Day FOURTEEN  Feeling great!  All of the effects of chemo--low energy, no appetite, nausea, mouth sores, neuropathy--have finally worn off.  So far (and keep all your appendages crossed), those are the only side effects I have felt thus far.  The first 5-7 days were the worst and then, thankfully, I started to feel normal again and each day better.  I think the hardest was the psychological feeling.  I wasn't sure I could handle this 11 more times.  I wasn't sure I could do it one more time.   I caught a cold during the "nadir"--this is supposedly Days 8-11 when your risk for infection is highest (low white blood cell count).  The nadir is kind of a bummer because that is just when you start feeling better and you want to get out and do things and you feel a bit paranoid about germs.

But right now I am feeling strong again and ready.  Lots of biking, walking and practicing yoga.  I even beat Pat up the hill on our circuit (ok maybe he let me win ;-)  Tonight was Yin Yoga and a Healing Circle with a guided meditation at my local yoga studio, LEAP.  I've been eating really well and LOADING up on Ayurvedic herbs and other helpful supplements (more on that below).   

So tomorrow I get to start the chemo drill all over again.   Ding! Round 2.  This time I have been taking my supplements for 2 weeks and I am hoping there is enough of that in my system to help reduce the side effects MORE this time.  Some folks have inquired as to what exactly I have been taking so here it goes:

Ashwaganda-for energy & the immune system

Chyawanprash--(a yummy jam) boosts immunity and rejuvenates (opposite of a cleanse).  Made from the fruit of the amla, which has amazing healing properties - totally my favorite find of all the supplements!!

Tumeric - anti-inflammatory - helps with joints too!

Triphala - literally means “three fruits” and is known as a cleaning agent, including a blood cleanser :)

Gaduchi-major liver detox

Aloe Vera juice - super duper 
E3-LIVE: if you don't know what this is find out!

Vit C and B-12 and Fish Oil 

L-Glutamine-- good for neuropathy from chemo
Probiotics - always good for digestion!!

and Tummy Tea (Slippery Elm, marshmallow, licorice, shatavari, Sitopiladi, peppermint, Gotu Kola)--this coats the epithelial cells, from the mouth to the anus--chemo ravages the GI tract.

In addition to this, my diet is wholesome and organic.  NOTHING processed.  As long as it existed when my grandparents were here, then its OK for me to eat (minus the Guinness.....although that's a fermented beverage that may have some medicinal value......hmmmmmmmmm?????).  I have a daily routine that is like a full-time job.  It includes morning Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Nidra and Abyanga. There goes 3-4 hours.....EASY.  Journaling, a bike ride and/or a walk.  Cooking!  OMG cooking takes forever.  Someone could make a million (and be cannonized) if they could create and deliver ORGANIC, whole, fresh, farm to table (yes, I'm picky) meals to me and the other millions of poor (some wealthy) souls in this desert of nutrition called the good ole USA. We don't have real food here.  Its more like a decoration.  Most food you find in the stores is so processed.  Anyway, some of you are well-aware of this and are excellent, well-nourished foodies.  But its a small percentage of us.  I, for one, was NOT well fed before all this happened.  I'm stepping down off the soap box now folks....if you are interested, there are plenty of food documentaries out there that are excellent and educational (Knives Over Forks, Vegucated, to name a couple).  

                                       beeeeautiful pastured eggs 

Well it hasn't been all dullness and hard work over here, thank god.  We made an excellent field trip to see our friends (hey Rose and Ian!!!)  in the Santa Rosa area and visited the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center...... Beyond gorgeous and AMAZING. This permaculture facility lies on 80 acres of some of the most beautiful land in NORcal.  The farm is an ecologically, economically and culturally sustainable community!!!! Growing crops from heirloom seed, reusing all water--grey and black--compostable toilets etc...and providing all kinds of classes.  It was such an awesome and most fascinating place (thanks, Ian!).  If you are in Sonoma Co., I highly recommend a visit.  I never wanted to leave...

While there, we bought some great starter veggies for our garden (which I did NOT grow from seed :).....

                 

Then this morning, we let all the mundane routines go (hey, its Sunday after all) and headed to El Dorado Hills Town Center for the annual Criterium bicycle race.  As a special treat, our dear friend Butch Jackson was racing.  It was so EXCITING to see them speeding by at 50-60 MPH in a tight formation!!!!!!  Butch did OUTSTANDINGGGGG.  I think he came in 4th!  Not bad for an old dog (Butch is 50ish with the biological body of a 25 year old). 

That's all for now!  I'm sorry to hear that many of you are having trouble posting and entering your email so you can follow the site.  Please just check back in once in awhile for updates....I'll still be here :)

All my love,
Colette