You have a story, everyone does. It’s your story to tell. They don’t get to tell your story. It’s yours. If you’re afraid of it, admit it, but don’t let them co-opt it. Control the narrative, manage the messaging. Continue reading Tell your own story
I was told recently about a woman who had tried to ween herself off her anti-depressants without consulting her doctor. There were consequences. She slipped back into a dark hole from which it took her a long time to find her way back into the light. She resumed taking her meds, and then discussed it with her physician. Her physician was kind, but blunt. If you were a diabetic would you decide that you felt well enough to discontinue taking your insulin? Some forms of depression are the same. You don’t discontinue something that is working to restore and maintain … Continue reading Self medicating and unilateral changes to dosages=dumb move
Here’s the latest panoramic x-ray of my jaw, taken in early May of 2017 by my current dentist. its not a great illustration of everything that has happened in my mouth, but it works for what he needs at the moment. Highlights; that glow in the centre of the image is part of the x-ray apparatus. It’s a bit disconcerting on first blush, isn’t it? to the left of the glow is the plate that was used to bolt my lower jaw back together, after they split it. starting on the right side of the image and trailing along … Continue reading 10+ years on
One of the most important weapons in my arsenal when it came to finding comfort during the post surgical application of radiation/chemo combo therapy was the use of Akabutu’s mouthwash. This mouthwash or oral rinse was developed by Dr. John Akabutu while working at the University of Alberta Hospital and the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is my understanding that this isn’t always easy to come by outside of the Alberta cancer community, so for those of you who don’t have easy access, here is one variation on the recipe; From what I’ve been able to discover through … Continue reading Akabutu’s Mouthwash
Here is another breakdown of the recipe I’ve discovered: From what I’ve been able to discover through various channels Dr. Akabutu’s mouthwash is made up of 60 cc of xylocaine viscous (2%), 50 ml of nystatin suspension (100,000 U/ml), 125 ml of normal saline, 60 mg of hydrocortisone (three tablets of 20 mg), and 3 to 5 ml of glycerine. This should give you a total volume of 240 ml. The instructions that normally go with the use of the mouthwash are to shake it well, then swish 30 ml of solution around the mouth and throat for one minute … Continue reading Another take on the Akabutu’s Mouthwash recipe
In my experience, looking forward and behind me from where I now find myself, trying to understand the different paths my various journeys have taken me along, I’ve come to believe that the road to recovery, and the maintenance of whatever balance you need to find with your body and your mind is predicated on a simple mantra that can be applied to how you live your life at every stage; Eat Well, Sleep Well, Move with Purpose. Yes, I know its been said before in many different ways. The one phrasing that comes to mind and is closest to the … Continue reading Eat Well, Sleep Well, Move With Purpose
I suppose that I should acknowledge, based on years of observation, that some people have significant challenges with the ‘milestone’ birthdays. Some folk revel in them, basking in the glow of achievement and celebration, some are seriously afraid of them and what they perceive them to mean about the progression of their lives. Each milestone means we are older. Each milestone can also be used as a marker of where we should be in our lives in terms of career, family, relationships and so many more silly little things that are defined by the society we choose to live … Continue reading Another turn around the sun, and a milestone birthday come and gone
Oh for crying out loud! Last night while we were out to an event at a local ‘hall’ I broke a piece off a molar. there is no pain or anything that traumatic. My concern is that the radiation and chemo therapy is finally catching up with me, five years later. Not only have I had to undergo a root canal recently, but now this tooth has started to come apart. The way the piece came away reminds me of glaciers calving ice bergs. Continue reading Broke a tooth!
If you find that this blog has not been updated within a two week period, please send a note or comment to that effect. the blog was intended to connect with others who have had the same challenges, or just generally to stay ‘in the world’ rather than retreating into some sort of intellectual hibernation. Not to remain as current as possible in this day of social media is just plain silly. Help me to stay current… give me a virtual poke, a pinch, a kick in the pants, to remind me. Thanks!! Continue reading Send me a note to call me on my behaviours!
” I am not what happened to me. I am who I choose to become.” — Carl Jung Continue reading A thought for survivors