Cancer is only part of my journey

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. ·          Intensifies good mental health. Now that laughing has been established as being beneficial – what is the best kind? Whate

Don't get me wrong as I am extremely grateful for the talented and gifted folks who make and donate hats for us cancer patients, and our nippy noggins. But with this one...somewhere, somehow, somebody's granny is missing a tea cosy!

What was causing my blahs? For almost a day, I felt them building. Mine usually start with being bored. I allow moments of boredom as I do to fears and tears. It is natural for what I am going through right now. But I know to grow concerned when my usual coping methods fail to straighten my course under typical time allowances. This was the case on Monday. I made a list of possible concerns: Was it the upcoming end of my chemo sessions? My tenuous housing situation? Having had to give away my car or even just the seeming endless rain? I finally settled on the most recent dreams where my late father played a starring role. The last member of my family, his death in 2011 had released him from great physical pain. Any and all nastiness he had thrown at me during the last two decades of his life were purposely forgiven as I chose to concentrate on blessings he had bestowed. Not as easy task, I admit, but necessary to move me forward in a positive light. The answer came

No matter how well you are handling your cancer battle - all of us need a boost now and then. Here's one way I find especially helpful. Inside a baggie, I place inspirational cards, letters and quotes. Always kept in my knapsack, whenever my spirit could use some up lifting. I pull it out. Spending a few moments reading reminds me of the love and concern that surrounds me and why I must remain vigilant in my battle. What can you pack that is small, has immediate access and offers the same effect? Aromatherapy bottles, photos or perhaps fabric pieces, natural objects like stones, pine cones or pressed flowers, Be creative. If it makes you happy - its working.

Oh cancer, only because of you can I recapture my youth. My hair is at the same growth stage it was 61 years ago, my tumor’s position makes wearing a diaper a necessity at times and best of all – I have not taken so many naps since toddlerhood! Are you tired during your cancer battle? I am. Not that I’m in a constant state of exhaustion, but my eyelids frequently droop as yawns escape my mouth.   Then it becomes far from a pretty sight. I blame the change in meds. By my fourth chemo session, I required stronger pain medications than the occasional ibuprofen. My oncology gynecologist prescribed oxycodone to be given while I received my infusion cocktail. Coupled with Benadryl, the antihistamine used to avoid nausea, within minutes I was out. Upon awakening and noting the dampness of my front and grogginess I asked the nurse if I had slept for long. ‘Oh honey, you were sound asleep for at least an hour,’ she said as a small smile crossed her face.

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 insuran

Recently, I discovered my early German ancestors lived in a place once called "Wigmodia." Considering my current bald status perhaps I am being led by my roots (literally) to place a covering resembling hair atop my head. But a little history lesson first (no groans from the peanut gallery, please). Curiosity is a terrible thing to waste. Ancient Egyptian, typically men, often kept their cool with close shaven heads, However, the romantic ladies liked something to run their fingers. Coverings, created from animal fur and other natural sources, became the norm. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like slapping on plaited papyrus held in place with beeswax. Should the object of desire be wealthy, it was customary to place a dollop of animal fat on the outside of the wig. Imagine snuggling up to that on a hot night in Alexandria? Other cultures from the Assyrians to the Greeks and Romans found wigs appealing, as did Asians. Then the fad died out until the 16 th