My little sister got married this past weekend. I should probably stop calling her little as she is 34 years-old and I am 40. Maybe the appropriate word is younger sister. It was a great weekend. Lots of laughs. Lots of good food, keto and not. Lots of good memories made. But she asked me, our two older sisters and our step-sister to give a toast for her. No problem. I’ve got lots of great memories and stories to share! As I was thinking of the advice to give her, two words kept showing up for me: gratitude and grace. Living a life of gratitude can fundamentally change you. Last week, I found myself struggling more with my anger. Probably because I had just finished radiation and oral chemo and thought I would be feeling amazing. Instead, I was dealing with a low-grade fever and more pain. Spending a whole day on the couch sounds great to some people, but for me, it was another reminder of what I could not do. I cannot keep up. I can barely sit down on a chair without pain. I felt so bad last week, I asked for coverage for coaching my CrossFit classes. Not working is not making any money and my treatments are expensive. Along with not working, my workouts are basically non-existent other than some walking. And my house. If you see a tumbleweed blowing through my house, please ignore. While I can tell you none of these things matter, for me, it is still a struggle to let go. Hence, I find it humorous and humbling my advice for my sister and her new husband would be gratitude and grace. Because what I am discovering is that many times, gratitude and grace aren’t necessarily manifesting in the way I want. Being on the couch for two days straight last week. Grace. A friend shows up with dinner for my family and special diet food for me. Gratitude. The many text messages I receive sending blessings, prayers, and good energy. Gratitude. The text of what groceries a friend can drop off for us. Gratitude. Accepting these gifts. Grace. While life continues to change with the adjustments for how I am feeling and what treatment is on-going or next, I still try to live in gratitude and grace for today.

In treatment news, I am continuing with my metabolically supported chemotherapy. In other words, doing more than standard of care (radiation and/or chemotherapy). Today, I went to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Clinic for my first dive. HBOT research has shown to help reduce inflammation, kill cancer cells and promote healing (along with many other benefits). After feeling so bad last week, any help to move and get rid of toxins in my body is needed. HBOT is pretty chill. I am sitting up watching television through my glass enclosed tube, popping my ears when going to pressure and coming up from pressure. I am optimistic with this supportive treatment, I will be ready to go for part 2 of cancer treatment which is the IV chemo part (that starts May 16). I did schedule to get my port installed on Friday, May 10. It will be a small, outpatient procedure where I get an incision on my left chest to put the port. Yay, fun times😆 But I think that’s it for now. 

Thanks, village. I appreciate you so much. 
Liz