Health perspectives first and this week seen the arrival of another seasonal cold. This one resulted in a lot of tiredness and early nights, with my sinuses being the main affected area. The addition of bodily pain was there, but harder to distinguish now between what is cancer related and the type of thing that a cold brings. The impact on the planned evening hobby task list was there, but these things have self-imposed deadlines, so an easy thing to work around.

I had my next phone call consultation with Dr. Raman, the Oncologist who has been with me from the outset. We both agreed phone consultations were fine, due to the ‘less involved’ stage that I am at, plus the time saving for Sandra and I in having to travel to Canterbury (Sandra is always with me for these important catch ups). The outcome of that was an agreed move to bi-monthly blood tests / medication renewal, which is good to hear. The maximum they do for any cancer sufferer is 3-months, but he advised a transition for the next few months, with a view of moving to 3-monthly when he is happy that things really have settled down and there are no negatives with that time lapse between the blood analysis. We also discussed the ‘rusty fingers’ and he thought that my time frame between the halting of the chemo and now, was less. When I told him that it was 6-months ago, he was slightly surprised. He went on to state that around 10% of cancer sufferers are left with long-term side effects such as those. He could not offer any solutions, other than advising me to continue with my self-created exercise program, initially generated wayyyy last year when my arm as good as stopped functioning. They are more stiff / painful on and off, but something I work around, with differing results. Certain basic tasks can be very challenging, but then a day later, the same task causes me no issues at all.

My next blood test was the following day and as part of the chat that normally takes place with the blood nurse, she made me aware of the possibility of having my blood tests and med renewal at mobile units located closer to home. That potential was followed up with the nurse later that day, during a phone call. The outcome was a change to blood tests 15-20 mins away, instead of 30 mins, with the medication collection being around 5 mins away, in the town where I live. May not sound a big difference, but the combined travel time and waiting around in very busy cancer suites, can lose 2+ hours every trip. The positive summary of this week’s medical catch-ups was a move to bi-monthly tests, with those being conducted at a location with less journey times. A nice change that is welcomed, not only for the time impact, but also as indicators that the overall situation is at a less intensive stage; I will relish this stage as long as it lasts.

Due to the arrival of the cold and impact of that, not much else progressed this week. I did manage to complete some more maps for my current books title, but not the planned degree of progress. On a work front, my consultancy side of things continues at a good pace and the pace of transition from conventional day work to that, is more evident and has further potential, which I plan to evolve. That is an enjoyable aspect of what I am currently doing, as it draws on decades of various experience, that is being put to good use for the benefit of those I am consulting for.

A key aspect of the arrival of a disease such as cancer is, “what comes next?”. The ups and downs of the past year have brought sustained periods of not being fit to do the most basic of things and the uncertainty of if or when that may end. That seeps into every other aspect of life, professional and home. One of those challenges for all of us sufferers is the uncertainty of being able to afford to live and continue to do something useful for our families and society along the way; make ‘your contribution’. Having gone through that full raft of thoughts, it is nice to be in this current situation of having a clearer, manageable, path of the upcoming pensionable phase, alongside the part-time consultation work, which may have potential to expand; one to investigate as the conventional day job draws to its inevitable close.

In summary, a good week of positive health related transitions and easings, alongside the continuation of my moves towards enjoying retirement and having more freedom to choose what my day looks like.

I appreciate the ongoing input to my posts and thank you all for those.

Regards

Peter