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Team Sara Wellness Fund: Investors' Report Q4 2023

My Dear Friends:

You've gifted me money toward experiences to help make this journey easier for me, and I wanted to share back how you've lifted me up so far! 

I'm using your gifts on items that are directly related to the extra stuff that's come along with having cancer. And, if the giver requested something specific ("Whopper fund," "Buy something that brings you joy," etc.), I'm staying true to the request!

Here's what I've invested in so far:

  • A FANCY JUICER—AND NOT A SHITTY ONE! My tastebuds are starting to change, and although I still have an appetite, I'm losing an interest in cooking. So this will help me stay on track of getting all my vitamins and nutrients. 

  • 'FUN' OR NICER VERSIONS OF STUFF THAT I NEED. For example, I need to get a compression sleeve for my arm to wear each time I fly so that I don't trigger lymphedema (for the rest of my life 😐 ). Well, if I'm going to have to do this, I want the one that looks like a tat (tattoo) sleeve, and that's an up-charge. So I'm ordering the tat one as a gift from you! Thank you! Other examples: My skin is super sensitive and reactive to basic skin care ingredients, so I've ordered special face lotion and tinted moisturizer. I also ordered some head wraps to have a variety.   

  • ONCOLOGY AND LYMPHATIC MASSAGE. They're things! I've booked a few over the next 2 months to help me get rid of the toxins that will be left in my body. 

  • CANNABIS (BUT NOT THE GET-HIGH KIND) TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER. Or just manageable. "It" refers to inflammation, gut health, pain, and neuropathy. And it ain't cheap! 

  • WHOPPERS AND COFFEES. My spoiled-arse-self doesn't have the 3x/week Google coffee bar to frequent, and sometimes, I just want a little treat and barista conversation in the middle of the day. And sometimes, I interrupt my plant-forward diet (still chopping vegetables over here!) with a Burger King Whopper. Note that a portion of Sara's Wellness Fund has been dedicated to Whoppers, based on giver request.  

  • BOOB CUPCAKES, which helped me kickoff chemo. They inspired me to buy the same cupcakes for the cancer center care team before Christmas!

  • SUPPORT FROM A LOCAL HOME CHEF. I'm working with a local home chef and caterer on a system for the final stretch of chemotherapy and also radiation to help me avoid losing interest in cooking and food. 

  • REALLY FRIGGIN' GOOD SUSHI. Every few weeks, I order sushi from this really good place in my neighborhood as a treat.  

  • EXERCISE GEAR FOR MY AMENDED ROUTINES AND BODY. Water shoes so I can run in the pool without blistering my feet. New sports bras to accommodate my port. A new workout top that is more flattering to my body without a head of hair (it's a thing). All of this stuff enables me, empowers me, and helps me adjust to situation with confidence. 

  • MONTHLY CLEANING PERSON TO DO A DEEP CLEAN, FOR SIX MONTHS. This is relieving.
I also set out to work with a personal trainer, but it turned out that my Physical Therapist is also an exercise oncologist, which is what I learned I needed. So that ends up being covered by insurance. 

Things like this that end up being extra and add up fast. It's so nice to be able to choose what I really want when I need to buy this type of stuff. 

Thank you for caring for me, supporting me, cheering me on. I think of each of you as I experience and use All the Things that are making this easier to go through!

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