May 2, 2010

Ah, they seem to be opposites don’t they? Both are affected by Dopamine levels; happiness with high dopamine and depression with low levels of dopamine. So, I suppose they are opposites. The funny thing is, if we could make ourselves happy, levels of depression would be reduced.

How can we be happy? Will money and other chattels make us happy? Maybe for a short time, but happiness is how we think about certain things. It’s like altruism. Be happy, make others happy, smile in the face of adversity, do things that you enjoy and chances are, you’ll be far more happier and less depressed. Try it! Only you can make you happy, you have to give yourself permission to be happy, it is your right.

April 25, 2010

Sorry for not writing. I am a chronic procrastinator and a suffer of depression and believe me, the two are linked. If you have never been depressed, you’re lucky. Ask anyone who suffers from depression; they would rather die than live at the moment when suffering from deep depression.

Depression is a strange disorder. It can be dealt with by psychologists and/or medication. It is a disorder of the mind, but that means that the brain must also be involved, so, it is also a disorder of the brain which has an imbalance of ‘neurotransmitters’, hence the use of medication.

Whats odd about depression is the fact that it is a result of neurotransmitter imbalance, yet it can be treated successfully by psychologists. I suppose what I am trying to say here is that there are multiple paths to treating depression, but, the one thing that is common with any treatment is the fact that the depressed person needs to help themselves and believe that the treatment will work. Why?

Because depressed people find it too easy to give up. The negative thinking that goes on in the brain can convince the depressed that it isn’t worthwhile, and give up. Once you have given up, it is far easier to sustain the negative thinking and remain in a depressed state. Sounds too easy doesn’t it, but that’s how easy it is to remain depressed.

When I am depressed, I get ‘pissed off’, don’t want to talk to anyone, couldn’t care less who I heart with my words and wallow in self pity. Does this sound positive to you? When I’m like this, I have to deliberately and with great difficulty, change my thinking. Having depression is like dying, life continues in the vegetative state. But, life goes on doesn’t it? How do you want your life to be? Change your thinking and live life to the fullest.

Ian

February 19, 2010

I’m told that I suffer from depression. How can this be! It is unconstitutional.  No Australian should suffer from depression, I mean, “She’s right mate,” is our protection isn’t it? And what about, “No worries,” being depressed makes us Aussies look like wooses.

Depression is a debilitating disease, often leading the depressed individual to procrastinate over jobs that need to be done. Great, just great, so now I can expect to be a procrastinator. No, wait, I already procrastinate and I must admit, it gets me down.

I’m told that if I have a pill called an antidepressant, then I’ll increase my chances of overcoming depression. Now I have to take a pill? Where is it written in our constitution that to overcome a disorder, we have to take a pill, we’ll become a nation of drug addicts if the word gets out. Imagine, “Feeling depressed?” “Yes.” “Here, take this pill and join the rest of society.”

I always thought that having a BBQ was our way of attaining happiness and alleviating depression. A couple of beers and Bobs your uncle. No depression. Take a pill? What if the pill makes me sick? I’ve heard that an MAOI or monoamine oxidaze inhibiter for us pill takers, can cause my blood pressure to increase, and I have to watch what I eat and drink. Again, it’s unconstitutional, Australian should be denied a lamb chop of a big piece of steak. Nor should we be told not to drink beer, but hey, if you have to use a MAOI, then you have to do what you’re told.

Ah well. The dilemma will add to my depression, unless; I follow the instructions. You little beauty.

February 10, 2010

Depression is not a dirty word. Many men don’t like talking about their health, little lone depression. I will admit that I suffer from depression and believe me, it is not pleasant. Depressed people are less active mentally and physically than non depressed people. The odd thing about depression is that more often than not, we don’t need to continue suffering. If an individual changes the way they think about what it is that is making them depressed, they can reduce the level of depression experience. The funny thing about depression is the fact that it generally leads to negative thinking, the feeling that ‘I can’t be bothered’, and consequently, not changing our thinking since we believe that what we are experiencing is meant to be. Ah, the folly in thinking. The truth is, we can change our thinking and therefore our beliefs at any time if we really want to. So, don’t suffer depression. Believe in yourself and believe that what your brain is telling you that you can’t do, you really can do. Give it a go, you are worth it.

