Comment on Crazy Sexy Cancer site (I hope)

VMJ-Giving ThanksLink below

I’m 3 years out after Chemo…2 years from my last surgery and divorce. I’ve got a low key blog on vickirichards dot net. I’m a musician and have gone back to my hospital , used my post rehab arms, tingling neuropathetic (not pathetic : ) fingers to play for patients and staff. Music therapy in this way help me during and after. When my brain seemed to return and my strength and heart I just had to do this for the women coming after me—

My first “give back” recording is done and available: Cleansing Waters: Pura Vida

It’s made for people in the process, sitting in the “suite” with the port open and flowing. Guided Imagery plus 3 tracks of supportive, ambient soothing music. I’ve given out 100 of these and wish I had the budget to get this into every Chemo Suite as an option to help your body accept the chemo as life giving rather than the toxic “Red Devil”.

I’ve got side effects sure, but a new life.

And am grateful. Humor is so useful! My Story was in the Kripalu Retreat Ctr Magazine as I went there, post everything, to recover with great organic food, gorgeous nature.

I’d like to know where “rehab/recovery” facilities are for those of us that had to go through alone? I needed more attention and could have literally died from lack of supervision, malnutrition, IF a great friend hadn’t stepped in.

Rally your troops, and your inner strength is there. A connection to something spiritual is so helpful. Find Beauty in 1 thing every day and know that the difficulties: “This too Shall Pass”.

Wishing you best health & recovery. I did it!!!

My daughter said this about Cancer…”f*#$& that shiz”. She has the heart of a lion and I loved that kick in cancer’s caboose

Link to “http://my.crazysexylife.com/group/wemadecancerourbitch?commentId=2001521%3AComment%3A590792&xg_source=msg_com_group”>

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Beautiful Song….inspiring

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New recording “Nectar”

Just had a new recording come out that was in progress for 3 years. It’s Jorge Alfano’s “Nectar”. There a couple of very sweet cuts, plus all the musical diversity & artistry in playing and producing he brings in. Jeff Deen brings tabla, set, Hapi and much much more.
Title track Nectar ….I think the love is palpable. We recorded first take, sat back and found it was so complete. We were stunned and intoxicated by the music, in that moment. Magic moments in music and spirit!
That 3 yr period …they waited until I recovered from one surgery after the next. From the physical and the emotional of sep/divorce, to the next, the long chemo..
It’s very meaningful to me that I kept getting back up and rising to play.
From Chumba Wumba : “I get knocked down but I get up again. Ain’t never gonna keep me down” (repeat)
That they were there to encourage, drive me to play, bring me in to play for the making of the healing medicine sand mandala by Tibetan Monks in Miami. It all helped keep me going. That’s not on the album jacket….it’s the inside story of healing with music and love. Prayer and friends.

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Visiting the “S” cities

Santa Clara, then north & south, a little to the East then, back West to the Wasatch mountains.
Nature is healing. Such great music at every stop. Also the story of human foibles and angst, humor & hunger.
Friendship & family.
Breath…

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Cleansing the Chakras

Last week I participated in ” 7 Layers of Cleansing” . Layne Redmond led us through many practices including pranayam, chi kung, yoga, chanting and more. It was rigorous and all was to establish and connect with the chi energy we can manifest or realize in our bodies. Pulling from the ground up.
If it stagnates, we stop moving and then, the cells are not happy campers.
if you ever get the opportunity to take Layne’s workshops…Do it! She’s thorough, has researched & taught for many years, written books, is very knowledgeable, evolving and approachable.
I played Indian Ragas on violin while there was meditation, shiv asana and at various times, sometimes “in concert” with Tibetan Bells. Wonderful people attending this at Kripalu retreat Center in Lenox, MA.
Layne teaches all over the world. You’ll get lots of info and her calendar at layneredmond.com. She’s on uTube too. Her drumming workshops are also fun and transformative.

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My new CD is out! Guided Imagery and Music during Chemo and after

After about a year in progress the new CD is complete and packaged. The first 10 (now 7) requests for this for a friend or family member in treatment …free.

I just want this to get into the ears to sooth along the jagged trail we  walk during the cancer battle.

This guided visualization focuses on rinsing away unwanted cells. It’s peaceful but directs the mind, focusing on specific areas of the body.  Waterfalls, ambient sounds, and 3 tracks of ambient instrumental music follow. Drawn from my resources as I went  through the process: Mindfulness Meditation, Vipassana, Chinese Healing Chi Kung, shiv Asana -yoga. read by Elizabeth Russell.

Should be on iTunes and Amazon and my website soon. Give it to a friend!

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Music is Healing, for the Musicians as Well as the Listeners

So many notes in the universe. Each resonates. Have you noticed how, at a loud concert, your bones vibrate? Okay, at a rock concert or if you’re  in front of the percussion section of an orchestra, or listening to your teenager’s garage band rehearse.

As much as those vibrations are detectable, the subtle ones from a quiet recording or nature’s orchestra: the wind, trees, water may have a subconscious effect. For me a walk in the autumn breeze has the effect of energizing as well as calming. You can’t push against the wind as resistance is futile. You can stand sideways and not be blown off course or you can turn and let it guide you forward. You are moving in any event.

In the struggle, acceptance or muddle of whatever trauma or heartbreak you are experiencing at this moment, what would it be like if you “turned sideways”, or let the flow/blow be deflected by merely allowing to be moved in the same direction. Like swimming in a rip current. Use the flow, go a little out of the way, then home.

I started this writing intending to speak as a musician about tones and ended up in nature….not a bad transition…I’m going out for a walk.

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