Saturday, November 11 - Week Update IV
Treatment Update
I am just finishing off my 4th full week of treatment. I have just complete Day 19 of my RT.
On Thursday, November 2nd, I moved into phase where I considered Pain Management (PM) a key component to my daily living and recovery. PM continues to be the overriding variable in
in my day to day... It is still the key to preparating, organizing and getting through the day. Surprisingly, the key to getting PM under control is yet a stronger pain medicine. The one that was recently prescribed to me on November 9th, has allowed me to function through any side effects. Side effects increase after week 2 of RT, and as the radiation continues to build in your system so do the side effects. This culminates during the last week of radiation and contines on beyond ...
Beliefs and Attitudes
My beliefs and and attitudes have been challenging me this weeks. I would say that spend at least half of my time thinking about pain and how to manage it. This has become job one... In addition, when it comes to meeting with the professionsls and describing my situation, I am not sure that I have been getting my message accross accurately enough. I think the message that I am trying to project is that I am in control of my PM situation. They may even think that I am downplaying my PM sitation. So whenever we are interviewed, I am always surprised that the story that comes out of Jennifer's mounth is somewhat different then the one coming out of mine. After hearing Jen speak the doctors alway look at me suspiciously and then they turn back to Jen. Then the next thing that happens may surprise you. The doctors generally accept her interpretation of my situation, instead of mine. Essentially they listen to her and not to me... Does this surprise you?
Exercise
Well need I say more? This has been less than a stellar performance by yours truly. Please see the chart from yesterday. Mind you, I should probably do more Tai Chi and it will probably be helpful since a lot of the medications, that I take, can make one feel drowsy> Exercise would certainly help with balance and centring.
Purpose/Play Balance"
Well I continue to enjoy The Seinfeld episodes and am catching up on Series One and Two. I struck paydirt today, as my friend brought over some VHS tapes with the Marx Brothers... Horse Feathers and Duck Soup. How much fun will these be... It has been ages since I have seen either of these two.
Additionally, I took out my camera on Friday and took a couple of snaps on the way back from the hospital... This was good fun/play.
Social Support
This continues to rate as critical. Through all this I am so lucky to have someone to be my partner and support me. It is not that I get Jen's total and undivided attention as she is still working, however, if it is not 100% it sure is close. She continues to anticipate my needs and helps me to to keep track of what I am supposed to do. One of the most important things that Jen is able to do is to put things into perspective. Sometime things may trouble you, e.g., a procedure at the hospital. It is so important to have someone to bounce your ideas to off of. Having someone to listen to you is so important because it allows you to hear someone else's opinion, whether it be the same or different, in order to create the best plan possible.
"It is important for the patient to play a significant role in his/her treatment" (you may have heard me say this), however, sometimes you are not sure as to how to play this significan role. Having another voice allows you have a stronger more rationale approach to a situation. This is even more important now, since I cannot not really communicate with anyone. My voice has gone on vacation and I find it very difficult to communicate verbally. So I guess Jennifer and I speak with one voice right now and they had better listen to her.
I am so thankful for countless acts of kindness from friends and colleagues continues: from emails, to Marx Brothers Films, , Spinal Tap to flowers and more helium for Shadow II. And even more amazingly, was the call from, from Vancouver, from my friends. With the call came good wishes as well as first hand advice from an oncologist who specializes in pain management. This really touched me and my family...
Nutrition
I am surprised to discover how time sensitive everything is. Before where it can take you 20 mi to shower, shave, dress, gooble down breakfast and be out the door. This process might actually take close to 120 minutes... Everything really does slow down and is quite deliberate.
This continues to be an area of great fluctuation. As of this yesterday I was hovering at having lost about 15 pounds in approximately 3 weeks. Having the PM under control allowed me to eat a bit more. To be honest I do not have a great appetite but I am trying to create my own cuisine, however, I don't think it will be that popular. No one has asked me for recipe yet. Come'on folks, this is your big chance.
Creativity
Oh, yes... well there is the new cuisine that I am creating. Everything is white and bland and I am waiting for an invitation to the Iron Chef... "The Secret ingredient today is... Cream of Wheat!
Spirituality
Most of my spriitual functioning has really been focused on mind and body. Just being centred and maintaining the physiological needs has taken most of my efforts this week. Without a strong physical foundation it is difficult to reach a high level of self actualization or anything else for that matter.
Since I worked at with children, I have also subscribed Alfred Adler's theoryies and also to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Model.
"Maslow said that needs must be satisfied in the given order. Aims and drives always shift to next higher order needs."
I am still focusing on the bottom 2 rungs of pyramid these days and once I am less concerned with physical needs I will focus higher. However, I always feel that Andersons' 8 strategies are constantly pulling and elevating me out of this physical layer... Thanks to Anderson, Maslow and you!!!
http://www.futurehi.net/docs/Maslows_Hierarchy.html
Music Appreciation
Well musical interests continue to change. I am back to Nora Jones and her soothing and familiar tones create and bit of simple, idealized state for me.
And for all you 24 Fans, this just in (Saturday evening) from my colleague!
Hey people!
For all you 24 fans...not sure if you saw the sneak peak yet but looks pretty exciting.
http://www.24trailer.com/ Kiefer sutherland is apparently on the Simpsons this sunday too. http://www.fox.com/24/
I am just finishing off my 4th full week of treatment. I have just complete Day 19 of my RT.
