A few days ago I emailed HOPE to the wife of a man who has advanced cancer
and who deserves prayers this morning - part of the email string is below as
it may be of help to others also.



Now I muse on New Year resolutions - promises of change for the better. I
also think of those also living within the shadow, some in the prison of
fear, hopelessness and despair that can come with diagnosis of cancer.



What comes to mind is a feeling - an intuition - maybe a hope or a prayer -
that through small changes we all can continue to survive - and also be a
better, happier, healthier person, in a better, happier, healthier world.
Maybe, just maybe, we can all do that a bit more? Overcome that hurdle?



Sometimes challenges such as cancer (and many other illnesses) or indeed
just age - appear too great? Too over-powering? Too threatening? And the
edges of shadows are set too tight just like the iron bars of a prison?



Or maybe not - maybe it is just the edge of a shadow - it's confines have no
real substance - and as such I can choose to walk through into the sunshine
:-)



My gratitude goes to all those who have helped me - Penny, Jana, Jann and so
many others - and the beacons of the too short lives of little Sammy aged
three - little Shannon aged six - in whose battles, and in whose very
limited lives - and bravery - and achievements in those final moments -
showed me just how lucky I am for what I have had, and what I have now.
Sammy died at three years! Shannon at six years! And I feel sorry for
myself?



And the truth as to why I am alive - I just do not know why? I sense it has
to do with change - but which change? Did it require a BIG change - or
something apparently minuscule and insignificant? The oncologists just do
not know! To them I am just a statistic - one of the population - but one
who sits at the far end of a statistical curve.



And I would like to stay there - as far towards the end of the curve as
possible



So my feeling, my instinct, my reasoning beyond reason - is:



Each body is a miracle - a composition of dust and water that somehow
interacts in the most incredible way, growing hair, teeth, toenails, giving
sight, enabling hearing, giving touch, taste, smell, and when a bruise or
cut occurs - healing!, fighting disease and parasites, telling us when to
eat or drink, processing excreting wastes even as we breath. Such complex
miracles are beyond comprehension - or understanding



And the way I live - so I read and hear - does have many impacts upon the
operation of that miracle. Even placebo pills of sugar sometimes work?? - so
the mind also plays a role. Scientists prove health effects of poor or good
diet, of exercise, of moderate sunshine, of proper hydration, etc - proven -
statistically.



So - for any situation - what small change will make the difference? What
will extend life? Maybe meditation upon that question could reveal some
interesting answers - and some might work.



Today is a NEW YEAR - it is a NEW DAY - for a few - sadly today will be the
very last day of their lives - often unexpectedly through accidents or
hidden illnesses. But today is a gift - a miracle of life - today - is the
first day of the rest of our lives



And we can celebrate today - enjoy today - to make today meaningful - to
make small changes today - to improve our prognosis today - bring smiles
today.



Inside, I feel that - yes the surgery and the chemo were so very important -
but what really counted was that my body did yet another incredible step. As
a result of one? two? three? or more changes to my life - my body became
empowered to survive



I sense that within the following something helped

-the smallest bite of a fruit or vegetable that looked so tasty and that I
had not eaten for so long (just maybe that nut or cherry provided the
as-yet-unlisted vitamin, mineral or natural chemotherapy - that empowered my
immune system)

-the tears when I appreciated the end, and thanks to little Sammy and little
Shannon, appreciated just how lucky I had already been and am

-the warm inner glow that comes from truly helping another

-that sip of clear water that properly hydrated the machinery of my body

-that sailing race that exhausted me and blew the cobwebs from my mind and
body

-the glint of sun and its warmth on my skin as nature made me

-the so very precious hugs of those who love me

-the prayers

-the healers

-the release of inner wisdom that comes with meditation

-the achievements as I began to tidy my affairs and leave behind matters in
good order

-HOPE - and hope-beyond-hope when I first planted some beans that I never
expected to harvest, and the delight when I picked those beans

-forgiveness

-looking forward to the graduations of my daughters

-the Christmas carol concert in December 2003 that I was so certain would my
last

-an inspiration of the elegance of the buildings in Regent's Street as I
walked to work each day and towards home each evening, wondering whether I
would live to ever see that architecture again?

