I'm eagerly anticipating new meetings with CancerCare's oncology social worker-mediated groups.

Here I am going to serve as publicity flak.

1) they gave me two wigs -- 

the insurance-covered place is certainly splendid, but I wasn't feeling going by train to Port Jefferson just then

they gave me two because there was the one that... was just really great but not the low budget option

about wigs: 

if you know me, you might be surprised I didn't shave my head, or plan fifteen different progressively shorter and more colored hair styles

but, I learned, as one of the only ppl at the buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya who did not shave head: it takes much longer to grow back from ground zero

about scarves:

moving company in 2015 managed to lose the box containing ALL OF MY SCARVES

fortunately, mom was moving and sent me lots of her scarves she didn't want: pretty enough that passerby and friends were like, "that's a style choice, not chemo"

2) they have a great thrift shop

yeah, I mourn the demise of the Memorial Sloan Kettering UES thrifts and pop-up shops, but CancerCare's -- whoa, reversible leather jacket, $40; cashmere-lined leather gloves, $6;  sweater coats (hey, it gets ridiculously cold in hospitals)

I'm pretty sure I could have claimed cancer and poverty, but as a lifelong thrift shopper (from age 9?), with parents who owned consignment stores and shoe stores, it is incredibly satisfying to carry home as much as one can carry of quality clothes for under $200.  It was the Hadassah(?) in LA that provided me with all those Armani Suits, first cancer. 

3) as an organization, they step in: hey, you need help (important pandemic time)

 Some CBD and other OTC cream/pain relief research:

          CBD Creams, Lotions:

          I have tried several.  In general, I go online and purchase straight from the companies:  they often have discounts.  In NY, where creams are available in local bodegas/smoke shops, they are hideously expensive.  Think $60 for something that is $30 online.

          Quantity is a consideration.  You may want to sacrifice strength to get an Aquifor/CerVe-sized vat.  I find it helps relax the muscles that tense up around the areas that hurt most.

      Strength is my major consideration.  Currently I have CBDFx Muscle and Joint Cream 1000mg.  That’s right, 1000mg (1g).  It is easy to find stuff with as little as 25mg.  At that strength, Voltaren is better.

         CBD Salve:

          Think Tiger Balm with CBD.  I use one from Straight Hemp.  I have been known to use it as I use Tiger Balm, on my temples.  It can have a mild botox-like effect on wrinkles.

CBD Tincture:

Under-the-tongue drops.  I use these a lot.

          Oil:  Hemp is oil-soluble.  This is the reason one finds it in baked goods, capsules, creams, etc.  My criterion is taste and effect.  This is also the area where is type of hemp comes into play.  Leafly has real information.  For example, Sativa can be energizing.  I have been known to clean the kitchen after taking some.  Indica is more relaxing, anxiety-reliving, and sometimes soporific. 

I have Extract Labs Immune Support Hemp Tincture because it is rumored that it offers immune support.  But it is yucky:  it tastes like hemp. 1000mg.  Believe me, I did not pay $125.  They tripled their price when it received news coverage. 

My local (yes, my stretch of Kings Highway is equally divided between smoke shops and pharmacies (who claim they have notaries but do not)) has Blueberry and Blood Orange flavors *the same price as online*.

CBD Distillery is another source I have used. 

          Water-soluble: Binoid CBD has this.  I’m trying out peppermint 500mg.  This is magic because one can put it in fizzy water, hot tea, etc.              

          Delta 8, Delta 10, THC-O, etc.: These tinctures are perfectly legal and widely available.  They are metabolized as THC/Delta 9, which is not legal in NY.  They can show up as THC in drug tests.  However, they are stronger than just plain CBD.  So, yes, one gets a bit stoned. 

          Edibles:

CBD Gummie Bears are widely available.  I don’t use them because they contain HFCS.  Edibles in a vast variety are available where THC/Delta 9 isn’t banned.

Non-CBD:

Many creams contain menthol and lidocaine.  I have had co-workers who complained about the smell. Thus:

Voltaren was prescription-only ten years ago, but now it is in every “big box” pharmacy (I had friends who visited Italy all the time and would bring it back for me).  It is unscented. It is much better than

Vanishing scent Icy Hot.

Vanishing scent BenGay.

Lists include:

https://www.forbes.com/health/body/best-cbd-creams/