Acupuncture

 I am all done with radiation!  Yippee!  It was such a great relief leaving that place for the last time.  I just can't describe it.

 I am feeling pretty good. I am still working half days and I usually nap for about 45 minutes in the afternoon. I don't have any headache or nausea. I am doing more and more at home and am starting to think about the summer and places I want to take the kids.  I feel a veil has been lifted, and I have never quite had this feeling before.  It almost feels like the sky is the limit! The last two days I even hobbled on the treadmill (partially hobbled because I am out of shape but also the treadmill is 10+ years old and is sticking).

Throughout this whole radiation, I have been going to an acupuncturist. My mother sees one, and recommended I should to. She stated that her insurance usually covers some portion of hers. I looked into my insurance and found it would completely cover it (since I have met my deductible).  After this, I really felt I had nothing to loose, so I made the appointment.

Of course, before I went to the appointment, I looked up research articles looking into the side effects of radiation and the efficacy of acupuncture.  I found that in this instance, acupuncture is just as effective as medication.  There was even one study that intentionally put the needles into the wrong spots, and it was just as effective.  Even if it is a placebo effect, it is something.

 

When I go to acupuncture, the doctor usually asks me questions (like am I cold, am I pooping normally, am I in pain, etc) and then looks at my tongue.  After that I lie on the table and let her poke me many many times.  She always puts about 15 or so needles into me. Usually it is not that bad, but some are zingers and take a while to feel normal again. I once was battling a bad head cold and I told her about it. That was a big mistake because I ended up with about 8 needles in my cheeks.  Not the most pleasant experience, but maybe it helped things.

After she puts the needles in, she makes the room warm and comfortable and then leaves. I stay in the room for about 45 minutes to an hour. It is really hard just staying still doing nothing.  I feel like this is probably the key to acupuncture. I always feel myself relaxing more and more so my the end, I usually have a clear head and feel refreshed.  After that, she comes back, takes the needles out and then I leave.

Part of me wants to try to understand more about acupuncture, but I feel like the more I learn, the more I will distrust it.  Maybe it is better to be in ignorance and accept that it has helped me through this part of my life. For me, that is really hard