-stillness

-the holidays with my family so often felt to be the very last

-skiing in crystal snowy mountains

-the consideration of factors and events leading up to my cancer, and the so
difficult attempts to change for the better, often falling back into old
ways through temptations, eating the wrong things, or too much, becoming
lazy, not exercising, etc

-seeing a small girl, cancer free having overcome a terminal diagnosis with
chemotherapy and hearing her laugh and giggle whilst playing with other
children. What an inspiration as to the gift of life



A few years ago both my mother and my father nearly died - but somehow they
survived beyond all expectations! A year ago, my father died - and as he
died, with him he had his greatest asset - the love of his family - his very
last and unexpected breath was caused by a farewell kiss from my mother.
What a wonderful life - that so inevitably ended. We are all so grateful for
his life.



Today - change for the better is never too late - I hope I will again put
into practice some of those ideas. It can be easy to:

- go and clear out those unhealthy foods that I like so much

- again stand in front of the fruit and vegetable counter and relax and
allow my own body to tell me what it really needs, which natural foods look
inviting, which smells inviting which inspires

- walk

- clear away clutter and the unimportant

- forgive

- make a commitment at a time beyond

- just do a little bit more than I think I can

- breath in fresh air and feel sunshine on my skin

- try to honour the miracle of every day life

- remember what is important

- allow and seek out a smile and laughter -and begin to make small changes
that make life more meaningful, more valuable - seek the important - break
the boundaries of that shadow and live life to its full

- be grateful



Wishing you a very Healthy, Happy and fulfilling New Year



Love and Healing



Ian



PS please pass this on to anyone who may benefit from these ramblings - you
never know - if enough of us make a few small healthy and smiling changes,
maybe the world might even change for the better? Now why do I sense some of
this will be quoted back to me by my delightful daughters????? :-) I hope
so.



_____

From: Ian Dixon [mailto:iandixon25lr@...]
Sent: 29 December 2008 17:17
To:
Subject: RE: [MELNM] 5 years today



I cannot comment on relative survival statistics - but statistics are
meaningless - what happens to him is what matters



And he CAN alter his own prospects



My own view is to do three things



a/ accept the best medical treatment as suggested by an oncologist that you
feel comfortable with



b/ try complementary therapies - discard those you feel uneasy with but
AFTER sampling



c/ consider the circumstances leading up to the cancer - for instance was
there stress? Was there a deterioration in a healthy diet, etc - then make
positive changes, small changes that you feel might help - and pray



your oncologist cannot in all honesty give you a precise date - after all
some people go into instantaneous remission!!!! When I asked whom - a
retired oncologist told me it was usually children - 'because their immune
systems were strong' - so go strengthen his immune system - get good food,
sunshine, clean water, exercise, etc. Our bodies are miracles - call upon
his body for a miracle - nurture it - and who knows - maybe in 5 years he
will be posting instead of me?



Love and Healing



Ian





_____

From: Ian Dixon [mailto:iandixon25lr@...]
Sent: 19 December 2008 20:00
To: 'cancercured@yahoogroups.com'; 'fighttogether@yahoogroups.com';
'Melanoma Support Group'; 'melanoma@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: 5 years today



This morning at 11.30 a.m., but five years ago, I was advised by a senior
oncologist at a top hospital that I had just 6 months to live, that chemo
was the best option, that chemo 'would not affect my longevity' and that
c50% of that six months would be quality time.



I have just pinched myself - and I believe that I am still alive as it
mildly hurt - in front of me is a glass of red wine - my last scan was
'stable' - and I am looking forward to a Christmas with my family - such are
the miraculous capabilities of our bodies



So my message at Christmas is



HOPE



and THANKS



Especially to



The Penny Brohn Centre - for introducing me to meditation, without which my
life would certainly have been a misery, and with which I have somehow
survived

The Icon Magazine - for dietary and other great guidance

Prof Gus Dalgliesh at the Cancer Vaccine Institute for his confidence and
wise treatments

Marion and friends from The Journey whose meditational techniques (and
'authenticity') have helped with inner stresses and empowered me mentally



And of course my family and friends who have also suffered from my ordeal



But with special thoughts and prayers for those afflicted and their families
this Christmas



Love and Healing and a HAPPY Christmas and, especially, a healthy New Year



with smiles



Ian





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