Did you know that “under the weather” is a British maritime term originally, where people who were unwell or vulnerable were confined below decks of a sailing ship during poor weather for their own good? That’s basically me at the moment.
I didn’t sleep well last night, not helped by my getting sidetracked with something on a book project and I think that impacted on the following day. I’ve been feeling rotten for most of it. This is a reminder I shouldn’t have needed to absolutely prioritise 8+ hours sleep, and all and any other activities MUST be secondary to that.
Another side effect I should have thought about, but hadn’t. This morning I really didn’t need to shave. I think that’s likely to continue for a while. Ah well, I’ve never wanted a beard or moustache anyhow, for the next six months it’ll just probably not be an option. I sent an ironic message to my trans nephew, who has a fine beard that he’s very proud of!
I did manage a short run before lunch. Not far - 2¼ miles, and it did kick my system into gear a bit, hopefully ensuring I get a better night’s sleep tonight.
I don’t know if it’s a side effect, or a cold, but I’ve a niggling tickly throat, dry lips, and a mouth that feels a bit “furry”. My head also feels a bit like it’s bunged up with cotton wool. I’m going to try some Lemsip, see if that helps.
I am able to work and function - just. But it’s not a good day.
I’ll make sure that I get more sleep tonight, I hope. Tomorrow I am looking forward to - my Mum is coming to lunch, and I’ve got an appointment booked with an acupuncturist. I’ve not actually ever had acupuncture before but I’m very comfortable with the theory. Because I’m a martial artist I’ve studied a lot of human anatomy particularly using the phrasing of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the particular art I have a black belt in - Aiki Kempo Jiu Jitsu, makes extensive use of the same TCM theory, both to design attacks, and to make people better. I’m a competent Shiatsu practitioner (the Japanese word for Acupressure) and have been treating cramps, bad backs, pulled shoulders and a host of other things in friends and family for years. I did go and speak to this local practitioner a few days ago, a lady by the name of Yu Qu, who proudly puts her certificates online including a Chinese university BM(Hons) from 1995, and is on a directory for NHS referals, despite operating out of a tiny little clinical space at the back of a barbers shop in Chesham. She impressed me, asking the right questions, and her explanations of what should or shouldn’t work were compatible with my own. So, we’ll see what it can do for me - I DO NOT think it’s likely to improve my chances of recovery from the cancer much, but I DO hope it’ll make a significant difference to the side effects I’m suffering. It’s certainly very unlikely it’ll do me any harm. I’ll talk about that after.
Cancer Research UK’s take on acupuncture….
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/acupuncture is also pretty favourable.
I must admit I was looking, for preference, for a Shiatsu practitioner, but just couldn’t find one who seemed credible enough in my eyes. I may keep looking, or failing that just get some general massage to compliment it - I do have an excellent sports physio locally who has done wonders with several sprained ankles and a poorly neck over the last few years, so might just go to her. But, right now my priority is the chemo symptoms, and I’m optimistic this’ll help.
In passing, I’m building up a list in my head of things I want to write about, in amongst whingeing about my state of health. Checklists in aviation and medicine is one, TCM theory is definitely another, also I’m currently making forays into seeing what AI can do to help me. Presumably if you’re not interested, you’ll just not read it, but thanks everybody for reading what I have put down, and your moral support. It really does help, although anybody who’s reached out more directly, please forgive if I seem less enthusiastic than you thought I might be - this is lack of energy, not lack of appreciation. I particularly appreciate the messages from people who have said that aspects of this blog have already helped them. Just, well, good !
G²
Very interesting Guy. For sure the shiatsu etc may not help with the cancer directly, however, if you feel better for it, then it will.
A bit of a placebo effect if you like. However, anything that gives you comfort and strength will help the fight.
Cheers
Heather
Frank and doesn't come across as whinging at all: forgive my lack of breadth but what is "TCM Theory" please? If it affords the slightest encouragement, your Substack is the most interesting email to read in a blizzard of social media; an IQ at this level applied with such a focus, has to form valuable education for the 50% of us that will encounter this issue. Thank you sir.