It's a Sunday morning and it's actually raining outside in Southern California. I'm rather happy about this fact considering we always need water down here. Plus I'm not a native to So. Cal. I'm a NORCAL girl and I am used to the greenery of life. So it's nice to be listening to the raindrops in the background. It's started the day with the right tone.
Since I last wrote, I am finally happy to report I am getting my energy back and am beginning to be able to appreciate life better. I'm not lying in bed any longer; I'm doing very basic chores around the house and have been out a couple times on outings for a couple hours at a time.
The other day my feet and legs and overall body were so swollen and feeling like it was "plugged up" in the sense of flexibility and lack of movement. My daughter had told me about a Reflexology business she had heard about from a friend. So I said, "Let's do it. Let's try this place out and see if it can give me some relief from this swelling and overall uncomfortable feeling." Off we went. I have never been in this type of business before so I didn't really know what to expect. We were met by a nice man and he escorted us into what looked to me like a mini movie room that was dimly lit with a TV playing very quietly -- there were 2 very comfortable looking chairs with ottomans situated side-by-side. Ash and I sat in each chair and got ourselves comfortable. It was a very clean environment. Chairs were very comfortable as well. We removed our sandals and waited for the techs to return. The technicians came in with some herbal bath and placed our feet in them to soak for a few minutes. Very nice. They returned and then began a type of massage on our feet and up around our knees. I wish I could state that it was really relaxing because that isn't the truth of the matter. For me it was rather painful where he was applying pressure to my feet. My feet felt really "congested" if that makes sense. They were so very tight. It felt like there were little pockets of built up tension that was being popped. OMG, it go painful at one point that I had to have him stop for a couple seconds so I could catch my breath, but I knew in the end this would be ok. So off he continued and eventually (30 minutes on one foot) he was finished with what I was trying not to call torture. I was sitting there thinking to myself, "And I paid to have this done to me!" Thereafter, my other foot had to undergo the same thing. My right foot didn't seem to be as "congested." But it still had it's moments. Before I knew it, it was over. But I felt complete and utter RELIEF! I've never had such relaxed feet, ankles and legs. I wasn't jelly-like, but it was simply wonderful. I slept so well that night as well. The biggest change was the next morning when I had reduced in inflammation size all over my body. My arms had reduced, my belly, my neck and face -- all reduced in the swelling. I had such relief all over. Part of the chemo treatment is this awful swelling as you probably have seen by my pics I have posted. And this last chemo treatment increased my swelling once again even more so. But the relief in the swelling, I believe, with the reflexology helped. Of course, my water intake continues to be ongoing because I want to be well-hydrated and it aids with flushing out toxins. So this is a method of relief I will continue with for the time being.
I had a chance to do a little shopping at the local mall yesterday. It was so fun to be among the living and doing something so very normal with others. I hung in there for four hours! I was very tired later, but it was worth ever second being able to get a few things done and have a sense of norm.
My next goal for this next week and continuing forward is to get back to the gym slowly. I need to get my aerobics restarted and to regain good heart health strength and blood flow. All of this will help with the detoxification process of the chemo plus overall endorphins to be released to help me feel like my old self again. I continue to eat very clean with lots of veggies and good proteins. There are some teas I could be drinking more of to clean out my liver, kidneys and intestines, but that will come in due time. I have to pace myself a bit and not to do too much too soon. I have learned a lot about pacing myself through this whole ordeal and I realize that learning process will never end because I still have so many challenges ahead.
I'm going to sit back today and do little projects I have been putting off due to my lack of energy and overall attention span. It's still raining out and I'm enjoying every minute of it. So cleansing! I guess symbolic for me just a bit --
I'm happy to report today my Cup's Half Full and fighting the fight in my way! i continue to move in a forward motion of healing!
Ciao! Ciao!
PS. My youngest daughter will be arriving in late August and I cannot wait!
