Far corner

70 -BATON PASSING TRADITION - GO BEYOND IN THE FAR CORNER

GO BEYOND TRADITION

Passing the baton is an elaboration of an age-old deathbed tradition of uttering a few final words before the body’s long nap in the dirt but it can be much more. The book of Genesis recounts how the blind and dying patriarch, Isaac, called his firstborn, Esau, to his bedside to bestow his blessing. Generations later, Joseph took his two sons to the bedside of their dying grandfather, Jacob, to receive his blessing. And Jacob called his 12 sons to his bedside to give them final instructions about inheritance and responsibilities.

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68 -THE FAR CORNER - PASSING THE BATON

The FAR CORNER starts when your first relapse occurs. For the vast majority of cancer patients this means cure is no longer possible. Another remission may be but in all likelihood it will not be as long as the first – perhaps half as long, maybe less. With each relapse the likelihood of subsequent remission becomes less likely and shorter. So if with the wisdom you have gained down the backstretch you have anything left in your life you want to complete, it is time to get on with it. If you are blessed with another remission or more time than you need, you can do it all over again.

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71 - FAR CORNER FINAL CHANCE TO PASS THE BATON

PLAN AHEAD AND BE INTENTIONAL

The baton passes needs to be planned in the backstretch, then executed with words in the far corner and reinforced with your life throughout. The homestretch should be left entirely for applause. Clearly those seduced by fear and denial, never get to the backstretch or make a good handoff. The Dragon knows that and that is a big part of the reason he keeps throwing them to you........y

WOUNDS THAT MAY NEVER HEAL

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26 - MAKING THE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEST FOR YOU

“Rational Choice Theory assumes that people make decisions by multiplying the probability of getting what they want by the amount of pleasure (utility) that getting it will bring."*9. This presupposes that one really knows what he/she wants, can tell the doctor and then can reliably extract the probability of getting it from their doctor. If you can’t communicate realistic goals, he has no chance of giving you realistic probabilities. Only you can figure this out and tell him.

20 - Catching Your Stride But Time to Revaluate

Near Corner Reevaluation

When you are a few months into treatment and coming through the near corner of your bell lap, it is time to re-examine the assumptions that guided your decisions at the very beginning. Do this again each and every time a change in therapy is indicated. After the opening campaign in any war a good general will reevaluate their initial assumptions. By then the scope of the conflict is emerging, as is the character of the disease and the impact of therapy on stamina and lifestyle.

C - Caregiver Role Expanded

BE PROACTIVE

Recruit others to read in this book about the issues patients encounter coming off the starting line and through the near corner so you all can help your patient deal with feelings of denial, fear and anger by asking questions as well as being a sounding board. Some disappear into themselves and a black hole of sour feelings and need to be drawn out to understand and process all they are feeling. Help them put a face on their fears (faces of the dragon) to give them a  target to deal with.  Keep your fears to yourself, they don't need them.

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