Day 25 Not Throwback Thursday

We currently do not have Throw-back Thursdays around here. Matter-of-fact, what we do have (as titled by David when he opens his eyes every Thursday morning) is Throw-up Thursdays.  TBT is now TUT. Fortunately, it's more of a feeling (thank you, nausea) rather than an action. As time moves on and the continuum of side effects mount on top of the others, we initiated several suggestions from family and friends. 

Yummy, soothing teas

Essential Oils and diffuser 

But what seems to help the most is Zofran. Our other side items (above, and others) that we try are in addition to this medication. This nausea from chemo seems to be different than the regular nausea in our every day lives. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the word relentless comes to mind. I will say that once the nausea is "better controlled", then David's desire for pancakes and eggs helps him feel better as well. He wants to eat, but he also is not interested in throwing-up, so it's a give and take. It's also an ebb and flow situation. Chemo on Tuesdays is tricky in it's resurgence of nausea, but we are usually sure by Thursday that it's in full force, with the next 3-4 days of combating it and letting his body process the toxins and dispel them so that he starts to feel more like himself. The cycle varies some, but over all it lurks and strikes when it so chooses. David spends most of these days resting and sleeping. Eating and drinking as much as he is able, and waiting it out, knowing time is his friend. 

How's the pups

While today is a low-key day for David, The Littles are busy playing.

I'm more than thrilled to report that Sugar is adjusting now-a-days to the loud vehicle/mechanical noises, apartment noises, and generally all the scary things that seem to be all around her. She's trying to, anyway. Maybe, on the other hand, is just interested in her next meal. She's a 10 year old gal that lives to eat. And play sometimes, and will run because it's just part of what we do (not because she wants to). 

Meditation

I cannot confess being one to meditate. I don't meditate on a regular basis, and anyone that I know that does, swears by it. I try to convince myself that I use “moving” meditation, like when  I run or walk and quiet my mind. I've not yet completely convinced myself that this is a true form of meditation. There are times when I run and listen only to the birds, wind or the silence. But I'm not yet ready to call that official meditation. As I continue through the Radical Optimism book, Chapter 3's topic is meditation.

There the many words and avenues provided in this chapter that I never directly related to meditation. Example? “The power of imagination”, and that we live out of our imaginations. Good or bad, it's powerful as it determines how we perceive events in our life. Our imaginations create the stories around us, and not all of them will be good stories. The author says that much of our poor self-image and unhappiness are rooted in our imagination. So where am I going with this, you ask? Back to meditation. The author says the main point about the use of imagination in meditation is that the faculty itself is being trained. It's about taking all of our psychic energies (think feelings, affections, ideas, intentions, insights, etc) which are always in motion, and focus them. They are our distractions from meditation. Practicing meditation does not come easy for most of us. She suggests we need to do it daily, and even two times a day, and to use it as a way of meeting God. Luckily, the author says that meditation is a highly individual affair (so we all won't do it the same, whew) and that however we experience it, it's meant so that we are in the presence and reality of God.  She goes on to say that's what it is all about - however you get there. My favorite part of this chapter is where she says, "The afterglow of meditation, done first thing in the morning, will last throughout the day.". Does that mean my quiet morning run counts? Not sure, but it’s something to think about. 

Now, this quick summary of the chapter is merely a drop in the bucket of her many points she brings up. The words are so thick with meaning, I have to read and reread each chapter to get even 1/4 of what she's trying to tell me. But I keep trying.

Speaking of trying, I'm continuing my home yoga practice. After my 2nd covid vaccine and a sore arm, I had to pass on a couple of days of yoga, but now it's going strong again. There's so many great options on YouTube that I have no reason to not find the 30-45 minutes in a day to quiet my mind and move my body on my mat. I'm always glad I did. David is very happy he's not in the yoga classes, and is only obligated to answer the surveys online. It's his gift of No Yoga in the Yoga Therapy Program. Seems they put him in the proper group. Or he thinks so, anyway. 

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Thursdays are David's day to try and catch up with everything happening to his body. The lotions, nasal rinses, mouth rinses, medications, and I could go on and on with all the things necessary to keep himself in check, but equally important is the rest. Rest and sleep. That's what his Thursdays are for. He gets an A++ for rest and sleep. And his body thanks him. 

He needs to rest up for his big Friday of radiation, his visit with his chemotherapy oncologist and a bonus ophthalmologist appt to check on how his eyes are doing. This, my friends, is the greatness of MDA. They set all this up, and then let you know. Eye problem? Done, see you Friday. It’s like an all-inclusive resort. Except your on cancer island. 

Until next time,

Cyndi