Nick’s BHWT, End of Cycle 2
Dear friends and family,
Well, Cycle 2 is in the books! It’s a wrap. I completed Cycle 2 this past week and now I have a break from the chemo treatments. If you are keeping score, I am on the chemo treatment plan three weeks out of every month and then I get the last week off – this current week, is my week off.
Since I last wrote, I have felt super nauseous, and my body has felt a bit off. “Off” is the best way I can describe it. As I’ve been sharing throughout, my side effects from the chemo have been at a minimum (knock on my head :) so I know that I have been fortunate. So, when I get nauseous and feel off for a few days, it stands out. I am trying to be patient and to breathe through the peaks and valleys – I know this is a journey that will have all types of experiences that will confront me, I’m committed to leaning in and trusting the process.
Also, I completed my first full week of work. What started on Day 1, as being completely overwhelmed, I finished my first week feeling inspired and being filled up. I even felt “Smart” a couple of times throughout the week . I know several people have said that work is a good distraction, which I don’t subscribe to – I actually don’t want to be distracted – I’m already good at being disconnected to what’s important – I want to stay connected since I have cancer and I’m working on getting healthy.
What I do subscribe to, is that work is providing the experience of feeling useful and valuable – thus the experience of feeling “smart” a couple of times during the week which I do believe is important to my health. It was great that my senior leaders several times during the week asked me for my expertise around leadership and engagement and we had some productive and strategic conversations. So, refreshing and so good for me!
Lastly, next Wednesday I sit with my oncology team and get the update on all the important markers – this will be an important moment during this journey, so I am both anxious and excited to connect with them and evaluate my progress – stay tuned!!
Personal Observations:
I took one of my weekly email updates that I’ve shared here and turned it into a full blog post – please click here to see my insights and observations in my new blog, “Cancer and the Last of the Human Freedoms,”
If you like my piece, please consider subscribing to the “Co-Mindfulness Writing Series” where my blog post is located. It is a bi-weekly series that will feature guest bloggers like myself, writing about love, connection and what makes life worth living. The writing series will tackle the big questions of life, the HOPE and WHY which I highly recommend – so definitely subscribe to the series which is led by my friend.
I conclude this week’s update by thanking you all for continuing to check in, sending me positive messages and sharing your love and energy with me. You really are my X factor in this journey.
With love and healing,
Nick
First date night in almost three months. So cool to be on the water in Mystic CT. I even drove for the first time in three months! Yay.
I’m bringing it, baby! Cycle 2 done. Time flies.
One of my great passions is leading and facilitating a couple of men’s groups. I’ve begun to transition back into leading those groups and I have definitely been missing my dudes.