Being a person-centred pin-up! Using my one page profile or #1PP

Going back to November 2014 I wrote about work, cancer and the power of support from friends who know me. It's about time I said more about recent events, including becoming a pin-up!
Before that, what about the cancer business? Well, further recent extensive biopsies are still negative; the relative trauma of the MRI felt easier. We watch and wait, keep taking the tablets.

What about work? I've had a fantastic time in the Quality team at Sue Ryder learning more, and being part of a diverse team whose complimentary skills and friendships have been invaluable. I was keen however to get back to a hospice based post, as that has always felt my true professional home. In the meantime I have kept up my interest in being person-centred, including updating my one page profile. You can find out more about the 1PP here via Helen Sanderson Associates.

Having been recently appointed Director of Patient Care at St Clare Hospice, Essex, I took copies of my #1PP on a pre-start visit and handed them out. The 1PP was greeted warmly and a volunteer happily demonstrated having read it by referencing my love of dark chocolate when we finally met. Towards the end of that visit a new colleague brought me a handwritten version of their 1PP that they had put together during the day. They were keen for me to know how best to support them and to know what is important to them. Of course I had to say they needed to find out what people appreciate about them too. Nonetheless I was pleased at the impact being so open was having.

As I write I have finished week one in the new role; checking with those I've met for the first time, they tell me they have all seen and read my 1PP. Being in a new workplace brings its own challenges such as finding your way about and who is in which office. One place I quickly found was the upstairs kitchen/copier room, where I can make drinks and pick up printing. It's been a good place to greet people too. It was only yesterday, day 5, that as I looked about the room in more detail that I realised a copy of my 1PP was pinned to the notice board! I was thrilled that a new colleague had taken the initiative; getting more 1PPs into place is the next task. Continuing the theme I have made sure I have made and delivered hand written thank you notes to those who have given me their time this week; on Monday morning I'll be taking the opportunity to use a person-centred approach to an important meeting.
Being a person-centred pin-up though was not quite what I expected, though I think it says much for the warmth of my welcome, and the energetic spirit of St Clare Hospice that it's become a reality.

Waiting times and times of waiting

This posting has been under consideration for a while. Those who know me well will know I've been looking for a new role since the redundancy word entered my life. After a varied experience regarding the employment search I am the proud possessor of a job; a quality manager with Sue Ryder only in week two as I post this. The best thing about this situation has been the reaction of my friends near and far, some of whom I've not met in person. Networking gets its detractors; without my contacts I would have found keeping positive very difficult. I've been offered opportunities to develop, to increase my exposure in social media, and generally keep busy. I count myself very fortunate to have been supported so well; thankful for all the messages long and short that have come my way, making the waiting so much easier.

There has also been another set of waiting in recent times. I'm getting older and now well onto my fifties I had to get my prostate checked as I was losing too much sleep. A rising PSA blood test resulted in a two week wait referral. The MRI scan was done promptly and the biopsy eventually took place once my blood pressure was controlled.
Today I know my biopsy results were negative, the MRI ambivalent. So its a watching brief at a sensible pace. My very nearest and dearest have known about this; sharing more widely involved waiting so I could be definite about where I'm at. Why not say anything before? False hopes and false alarms are corrosive to the spirits; in addition there has been just a little embarrassment too. I hope that being upfront now will show why life had been a little harder though not as bad as many others. I'm enjoying the inner celebration, tempered by the knowledge that were the news today different for me I have the most marvellous people who would support me, whether we've met or not. That's a real positive and worth waiting to write about.

The times ahead...

Sharing Times

I have been reading recent news items and blogs all reated to end of life care; a recent blog update from Dr Kate Granger, @GrangerKate and via ehospice profile pieces. Kate Granger is no stranger to many social media users; her open door policy gives an insight into the kind of dialogue an individual can have with the cancer they have. Out of Kate's experience has come the '#hellomynameis...' campaign, encouraging everyone to introduce themselves as they deliver care. Just yesterday, while having a simple ultrasound the technician and consultant introduced themselves and asked a little about me as we got ready; the gel was nicely warmed too. I felt valued, and that my part of the preparation was appreciated making the procedure easier for all.
Reading a piece about the Buddhist approach to the end of life and death; an interesting refresher, I found myself wondering about the reality of mindfulness and meditation when thrust into the milieu of care provision. How far can our minds takes us to places of such self awareness that pain and discomfort are reduced? It was a salutory lesson; I am reminded that there are many people who have experiences very different to me yet our paths will cross because of a diagnosis and care system.
How we treat each other, and the room we give each other to hold our beliefs is critical to our future relationship and the benefit that sharing of our selves brings.

Thought provoking piece on breast cancer

Via Twitter I was drawn to this piece, follow the link http://theremustbesomemistake.com/2011/03/13/breast-cancer-isnt-pink/

It shows the importance of being cautiously optomistic as a professional and having the opportunity to exercise choice as a person with cancer.  We need to listen carefully to each other.

Headlines get in the way of a good read

This piece offers an interesting view on the treatment of cancer; the nature of cancer itself and adds comments about the language used when describing the relationship of cancer and attempts to deal with it. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/15/cancer-stop-trying-cure?CMP=twt_gu

The author does not really ask if should we stop trying to cure cancer, rather seek to carry on trying to cure understanding that for many people a precise cure or incurable state, common only a few years ago, has been joined by a state of long term chronic disease. The author argues that whilst having cancer you may live to an old age and die of some other cause. The accompanying comments are worth going through for the diversity of stance and beliefs.