The Awakening

I just read a pretty inspiring article from the on-line yoga journal that I absolutely have to share. It just so happens to discuss where I am at right now, and hopefully where you too will someday be, if not already. Take a couple of minutes for yourself and read it. A little gift in disguise...

Foreign Transitions...

It's interesting to me that even though I've finished all my treatments, have had clear scans (2009 is already starting off on a grand note), and all the information, knowledge and perspective I've acquired over the last 8 months of my life, I still do not feel quite "normal" yet. I'm reflecting upon all this currently, and I've come to some conclusions that I hope will benefit you too. Hodgkin's swooped in sooo uninvited and unexpected that my life was turned upside down for a while. It's like I got a crash course in life and all it's grandness and ever-present finish line that we all someday will reach: death.  Then, before I knew it, I was finished with chemotherapy and I received the most beautiful news I had yet ever heard: clear scans!!! WOOHOO!! Then I had a visit with my wonderful oncologist and passed that with flying colors, made an appointment to go back to see her in 3 months, and suddenly I was released back into life. It really was a mixed transition for me. Yes, I feel elated and blessed and ever-so-grateful, but I also feel a little lost. So I've decided to stay a little lost for a while longer. At the beginning of this whole ordeal, I figured I would rush back to work and return back to the "normal" me before all this had began. Now I've had a change of heart. Elijah and I have decided to take some time for ourselves and get away for a while. Much like a pregnant woman takes time for herself after giving birth, I too am going to give my body some time to figure it all out all over again. I want my body to heal from within soundly and strongly. And I've decided to not give myself a hard time about this. I guess my point is this: life is ever-changing, ever moving forward so move with it, not against it. You might not feel or look or think like the person you were before cancer, and there is nothing abnormal or wrong with that. Just be open to being a little lost and run with it...

 

The Beautiful Truth

Photo courtesy of Beautiful Truth website

I went and saw a very interesting movie tonight called The Beautiful Truth. It's about the Gerson Therapy and how it's cured many people who were written off as "lost causes". It was interesting to hear their stories and  learn about Dr. Gerson, described as "one of the most eminent geniuses in the history of medicine" by Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Another emphasis in the film was the importance of a good, healthy, organic diet and the importance of juicing. And while you get to hear about an alternative perspective to treating life-threatening diseases, you also get a plethora of information regarding the pharmaceutical companies, farming companies, and the overall medical view of treating disease in America. Definitely worth watching!

Food for Thought

I try my best to help my body heal from within with healthy food. If chemo is running through my veins, I might as well do what I can to restore my body, right? That is something I have been very aware of. I try to see it from a holistic point-of-view. So I even got a juicer and have been juicing, along with trying to eat organic, fresh food. Oh, and in case you were not aware, stay away from grapefruit ANYTHING during your treatment. Also, here is a little link to help you with some of the most healthy things to eat out there, but remember, as with everything, check with your doctor if you are not sure about certain foods. The bottom line is this: your body needs nutrition, especially when going through chemo/radiation, so feed yourself. If mac-n-cheese is all you crave, then eat that (and do not, I repeat do not feel guilty about this). But if you can handle some extra veggies or maybe some pomegranate juice here and then, why not? Your body will greatly appreciate it!