I have been writing a blog about discovering I had cancer. So far focusing on one part of the brain, the parietal lobe which controls right side movement among other things. A tumour was removed. Post-op seems I have retained a lot of higher-level speech and language ability. Had a great chat with a speech and language therapist who came to assess me and confirmed this. She suggested a follow-up session on helping to hone and maintain that higher-level activity.
The results of the overall assessment of my case were not conclusive it seems. Needing more information from the oncologists. This has set my mind to looking ahead along the journey to possible twists and turns. The absence of clear information about what exactly my journey entails is irritating. I want answers with practical pathways attached so that I can see a way forward and build a positive way ahead.
What was to have been a great reveal of the next steps along my cancer path pulled into the tracks under a sign saying ‘Do not pass go’. No clarity yet so another week to analyze data and suggest more post-op treatments.
This means mentally preparing for all eventualities. All of which have to be positive.
The last few nights in the hospital were the most challenging. I was using sleeping tablets and pain relief medication and struggling to sleep. The dynamics of interaction with the other patients and the nighttime/ daytime routines were really stressing me. The staff were very skilled and my disturbed sleep was dealt with and I was supported both mentally and with pain relief to get back to sleep.
Support was put in place to return home and boom I am home. Being home is such a relief. A lot of my stress has gone and I can focus on positive thinking scenarios.
Here are a few to get me started.
“Listening to Experts”
If a doctor told you had a year to live, what would you do?
Some time ago, my wife Diane and I were in a group that was discussing how to get the most out of life. The question arose about what would one do, if they had only a year to live. Some people said they would travel around the world, others said they would try to heal relationships, and others said they would spend time in meditation and prayer.
But Diane had the best answer of them all. She didn’t hesitate a moment before she said loudly and clearly, “Get a second opinion!” And then she added, “And maybe a third and fourth one too.”
You see, when Diane was told she had terminal cancer years ago, that is exactly what she did. She said, “Maybe I have cancer, but it doesn’t have to be terminal,” and she went looking for doctors who would join her in developing an effective strategy to beat the disease. And she did beat it. Diane doesn’t give her power away to anyone just because they are suppose to be experts.
If you want to read something eye opening, get hold of a copy of “The Experts Speak.” It is a 392-page collection of noted experts being wrong about almost everything. The section on doctors will astound you.
Don’t ever accept a death sentence from a doctor or a pronouncement of doom from a so-called authority. According to the experts, the sun goes around the earth, smoking is good for us, and the Titanic is unsinkable!
Lou Tice.
The Pacific Institute.
“Optimists”.
Optimists know that for all its faults, the world is also filled with good things to be savored and enjoyed. These positive people know that our experience in life is largely determined by where we choose to focus our attention and how we choose to respond to what happens to us.
“Illness”
If you have a serious or life-threatening illness, chances are that you’ll be hearing a lot about the value of positive thinking. Progressive doctors, nurses, family and friends will tell you how important it is that you think positively. My wife, Diane, who won a fight with cancer, would be the first to agree. But she would also tell you that if you don’t achieve a miraculous cure, if the course of your treatment is long and slow or filled with ups and downs, you have nothing to feel guilty about.
Too many people blame themselves for getting sick, then blame themselves even more if they aren’t able to think themselves back into health. They may push down painful feelings about being ill and may have a long list of “shoulds” about what they ought to be doing. Here’s my advice: let go of the shoulds, guilt and blame. Look for the want-tos, the love-tos, and put them in place of the shoulds as much as possible.
Don’t lose touch with current reality, but focus on what you want for the future. Don’t go to any doctor who isn’t optimistic about your ability for a successful treatment. Read books or listen to tapes that put a smile in your heart, and stay away from people who pity you.
Positive Thinking
If you think positively, does that mean that you shouldn’t pay any attention to things that are negative?
I was giving a talk for a business group recently, and someone in the audience had the following comment and question. He said, “People who think positively are OK, but too much of the time they’re out of touch with reality. They’re so busy thinking positively that they ignore the danger signs The next thing you know they’re in big trouble. When you point out that they could have seen it coming, they don’t like it one little bit. How can you pay attention to both positive and negative things at the same time?”
I thought his question was important enough to share with you. Here’s what I told him. Take physical health, for example. If I’m a positive thinker, I am nevertheless alert for signs of disease, and if I find it, I take corrective action, fast. Now, while I’m taking the corrective action, I focus on getting the best possible results, and I know that even if I don’t get them, I will use the experience to learn from and to grow.
Negative thinking, on the other hand, is worrying so much about a possible negative outcome that you don’t bother to check for danger signs. And, if you find them, you don’t go to the doctor because you’re afraid of what he or she may tell you, because you expect nothing but disaster.
The same things are true for corporations, families, anyone in any situation. You don’t ignore current reality, but you keep your focus on a positive future.
For over 30 years, the Pacific Institute has been successfully helping individuals unlock their potential, and enabling organisations to transform their culture and improve business results. The Pacific Institute is dedicated to creating a significant impact on the wellbeing, efficacy and leadership of the individuals, private and public sector organisations and communities we work with. In the UK alone the Pacific Institute reaches over 25,000 people per year with its education.
To find out more, visit www.pacificinstitute.co.uk
Older archives from Lou Tice
https://chiro.org/ChiroZine/tice_old.shtml
And finally. There is hope.
Compassion and Kindness
In this period of pandemic we are all looking for hope.I strongly recommend this article in the Ecologist.
Programmes of compassionate communities are developing across many continents, including North and South America, Australasia, Europe, and South and East Asia. And at last the good-heartedness of these initiatives is supported by the economic sense of concern for our future.
‘Social relationships are more effective at keeping us alive and feeling healthy than diet, exercise or giving up smoking or drinking, and far more effective than drug treatment of high blood pressure.’
The fossil-fuel industry is no longer a match for renewable energy production, with renewables now overtaking the largest oil industry company, Exxon, on stock markets. There is hope, but it will be the unstinting efforts of us all that will continue to make this compassion potential ripen across the globe.
My journey continues.
Dream Angus
Categories: Uncategorized
Reading that – which has been written clearly, following lines of thought and reasoning, with humour and kindness. It looks like you’ve made great steps, so far – and more to come.
And helping others in a similar situation, with ideas about how to approach it.
Initially, I was going to start on about how my brain, and body, were frazzled by medication, and how I am still learning strategies to deal with it – as I have mentioned in TON before now – but – you say what needs to be said – and you say it well.
I think your brain and thought processes are just fine and dandy!
And Diane’s ‘second opinion’ observation – too right, Diane – too right!!!