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http://www.facingcancer.ca/community/forum/topic/alternative-treatment

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1. Member

   As I sit here ... again ... I thought maybe it's time I "talk" to these lovely people - voice a bit of what is going on inside.

   I am facing my 5th chemo and I'm getting low (read VERY low!) on energy and it seems harder and harder finding that courage to walk through the door, up the stairs and accept the poison!

   I promised myself when I was just diagnosed that I would use accupuncture, massage and if I could some reflexology ... and as I said - it's been 4 treatments and I have done exactly one massage ...

   And this week I feel the fear seep through my thoughts "what if the chemo doesn't work - and you could have made a real difference with accupuncture" ... "you are letting yourself down - you could die from this shite and still you didn't use the accupuncture" ...

   I wonder - did all of you out there use alternative treatment - because for some reason I just don't have it in me running to yet more appointments, getting prodded again, answering more questions, finding energy to do even more "stuff" ... but now the fear sets in - "what if" I have let myself down by not doing the alternative stuff ...

   I don't know what I'm looking for here - I guess a bit of reassurance that just because I haven't I might still be ok ...

   Posted 1 hour ago #
2. 

   bumpyboobs
   Member

   Hey Bimo, if you are exhausted then I reckon you should listen to what your body needs most - and that sounds like rest, and perhaps some occasional movement like walking to help keep up your mood. I know what you mean about the 'what if's and doing more to make a difference . . . but the stress and the guilt of that doesn't help anything. Maybe it's worth accepting what you can handle at this moment as chemotherapy is become more of a drag, and just put these other things for later? After chemo ends your body will be recovering in a big way . . . acupuncture, massage, physio, etc - it'll all be there for you when you have less on your plate, if you still want to do them, and whenever that is I'm sure it will be okay.

   Posted 20 minutes ago #
3. 

   bumpyboobs
   Member

   And I'd say that stuff is more complimentary than alternative. Chemo is the bulldozer, these other things help smooth the ride. I think they're great, but I also think you will be A-Okay regardless of whether or not you're getting complimentary therapies. Like I said, these things will be here later as well, they're great (in my opinion) for helping your body recover . . . but right now if all you can do is bulldoze - then bulldoze the crap outta that cancer.

   Posted 14 minutes ago #