Saturday, October 21 Biscotti, Coffee, Flickr
Biscotti and Coffee
Judy came by today with soup, roast beef and fresh and delectable biscotti. Needless to say, the biscotti are almost all gone.
When she saw me she said, “You look mavalous. You look so good. What did you do?”
I mentioned, “ Well you are looking at what 4 days of radiation can do for you ;-)) “
Actually, the truth was that I had just completed an hour of Tai Chi and mediation and was feel relaxed and strong. In addition, my daughter bought some new clothes for me and I look neat and presentable for a change. See what exercise and attitude can do.
Later that afternoon, I joined the group and went downtown to Queen Street for a little shopping jaunt. I decided to take down my camera and wandered down the street. I also relished in the idea that I was about to have my first cup of coffee in a week.
I ended off the day by heading home and uploading my photos to Flickr.
Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/gardenation/
Please check the photos out if you have the time.
White Water Rafting (WWR) as Metaphor
As mentioned in Thursday’s entry I have been using WWR as a metaphor for my journey through treatment and health.
To me everything needs to be moving forward, as it is does when you are WWR. If you steer accurately and paddle vigorously you will reach your destination. When you are in trouble, not only do you have to paddle effectively but you also need to paddle even harder to get back on track.
Whether I have a setback, during my treatment, with at particular tooth or a medical procedure needs to be solved quickly and forgotten, in order to maintain focus and direction. Even if it is something metaphorically critical, e.g. a small puncture in the raft, a quick and effective solution is required in order that that the ultimate goal not be derailed.
This is how it has to be, for me, and why this metaphor is effective. In addition, this metaphor has the ability to be both inclusive and collaborative. My raft allows for everyone to be included whether it be a guide, a crewmember, a companion, or you.
From Geffin to Anderson, Metaphors and Models
The WWR metaphor has been an effective resource that allows me to connect any events easily. However, this metaphor is only beginning.
From my readings, I have also added a model that allows me to look at different aspects of living to promote wellness. One might think that treatment is the essential element to recovery, however there are other important aspects within a journey of this nature. Author Greg Anderson, after conducting over 500 interviews with cancer survivors, has determined that there are 8 basic strategies that cancer survivors have in common, in addition to Medical Treatment: Beliefs and Attitudes, Exercise, Purpose/Play Balance, Social Support, Diet and Nutrition, Creative Thinking and Spirituality.
#1: Medical Treatment Strategy
#2: Beliefs and Attitudes Strategy
#3: Exercise Strategy
#4: Purpose/Play Balance Strategy
#5: Social Support Strategy
#6: Diet and Nutrition Strategy
#7: Creative Thinking Strategy
#8: Spirituality Implementation Intelligence
Judy came by today with soup, roast beef and fresh and delectable biscotti. Needless to say, the biscotti are almost all gone.
When she saw me she said, “You look mavalous. You look so good. What did you do?”
I mentioned, “ Well you are looking at what 4 days of radiation can do for you ;-)) “
Actually, the truth was that I had just completed an hour of Tai Chi and mediation and was feel relaxed and strong. In addition, my daughter bought some new clothes for me and I look neat and presentable for a change. See what exercise and attitude can do.
Later that afternoon, I joined the group and went downtown to Queen Street for a little shopping jaunt. I decided to take down my camera and wandered down the street. I also relished in the idea that I was about to have my first cup of coffee in a week.
I ended off the day by heading home and uploading my photos to Flickr.
Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/gardenation/
Please check the photos out if you have the time.
White Water Rafting (WWR) as Metaphor
As mentioned in Thursday’s entry I have been using WWR as a metaphor for my journey through treatment and health.
To me everything needs to be moving forward, as it is does when you are WWR. If you steer accurately and paddle vigorously you will reach your destination. When you are in trouble, not only do you have to paddle effectively but you also need to paddle even harder to get back on track.
Whether I have a setback, during my treatment, with at particular tooth or a medical procedure needs to be solved quickly and forgotten, in order to maintain focus and direction. Even if it is something metaphorically critical, e.g. a small puncture in the raft, a quick and effective solution is required in order that that the ultimate goal not be derailed.
This is how it has to be, for me, and why this metaphor is effective. In addition, this metaphor has the ability to be both inclusive and collaborative. My raft allows for everyone to be included whether it be a guide, a crewmember, a companion, or you.
From Geffin to Anderson, Metaphors and Models
The WWR metaphor has been an effective resource that allows me to connect any events easily. However, this metaphor is only beginning.
From my readings, I have also added a model that allows me to look at different aspects of living to promote wellness. One might think that treatment is the essential element to recovery, however there are other important aspects within a journey of this nature. Author Greg Anderson, after conducting over 500 interviews with cancer survivors, has determined that there are 8 basic strategies that cancer survivors have in common, in addition to Medical Treatment: Beliefs and Attitudes, Exercise, Purpose/Play Balance, Social Support, Diet and Nutrition, Creative Thinking and Spirituality.
#1: Medical Treatment Strategy
#2: Beliefs and Attitudes Strategy
#3: Exercise Strategy
#4: Purpose/Play Balance Strategy
#5: Social Support Strategy
#6: Diet and Nutrition Strategy
#7: Creative Thinking Strategy
#8: Spirituality Implementation Intelligence
Figure from Cancer, 50 Essential Things To Do, Greg Anderson, 1999, ISBN 0-452-28074-5
What follows is a description of the 8 Strategies. If you are interested in knowing more about any of these then please read the previous posting Anderson's 8 Stages.
posted by Wellness Journey at 22:08
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