Planning for the Next Phase (attn Lance Corporal)

The way I see things there are 7 distinct phases to a successful journey through this illness

1. Diagnostic - Understanding
2. Chemotherapy - Collective Corrective
3. Recuperation - Healing and Preparation
4. Operation - Faith
5. Recuperation - Hope and Healing
6. Chemotherapy - Obduration
7. Happy Dayz

During the first diagnostic phase I have talked about not seeing the journey as a "battle" or a "war".  My reasons are simple

• I do not have a virus.  The illness is self-propagated
• I have no intention of going to war with myself (although some might argue that I frequently do)

As I see it the key to phase I is about understanding one's position and coming to terms with it.  Phase 2 is a completely different scenario.

Phase 2 "Chemotherapy" represents an opportunity to apply a degree of correction before any operation takes place.  The more benefit I can derive from the chemotherapy the less damaging the operation is likely to be, as the primary objective is to shrink the tumour and restage it.  I have termed it as "Collective Corrective" because I feel that my approach to chemotherapy will have some bearing upon its success.

I feel that Phase 2 requires an approach that is heavily structured.  Effort from Kitten and all our generous helpers has already gone into providing me with a retreat space (the bedroom).  It's a shame that I didn't take a "before" photo because the difference now is startling. Uncluttered, clear lines and bright is both how it is shaping up and howI feel it should be.

The approach I want to adopt falls short of being military like, but it falls into that sphere - "Lance Corporal this is your time!".

I am not stupid enough to think that I can dictate how I will feel during the chemotherapy, but devising a structure to approach it with will give me something to measure myself against as I detach from everyday activities such as catching the train to work. I see rest and a healthy approach to the application of chemotherapy as being the key factors.  However, you can expect things to get a little esoteric around here as I attempt to complement the established healing powers of science with whatever I can throw forward from my "bag of philosophy"

Esoteric thinking may not heal my illness but it will keep me sane (in my minority of 1) whilst the chemotherapy does its work. I am also aware that I am recieving postive thoughts from a diverse cross-section of people. The spectrum is as wide as from Christian prayer to remote Reike healing.

Naturally, I extend my thanks to anyone who is taking the time and effort to focus on helping me get better including all the blog readers and participants.

Time for a sarnie!