Friends from all places and backgrounds I am returning to write to you once again. Please let me explain. My reasoning behind ending the email group was two pronged, it had to end at sometime or at least I had always planned it that way, and I felt that now was a good time to switch my focus and begin to tackle some of the items on my To Do list. I certainly wasn’t planning to disappear but I did think I wanted to change the frequency and manner in which we have been communicating, as I wanted to have more one to one communication. I still want that and will do my best to continue in that direction, but I have also thought about the group.
After reading your responses the thought process began where by I continuously asked myself if I should or wanted to keep writing to you all, and if so how would I do that. I agreed that I didn’t want to keep writing as I have been, yet I felt that many of the things I want to accomplish and all that I have shared with you all, I should continue to share these things.
Side Story: Throughout the Fall as I regained some strength and made my way around the hospital I discovered something that really hit home. Many of the Nurses and Doctors that care for patients like me everyday, very rarely see them hit that solid recovery phase. Many of the people who cared for me still had the picture of me leaving the hospital under the power of those around me, as that was the last they saw of me. They would get such a lift seeing me walk down the hall and smiling to see them, as I learned the impact of my visits I began to make an effort to see some of my caregivers each time I visited the hospital. On my side it is great for me to see them and reflect on where I once was, and for them to see me where I am now.
Well I have realized that were I to end the email group here many of you would not get to ’see’ me progress through my recovery phase. That is one of the major reasons why I have decided to continue writing. The other is that I have once again realized how special and important it is to continue to share, as I have been, with such a large group. On a purely selfish level, writing to a group like you all may very well be able to help me accomplish some of the things that I have on my To Do list. You have been my ears to this point and we had some incredible victories with this arrangement. So I am here to tell you that I would like you to be my ears, and as long as you’re willing to have me, I’ll be your mouth.
Now this new beginning will not be without some changes, nothing too major not to worry. But I will begin to ’switch’ my focus a little and tell you all about some other things in my life outside of my recovery. For example, I really want to share my ideas and plans for the week/month/year and would love your input. You can play the mouth as well, as I do love to play the ears once in a while. In addition to my progress regarding my health and other areas I want to share some of my experiences with patients and other healthcare related issues. I realize I have done this a little but I would like to get more detailed and give you a clear picture of what we patients face everyday, whatever it may be, a trip to the hospital, a change in drugs and the consequences of those changes, or even the scares that are often common place for us. I now that I have had a few of these myself, but as I mentioned many times in the past I saved those stories for a time when we were past the emotional period that surrounds them.
The final element of change is that I would like you to pass along these messages to anyone who is interested to read them, and if you know of anyone who is interested to be added to the group I would love to have them be my ears as well. I have lots of things to say so I need as many pairs of ears as are available. I will remind you of this off and on, but the offer to expand the group always stands. Finally if any of you are having trouble emailing me please try my Dad’s address and make me aware of the situation that way, as I know some people are having trouble. You can reach him at [email protected].
I think other reasons I am taking a new approach but maintaining contact with you all is that I am addicted to the flow of information. In a weird but understandable way I have become somewhat dependent on this email group and as I said it is no secret that it’s existence has helped me win some incredible battles. And will be a major contributor to our Cup victory. I may write to you all forever.
I have much more to say but will save it for a later email.
Take Care,
Geoff
#4
