessary.

It was actually kind of nice that I was by myself on Thursday because I had a small window of time between the visit with the NP and chemo infusion so I found the meditation room in the lower level of the Gonda Building at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I put on my Insight Timer App to use as a timer and put on my biofeedback device to make sure I was in the optimal state and gave myself some quiet time and powerful positive suggestions before I went up to the tenth floor for chemo. It's a lovely room with a labyrinth on the floor and lights that change color. I found it to be quite soothing, despite the noise outside the room. This is a practice I hope to carry over week to week.

I was inspired to put healing messages on the water pitchers the night following chemo when I couldn't sleep, remembering the book The Hidden Messages in Water by Masaru Emoto. Our thoughts really do have an influence and I am doing my best to harness that!

Somehow I mustered up the energy yesterday for a hike in the woods and I went to my special place and communed with my tree. I took my shoes and socks off (even though it was a cool 40-something outside) and put my hands on the tree. It felt so good, I may have to fit that into my afternoon today, once I figure out my feeding schedule and take those pills. Speaking of which, it just may be time to take the pills.

Here's to healing! Cheers,

Annette

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