On Thursday, November 2nd, I moved into phase where I considered Pain Management (PM) a key component to my daily living and recovery. PM continues to be the overriding variable in
in my day to day... It is still the key to preparating, organizing and getting through the day. Surprisingly, the key to getting PM under control is yet a stronger pain medicine. The one that was recently prescribed to me on November 9th, has allowed me to function through any side effects. Side effects increase after week 2 of RT, and as the radiation continues to build in your system so do the side effects. This culminates during the last week of radiation and contines on beyond ...
Beliefs and Attitudes
My beliefs and and attitudes have been challenging me this weeks. I would say that spend at least half of my time thinking about pain and how to manage it. This has become job one... In addition, when it comes to meeting with the professionsls and describing my situation, I am not sure that I have been getting my message accross accurately enough. I think the message that I am trying to project is that I am in control of my PM situation. They may even think that I am downplaying my PM sitation. So whenever we are interviewed, I am always surprised that the story that comes out of Jennifer's mounth is somewhat different then the one coming out of mine. After hearing Jen speak the doctors alway look at me suspiciously and then they turn back to Jen. Then the next thing that happens may surprise you. The doctors generally accept her interpretation of my situation, instead of mine. Essentially they listen to her and not to me... Does this surprise you?
Exercise
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Well need I say more? This has been less than a stellar performance by yours truly. Please see the chart from yesterday. Mind you, I should probably do more Tai Chi and it will probably be helpful since a lot of the medications, that I take, can make one feel drowsy> Exercise would certainly help with balance and centring.
Purpose/Play Balance"
Well I continue to enjoy The Seinfeld episodes and am catching up on Series One and Two. I struck paydirt today, as my friend brought over some VHS tapes with the Marx Brothers... Horse Feathers and Duck Soup. How much fun will these be... It has been ages since I have seen either of these two.
Additionally, I took out my camera on Friday and took a couple of snaps on the way back from the hospital... This was good fun/play.
Social Support
This continues to rate as critical. Through all this I am so lucky to have someone to be my partner and support me. It is not that I get Jen's total and undivided attention as she is still working, however, if it is not 100% it sure is close. She continues to anticipate my needs and helps me to to keep track of what I am supposed to do. One of the most important things that Jen is able to do is to put things into perspective. Sometime things may trouble you, e.g., a procedure at the hospital. It is so important to have someone to bounce your ideas to off of. Having someone to listen to you is so important because it allows you to hear someone else's opinion, whether it be the same or different, in order to create the best plan possible.
"It is important for the patient to play a significant role in his/her treatment" (you may have heard me say this), however, sometimes you are not sure as to how to play this significan role. Having another voice allows you have a stronger more rationale approach to a situation. This is even more important now, since I cannot not really communicate with anyone. My voice has gone on vacation and I find it very difficult to communicate verbally. So I guess Jennifer and I speak with one voice right now and they had better listen to her.
I am so thankful for countless acts of kindness from friends and colleagues continues: from emails, to Marx Brothers Films, , Spinal Tap to flowers and more helium for Shadow II. And even more amazingly, was the call from, from Vancouver, from my friends. With the call came good wishes as well as first hand advice from an oncologist who specializes in pain management. This really touched me and my family...
Nutrition
I am surprised to discover how time sensitive everything is. Before where it can take you 20 mi to shower, shave, dress, gooble down breakfast and be out the door. This process might actually take close to 120 minutes... Everything really does slow down and is quite deliberate.
This continues to be an area of great fluctuation. As of this yesterday I was hovering at having lost about 15 pounds in approximately 3 weeks. Having the PM under control allowed me to eat a bit more. To be honest I do not have a great appetite but I am trying to create my own cuisine, however, I don't think it will be that popular. No one has asked me for recipe yet. Come'on folks, this is your big chance.
Creativity
Oh, yes... well there is the new cuisine that I am creating. Everything is white and bland and I am waiting for an invitation to the Iron Chef... "The Secret ingredient today is... Cream of Wheat!
Spirituality
Most of my spriitual functioning has really been focused on mind and body. Just being centred and maintaining the physiological needs has taken most of my efforts this week. Without a strong physical foundation it is difficult to reach a high level of self actualization or anything else for that matter.
.jpg)
Since I worked at with children, I have also subscribed Alfred Adler's theoryies and also to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Model.
"Maslow said that needs must be satisfied in the given order. Aims and drives always shift to next higher order needs."
I am still focusing on the bottom 2 rungs of pyramid these days and once I am less concerned with physical needs I will focus higher. However, I always feel that Andersons' 8 strategies are constantly pulling and elevating me out of this physical layer... Thanks to Anderson, Maslow and you!!!
http://www.futurehi.net/docs/Maslows_Hierarchy.html
Music Appreciation
Well musical interests continue to change. I am back to Nora Jones and her soothing and familiar tones create and bit of simple, idealized state for me.
And for all you 24 Fans, this just in (Saturday evening) from my colleague!
Hey people!
For all you 24 fans...not sure if you saw the sneak peak yet but looks pretty exciting.
http://www.24trailer.com/ Kiefer sutherland is apparently on the Simpsons this sunday too. http://www.fox.com/24/
posted by Wellness Journey at 17:33
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