Sometimes it feels like it is just too much.

It's okay to acknowledge that sometimes you are overwhelmed. As you will see below, even Mother Teresa felt that way.

"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."
Erma Bombeck

"Have you ever felt that even though you're taking things "one day at a time" it's about 24 hours more than you can take?"
Barbara Johnson

"I know God won't give me anything I cannot handle. Sometimes I just wish that he did not trust me so much."
Mother Teresa

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Sometimes the only thing in life that makes sense is chocolate."
Unknown

"Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise. Success in many cases is failure turned inside out. The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity. Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything. Replace "If I can, I hope, maybe" with I can, I will, I must."
Mary Kay

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
Unknown

Flatulence is a fancy word for gas.

Chemotherapy often disrupts digestion contributing to abdominal pain, cramping and flatulence. Breathe deeply and try to relax when you experience stomach cramps or get gas.

You need to know it is also okay to burp or fart. It will release pressure and you will feel so much better afterwards. Don't try to hold it in. Normally burps and farts are not socially acceptable. Acceptable or not let it rip! You can always excuse yourself politely afterwards. It isn't good for your health to keep the gas bottled up inside.

There are things you can do to help ease the cramps, pain and build-up of gas. Take your medication with a little food unless you have been specifically instructed to take it on an empty stomach. Don't smoke or drink alcohol as both can irritate your stomach. Avoid spicy, sugary sweet, or greasy fried foods. Slowly eat small meals throughout the day instead of gulping down a couple of large ones. Take note of what works. Identifying what makes the situation better or worse is a "trial and error" process.

Please contact your doctor if your abdomen swells suddenly and feels rigid. Or if you have severe pain or incessant cramping. Or if there is blood in your vomit or stools. It is important that you keep an on-going dialogue with your medical team. The information here and on other websites should only compliment the information you are receiving from the medical team who knows your specific case history and circumstance.

I confess I was concerned that when my chemo treatments were over burping and farting may have become second nature to me and I would lose all sense of decorum and etiquette. Happily that isn't the case. I am in control now just as I ever was. The gas pain is gone. My digestion is improving everyday. Of course, I am human so there is the occasional oops!

If you're a female reading this, let me add that you may find that the men in your life will smile with pride when you "trumpet". Strange but true. I can't explain it. I think it is a guy thing. If you are a man reading this, please recognize that although I encourage you to release your gas build-up from your cancer treatments, I'm not suggesting you have carte' blanche to cut loose forever and ever (smile).

Wake up in gratitude.

Great advice from Joel Osteen: "How you wake up in the morning sets the tone for the whole day. Find something to be thankful for. Remind yourself that you are equipped to do what you need to do."

You may be going through tremendous challenges, and you get tempted to think "I'll never get through this. Things are never going to get better than they are today." That is when it is most important to remind yourself of the things for which you are most thankful. You need to reject the temptation to be overcome by negative thoughts and trust things will change in your favor.

There really is a silver lining to every cloud. It is just extremely hard to find it sometimes. Wake up in gratitude and you will have a head start.

Alleviate the metallic taste.

A metallic taste is sometimes a side effect brought on from your chemotherapy treatments. You may find relief by using plastic ware instead of your usual fork or spoons. Chewing gum or sucking on lifesavers may help.

I was introduced to a wonderful little mint that helped me tremendously. Not only did it help eliminate the metallic taste it also soothed my digestion. They are called "Angel Mints". It is a name that describes them accurately.

When I first heard of them I was apprehensive. It was said that they had the ability to calm digestive problems, relieve nausea, eliminate a metallic taste and even help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Recently they have even been recommended to help ease anxiety.

I am not a doctor, nor do I have any vested interest in the company that makes and sells these wonderful melt-in-your-mouth mints. I simply want to share that they exist and they helped me and others who have enjoyed them. They are truly delicious as well as helping to alleviate and remedy a variety of problems.

They are available at the Florida Candy Factory, Inc. located in Clearwater, Florida and can be ordered from their site. http://www.angelmint.com/home.html Some Walgreens are currently selling them. Even some hospital gift shops have them for sale. The Candy Factory is family owned and is proud of their product. I found these mints to be refreshing, tasty and helped me combat my digestive challenges, nausea and metal tasting mouth. Maybe they would help you too.

Being an armchair quarterback isn't the exclusive domain of football fans.

arm·chair quar·ter·back (plural arm·chair quar·ter·backs)

MSN's Definition:

1. viewer who criticizes conduct of games: somebody who is certain that he or she can make better calls than the coaches or players while watching a competitive sport on television

2. giver of unwanted advice: somebody who offers unwanted advice about how to do something or tries to supervise an activity without being asked

No matter what the circumstance there are always people ready to share their opinion, to criticise and give unwanted advice. It is okay to listen if you want. You can give their suggestions consideration. However you don't need to take it.

All too often advice is based on only having "some" of the facts. Sometimes it is based on information that is old. Although research hasn't yet determined what causes various cancers or how to cure them, the advancements in medical research is phenomenal and occurring everyday. You need to make decisions based on what makes you feel most confident. Whether you follow a doctor's guidance or choose a holistic approach or combination, the choice is yours.

You will make yourself stressed (not a healthy thing) if you try to please others. Don't let yourself be guilted in to trying something you prefer not to do. People may have the best of intentions but they are only making assessments based on their own experience or research.

Hindsight is said to be 20 x 20. That is because they are viewing things that have already happened. It is easy to play the "woulda, shoulda" game from that perspective. In treating your cancer you need to be looking forward. The past may hold useful information however it is what your options are today that need to be considered so you have a healthy, happy tomorrow.

Sometimes it would be nice if we could be covered with a Teflon coating. It would make it easier for us to make decisions. All the advice that was adding confusion and filling our minds with "what ifs" would slide off.

You need to ask questions of your doctor. This will give you the best starting place to create the "game plan" best suited for you. In the beginning you may not even know which questions to ask. On the left are LINKS to various cancer sites. Many have a list of questions to get you started.

Have confidence in your decisions. It is your life. It is okay if you want to be your own armchair quarterback. It is great to learn from experience what works best and what doesn't. Afterall when we know more we do better.

Every person is unique. Every situation is unique. It is your life. You don't have to make decisions based on a general consensus. You are the majority. You rule!

Risk of infection.

The risk of infection during your cancer treatment is very high. You want to avoid crowds, use disinfectant and talk to your doctor and nurses about ways to reduce the risk of infection. Infections can delay your treatment. You need to do everything you can to stay healthy and strong. You need to be actively involved in getting yourself healthy. Some things will be out of your control. Your immune system is weakened. It is important that you eliminate unnecessary risks that may make you subject to catching a cold, getting a cut or scratch, or infection of any kind.

If you should develop an infection, let your doctor know right away. You don't want to self diagnose your symptoms or take or apply medications without consulting your doctor. You need to make sure they don't conflict with your cancer treatment. Be cautious, don't assume you know what to do.

Be vigilant and careful. Make yourself a priority.

The secret ingredient - hope. Who would guess that a song called "You Had A Bad Day" would be hopeful...LOL

I love this song because at one time or another I have heard my grandchildren singing it in a car. I love to go on a drive when I am feeling low. It magically turns my day around. Too many times to count I have heard this song playing during times when I was feeling low or in an anxious situation such as a doctor's office. Each time I smiled. I remembered Hope and Noah singing it in Tennessee or Jake singing it when I was visiting him in West Virginia as we awaited the arrival of his brother, Jonah to be born.

Music can fill us with hope and stir up memories. I hope you enjoy this. What songs bring you happiness and make you smile?