Firsts

Today was a day that I never thought that I would experience but then 2020 has been a year of things that so many of us believed we would never  experience. It's been a year of firsts for a lot of people but in many ways for all the wrong reasons.

Why was today so different for me? Well today I took my 93yr old father to his first appointment with a Radiation Oncologist! 

Now the first thing you may be thinking is "wow your dad is 93, he's pretty old". Yes he has been on this earth for 93 years but no he's not old, at least he doesn't look it. He's a very young and reasonably fit version of a 93 yr old that is except for the reason why we went to see an Oncologist.

Which leads to another first... 2 months ago Dad was admitted to hospital with a bowel obstruction. Scans were done, a tumor was found and an ileostomy was performed. I should mention that I am now a full bottle on how to change an ileostomy bag and trouble shoot issues with leakage, stool consistency and gas. And that's something else I never thought I would be saying or writing. You see it's been a very odd year. 

In my last post I mentioned that I'd been stood down from my job when my state locked down due to the pandemic and then stood back up when everything reopened. Then 2 months ago both of my parents were in hospital for different reasons and in different locations. There was a lot of driving, worry and late nights.  

At this point I am going to say we are so grateful and blessed that we live in Australia. It seems that there is a different perspective on cancer care here. Maybe it's dads age but there has been no pressure or rush to get him into treatment. After an initial panic in the emergency room 2 months ago everything seemed to slow down to a very careful and considered pace. It's like the universe opened its arms and said "I've got you, I'm carrying this. Although it's been a flurry of appointments with the Surgeon, his GP and his Health Coach (yes we got him a health coach) there's been time to consider the next steps.

But back to today... The oncologist we saw was amazing, he was lovely and very interested in my Dad and his story. He asked Dad where he grew up and dad told him a little of the story of his childhood. To which the response was "have you written this down? " Now my Dad is an awesome story teller, he's fascinating and his life and his parents lives are fascinating. It needs to be written. Thank you Mr Oncologist for suggesting this. 

But back to why we were there, it was essentially an information session. A here's what you've got, here's what we think is the best course of action, go away and talk to your GP and your family and decide what you would like to do. And start writing your story. 

On the drive home Dad and I got to pondering as to why this cancer challenge was presented to him at this point in his life. Dad's religious and he was pondering why God brought this to him now. And considered that maybe he might not know the true answer this side of heaven. I am little bit more 'A Course In Miracles' so my response was that sometimes these things are brought to us to bring about positive change or enlightenment. Maybe in this case it was for my Dad to meet the man who was to tell him to write his story. Maybe it was to meet the health coach who would set him on the path to live to 100!

Although the first few days of Dad being in hospital were stressful, we've all now settled into a state of relative calm. There is no fear or sense of worrying about what's to come. I listened to a cancer summit recently and the first this the first speaker said was "peacefulness is paramount" I'm happy to report that we are already there. 

In my last post I mentioned that I'd decided to study nutrition. After I wrote that I'd decided to leave it until next year. And then we took Dad to the health coach and then an opportunity to study online came up and I enrolled. I was inspired by Dad's coach and right when I was thinking I should just do this the right door opened and I'm on my way. I must also fess up that I'd started to think maybe I wouldn't be any good at it. But then I gave myself a pep talk and decided that I was not longer allowed to think that way and that really I could do anything I set my mind to.

I know some of you are still thinking "you got him a health coach!" umm well I have no faith in dieticians, well not the ones the hospital was offering cause I saw what was on his plate pre and post surgery with a possible cancer diagnosis and I wasn't impressed. My apologies to any dieticians out there, right or wrong these are my personal thoughts. We wanted to focus on Nutrition, Dad wanted to deal with this more holistically and Dads amazing doctor recommended the health coach. Which is kind of cool and synchronicity all in one given my desire to be a health coach. Dad's really into it and I'm loving the opportunity to observe. 

