HI Folks, will start with the usual health aspects and this week, they were mostly ‘self-inflicted’. I went to London on Thursday, in connection with the consultancy work I am currently doing. That was by train and the journey was fine. However, being on my feet, combined with not very comfortable seats at the location, resulted in a rise in the back pain levels. That back pain shifted to more the middle and top of my back, driven by not being able to sit comfortably for a number of hours. That impact carried on for the rest of the week and also impacted my sleep. Another ‘test’ for me and one that I will learn from. Many aspects are ‘new’, as the disease continues and I adjust accordingly.

The second connected impact was from writing during the first half of the week. I sat at the desk for 2 whole days, but found that sitting in a similar position, for a full ‘work day’, did me zero favours. That, combined with the ‘London impact’, has given me the realisation that I need to vary what I am doing and not focus on one particular thing / stay in a similar position for too long; the learnings with my body continue…………………

On the same evening that I returned from London, Sandra and I decided to treat ourselves to a meal out, locally. A nice opportunity for some ‘us time’, but one that may have also contributed to the overall rise in pain. The search for comfort certainly becomes more important, not just as we get older, but also when dealing with a medical condition that affects your back, or spine, etc. (Sandra has had that issue for decades).

We got our waitress to take a photo and once I took a look at it, I was personally shocked at how I looked. Whilst Sandra did not see anything out of the ordinary, I viewed the image as showing me ‘very aged’. I certainly cannot complain at still having breath in my body and I certainly have to expect that the combination of the disease and chemo meds will of course take a toll, it was just a bit of a shock to see that impact (in my opinion). I have had two phone calls with my sister and she commented on how well I looked! Perspectives are wonderful things!

The focus on the writing progressed well, with all proof reading corrections actioned over the two days mentioned above. There are some small final aspects to sort, then a case of moving it all over to the program I use, to send to the printers. Maybe another week to go, but we’ll see how well / quick I get through this final stage. Alongside that, my other main book project had a nice addition. That was in the form of some translated personal letters from the person who is the subject matter of the book. Very insightful and exciting insights. I will of course finish off Volume 6 first, then get back to the other project.
Following last week’s update and my small paragraph at the end, that generated a number of very nice comments from some of you. Thanks for those comments and sharing how they connected with you and your thought processes. I am always humbled when my writings provoke reactions like these, but equally, I am happy too.

Thanks for your continued input and support for this Blog, appreciated.

Regards, Peter