The Wider Plan

The last couple of weeks has been filled with illness and the need for adjustment.  I had a bad day yesterday, which revolved around grumblings from my liver and it put me back in bed for most of the day.

Added into all this has been conversation about preparation for the inevitable, which goes with the terrain of palliative care.   It is good to plan for the percentages but it should not be overlooked that my underlying way of thinking is simply to try and get good ship Swordfish back on track and then plan to get as much quality and quantity of life as possible.

I am planning for the more positive view point in a number of different ways and here are some of them:

• Through all of the tribulations of the last couple of weeks the overriding desire is to get the balance of drugs right to allow me to function in a way where I can get the best out of my day
• Once on an even keel my desire is to do the gentle healthy types of exercise that I did so regularly in earlier phases of treatment.  Chi-kung figures heavily in my thinking as it is scientifically acknowledged as being good for the well- being of cancer patients and, more importantly, recognised by me as being helpful.  Simple things such as regular walks also figure heavily
• Looking into supplements and / or herbal type support for boosting the weaker parts of my system and my general well-being
• Continuing with complementary medical support
• Working to create the most positive atmosphere for my children.  This obviously includes keeping myself in the best possible shape and things like mini-breaks.  The happier my family is the happier I will be
• I am working to release funds to open up opportunities for my little family
• Visits to spiritual healers.  This is an interesting topic and not everybodys' cup of tea.  It should be understood that this is an area that I am already conversant with and know of individuals that I believe will be able to boost me in many different ways.  It should be acknowledged that I am not in the business of chasing rainbows.   I have a particular person in mind who is internationally renowned and whom I have known about for fifteen years
• Exploring any drug opportunities that may be available.  It would be good to think that I would definitely get the the drug in the Marsden study in which I am participating, but there is only a 50% chance.  As we move down the line there may be an opportunity to pay for a drug but the situation is that there isn't a drug which is proven as being able to help, so there has to be a slightly observational approach at this moment.  Money isn't the issue here rather it is efficacy

In summary, the illness has forced me to take a big step back and look at the wider picture but it is my hope that we can move forward from here and that I can do my best to get the most out of life going forward in every way.  With  the level of support that I receive I am well positioned to do so.