God completely has me, he knows I can only handle so much and still go out and share the incredible story he has given me. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for his grace and mercy that I have about 3 really bad days that I completely struggle. Yet these weeks seem to be getting tougher. I dread them more, I don't have the strength I did 2-3 cycles ago. It's hard not to wonder if somehow I am lacking in faith during these times. I have overcome and been able to walk strong so often.
I look at the fact that despite being told I would 100% lose my hair I have made it through 5 cycles without that (yes I am down to THE WORST comb over ever but yet I still have JUST enough to be able to wear my handkerchief type head gear and sport JUST enough in back to pull it off), my labs have been awesome and when they are just a little low I have been blessed to pull them back up to speed quickly. My cancer has been BEAT!! One week shouldn't beat me up this bad but yet, yup, here we are at the end of another really hard week that is even dragging into my good, easy week.
I have mentioned before I am a titch psycho about my labs. I am all over those making sure that after my tough week that I am good to go and set to have two strong weeks. I have stayed very healthy despite being exposed to a lot of different viruses over the course of this WHOLE ordeal. I am now considered cancer free (YAY), but with the numbers I have posed that's been something I have known for a while, and honestly God set that as happening from the get go for me. I just walked out with complete faith on that one... So my brain just screams "why" as I sit and look back on how last week went. It's hard to describe feeling an absolute exhaustion that rivals my early and late pregnancy fatigue. The constant waves of nausea, the dizziness and near fainting when I try to get up and move around at times. I even found myself so exhausted I had to have my teen make dinner because just the thought of moving off the couch made me so tired my whole body felt pounds heavier. My frustration with that week and my lack of ability to completely change that when I am the one that generally can take on anything just lends to all that frustration and wanting nothing more than to just have the old me back.
God is good and I have found so much to help me and I have NEVER been alone during that week. I have friends and my "oily" friends that completely support and try to work around anything I can't do. My husband looks at me with his oh so wonderful "you are my wife and I am so proud of you" look and continually encourages me by reminding me of all I have overcome and not dealt with. My medical team reminds me of how they are so impressed with how I have come through all this (ha, that IS by the grace and mercy of God)... Then I get off the phone after filling my favorite nurse Kathy in on all that I went through... 'Move' by Mercy Me comes on and I can't help but sit and dance to my "theme song" that reminds me I am so bigger than this because I have God and my faith. (Ok, so seriously if you click the link and don't dance and feel ready to just go concur everything in your way, we need to talk...)
One more bad week (after two weeks off)... ONE MORE... I look at the others when I go into the infusion center and trust me, this is so petty and whining compared to what I see others go through. I see them broken at times, frustrated as I come cheerily into their rooms. My only hope is always to bring and pass some of my faith and strength onto them. It's so hard to be this whiny and then go look into the face of someone that can't even finish the same treatment because their bodies can't tolerate it or labs are goofy so treatments get postponed... Maybe today treatment will include my theme song playing... Obviously time to pass some blessings on to others today, I get so much strength in watching God work through me to bless others.
Blessing come in many forms so I am sharing some of my favorite ways to help ease this week. God has definitely placed some great hacks that may not take it all away but do help to ease some of the cruddiness. Sometimes it's just so I can get a full night sleep or rest easier for a bit of time. I hope some of them can help others as they go through their bad weeks and fight all these frustrating thoughts. Know my prayers are always out there for anyone else going through all this.
Bad Week Hacks, just a little way to get through those tough weeks...
Digestive Blend (This unique blend contains Ginger, Fennel, and Coriander to help ease stomach discomfort, including indigestion, while Peppermint, Tarragon, Anise, and Caraway aid with digestion and help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.) good gosh I hate the smell and especially when nauseous, but as fast as it works it's helped me through some really rough nausea QUICKLY. Some days I put it on, quick put clothes over it and wash my hands so I don't smell it and just let it work.
Aroma "massage" Technique- my husband does these at night so I can sleep. The joint pain sucks and if I can just get enough relief to be able to rest I can heal. The aroma "massage" technique not only helps decrease that joint pain but I relax and find my nausea lessened also. I LOVE this technique.
Diffusing peppermint and a citrus oil really gives something bright and helps with a constant stream of peppermint to help ease the tummy, know though that I do need to sometimes even take a break from that because smells can get so overwhelming.
Epsom salt baths are wonderful again for helping calm and decrease some of that pain and nausea. If you add oils I use balancing blend to relax at night and when really nauseous I stick to the citrus to help lift my mood (because feeling that poorly wears on you) and actually helps some of the nausea.
Know those days can be really bad and the best thing to sometimes do is sleep and give your body time to work through the chemo. HYDRATE and keep her potassium up during that time also (V8 has high potassium) because dehydration makes things worse.
Like I said it's usually 3-4 days of cruddy then you turn around and can get up and function normal again depending on her course of chemo, which type of chemo and how frequent.
DEFINITELY talk any oil use through with her physician but all I listed are used topically and shouldn't be of issue (I use high quality, good sourced oils). Radiation is a concern because the antioxidant properties may interfere with how radiation works. Know that after radiation oils can be added again as long as there is time in between treatments .It's key that you can allow the treatment to work and then stop before the start of another...Again this needs to be an honest conversation with your oncologist prior to using high quality essential oils.
PRAYERS!!!
Disclaimer: Please understand that this information is for educational purposes only. I am a mom, I am not a doctor, I enjoy passing on the knowledge I have learned in doing these types of projects and through my research. The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and they are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. Don’t take my word for it…you should always engage conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional to determine potential drug interactions and safety of use. Always when using essential oils for a medical condition or if on prescribed or over the counter drugs, seek advice from a medical professional (DR./PA/NP/Naturopath/pharmacist) on whether the oils will cause potential adverse reactions.
These practices are what work for me and my family, if you chose to take and use them I encourage you take my research and do some of your own prior to using the tips I give. While I do a lot of research when putting these posts out it generally fits into what I would do with and for my family. If you have specific issues, allergies or conditions these practices may not work or may be detrimental to what you are intending to do for yourself. Again, I encourage wisdom and discussions with your healthcare provider to determine safe use of all posts that I provide that can be used for health reasons
