Cancer Support - Fingernails And Toenails

When undergoing chemotherapy,

You may experience changes to your fingernails and toenails.

Chemotherapy targets fast growing cells,

Which include cells that control hair and nail growth.

Nail color and texture can be affected.

Fingernails and toenails can also become quite painful and inhibit daily tasks.

In this meditation we will focus on your fingernails and toenails,

Focusing on balancing and releasing any emotions or beliefs stored there,

As well as worry and frustration around these changes.

Let's start by getting comfortable,

Either sitting or laying down.

There will be times in the meditation where I invite you to hold your fingers or your toes,

So if you wish to do that as part of the meditation you might find sitting will make this easier.

It is also okay to lay down and choose to just imagine you're holding your fingers and toes without physically doing so.

Settle yourself and close your eyes or lower your gaze,

Whatever feels right for you.

Focus now on your breathing.

Take a few deep breaths through your nose,

If you can,

And out your mouth.

As you breathe in your nose,

Feel the sensation of the breath as it comes in your nostrils,

Feeling your chest,

Feeling it going lower in your body as your abdomen rises.

Release the breath out,

Releasing all that no longer serves you.

You have nowhere else to be,

Nothing else to do.

As you return to the rhythm of your natural breath,

Bring yourself into the present moment.

If your mind starts to wander,

That's okay,

Just allow the thoughts to come and go.

Don't focus,

Judge or analyze them.

Let them flow past you,

Like you are an observer rather than a participant,

And then return to my voice.

Focus on your body and the sensation of it touching the floor,

Cushion,

Chair or bed.

Scan your whole body and notice any tension or tightness,

Any tingling or pain.

Focus on the sensation and acknowledge it,

Breathe into it and release any tension on the out-breath,

Saying in your mind,

I release what no longer serves.

Continue focusing on any areas of the body that are needing some attention,

To release any tightness,

Tension or pain.

If no specific areas in the body are talking to you,

Just focus on the whole body and keep breathing in and releasing what no longer serves.

Let's focus now on your hands,

Both hands,

The fingers on both hands and the fingernails on both hands.

Picture them in your mind,

Picture each of the nails on your left hand,

Your pinky finger,

Your ring finger,

Middle finger,

Pointer finger and thumb,

Then move across to the nails on your right hand,

Your thumb,

Pointer finger,

Middle finger,

Ring finger and pinky finger.

If you don't have all ten fingers,

Still picture what they look like,

If they were all there.

What do you feel?

Is there any tightness,

Discomfort,

Pulsing,

Pain or sensations in and around your nails?

Check into your nails,

What message do they want to share with you?

Focus on your fingernails and ask the question,

What do I need to know?

If thoughts come to mind,

Imagine pulling the emotion,

Thought,

Or belief out from under your nails,

And seeing them release like a wispy cloud into the sky,

Floating away to be healed.

Who or what is getting under your nails?

Is there someone or something you aren't dealing with?

Are there emotions you are sweeping under the rug?

What emotions are stored here?

Anger,

Fear,

Blame,

Worry,

Irritation,

Stress?

Release the emotions on each out breath,

Saying in your mind,

Thank you for showing up,

I now release you.

Do you have worries that continue to rise?

Do you feel difficulty dealing with the every day?

Are you stuck?

Do you have constant challenges and fears that keep coming up?

Release on the out breath,

Thank you for showing up,

I now release you.

It is great if emotions are rising as you focus on your fingernails,

It shows it is time to let them go,

This will bring balance to your body and improve energy flow,

Health and wellness.

Breathe into the emotion,

And let it release.

Breathe in positive healing energy and release what no longer serves.

Continue to do this for the next few minutes,

And work through any messages,

Sensations or emotions that arise as you focus on your fingernails.

If nothing comes up,

That is fine also,

Just breathe in and out,

Focusing on your fingernails with positive healing energy.

I invite you now to wrap the fingers of your right hand around the fingernails of your left hand.

If you would prefer to imagine doing this,

Rather than physically doing it,

That is okay.

Feel the warmth of your right hand hugging your fingernails.

Send love to your fingernails,

Calming any pain or discomfort.

Breathe into any discomfort,

Release any hurt.

Thank your fingernails for protecting your fingers.

Acknowledge the things they help you do.

Whether they are short or long,

They are valuable parts of our body.

Send thanks to your nails,

Feel the love and calming energy flow from your hands to your nails.

These changes to your nails are temporary.

Imagine white light in and around your fingernails,

Purifying and balancing the emotions around your fingernails.

Continue this for the next few minutes.

I invite you now to release your fingers and change hands.

