Showing posts with label Loving Support. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loving Support. Show all posts

Monday, 1 September 2008

August Update

Changes:

• The fatigue continues and has worsened somewhat. This seems to occur every time I have a new Zoladex Implant (every three months). The first few weeks or so the side effects seem to be heightened.

• The hot flushes continue but with less frequency and duration. Shortness of breath continues and had worsened somewhat - see point 1 above.

• Night urinations have increased to 2 or 3 per night!! Might have to discontinue my last ‘cup of tea.’

• Sleeplessness is now almost a thing of the past! I sleep very well now (between ‘pit stops’)

• Tiredness has also increased – see point 1 above!

• Sensitivity of the skin IS a thing of the past.

• Hair loss - chest, stomach, under the armpits - continues but is not a problem. Less shaving required now!

• Breast (nipple) soreness and sensitivity are gone.

• Cognitive Impairment continues to improve; largely because I am forcing my brain to remember even small details - the old adage applies here - use it or lose it!!

• Confusion only rarely becomes a problem, because of the above strategy.

• Memory loss has eased considerably - again because of the above strategy!

• Berocca; my 'High protein' energy drink (a breakfast supplement) and Glucodin have all been suspended in favour of:

Propolis - a product of honey, which has proven results for empowering the immune system; Sage – improves memory; improved, well-balanced diet; and, a milk substitute with added calcium and vitamin D – to prevent bone thinning.


Unchanged:

• My attitude is increasingly positive!

• Bowel movements remain good.

• I have maintained a weight loss of 2.5kgs - still 6kgs to go!


While it is important to exercise sufficiently each day to stave off bone thinning and muscle atrophy; it is also important to allow your body sufficient rest each in regard to the Radiation Therapy!

I have had to ‘work’ at balancing these two; it was only when I considered just how much my body was damaged during the Radiation Therapy that I was able to fully understand the importance of maintaining this balance!

Friday, 28 March 2008

Defeating Cancer ... A KEY Ingredient

The further I travel on this journey (i.e. living with cancer) the more convinced I am, that one of 'most crucial' factors that makes the difference between winning and losing this battle; is the wonderful people you meet along the way!

The skills of the various practitioners, is of course a vital element to success; but this alone does not ensure the best outcome! I have found that the following have been extremely important to me on my journey so far:


  1. First and foremost ... a loving, caring and immensely supportive wife.

  2. A dedicated and loving daughter who travelled half way around the world, with two young children under the age of 2 years, to spend the first few weeks of my therapy actively encouraging me.

  3. Some of the 'best' practitioners in the country are part of my treatment team.

  4. The most fantastic nursing staff imaginable.

  5. Supportive and encouraging friends.

Conversely, it is also true that 'some' of the people you encounter along the way can actually be counter-productive when it comes to a positive overall treatment outcome. For example:

There are those who are:

'Only doing their job'! Commendable but not good enough when dealing with human suffering!

Then there are those who:

'Feign' concern/empathy ... whilst giving the distinct impression that you are simply another task on an already overburdened schedule.

Of course we also unfortunately encounter the following on the odd occasion:

"I'm too busy today ... ring me tomorrow" - types. This group, often times just need to find a way to 'harness their egos/self-importance! If they can't, then I'm sure that there are many 'out there' who would be only too willing to help with that task!!


I am just very greatful that I have met only one or two who belong to one of these latter groups. Probably a good thing all round ... as I'm known for 'speaking my mind' when the stakes are high enough!

An example of those who (I believe) understand and are dedicated to the 'wholistic' nature of healing, can be seen in the following photo. Here, one of today's team shares a joke with me just prior to the start on my treatment!





A BIG thankyou to all those who have taken such wonderful care of my wife and I!!