A special mention to Suzie who flushed and changed my PICC line yesterday.  Not only did she remind me that it needed doing, but also she did it with no complaints, smiling through it.  And may I just add that no nurse does it with such care like Suzie does.

It is the 8^th day post the 5^th chemo.  Normally this week I feel mega rubbish, and like in 50% of chemos so far, I would be in a hospital for IV antibiotics right now.  I had been feeling fine up to Sunday, when I woke up extremely exhausted.  I simply could not get out of bed, and had to sleep all day, literally.  I felt like my body needed it.  Yesterday I woke up feeling much better, not great, but not as bad as I normally would on the day 7 post chemo.  I think the sleep really made a difference!  My advice is to carefully listen to the body, and do what it asks you to do.  Whenever I have gone against it, it has gone horribly wrong.  Do not push yourself unnecessarily.

My very good friend, Sofia came to give me Reiki last night.  Afterwards, I was half asleep, and needed to curl up in bed.  I slept really well, and feel like the Reiki has given me more energy, as I do not feel as grotty as I would normally feel now.  Maybe, I am finally learning how to manage these chemos!

What is Reiki?  According to the International Center 
for Reiki Training:

“Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.”

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.”