Our daughter (a/k/a Finally Five) has not been herself lately, in all likelihood a combination of being fed up with my breast cancer (aren’t we all?) and being on the verge of a big developmental shift. I decided that now was as good a time as any to make a withdrawal from my Energy Bank and go on an overnight Mommy trip to the Alisal Ranch in Solvang, California. After a glorious day, I reflected on the quantity and quality of Silver Linings in my life.
FBC
Less Rabbit, More Hare
After a long six months of breast cancer induced fatigue, feeling an inkling of energy in the past few days has been a Silver Lining. However, what I learned after a day of too much too fast, the faster I go now, the longer recovery will take.
Touch Points
I have now entered a space in my breast cancer treatment in which the marginal benefits of chemo cannot be measured. The point at which we do no harm.
Hearing this was a watershed moment for me in which I realized that more chemo is not necessarily better. Sometimes, more chemo is just that: more chemo.
Decisions, Decisions
I find myself at a real crossroads right now with big decisions to make about chemo and radiation for my breast cancer, e.g., To do. Not to do. If doing, how much?
Rather than make my FBC sitation subjective (as Chemo Sobby is want to do), I need to be fully objective (by asking the right questions) as I actively take the next steps in creating my plan of care.
Next Stop on the Chemo Train
Today is Chemo #6. It was supposed to have been my final dose for breast cancer; however, since I reacted so horrifically (yes, I am UNDERexaggerating it), my chemotherapy regimen has changed, but not without finding some Silver Linings along the way.
Scarf Talk
We all have chapters in our life. Some are hard to read. Others easy. Some chapters are joyous. Others sad. The important thing to learn, grow and keep on reading!
Brookside Beauty: Circ-Cell
Breast cancer and chemotherapy wreak havoc on a person’s skin and I am (of course) no exception. However, I have found a skin care Silver Lining in Melanie Simon, a licensed esthetician and owner of A Beautiful You in Santa Barbara. Her goal is to provide effective, multi-purpose, cutting-edge skincare products that are free of harmful elements.
Sunday Silver Linings
Every time I feel like I hit the pit of chemo and breast cancer despair, I find a Silver Lining. Every single time it is a SL that brings me back and makes me smile. Gives me perspective.
Friday's Fixin's: Kale Chips
Kale is widely considered the yardstick by which all other foods are measured. Health benefits are extraordinary and include risk-lowereing for breast cancer. Hope you enjoy this Silver Lined Kale Chip recipe.
Regurgitas (Not for the squeamish)
While my reaction to the last round of chemotherapy has been better (Silver Lining), the nausea has been much more acute. What this means is that I have nausea everyday, all day, but sometimes it feels particularly bad. Well, today, that pesky nausea upped the ante.