Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?

Thank you, you are a kind and thoughtful writer. As time progressed, I had read to her all of her personal library that was light enough, and then she turned to me, eyes glinting. "Make me laugh" she said. "I can't seem to sleep now without laughing", (which was true). Just a laugh or two." "You can make me laugh." And the kicker. "You'd do it if I was a child." I can do this, in fact, but the strain is enormous. And I believe, in my own MM case now, my caregivers are suffering worse than me, feeling that every knot tied, every fish fried is inadequate and they must do it better.
Enough complaining. Ginger, how would you progress if you were me? I want to move my case from the team in Taiwan to the US, where a great team would regulaarly monitor my strange lack of disease. And lack of stamina, typing this short note took forever. I have no 2ndary issues, I'm a carefully polished 70 years old white mail. The first white male served by the Taiwan hospital who have done great things.
Thank you.
Roy Hirst

@hongshan Roy, that was very astute of your wife to hook you like that, "You'd do it if I were a child"!

As for your current situation, if you have plans to move your care to the US, here is a link that might be of service to you for getting setting up with Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/international/locations
Of course, in almost every case, they first thing is a complete physical to rule out any other concerns to also be addressed. You might humbly ask your care team what they advise you to do, to ensure the best care possible. they may very well agree with you to have care from another source?
Ginger

Our family plan is to relocate us, husband, wife, black floppy (rescued) dogs n'all, to a US location where the first criterion is that medical service is close by and is excellent. You guys, for example. We will live in the USA, not TAIWAN. I am officially domiciled in WA and have been a resident of Duvall WA a long long time. I went to TW to claim my bride and lost almost 3 years waiting for COVID to go away. I have even been warned against sunlight especially in Kaohsiung, where the air quality is industrially toxic.

It will take us a while to get my wife's green card, because of COVID the immigros are a couple of months behind. I am delighted to be discussing coming back into your arms, But, forgive me Mayovies (?), your winter climate sucks and a Northern winter is a shock to a tropical lotus eater.

I love writing! Years ago, I learned about a writer/artist, Julia Cameron. I read most of her books and began to journal. Inspired by her work, I do something many mornings I call, "garbage out." That is, I free-write anything and everything that comes up in my word processer. Most days I do not keep those entries....but I find that when I am finished, I feel better...almost a freedom of sorts or maybe some type of brain chemistry change occurs.
Throughout my pancreatic and breast cancers, I was so anxious, that I began to write prayers on my trips down to Mayo Clinic from Eagan. Yes, I wrote in my car...one hand on the wheel and one on the paper. (No, I don't do that anymore!) The prayers helped as did recording them on paper. In 2014, a book I wrote was published. (That was not my intent when I wrote the prayers...I merely needed to help myself process the pain, grief, uncertainty, etc.)
Since then, I began to study writing at MN State University in Red Wing. Though it took longer than I intended, I finished the program (Creative Writing Certificate) and will graduate in May. I learned so much and continue to learn through writing. Yes, I have had other things published, but again, that was never my goal...just thankful someone else wanted to read what I wrote.
Back to journaling for health.....yes, it helps me. Yes, it is a valid tool. It helps to change my brain chemistry and I still need that with my chronic, unrelenting anxiety that has decided to make it's permanent home within in.
Thank you for providing this safe space for me to tell you that journaling and writing has helped me cope with so much of the "stuff of life."
P.S. I am not on any author's or organization's payroll. 🙂

Our family plan is to relocate us, husband, wife, black floppy (rescued) dogs n'all, to a US location where the first criterion is that medical service is close by and is excellent. You guys, for example. We will live in the USA, not TAIWAN. I am officially domiciled in WA and have been a resident of Duvall WA a long long time. I went to TW to claim my bride and lost almost 3 years waiting for COVID to go away. I have even been warned against sunlight especially in Kaohsiung, where the air quality is industrially toxic.

It will take us a while to get my wife's green card, because of COVID the immigros are a couple of months behind. I am delighted to be discussing coming back into your arms, But, forgive me Mayovies (?), your winter climate sucks and a Northern winter is a shock to a tropical lotus eater.

@artgirl2 Yes! Writing can be so therapeutic. I love the books from Julia Cameron, and have almost all she has written. Like you, they have been a stepping stone for me.

Have you tried using a voice activated recorder rather than writing while driving?
Ginger

@hongshan There are many things to consider when making a large geographic move like that! This year, it seems noone is immune to strange weather cycles, even here in Oregon where I live! It sounds like you have time to step through the process, writing out pros and cons for areas to choose. Then let those list linger a short time, and review them, to see if your thoughts have changed. As a resident of Duvall area of Washington, how far would you be from good health services and University of Washington?
Ginger

I have had excellent "accident" service locally but complicated it. In great pain, I mistakenly listened to the diagnosis of my window cleaner - tummy problem, you have days yet, and so only allowed 40 minutes to ER, when the actual prognosis - with 40 minutes to death - was 40 minutes. Too little ambulance time, stayed in mah truck. Just made it. Am now rated by my family as the worst possible expert on treatment. We are sifting through senior oncology faces online one by one, this was the procedure in TW, where really professional professionals are in short supply.

As you suggest, we are slowly browsing from the top 5, then repeat. A pleasure finding you so early in the cycle. Once we have found a good team, and I a more exact window cleaner, we then start cursing the cold spells. Do you by chance, by chance please, have a name you can suggest? 2names, one name for general family med, perhaps one for MM?

Thank you
Roy Hirst
HongShan (=Red Hill)