Live From the Couch….Post Chemo #4
Instead of typing I figured I’d just chill on the couch and talk…..if you are so inclined to listen, here is a video. It somehow got to be 10 minutes? What in the world was I talking about? I did it right after chemo so I am afraid I was a little spacey (crazy drugs!) and chatty…(maybe the steroids)?
At one point I talk about benefits of Qigong and Jin Shin Jyutsu and I refer to all of my internal organs that have been worked on…I say liver twice, but I wanted to include heart. For some reason the chemotherapy medicine produces a lot of heat in my heart. So….it needs to be removed somehow….I choose the route of Chinese Medicine! I also say in the video that everyone should do it! I think I go so far as to say it should be a law!! What nerve! Of course, I know everyone has their own style and it is not for all, so I am not sure why I said that. To each their own!! I do not intend to sound self righteous or that I have the best and only solutions!
I am, however, starting a fund at Humboldt Area Foundation (HAF) that will provide scholarships for women and men with breast cancer undergoing chemo and radiation to partake in several modalities…yoga, qigong, acupuncture, therapy…more info on that coming soon. The $577 dollars raised by the Simply Mac ipad Touch Raffle (did you know it was their employee Beth that set that up???) is the start up money. I will kick into gear with more fundraising here soon. The winner was Tony Luchessi. Know him? He now has an ipad Touch. Thanks everyone for the donations through the raffle! Thanks also to generous donations from two local companies, Chicken Boots (amazing knitting accessories among other notions) and Macs in the Mist (Mac repair and service).
OK, with that said….here is that video.
And here is my cartoon panel….rated PG. And not really funny (well, maybe the drawings are….)
And here is my altar. I decided it needs to be in the kitchen instead of a secluded nook in my bedroom. The Kitchen is where I spend much of my time.
Today’s cancer healing plan…..I’m off to acupuncture with Phil and my last neulasta shot (white blood cell booster) at Marin Cancer Institute.
Today’s rest of life plan…..playing with my kids, maybe hangin’ with my sis, niece and nephew, and a short ride for Pedaling Each Day….I need a trailer and a tag along bike while I’m in Marin. Anyone in Marin know where I can find one used? I will check Craig’s List.
XO
Great message on food Nicole!! Love the cartoon… Be well and we will see you soon.
So great to see your smiling face and hear that voice, even if you were a little loopy. *smile* Love you!
Tiff
Hang in there Nicole! Amidst this personal trauma your bright and positive spirit still shines – amazing! You are quite an inspiration. I send you happy thoughts!
Ha ha!! The cartoon is great! How fun to watch you in a video for a change. Your writing is always concise and eloquent but it was a treat to sit across from you and listen to you talk…..like being in the same room together. Saw Garrett today and he seemed well. Missing your presence in Arcata. Gonna make some veg juice, tomorrow. Waiting on that Porter baby….. lots a love!
I re-watched this video today and was tempted to pull it because I don’t want to make anyone else with cancer feel badly about NOT doing qigong, acupuncture, or Jin Shin Jyutsu…….There are many reasons why a person would not be able to do this additional treatment, and I know there are a lot of other ways people care for their bodies during this tough time and the LAST THING someone dealing with cancer needs is some judgement or worry that they are not doing the right thing. I did not pull it because I think there is some good information perhaps and I know that the people who know me realize that I am just simply passionate about the eastern medicine approach. One of the reasons I was driving five hours to be part of the Marin Cancer Institute’s program, and why I am choosing to be displaced from my home, husband, friends, dog, garden, business, and beautiful, small town this summer. It is also one of the reasons that I started a fundraiser and raised $16,000 to date, and $11,000+ (Marin Cancer Institute and $1000 for new fund at Humboldt Area Foundation–the HAF fund is not yet up and running, I am still getting it together) is specifically for men and women with cancer to be able to apply for scholarships for these types of modalities to become part of their treatment plan if they so choose. According to the Center, even though scholarship is available and they let patients know about the programs, many people still do not give it a go. So, I am simply trying to spread the word and let people know how I benefit from these ancient healing arts.
OK, enough feeling guilty about my statements in the video–I took the kids to see fireworks in the small town of Sebastapol last night and I am crawling back in bed! XO
You are an inspiration and I think it’s wonderful that you are getting the word out on the other treatments you are doing! I think of you all the time. Hearing your voice brings tears to my eyes…just thinking about the good old days and reminising…,All my love to you! Happy 4th of July. xoxo Dana p.s. I eat cheese all the time and have a huge thing of Nacho Cheese in the crockpot now. Could cheese be making me congested??? I’ve had sinus problems/surgery for yrs. I would love to learn more about that.
Nicole, That was wonnnnnderfulllll…. Thank you for taking the time to talk on camera. I never seem to be lucky enough to run into you in this small town of ours, so seeing you talk and smile “live” made my day. And I am so glad you didn’t pull the video. People make their own decisions. You are saying this was a positive decision for YOU and you would encourage others to try it. No harm in that. XO
Hi Nicole, Just sending lots of love your way. You are amazing. I think about you often. You are an inspiration. Love, Amber
Just finally watched your video. Your choice to be sharing what is true and right for you is a gift. Every person has to make their own body/food/alternative therapy decisions. Those of us who partake of Acupuncture, herbs and awareness about food know how important it all is. I am working on eliminating sugar and gluten slowly. Not an easy thing for me. I will have the Shabbat Exemption (wine and a bite of Challah) though. Sending lots of love and appreciation for your honesty and kindness in wishing all beings peace and wellness.
Big Love,
Nicole
Nicole I’ve been hearing about you through friends in Humboldt County. We have met. I approached you at the gym in Arcata 8 years ago to ask if you would sponsor me in helping to get me to massage school. I collected sponsors locally which allowed me to attend Heartwood School. You said yes but we didn’t follow through with it because I was at the tail end of my pledge so I went off to school. I do recall though how excited that you were about what I was doing. I didn’t have the money for massage school so I asked my friends if they would sponsor me at $50 each to help send me to massage school and in return I promised the best massage that I could give when I returned home. Well here we are. I am a massage therapist and love what I do. Where am I going with this? Well I too had lobular breast cancer 12 years ago. I danced my way through my treatments and look at you riding your way through yours. You ” go girl”! I know that all of my activity helped me get through my treatments a whole lot easier. I’m amazed reading your blog. You seem to be doing everything plus some. Cancer does put you in ” the now” which is a gift in itself. Loved seeing your family and you riding. Looking forward to chatting. Not sure what you could use help with. Looking forward to hearing from you. Jacque