Well it's late here and I really should go as I have to take Miss Charlie to the vet tomorrow. That was another thing chucked into the mix of everything this year. 2 weeks ago Charlie got up and was staggering around like  a very drunk person. Somehow I've learnt not to panic. I considered the possible causes and called a vet. After quite an extensive appointment, which included the senior health check that was a little overdue, the conclusion was that she had a perforated ear drum. How ? I have no idea. But it got her to the vet, and I got to find out that the lump on her side that I'd been planning on getting checked but hadn't was not at all nasty. It was just a fatty lump that older dogs get. Phew!! Thank you doggy version of vertigo, I can stop worrying about the lump. 

It seems the Universe is throwing in a fair few silver linings amongst all the chaos. I may feel pummelled most days and like I just want to lock myself in a quiet room and not come out, or go to sleep and not wake up until 2021, but there's some genuinely good stuff coming out of the chaos.

Anyhoo I really just wanted to stop by and catch you up as it's been a couple of months and I'd promised myself not to leave it so long between posts again. 

I'll be back again soon with further updates and some insights that I'm learning in my nutrition course.

Jim Kwik the speed reading guy always says the best way to learn something is to teach it. So I'll share what I learn along the way.

Hopefully the chaos of 2020 starts to slow down my nervous system needs a break!

Until next time stay well and stay happy.

Love Lib and Miss Charlie XXX

2020

2020

We haven't spoken for a few years, where did all that time go?  I've been in the background learning and growing. Sometimes work has taken over and there have been break ups, house moves, job moves and lots of smiles, laughter and sometimes tears. Life as always has at times been a roller coaster, but there have been new discoveries and lots to learn. Charlie dog is still with me, she's about to turn 13 and she has a new best friend Suzy (pictured above). Suzys' photo sums up the 2020 feeling, everything is upside down this year.....


What a ride this year has been so far! it's been both challenging and heart breaking on so many levels. As with any challenging situation there is the opportunity for growth or change, a silver lining of sorts.

The year my part of the world started with the bushfires on the east coast of Australia. There was a collective heart break and outpouring of support for those affected. Some of us were left with the determination to do better for the planet. Climate change was raised as cause of the fires and whether you believe that or not it's time to look after mother earth better. I started looking at the impacts that my life had and asking what I could up level to do my part


Then Covid hit and our lives were all turned upside down from one side of the planet to the other. The shutdowns and the decision to close businesses and borders saw myself and others stood down from work. I can only imagine how difficult it was for my employers to be faced with the situation of standing workers down. Being stood down is something I never want to experience again. Despite all logical understanding of what was happening and knowing I wasn't the only one, being kicked to the job curb was devastating and a hit to my confidence that still hasn't recovered.

This week my world has returned to pre covid work hours and although I've muddled through ok the emotional affects have continued and I'm left questioning my path and what to do next. My current job in the tourism industry no longer feels secure like it did before. I want to do something meaningful and so it's time to make steps towards my future path and I keep coming back to the same thing, studying Nutrition and becoming a Holistic Health Coach. At the moment I'm investigating courses so there's more to follow on that soon once I've made the commitment.

Why study nutrition? with all that's been happening in the world I believe we need more voices to raise awareness that we are not at the mercy of outside forces, that we have the ability to influence our own health outcome. That's not to say that there will ever be absolute immunity to anything but we can certainly raise our chances of fighting illness by making better choices for what we put on our forks and our bodies. 

The last 7 years have been a path of learning about health and healing. As a result of a few health challenges 2 1/2 years ago I made the decision to follow a 100% plant based diet. It suits me well and I feel better than I have in the years preceding. One of my goals is to better understand how to nourish and support my own body with a plant based diet and in doing so assist others with the same goal. 

My heart goes out to anyone who is still suffering a job or income loss as a result of Covid. I was lucky and have been very blessed to have bounced back into the work force so quickly, others have been less fortunate.  

For me the  silver lining of Covid is not just the new Taylor Swift album, it's the opportunity to look to the future and make plans for the new normal. What will will my life look like and what changes can I make to withstand the next storm if it comes. What will be your silver lining? 

Love Lib x