Friday, November 17 - Phases and Mazes
The Raft is almost through the rapids …
As this journey continues, I discover that every part of this journey has its own characteristics…
Learning of My Diagnosis Phase
When I first learned of my diagnosis my jaw dropped as I tried to make sense of the events which had befallen or awaited me. In order to make sense of it all, I had my friends, family, colleagues and my medical team to get me through it… somehow they got me to the point where I was ready to deal with my treatment.
The Diagnotic/Investigative Phase
I remember going through the diagnostic/investigative phase and waiting for a result. I waited and waited so long for a particular result, that I honestly had come to a point where I did not want to know the result anymore. Really, the thought of sitting and waiting for a result soon became a waste of emotional energy… Thankfully, I learned that I was able to deal with the ‘not knowing’. the ambiguity of all things… do we never really know?
Treatment Phase
Once I learned that the planning team had made a decision about my treatment plan, I was jolted out of this waiting period. Now there was some kind of finality around the diagnostic phase. I was to begin treatment on October 17th , It was a comforting to know that my treatment was about to begin and that medical knowledge and technology, with all its advances, was about to take over.
Post Treatment Phase
Well now, with one more treatment to go, I am reflecting on some of the ways that I was able to make it though this treatment period (as of Monday November 20th). I can tell you that it was not easy, nor will it be easy for the next couple of months. The radiation has slowly but surely built up within my system.
Journey Artifacts
Ours…
The artifacts that I used to get me through this phase were in varied. Some were prepared and set up by Jen and I and others were prepared you. As I look at the artifacts of my journey. I now see the importance of each and every one.
Jen and I prepared things such as: spoons, special measuring cups… that I used daily; copious medicines that I take continually and that are time sensitive; bags that I used to organize and transport my gear; and counter spaces that I claimed in the kitchen and washroom to maintain a organized and hygienic location.
Yours...
You prepared such things as gifts, games, books, magazines, food, meals, desserts, supplements, cards, messages, actions, and other concrete expressions of caring and thoughtfulness that I cannot even begin to list or describe. In order to describe them, I can only think of a story that embodies this thought.
I will leave you tonight with this story and I will expand more on your thoughts and kindness tomorrow. There is no better way of describing it, at this point in time, for me. Thanks...
Three Sons
Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.
The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."
The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."
The third smiled and said, "I've got you both beat."
"You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can't see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. He's one of a kind. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it."
Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks:
"Milton," she wrote one son, "The house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
"Gerald," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time at home, so I rarely use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!"
"Dearest Donald," she wrote to her third son, "You have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious."
It's the thought that counts...
As this journey continues, I discover that every part of this journey has its own characteristics…
Learning of My Diagnosis Phase
When I first learned of my diagnosis my jaw dropped as I tried to make sense of the events which had befallen or awaited me. In order to make sense of it all, I had my friends, family, colleagues and my medical team to get me through it… somehow they got me to the point where I was ready to deal with my treatment.
The Diagnotic/Investigative Phase
I remember going through the diagnostic/investigative phase and waiting for a result. I waited and waited so long for a particular result, that I honestly had come to a point where I did not want to know the result anymore. Really, the thought of sitting and waiting for a result soon became a waste of emotional energy… Thankfully, I learned that I was able to deal with the ‘not knowing’. the ambiguity of all things… do we never really know?
Treatment Phase
Once I learned that the planning team had made a decision about my treatment plan, I was jolted out of this waiting period. Now there was some kind of finality around the diagnostic phase. I was to begin treatment on October 17th , It was a comforting to know that my treatment was about to begin and that medical knowledge and technology, with all its advances, was about to take over.
Post Treatment Phase
Well now, with one more treatment to go, I am reflecting on some of the ways that I was able to make it though this treatment period (as of Monday November 20th). I can tell you that it was not easy, nor will it be easy for the next couple of months. The radiation has slowly but surely built up within my system.
Journey Artifacts
Ours…
The artifacts that I used to get me through this phase were in varied. Some were prepared and set up by Jen and I and others were prepared you. As I look at the artifacts of my journey. I now see the importance of each and every one.
Jen and I prepared things such as: spoons, special measuring cups… that I used daily; copious medicines that I take continually and that are time sensitive; bags that I used to organize and transport my gear; and counter spaces that I claimed in the kitchen and washroom to maintain a organized and hygienic location.
Yours...
You prepared such things as gifts, games, books, magazines, food, meals, desserts, supplements, cards, messages, actions, and other concrete expressions of caring and thoughtfulness that I cannot even begin to list or describe. In order to describe them, I can only think of a story that embodies this thought.
I will leave you tonight with this story and I will expand more on your thoughts and kindness tomorrow. There is no better way of describing it, at this point in time, for me. Thanks...
Three Sons
Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.
The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."
The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."
The third smiled and said, "I've got you both beat."
"You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can't see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. He's one of a kind. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it."
Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks:
"Milton," she wrote one son, "The house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
"Gerald," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time at home, so I rarely use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!"
"Dearest Donald," she wrote to her third son, "You have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious."
It's the thought that counts...
posted by Wellness Journey at 20:52
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