Now that it’s been more than a week since my treatment, the ravenous hunger has decreased. The nausea isn’t as bad as it was last week, but is still ever-present. I now have mouth sores – another common chemo side effect. I’ve also noticed some foods are starting to taste different. I had a raspberry last night and it was downright awful!

After Rosh Hashanah services today, I had an acupuncture appointment at Magee. I tried acupuncture years ago to see if it would help with my migraines. Spoiler alert: It didn’t. But chemo is a whole new beast!

The acupuncturist, Carol, has been practicing for over 10 years. She specializes in cancer and chemotherapy support, among other things. And it turns out that thanks to the Glimmer of Hope Foundation, I get 10 free sessions throughout my care.

Acupuncture has become a lot more mainstream. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends acupuncture for over 100 conditions, including chemo. An April 2022 Time article reported that the “blend of anecdotal success, research-backed results, and growing level of openness from the medical community are all driving the popularity of acupuncture as a therapy. According to a 2021 World Health Organization report, acupuncture is the most widely used traditional medicine practice globally, and it’s gaining traction in the U.S.”

Carol asked about my side effects and health history. Ideally, acupuncture treatment occurs a day or two before chemo treatment. She said it was still worth getting today to establish a foundation and prep my body.

She placed around 15 needles in specific points on my body. The “needles” are actually more like filaments; they are very thin and flexible and are placed very shallow in the body. Since I get migraines and have a headache today, she addressed that. She also chose points that affect the immune system, energy, GI issues, and nausea. I barely felt them go in. A few felt a little more sensitive going in.

Then my job was to rest for 25 minutes.

During that period, a needle near my left ankle felt tender. Then a spot on my stomach wanted more attention. When Carol took the needles out (again, barely felt it), the area on my right calf felt tender afterwards.

Every time I asked about a tender spot, it was one that clearly needs help — my immune system, nausea, energy. And apparently feeling this is good; it shows that my body is responding.

She wants to spread out my treatments so we have a couple in reserve for when I’m on Taxol, because the side effects really build. My next treatment will be two days before my second chemo, which will hopefully make the side effects more tolerable.

I’ll take some pricks for the biggest prick of ‘em all: Cancer!