Needles and Pins

Leading up to my third and presumably final cycle of chemotherapy, I've turned to alternative medicine to help me prepare. No, not marijuana, instead I'm experimenting with acupuncture.

The second cycle was quite rough an I must admit that the third round has had me a bit intimidated. The fact of the matter is that there is no way to know if it will be easier, tougher, or the same; the only way to find out is to do it. Sheela has encouraged me to be postive and assume it will be better, but I've been having trouble getting there. Enter the needles. You can see three of them in my head below.



Dana Farber hosts the Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies, founded by civil rights leader Lenny Zakim before he died of bone cancer at age 46. The center offers several different treatments to help people cope with the stresses to mind and body that come with fighting cancer. Acupuncture in particular is an ancient Chinese practice in which needles are used to assist the flow of energy through the body's channels. A session involves lying down on a table and a doctor placing about twenty needles on my head, feet, arms, and stomach. The needles don't hurt, in fact I can barely feel them as they are placed. Then the lights go low and I am left to meditate for about a half hour.

I've chosen not to be skeptical about acupuncture, instead I'm embracing it as a vehicle to relax and get into a positive mindset. And it's working. I think I'm ready for cycle three tomorrow.