NOTE:  I am not a doctor but just providing information that I found helpful during my journey.  Before starting or stopping any medicines, changing your diet, etc. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.  They will provide you with the best treatment for you and your personal situation.  Also, I am not paid by any of the companies below for sharing their product.  This is strictly informational on what I used and what has worked for me.  Xo, Tracy

Acupuncture and Meditation has really helped me. When I was in chemotherapy, I did acupuncture the night before my chemotherapy treatments and the day afterward.  I listen to guided meditation by Deepak Chopra on Spotify.  These are the albums that I downloaded and continue to use today.  I just put in my air pods and meditate away.

• Souls of Healing Affirmations – link here.
• The Secret of Healing:  Meditations for Transformation and Higher Consciousness – link here.
• Chakra Balancing:  Body, Mind and Soul – link here.
• The Soul of Healing Meditations – link here.
• I also say a mantra of the following – when I breath in – I say to myself Breathing in Good Health and when I exhale I say – I am breathing out any illness.  Whatever works for you.

Give your tumor a name – Visualize yourself removing the tumor from your body.  I named my tumor Oscar, like Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street.  In my daily meditations, I pictured myself putting the tumor in a garbage can and throwing it away.

The Power of Positive thoughts – Reframe everything to be positive.  For example, if 70% of the people experience XX, remember there is 30% that don’t.  Visualize yourself as the 30% that will not have that symptom.  I renamed the AC chemotherapy drug from Red Devil to Red Delight and pictured it attacking all cancer cells as it went through my bloodstream, fighting and removing anything that shouldn’t be there.

Some additional helpful products:

• Ka’Chava protein shake mix – It’s found here.  It’s expensive but it’s full of all kinds of good stuff.  I prefer the Vanilla or Chocolate flavors.  It’s better cold so add ice when blending
• Lindi Skincare – I ADORE this lotion and the bath wash – I have the lotion on auto ship with Amazon – your skin will get REALLY, dry.  Put this one every night before bed and when you get up in the morning. Link here for both bath wash and lotion.  I also purchased from Target some bath cloths like you would use to wash a baby.  Your skin will be sensitive during chemotherapy.  A soft wash cloth will be a blessing.
• Sugar free candies to refresh your mouth – Lemon flavor is good/refreshing, I also love Werther’s Sugar Free drops, basically anything you like.  Ginger drops help with the sour stomach before and during chemotherapy treatments such as AC.  Just do whatever works for you.
• Baking Soda toothpaste – I switched to Armon Hammer Baking Soda toothpaste.  It’s been a lifesaver.
• Biotene for dry mouth – I use the mouthwash every morning and night and occasionally I chew the gum.  If you have dogs be careful it has Xylitol in it which is deadly to dogs if they get into it.  The link is here.
• Hats and Caps – people will send you a million of these, wear what you like, donate the others (but thank the people for thinking of you).  I did not do a wig, but I encourage you to do what makes you feel better.  It hurts when your hair starts falling out.  I had mine cut short, then I started shaving my hair each week till I was almost bald (started at 4, then 3 the next week, then 2, etc.)  Trust me don’t let it fall out in chunks – it’s not a pleasant feeling.  Here’s the link to my favorite hat.  It’s light weight you can wear it all day long. 

My Go-to Clothing – During chemo days this is my outfit, I find it most comfortable and easily accessible to your port during chemotherapy treatments.  Obviously, wear what works for you.

• Athleta pants – link here.
• Athleta top over my sports bra – link here or this top link here.
• Athleta Purana Wrap Sweatshirt – I have 3 of these in different colors – love them – link here.

Blog / Write / Scream / Yell – but get it out – I chose to do my own blogging on Caring Bridge while I was in active treatment – it accomplished a couple of things.  It helped with getting my feeling out and also allowed me to keep my family and friends informed at the same time without me having to repeat myself a billion times.  Do whatever works for you.  Here is the link to my original Caring Bridge blog.