Wetness*

My recent visit to an acupuncturist/nutritionist was insightful. Without going into all of the details of what I learned, here's a synopsis:

• Acupuncture needles don't hurt.
• There are five elements that should flow to each other, in circle form, in this order: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. The elements determine our whole physical, psychological, and emotional balance. 
• My body is out of balance. (Exhibit A: breast cancer. Exhibit B: my history of fighting tonsillitis/strep on and off for years - most recently for several years in a row until my tonsillectomy in early 2011. Exhibit C: my saliva is acidic. And there are others.)
• My acupuncturist/nutritionist will work with me to:
  1) increase my WBC count so I can keep on the chemo treatment plan I'm on - without missing/delaying any, if possible
  2) help me recover from chemo after my last treatment, to prepare me for my surgery
  3) work with me throughout chemo, surgery, and post-surgery to change my body pH so it is no longer a "kind" host for cancer cells to thrive

No, I'm not going off the deep end, people! This feels healthy to look into alternative treatments in addition to (not in replace of!) conventional therapies. After all, it's not exactly a secret that cancer is in essence a breakdown in the balance between typically dormant cancer cells in the body and the natural defenses that keep those cancer cells from activating and misbehaving. I want to pay close attention to my mind-body connection and improve (by nourishing and strengthening) my "terrain."

I am keeping an open mind and am willing to follow some tougher dietary guidelines (as soon as I get the OK by my oncologist - that, or will wait until chemo is over to fully implement). At the most, I can learn how to keep cancer at bay in my body. At the least, I have a strong sense of power and hope through this journey and beyond. 

*Wetness: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, wetness is a pathological factor that can flow to every corner and organ of the body and making mis-function of the organs, which causes different diseases.