Going with the Flow

| Bonnie Kelso
creek

I felt well enough today to write a blog post! Yay! Chemotherapy treatment for Breast Cancer is no picnic, but I did manage to get out to Mt. Charleston last weekend. It was a little frustrating because I could only make it to this little creek. I didn’t even make it all the way to Little Falls, a hike I normal would consider a “baby hike.” With anemia and general fatigue weighing me down at 7,000 feet, I just didn’t have it in me. But it was nice to just sit and listen to the water flow. I am reminded that I too am in the flow of healing.

A lot of what I’m going through emotionally reminds me of when I was pregnant. So much scaling back of all the things a normally love to do. Although I won’t get a beautiful baby out of this deal, I do hope to gain a life in remission from cancer.

My creative projects have had to shift to a glacial timeframe of development as well. This is especially dangerous for a person like me, because when I’m lying down, I think of new things I want to create. I have a growing list of projects I want to initiate, develop and complete once I get through this year of treatment. Even as I am waiting this time out, I am grateful for the experience. Cancer has given me a new awareness of who I am and what I’m here to do. Yes, there is always a bright side, even to cancer.

I hope you enjoy this little minute long video of the water flowing from Little Falls at 7,000 feet. Next year, I’ll be stepping into that flow, and there is going to be a lot pouring out of me, so get ready! Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy your summer and find little ways here and there to nurture your creative spirit. Dreaming totally counts, by the way. It’s my new favorite hobby.

Love you to pieces,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique.

©Bonnie Kelso and Creating Your Experience

Vitalize Your Creative Life is a workbook based on a series of classes I designed based on creating from the energetic space of your inner child. In this workbook, I encourage you to rediscover the creative kid inside of you by coloring, scribbling, and even drawing stick figures. This is a very approachable book for people who want to begin exploring their creative life in a playfully spiritual way. Read more…

13 thoughts on “Going with the Flow”

  1. Hello Bonnie, as someone who survived cancer and two years of experimental chemo back in the early 70s, I can say that I know exactly how you feel and what you are going through. Keep walking that trail and each day you will go a little bit further. You can do this.

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      1. When doctors hear the name of my chemo drug they cringe and tell me that I was in the dark ages. They no longer use that drug because of the harsh side effects. However, because of the success of that drug, they have been able to come up with a third or fourth or tenth generation that is still effective but don’t have the immediate and lasting effects of the original drug.

        During my treatment, I would go to the Dr’s office every six weeks and sit for a 30 minute IV drip on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday were not too bad but by Wednesday I was heaving my guts out all day and all night until Saturday evening. Sunday morning was the first that I could eat and keep anything down. During that week, I would lose 40 pounds and obviously be very weak. It took six weeks to get my body weight and strength back and then I would do it all again.

        Not that the chemo was bad enough, it was during my junior and senior years of high school. No physical activity that would make me run down and compromise my immune system, and I was not the most desirable guy in the dating pool. But, all in all, I had a pretty good last two years in school. I had the lead roles in nearly every music and dramatic theatrical production, worked as a radio DJ, and was a reporter for the school newspaper. Not bad for a kid that could not spell or add 2+2.

        I would not trade those days for anything.

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  3. Dearest Bonnie, Thank you for this blog. It is so good to hear from you. Bless your bravery and strength through this journey. You are a gift to all of us, kind of like The Giving Tree! Don’t give us too much, save a lot for yourself. Until you feel like writing again, stay strong and know that we are all rooting for you with love.

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  4. What a beautiful video. A wonderful piece of this earth….. to feel it’s Grace and inhale it’s calm. This beauty to heal your soul, as you work so hard to heal your body. The energy around you is full of love, and that only comes when you have given that energy to others. Sharing your journey of cancer is not an easy thing to do, but your loving heart guides you. Know there are prayers being said for your strength and healing.

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  5. Thank you for including me in your hike
    I am sure you have been told you are inspirational
    But I must repeat it
    Inspirational!!!!
    Look forward to your next hike
    Much love
    Many smiles
    From
    Your Hollywood neighbor
    Eileen

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