The Power of Pampering

Do not underestimate the power the pampering.

One thing that can't be avoided is the fear that accompanies being seriously ill.  It's hard to relax, it's hard to sleep, and sometimes it's hard just to function in normal day to day activities.  It follows you around.  Even when you aren't thinking about your illness, even when you feel normal enough to forget, it's only temporary.  Out of nowhere something reminds you, or someone asks "How are you doing" and the reality floods back, along with the fear.

Jeff, an old colleague and friend, Shelly, my mother-in-law, Barb, my mother's colleague and friend, and Becca, a friend of mine, all were kind enough to gift me massages over the last 6 months.  It's nice to be able to relax, forget, and just breathe for that 60 minutes of bliss.  All of the massages took place at Massage Envy  (https://www.massageenvy.com/massage/) except the one from Becca. She is a member at a place called Elements Massage. (https://elementsmassage.com/elm-grove)  While I was very happy with all of the massages at Massage Envy, the therapist at Elements was my favorite.  To say I always left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and positive after each time is an understatement.  A massage is the perfect break from everything going on.

Me and Becca - 2013

Karen, a nail technician at Craig Berns salon in Delafield (https://craigberns.com/) and fellow cancer survivor, gave me a pedicure on her own time at the salon.  Kaitlyn, my sister-in-law also works there, and they are an amazing group of women.  Everyone was very supportive when I was there for Kaitlyn to cut my hair at the beginning of chemotherapy, and everyone was just as kind and supportive when Karen did my pedicure.  It was nice to not only get pampered that day, but to have someone who understood what I was going through to talk to while it was being done. 

"Hello Gorgeous" Certificate

Me and Kelly from Gaia

Recently, my friend Jodi nominated me for a "Spa Day" for a program called "Hello Gorgeous" (http://www.hellogorgeous.org/) geared toward people with cancer. It's a pampering day for a patient, and it's done through Gaia Micro Spa. (https://www.gaiamicrospa.com/) Not only was this an amazing surprise by my friends, but the ladies at the salon were absolutely amazing, especially Kelly who owns Gaia.  It began with them all greeting me as I walked in with flowers, chocolates, and by all saying "Hello Gorgeous".  I received a shampoo, conditioner, a head massage, a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, had my make-up done, and also got to pick out a new outfit.  It was a whole make-over geared toward reminding me how beautiful I am. (I may not always feel that way, but I sure did on 4/11/19 when they did this for me.)  Later on when Jodi and my other girlfriend Stacey took me to dinner, I found that all of our friends, my mom, my mother-in-law, my husband, and my kids were all there with us.  I felt relaxed, amazing, loved, and above all grateful at the end of the day.

Rosie performing Reiki

Reiki through the hospital while receiving treatment was helpful to get me through the stress of chemotherapy. The benefits I found from Reiki were relaxation, the feeling of calm, it offered a break from overthinking, and I always felt positive and renewed for a day or two after.  I even went back on a day I had an appointment with my oncologist and met with the Reiki therapist Rosie and received it that day, too.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiki)

I can't always do these things for myself, especially with my limited hours at work due to treatment.  My money all goes toward regular bills, medical bills, and groceries.  I can never repay those who have given me the gift of pampering during this time. I means more than I can express, and truly is the only time where I am able to forget the stress of what is happening to me and just enjoy being.  Do not underestimate the power of pampering.  Those few moments have been the best I've felt since diagnosis.  That kind of gift is irreplaceable.