First Chemo - Day 13

Some time back, a girlfriend signed me up for daily online Tarot Card readings. Now I'll admit right up front that I think most of this stuff is bunk, especially electronically, but once in awhile, one comes along that I find right on the money. I know it's probably just the luck of the draw, but...

Today it says:
"The Nine of Wands card suggests that my power today lies in remarkable gratitude. I am not a victim. There are no lost causes. ""I've been there, done that, and know suffering -- but it's all good."" I'm still standing. ""Can't touch this."" Self-pity is an excuse to do nothing. To appeal to sympathy for pity's sake is to seek affirmation of the choice to do nothing. I am empowered by the spirit and support of meaningful experience and I transform with silent resilience."
That's me, don't you think?? :o)

The last couple days have been OK. The headache is gone - my eyes are very dry and gritty and make me feel tired all the time, but drops help - my nose is still bothersome, but various remedies help (had a note from a great gal pal who told me where to find Vitamin A&D ointment, like my Mama used to recommend for all sorts of troubles, and I picked some up yesterday - helped the dry raw peeling nose overnight!!) - my mouth sores are down right now, but the tongue still tastes bitter - my shoulders still ache a lot - the digestive system is sort of under control.

So all is as good as can be hoped for, I guess. At least I've been able to handle a few chores around the house. Which brings me to one of the neatest finds I've received from a number of friends and readers. There's an outfit that does housecleaning for chemo patients!!!!!

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women.

All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.

www.cleaningforareason.org

Is that a nice deal or what? I probably won't trouble them with my little RV, but it's sure great to know there are such kind folks out there!

A few other links for help that I've learned about -

Oasis of Hope Hospital is one of the world's leading institutions in the research and cancer treatments with integrative therapies, combining the best of conventional and complementary cancer treatments

Lotsa Helping Hands -

As their site states, most of us have experienced the crisis of a friend or loved one suddenly unable to function as they had for their family or themselves. Perhaps it's a debilitating illness, or post-surgery rehabilitation necessitating weeks or months of bed rest, or a complicated pregnancy or a cancer diagnosis requiring frequent chemotherapy appointments. In many instances of acute medical crisis or long-term family caregiving, those affected must also cope with quickly finding support for meal preparation, grocery shopping, transportation for themselves and their dependent family members.

That's what Lotsa Helping Hands helps coordinate. Looks like a terrific, and free, service for those times when someone says "What can I do to help?"!

Then there's the Ten Tips for Nourishing the Body and Mind During Chemo from beliefnet.com.

acor.org - Association of Cancer Online Resources - from what I can tell, this outfit lists any and all possible sources of info and help that are out there! It shows hundreds of companies and services and facilities, from A to Z!

Also, just received an email from armyofwomen.org running a clinical trial to see if breathing exercises can help with hot flashes. Too far for me, but might be of interest to some of my readers!

I have more somewhere, but at the moment they are in hiding. For now, the sun's shining and the day is gorgeous - I'm gonna go walk my little Misha and enjoy it! Hope yours is a good one!