HOPE

I can hardly believe it – I feel better and am breathing more fully!

I have been imbibing oxygen, 24/7 since February 10^th (5 weeks) and have not been in touch with anything medical since then.

Meanwhile, I have continued my (zoom) mat Pilates private sessions each week. The focus is about freeing the facia to allow more freedom of movement in the muscles (vs. building more). She has tailored my sessions to freeing the lungs by stretching and twisting the rib cage.

I have also continued with my weekly acupuncture sessions. This doctor has given me an herbal formula for softening the lung tissue, which I have been taking for 2 and a half weeks.

Each day, I do a qigong practice that targets all the organs of the body, including the lungs.

And equally, if not more importantly, is receiving the prayers of so many wonderful friends.

I had always seen myself as a spiritual (vs. religious) person. But when the diagnosis of lung disease came at me, I couldn’t find an ounce of Spirit anywhere. All I could feel was shock. My friends told me they were sending prayers and I couldn’t even fathom a way to receive them or how to pray myself. However, I am blessed with two dear friends who helped my ‘Unitarian beginners mind’ find a way to start and practice.

Additionally, I read a book I bought a while ago and found this quote:

“Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion.”             Brené Brown “Braving the Wilderness”

So here I am – feeling hopeful and connected. Staying at the barn with Luna for several hours without O2 and not wobbling. And having faith that all of the ‘alternative’ practices are influencing the health of my lungs and feeling such gratitude to my friends who knew how to send prayers – and did!

Love you all.

P.S. I have a consultation with the thoracic surgeon in 3 weeks at which time, he will probably schedule the lung biopsy surgery.