Newsletter

Cards on the Table | Love Letters for a Chemo Countdown

Done with chemo, Sarah shares her practice of asking her community to support her with a collective countdown calendar.

Sarah looking back on the cards she received during chemotherapy

Soft October light filters through falling oak leaves. Not much breeze.

We lay each card on the table.

I live each week again,

for a moment,

but just the good parts.

Opening love letters, each envelope labeled with a week number.

A collective chemo countdown calendar, sent from friends and family who asked what they could do for me.

"I have an idea," I texted them.

"A kind of art project."

Family memories in a letter from my great-aunt Roberta.

Jokes and glitter from my little cousin Meera.

A poem typed on an actual typewriter from Casey in Oregon.

Week 11: A drawing from Bridget, 8, a family friend; a friendship bracelet from nibbling Nico; a note from Ang at Mariposa Movement. Each card delivers so much love and creativity from the sender.

As I went through the rhythm of chemotherapy, Sundays packing warm socks and special rocks, earbuds and snacks, Mondays meditating through infusions, waking Tuesdays to see how my body felt, I looked forward to opening these cards.

Watercolors from Avra's sons.

A hand-drawn "maze of life" from my sister Caitlin.

Channeled tarot readings from my mother Susan.

Practical surprises in pretty canvas bags from Sandra.

Recommendations for female-fronted bands to listen to each week, complete with Spotify QR codes, from my husband's coworker, Kent.

And now the countdown is complete.

I'm done with chemo, ready for my reconstruction surgery, and some fun in between.

I pack the cards away.

They've done their work.

REVERY BEAUTY

Know someone who is going through chemotherapy soon? Share Sarah's how-to for creating your own chemo countdown calendar.

We think of it as a beauty practice for your cancer season, like a pre-mastectomy boob cast or ceremonial haircut.

MEMBERS

We're loving the love Revery Members are offering to women going through cancer treatment.

Marlene‘s team at The Lifted Lotus in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is trained in certified oncology massage as part of holistic pelvic floor therapy for clients at every stage of treatment and recovery.

Nicole just completed intensive training in peripheral neuropathy care for her acupuncture clients at Qi Acupuncture in Hastings on Hudson and NYC.

EVENTS

Sarah and Beth will be at Elizabeth's event in November:

There are still a few spots left, including private casitas!, at the Mariposa Movement dance retreat in Costa Rica with Aliza (use booking code REVERY for a discount):

Reva's heading to Nepal in March for this yoga retreat in the Kathmandu Valley:

Want to share an event you're hosting or that you recommend? Tell us about it.

Here for all your countdowns,

Sarah & Sandra

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