Wednesday, February 14, 2024

LIVING WITH FOURTH STAGE CANCER

 After a recent CAT and Bone Scan I learned that my chemotherapy treatment has been effective in reducing the tumors. However as I have stage 4 cancer I will need chemotherapy for the rest of my life. The challenge is finding the balance when to have treatment and the need to have a recovery period of time. Essentially it is a quality of life issue that will need to be closely monitored.  

As I am now aware that time is limited, I intend to use it to see people and activities I really care about. This includes offering psychotherapy to my clients as long  as my health permits.

Thank you for your support and love.

 David

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

2024 New Year Thoughts

 2023 was a tough year, highlighted by the return of my cancer and chemotherapy treatment. Earlier in the year I was able to travel to Toronto and Winnipeg.my first out of town trips since March/2020. 

At present I am limited in my travels because of my chemotherapy treatments. Following completion of my treatments I am hopeful I will be strong enough to travel to Vancouver and Victoria to see my grandchildren.

 Having completed 9 chemotherapy session, because of intense side effects I have had to take a prolonged break from my chemotherapy treatments. On the positive side treatments seems to be effective, A CAT scan and a BONE SCAN will be done to verify this information.

 During 2023 I was blessed with several visits from my children and grandchildren. In addition I was able to continue to practice my craft for 52 years, albeit by zoom  

 During my illness I have received incredible support from my partner, family, friends, and especially my clients. I feel profoundly blessed and can not express enough appreciation for those blessings.

 I am hopeful 2024 will allow me to return to good health, and enable me to continue to practice, and travel and explore this beautiful world.

 Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and peaceful New Year. Once again, thank you for your continues support during  this difficult period of my life.

 G-d bless

 David

Thursday, November 16, 2023

UPDATE -MY CHEMOTHERAPY

 I have recently received my 6th chemotherapy session,50% of the required treatment. Although  it is too early to celebrate it is a good beginning.

 Chemotherapy follows a familiar pattern. Ever second Friday  I travel to the IRVING GREENBERG CANCER CENTRE, located on the Queensway Hospital campus. I head to the fourth floor where I am greeted by a friendly receptionist who tags me as a cancer patient. Soon the oncology nurse escorts me to my assigned pod where 3 hours latter I am successfully infused. As I leave the clinic I am given a small bottle attached to my port which further infuses me for an additional 42 hours.

 Sunday at promptly 1:30 pm I arrive at an community out-patient clinic where the nurse removes my bottle. I am free again for another 11 days.

 During the course of the first week I experience a myriad of side effects including heartburn, indigestion, intestional upset, and extreme sensitivity to cold. In addition I have fatigue.

 These symptoms  range from mild to severe and at times can completely incapacitate me. During the first week I keep my activities to a minimum. By Thursday or Friday I have regained enough strength to see a few clients.

 By the second week I am able to see a full complement of clients. With my immune system revitalized I am able to do some minor chores and attend all the necessary medical appointments. At this time I do not intend to socialize until I receive  my seventh CO_VOID vaccination in December.

 Essentially the process repeats ever second Friday until I reach 12 chemotherapy sessions. 

Thank you for your support during this difficult period of my life.

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

REGRETS I HAVE HAD

 At this stage of my life, late in the fourth quarter, I am reviewing my lifetime goals and have few regrets. My career has challenged me and provided many opportunities for me to make a difference in people's lives. On a personal level I have meet interesting and dynamic people from all walks of life. 

Nevertheless like most of you I have suffered many disappointments, not the least of them the failure of my marriage in which I failed to communicate my needs and in the process of attempting to please lost my self-identity and self-respect.    

After re-establishing  myself as a single individual I had a significate relationship in which I did not have the opportunity to engage fully in that person's life as the walls were too high to overcome. For many years I mourned this unrequited love, eventually I had to move on.

 Early in my career I needed to make a decision whether to become involved in my family business or pursue a professional career. After contemplating this opportunity I chose to pursue a profession. What profession? At the time I was deciding whether to become a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Clearly psychology won out. My regret was not to pursue a medical career, but not in psychiatry but cardiology where my family had a rich history. 

 Sometimes in life you come to roundabout and impulsively take the first turn. I experienced this when I had to chose either Victoria or Ottawa in order to pursue my graduate studies. The decision to go to Ottawa has resulted in being  physically distance from my family in B.C.I decision I sometimes question?, 

 Despite these regrets, it has been a fulfilling life. Who would of thought,Dudie, a little boy from North End Winnipeg, would travel the world, write a book, and have a fascinating and meaningful career.  

 I thank all of you for your support and love that has enabled me to fight this major battle in my life.