Getting along day by day

My qigong instructor shared a video with our class many weeks ago. I finally made time to watch it, under 30 minutes and well worth the watch, fascinating. It was worth learning about the meridian lines, the healthy practice this incredibly knowledgeable person does every day with acupressure, breathing, and a knee bending exercise... glad I watched.

Hair hair hair. I'm back at that stage that I remember all too well from the first round of chemo: itchiness. The kind that made me think I had lice. Yuck. Poor skin cells, they're so confused. Happily growing and then hit by this medicine. It's doing what it needs to do. I WILL NOT shave it off though. Will tolerate the itchiness and hold back from scratching like a maniac. (Not hard to do, not like mosquito bites.) Sigh.

Two days later- meh. Hair is starting to fall out a bit. Will just carefully watch it...
Went to my acupunturist, been too long since I did that... Helped me a bunch. I am trying out his mix of Chinese herbal medicine in a drink form (I always drink one from him twice a day) just for this dang cough that won't let go. Today I coughed so hard it took me a while to recover. A younger student asked me why I'm coughing so much, I said "because I am..."

Decided to explore a new treatment option, a little concerned with it but keeping an open mind and have read one book and will learn more in the coming week. It is called Paida and Lajin. Shall see.

Enjoyed a Labour Day holiday, Friday, off today... rested most of the day, took a walk with friends, and rested more. Didn't feel any guilt for being chilled out... Felt like I was in deep thoughts most of the day, guess I needed a rest after work... plus I've had terrible sleep for days and days and I think I'm just darn exhausted. Probably will do a few things tomorrow though with the kiddo.

Thanks for journeying.

Chemo reactions, careful monitoring

Was feeling a little styling... Tuesday.

Second to last time I watch my body react to chemo. While I was getting the infusion, I felt more and more fuzzy in the head but still cognitively with it, just slowed.

Tuesday I felt still somewhat hopped up on the steroids, allergy medication, and anti-nausea meds but I did take the prescriptions I was told to... Tuesday afternoon I hopped in a taxi after working a full day and rode to the ferry terminal. I met up with my wonderful friend Megan and we headed to Discovery Bay for a librarian's meeting. It was an interesting one but my eyes struggled to stay open at certain moments to be honest. I enjoyed discussing books and making new agreements for the Golden Dragon Book Award program we're organizing and also eating dinner and chatting with wonderful people.

Wednesday I got thru the day but barely. I came home to a refrigerator that was broken. Oh, did I mention that last Friday our washing machine was broken? We got a replacement on Tuesday. No rest for the weary. We tried different things out and are hoping that the fridge will last the 2.5 months we're still here in the apartment, shall see. I napped and watched shows and calmed my mind.

Thursday was a little rough on the coughing. I thought it was easing up but not quite... feeling better this evening though I think. Worked all day and then hopped in my friend's car and headed to another school. Met up with my wonderful friend Tanja and we co-presented at an IB PYP session on author inquiries. It was fun to co-present and bounce off one another's ideas. Grateful I had the energy for this.

And now... Friday. I'll get thru it. I'm missing a writers group Thurs. evening that I really enjoy but had to draw the line and be wise. Friends are looking out for me. Megan made sure I we rode a taxi home both Tues. and Thurs. Smart woman, I was dragging...

Side effects have been expected and then honestly a little surprising as well. Stomach issues abound as always but aren't as terrible as chemo week #7-12... Pains are there from coughing but I think the anti-inflammatory is really keeping things in check. My brain was really foggy on Wednesday. One student who is brutally honest (but caring too) told me "Mrs. Alvarez, I notice that you're making mistakes and are a little confused today, you must be tired." I simply said, "I am tired, you're right..." (I couldn't remember a student's name-- remembered it the next day no problem though!) So... taking things gently. Day by day. But honestly, I don't feel like I'm acting like I had another dose of chemo for the most part. Getting along. Living life. Having fun. Seeing friends. Working. Appreciating what I've got. Snuggling with my kiddo and husband. Dealing with a dog getting older (sob). Waking up grateful for another day. Doing qigong breathing exercises in the morning and night. Missing yoga but will get back to it... Grateful for this life.

My sister shared an interesting article.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-india-team-up-to-cure-cancer/

Thanks as always for journeying with me... Appreciating the support.

Yup One of THOSE weeks

This week has been a struggle for me to be honest. I disliked Monday's visit with the oncologist at the local hospital. Tuesday and Wednesday I dealt with a lot of pain in my right lung and scar tissue under my armpit and more. It is limiting my range of motion, etc. Not sure why it is happening but riding the waves of pain and trying to refocus on healthy breathing even though it hurts. Funny enough, I'm certainly noticing my breaths while I go through the pain and realize when I'm breathing shallow, etc. Not sure if I slept wrong, slipped something out of place, etc. Just know I have pain. Shall see how the rest of the week goes. Started taking an anti-inflammatory and will see what my oncologist says. The pain is a tiny bit more bearable today- Thursday. Still finding it a little odd/disconcerting but working hard to staying positive and not worrying about one more thing.

So we are waiting for decisions from the local hospital still but can't do anything about that presently, sigh. I've made good decisions so far with my oncologist and I trust his plan.
I went to a cancerlink support group meeting Wednesday and the guest speaker talked on energy healing. She led us through two meditations- one was specifically on breathing and bringing energy in and the other was visualization. Interesting woman. Interesting process.
I appreciated this breathing exercise for people with insomnia, tried it last night, certainly distracted me into sleep. Reminded me a little of yoga nidra.
http://www.theglow.com.au/wellbeing/4-7-8-breathing-sleep-technique/#ZmpZbsQ
Breathe in 4 counts, hold breath 7 counts, breath out 8 counts. Sure. I can do that.

I apologize to any friends who became concerned after the last post. I'm trying to stay confident and positive about the plans ahead. The fact that we're exploring the local hospital doesn't mean I'm changing any plans. The local hospitals here are good. Just not what I'm quite comfortable with. BUT if they are willing to provide the exact same chemo plan my oncologist has made, then we would go with them. Otherwise, I'll go ahead with the chemo with my oncologist. This would mean beginning on Monday. I will not be going with the local hospital if they say "wait" or "only 2 of the three chemo drugs". As I mentioned, perhaps not clearly in my last post, I refuse to compromise my health. Gotta have Faith.

The days are good at work. I love the kids. Appreciate my time with colleagues. They make me laugh, think, reflect... such a kind, wonderful bunch of folks.
I'm looking forward to going to a technology conference on Saturday. I'll be going with my wonderful friend Megan and then see my friend Dianne make a keynote speech at lunch (I love her presentations, such a talent.)
I posted about the library job I'm leaving here in Hong Kong and am really hoping that my admin can find a good fit to replace me. Hope they find someone who can grow into the role, shall see.

Thanks for journeying with me...