HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - upcoming scans / anyone familiar with qigong?

06-30-2005, 05:04 AM

Hi Pam~
looks like we're in the same boat...waiting thru a long weekend to have scans. i'm scheduled on tuesday. we were going to try & scan today, though i would have had to wait until tuesday for results anyway...i don't know which one would be worse...i think the latter.
so, how do we manage ourselves until then? wish i had an answer...my anxiety levels ramp up a week or two before scans & i struggle w/impatience, insomnia, forgetfulness & just feel really unsettled. i have to avoid big social events b/c i'm so fidgety & not very good company.
so instead, i opt for physical activity-nothing rigorous, just lost of walks in the park w/my dog & teaching pilates keeps my mind occupied & my body engaged. Or I go see a movie by myself-funny only! Around this time I'm really selective about whom I spend time with-calm, balanced, funny supportive friends & family-no drama queens!i practice yoga too, but right now, can't quiet my mind enough to benefit from class. i also find that posting here really helps me work thru some of the stress. WE SHOULD ALL BE ABLE TO POST OUR QUESTIONS AND THOUGHTS HERE WITHOUT FEAR JUDGEMENT!
i've incorporated TCM (traditional chinese med-a very thorough herb/vit supplement schedule) along w/accupuncture, energy work, meditation & imagery, as well as staying active. i do know a little qigong, but practice solo. and ofcourse there's the 71 weeks of chemo in the past 3 years...
ALL of these methods I use to support my survival thru this long journey...none are a replacement for my faith-which is very strong. I believe ALL are a part of the reason why I'm still here, surviving & THRIVING 3 years after a stageIV dx(liver mets, most recently quesionable lung met) STILL teaching Pilates, still walking my dog every day, roller blading, traveling, doing 5hr/40km cycles thru the mountains of Guatemala & 3 hrs of kayaking only 5 days after chemo.NONE of them take away from my faith.
my suggestion is do you what need to do, what makes you feel best, calm, centered, to get thru this. maybe do some qigong on your own-the breathing in itself should bring you some peace & calm. the visualization of cleansing breaths w/healing light can do wonders.
no one can tell you what path you must follow on this journey. nor does anyone have the right to place doubt in your mind where you have found peace & confidence before.
like i said, this is a long, bumpy journey.if this is the way life is going to be now (bald, not bald, on chemo/off chemo, scans, waiting for results, etc) then we have to find a way to manage it, still living, still thriving. do what you need to do to take care of you! take good care of you!
Prayers, faith & courage!

06-30-2005, 05:04 AM	#5
jessica Guest Posts: n/a	Hi Pam~ looks like we're in the same boat...waiting thru a long weekend to have scans. i'm scheduled on tuesday. we were going to try & scan today, though i would have had to wait until tuesday for results anyway...i don't know which one would be worse...i think the latter. so, how do we manage ourselves until then? wish i had an answer...my anxiety levels ramp up a week or two before scans & i struggle w/impatience, insomnia, forgetfulness & just feel really unsettled. i have to avoid big social events b/c i'm so fidgety & not very good company. so instead, i opt for physical activity-nothing rigorous, just lost of walks in the park w/my dog & teaching pilates keeps my mind occupied & my body engaged. Or I go see a movie by myself-funny only! Around this time I'm really selective about whom I spend time with-calm, balanced, funny supportive friends & family-no drama queens!i practice yoga too, but right now, can't quiet my mind enough to benefit from class. i also find that posting here really helps me work thru some of the stress. WE SHOULD ALL BE ABLE TO POST OUR QUESTIONS AND THOUGHTS HERE WITHOUT FEAR JUDGEMENT! i've incorporated TCM (traditional chinese med-a very thorough herb/vit supplement schedule) along w/accupuncture, energy work, meditation & imagery, as well as staying active. i do know a little qigong, but practice solo. and ofcourse there's the 71 weeks of chemo in the past 3 years... ALL of these methods I use to support my survival thru this long journey...none are a replacement for my faith-which is very strong. I believe ALL are a part of the reason why I'm still here, surviving & THRIVING 3 years after a stageIV dx(liver mets, most recently quesionable lung met) STILL teaching Pilates, still walking my dog every day, roller blading, traveling, doing 5hr/40km cycles thru the mountains of Guatemala & 3 hrs of kayaking only 5 days after chemo.NONE of them take away from my faith. my suggestion is do you what need to do, what makes you feel best, calm, centered, to get thru this. maybe do some qigong on your own-the breathing in itself should bring you some peace & calm. the visualization of cleansing breaths w/healing light can do wonders. no one can tell you what path you must follow on this journey. nor does anyone have the right to place doubt in your mind where you have found peace & confidence before. like i said, this is a long, bumpy journey.if this is the way life is going to be now (bald, not bald, on chemo/off chemo, scans, waiting for results, etc) then we have to find a way to manage it, still living, still thriving. do what you need to do to take care of you! take good care of you! Prayers, faith & courage!