Saturday, October 28 Eight Strategies and Musical Appreciation

Here is a bit of an update on the “Eight Strategies.” and perhaps a Ninth Element

Treatment
I am taking the convention route. With my hospital being a well-known and respected institution I have confidence in my doctors and treatment team. My case was put before a ‘tumor board’. It is a multidisciplinary group of specialists that ultimately decides on your treatment plan. Although I have confidence in my doctors this does not mean that I do not take an active role in my treatments. Actually this is one of Anderson's major tenets and foundational principals, “I have a significant role to play in my in my recovery.” (Anderson, 19990) This is the key premise upon which I see the 8 strategies based.

Beliefs and Attitudes
I continue to chose and focus upon messages that promote health and healing. I try to do this each and every hour of the day. I choose images that help me to see myself moving forward in a positive direction. Hence the use of the White Water Rafting metaphor. While I am ‘Opname’ (see entry on Monday October 23 More Cookies, Resources), I tend not to do a whole lot of visualizations about an idealized future. Rather, I tend to just enjoy being and satisfied with my present positive physical state and not to focus too much on any side effects.

Exercise
I try to exercise each and every day. I have determined that being active and feeling vital will play a key role in my recovery. Oddly enough, I feel my vitality is tied up somewhat in my leg strength. As a result I am doing a lot of lower body and Tai Chi sitting exercises. Specifically Don Yus and Tor Yus, These exercises also promote circulation and the flow of energy through the body. It is funny that when fatigue overwhelms me it tends to start from the neck down through the shoulders and arms. I have decided, at this point, not to work on building tone and strength in my neck, shoulder and arms area, but rather to strengthen my legs. I believe that a stronger foundation, in the lower body, allows me to support and ultimately relax my upper body. I am hoping that this theory works…

Purpose/Play Balance
"Purpose involves survivors perceiving that they are needed and that their life has a unique and special meaning."
I have generally had a good work ethic and have always enjoyed working and being productive. I do not intend to stop exploring areas of interest to me. As a matter of my close friend the Doc Man, http://www.flickr.com/photos/docman, has been encouraging me to take up photography, as his photos are certainly an inspiration. So growing and learning are in the ‘cards’ for me. I also find this Blog to be somewhat purposeful... so keep the comments flowing. They can be anonymous, too.

Social Support
For me, social support rates as critical. From Jen who is by my side and keeping me on track every day to the countless kind acts from friends and colleagues, is essential.
From complete dinners being dropped off to whole dinners being cooked with my needs in mind, is a most humbling experience. I am so lucky that I have a constant stream of love and consideration. This is so significant that I find that it actually borders on my spiritual awareness. This sense of giving is humbling. I seem to have been blessed with a loving family, close friends, thoughtful neighbours, caring colleagues and with who knows what else?
However lucky I am, I try to think about those who are perhaps more alone, who are away from home and have not established themselves, to the same extent, in ‘a place’. For that person it must be difficult, however, this feeling of social re-energization and 'communalness' is not based on quantity. I can think of specific, simple acts that have touched me in ways that words cannot explain. I often focus on these acts and draw strength, hope, and faith from them in order to transform my mood and confidence.

Diet and Nutrition
I believe that this is continuing well. I have not lost much weight. In speaking to the dietician prior to RT, I discover that a weight gain of 5% to 8% is suggested. I managed to make it to 6% and I believe that I have not lost much weight to date. I try to eat healthily and am not relying on many vitamins and minerals. Taking additional vitamins and anti-oxidants is not at all recommended at this phase of treatment.
Vitamin C must be limited to 95 mg.for men and 75 mg.for women
Vitamin E must be limited 22 I.U on natural d-alpha-toco pererol)
Selenium must be limited 55mcg.
Beta Carotene – no established value

Creativity
Anderson’s description of creativity centers around ones ability to do away with images, behaviours, or self-perceptions that lock them into more fossilized molds of functioning. He sees the need for adaptability and positive actions, e.g. daily affirmations to manage emotions. Although one might think this form of creativity as a an outlet for innovative and divergent thinking I think that it has another message. Make sure that you don’t get “ hardening of the categories”! When one has been diagnosed, one needs to rise to the occasion to use every faculty at every moment to facilitate ones recovery.

Spirituality
Well this is the most difficult one for me to describe although I am getting better. I do think that it is related to Beliefs and Attitudes, Exercise and Meditations, and Social Support. I will have more to say on this later although I have learned so much about my self and others, and what is important, from the actions of individuals. This has really help connect me to what is important. I feel like a little like Saint Exuperye’s , The Little Prince. His journey taught him much… as has this journey taught me.

The Ninth Element and Music Appreciation
I am not sure if Anderson would consider this part of Purpose/Play Balance in terms of a hobby or interest of one kind or another.
Lately, I have found that music is an important element of maintaining and promoting my wellness. Music is present during the RT treatments, exercise and mediation practices. I am very deliberate about selecting and listening to music. It really does become an integral part of your being. The long time favourites are omnipresent, however, I have been listening quite a bit to some newly discovered compositions, e.g.,
Eric Satie’s Throis Gymnopedies and Six Gnossiennes pour piano
Jules Massenet’s Mediation for Violin are quite compelling. There are also some other pieces that I will share at another time.

Cushion Concerts
I have always had an interest in music although have never been known as much of a singer nor had much musical talent. Surprisingly, over many years my friend and colleague, Rhea and I used to hold cushion concerts in a sunken pit area within the library.
These concerts consisted of providing a full half hour of songs and singing the primary division of the school and secondly for the junior division. Rhea would strum her guitar and accompany me. Rhea would also sing melodically and I would pretend to do the same. These concerts included music from around the world and we always tried to maintain a global perspective… from Goodnight Irene, to In the Jungle, to Tingalayo …After doing this for 10 years we had quite an extensive repertoire. Occasionally we would have students perform something they learned and prepared in the classroom program.
It was fun and an intimate time as we were together in song and in mood. I frequently miss those Friday afternoons even though I was the object or a lot of humour and good natured ribbing about my lack of perfect pitch. Although it has been at least 5 years since we have run a cushion concert, my reputation continues to follow me. This is a note that I recently received from my “principal” friend.

From a Recent Note
“Okay, the whole staff is praying for you. I want you back. Follow your doctor’s directions! Best this! Don’t worry about your singing voice. It wasn’t that outstanding to begin with. Now you can just mouth the words.”

Need I say more? Can you believe this abuse. Well this will probably an improvement as no one will need to listen to me…But in the end, I will have my last laugh.

One Final Note:
I am going down into the basement, to search out my old report cards. The ones with that prove I received an “A” for Music Appreciation. This will strike quite a note, I am sure.

Thanks for reading!