Wrap the fingers of your left hand around the fingernails of your right hand.

Feel the warmth of your left hand hugging your fingernails.

Send love to your fingernails,

Calming any pain or discomfort.

Breathe into any discomfort,

Release any hurt.

Thank your fingernails for protecting your fingers.

Acknowledge the things they help you do.

Send thanks to your nails,

Feel the love and calming energy flow from your hand to your nails.

These changes to your nails are temporary.

Imagine white light in and around your fingernails,

Purifying and balancing the emotions around your fingernails.

Continue this for a few minutes.

Now release your fingers.

See both hands surrounded by white light,

Balancing and bringing all fingernails back to peak strength and health.

Imagine painting white onto your fingernails,

So this balance will continue after this meditation.

Let's focus now on your feet,

Both feet.

The toes on both feet and the toenails on both feet.

Picture them in your mind.

Picture each of the nails on your left foot,

Your big toe,

Second toe,

Third toe,

Fourth toe and fifth toe.

Then move across to the nails on your right foot,

Your big toe,

Second toe,

Third toe,

Fourth toe and fifth toe.

If you don't have all ten toes,

Still picture what they would look like if they are all there.

What do you feel?

Is there any tightness,

Discomfort,

Pulsing,

Pain or sensations in and around your nails?

Check into your nails.

What message do they want to share with you?

Is it the same as your fingernails?

Or is there another emotion,

Thought or belief coming to mind?

Focus on your toenails and ask the question,

What do I need to know?

As thoughts come to mind,

Imagine pulling the emotion,

Thought or belief out from under your nails and seeing them release like a wispy cloud into the sky,

Floating away to be healed.

Release the emotions on each out breath,

Saying in your mind,

Thank you for showing up,

I now release you.

Do you feel angry with someone or about something?

Feel you have been the victim of something that feels unfair?

Do you feel overwhelmed or unable to put words to how you feel?

Release on the out breath,

Thank you for showing up,

I now release you.

Breathe into the emotion and let it release.

Breathe in positive healing energy and release what no longer serves.

Continue to do this for the next few minutes and work through any messages,

Sensations or emotions that arise as you focus on your toenails.

If nothing comes up,

That is fine also,

Just breathe in and out,

Focusing on your toenails with positive healing energy.

I invite you now to wrap your hands around your toes and toenails of your left foot.

If you would prefer to imagine doing this rather than physically doing it,

That is okay.

Feel the warmth of your hands,

Hugging your toes and toenails.

Send love to your toenails,

Calming any pain or discomfort.

Breathe into any discomfort,

Release any hurt.

Thank your toenails for protecting your toes.

Acknowledge the things they help you do,

Whether they are short or long,

They are valuable parts of our body.

Send thanks to your nails,

Feel the love and calming energy flow from your hand to your nails.

These changes to your nails are temporary.

Imagine white light in and around your toenails,

Purifying and balancing the emotions around your toenails.

Continue this for a few minutes.

Now release your toes.

See your left foot surrounded by white light,

Balancing and bringing all toes and toenails back to peak strength and health.

Imagine painting white on your toenails,

So this balance will continue after this meditation.

I invite you now to wrap your hands around your toes and toenails of your right foot.

If you would prefer to imagine doing this rather than physically doing it,

That is okay.

Feel the warmth of your hands,

Hugging your toes and toenails.

Send love to your toenails,

Calming any pain or discomfort.

Breathe into any discomfort,

Release any hurt.

Thank your toenails for protecting your toes.

Acknowledge the things they do to help you,

Whether they are short or long,

They are valuable parts of your body.

Send thanks to your nails,

Feel the love and calming energy flow from your hands to your nails.

These changes to your nails are temporary.

Imagine white light in and around your toenails,

Purifying and balancing the emotions around your toenails.

Continue this for a few minutes.

Now release your toes,

See your right foot surrounded by white light,

Balancing and bringing all toes and toenails back to peak strength and health.

Imagine painting white on your toenails,

So this balance will continue after this meditation.

Quietly feel and accept the calm,

Peace and quiet for a few breaths.

I invite you to move your focus back to your whole body.

Notice the flowing of energy throughout your body,

Notice the calm,

Notice the sensations of your whole body,

And how it connects to the floor,

Bed,

Chair or cushion.

Slowly and gently start to move your fingers and toes,

Slowly move your head from side to side,

Take a deep breath in and out,

And start to gently move your body.

Slowly stretch,

Return to this room,

And gently,

When you are ready,

Open your eyes.

Thank yourself for taking this time to love and honor your body.

Thank you for sharing this time with me.