Deep Breathing Rids Panic

I realize some might think the following foolish and scoff, but doing breathing deep during troubling times does work at calming you and allows for the emergence of different solutions to situations...even if it means just waiting.

Case in point.

On last Monday, I received a letter from my insurance company saying they were NOT okaying my upcoming 2nd chemo session of Keytruda. Scheduled to start sometime in late August or September, denial of this "kick ass" drug was disheartening.

Calling my doctor's office, I offered my grant, proposal and white paper writing skills to better the chances on getting this approved. Ego was out the window - saving my life ruled.

Luckily, a very wise friend came up with this sage advice 'you need your energy for healing so let the doctor's office do the heavy lifting'

So true!

All I could do was breathe deep and trust the Universe it would work out.

On Friday the doctor's office informed me, the insurance company has changed course. I am approved!

Breathe in through the nose and down to the belly- one-two-three, hold it several counts and blow out through the mouth - one-two-three.

Repeat as often and necessary and the world can take positive spin.

Comments

No Mystery Here

"I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable...but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." - Agatha Christie Boy, Dame Agatha knew more than how to poison your neighbor, kill the cook and inspire one's little grey cells (said in my best Hercule Poirot voice.) Being alive is a grand thing. I'll admit it freely. I truly dislike whiners. You know the type. People who go on and on about their problems. Once I knew a woman who had survived breast cancer back when suffers readily succumbed to it. As my beloved mother had been one of those, it was a particular touchy subject with me. Yet, despite a full recovery never did Mary express joy, much less gratitude, of her extended life Within minutes of meeting a new person she would state her former cancer status. Folded newspaper clippings of breast cancer statistics regularly pulled from her wallet served to embarrassed, bore or both those reader...

Laughing Thru Cancer

Laugh! Laugh until you snort in delight, turn red and have tears rolling down your face! Some might think I’ve lost my mind. After all cancer is serious matter, hardly an object of mirth. I beg to differ. Granted, laughter is not the first thing one thinks of when cancer invades your life. But it needs to be in the top ten activities for battling the Beast. Decades ago, I read about a writer/editor named Norman Cousins, He was one of the first to recognize and positively incorporate humor into his treatment. I remember thinking I would do that too, should a potentially devastating disease ever strike me. Research shows the advantages of laughter. They include: · Being a great cardiovascular workout. · Stimulates the nervous system and relieve some pain. · Reduces stress. · ...

The Nippy Noggin Club

One thing rarely mentioned on cancer support groups or other sites is how cold one’s head and ears can become from a lack of hair. I come from a family of mostly men. At various ages all experienced follicle challenges. But even those who showed more skin than hair, never mentioned being affected by the big chill. Not me. It seems everywhere I go my nippy noggin comes along. Admittedly, when summer temperatures soar in the high 90’s feeling even a hot breeze across my naked scalp is nice. However, just the mildest of air conditioning has me scrambling for cover. Never a hat person prior to this latest challenge, I am now. A series of baseball caps and a wide-brimmed sun hat are typical daytime outdoor attire. Inside I cover up with felt and cotton beanies while singing the praises of the crafty volunteers who kindly donate their stitchery magic to my cancer care unit. Last week I was caught short. Having fallen and scraping up my hands ...

Cancer is only part of my journey

Search This Blog