May 11, 2009

Cancer is serious. Like the flue or a cold, you can’t just take a pill to get cured. It cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, unlike the flue or a cold which are expressed very soon after contracting the disease, cancer can lay latent, hidden until the right moment to be expressed. But, cancer can provide us with warning signs which are often ignored, particularly amongst men.

Yes, I’m talking about cancer of the prostate. Symptoms include slow urine flow, slow to start, burning sensations, even a pain in the back. Just a sniff of cancer regarding the prostate and many men go into an apoplectic fit. “No ones going to stick a finger up my arse,” they laugh. But if they have the cancer, they don’t laugh for long. A lousy thing to say, but unfortunately true.

You know, there is no loss of dignity about the digital-rectal inspection. It is still rated as a major test for cancer of the prostate. No, it cannot diagnose the disease 100%, but it certainly suggests that the disease may exist within the prostate and is a prompt for more accurate tests, such as a biopsy.

Choose life, not false pride or manhood. I’m sure your family will be please if you do. Life goes on after the procedure. I have lived seven years beyond the operation which eliminated my cancer, and I expect to live a lot longer yet.

Be positive. Take the test and get satisfaction of knowing.

May 9, 2009

It is seven years since I had my prostate removed because of cancer of the prostate. Seven years is a long time when confronting cancer, and I believe that I will endure many more years yet.

Since my initial operation, I have had radiation treatment and Hormone therepy, now, I am at the will of the Gods, so to speak. I am free lancing, living from day to day without a thought for cancer. I bring it up now, because I need to demonstrate that you can fight prostate cancer.

Yes, there may be side effects which many men might find daunting, but I am alive and loving it. I have a new grand daughter, Mika making a grand total (no pun intended) of grand children of seven. Seven years since the operation and seven grand kids. A lucky number.

If I had not undergone a radical prostatectomy, I might not be here now to tell you about it, and I would have missed out on seeing my grand children growing up. Which is more important? Keeping my self image as a man alive or living to tell the story while keeping a watchful eye on my grand kids? I know what I would rather do, and I did it.

Since my operation, I know four other men who have since gone under the knife and had their prostate removed. All of them are grad that they did and are living healthy lives. I believe that we owe it to our families to live and enjoy life with them, rather than put them through the trauma of death. Why am I saying this? Because too many men refuse to have a check up and too many men refuse to do anything about it when they find out that they have cancer of the prostate. What a shame. Death is forever, life is short so why not make the most of life and have a check-up or, have the vital operation which will save your life. What have you got to lose!

Be a man, face your problems head on and live to tell the story.

Help support Kids with cancer. Look through my web pages and find my eBook on cancer of the prostate. 80% of royalties go the kids with cancer. I will add your story if you choose; send me an email telling me about your experience.

December 1, 2008

Just saying the word, cancer, conjures up images of gloom and doom. Saying the words, ‘I have cancer,’ creates axious feelings where death is usually the end point.

When I heard, ‘you have cancer of the prostate,’ for the first time, I tried to put on a brave face. I am a man and shouldn’t show any emotions, isn’t that true? I mean, I’m not a ‘girly man,’ who cry’s just because he is diagnosed with cancer!

Well, I did break down, but only when I had to tell my wife and family. In the presence of the doctor, I put on a bold face, full of bravardo, holding back the choking feeling and the tears. I wonder if the doctor saw this?

Yes, having cancer was not a highlight in my life, but I overcome it. I am still alive, after seven years. And it came back! But I beat it again and will continue to do so. In fact, I believe that I no longer have cancer, though no one can say this for fact.

My encounter with cancer has provided me with an experience that I would have preferred not to have, but which I can pass on to others who feel the same as I did about the disease. I feared it. I wanted it out of my body.

I have met many people since who have had or have cancer and strangely, we were all the same. I accepted it as did the others. I fought it as did the others. I will continue to fight it and I am sure the others will too.

I have written an e-book based on my experiences. My aim is to paint a posive and encouraging view of the disease, and to encourage men in particular to get tested for Cancer of the Prostate. I am donating 90% of the royalties to ‘Kids with Cancer’, using the remaining 10% to keep this site open and to update the book with stories from my readers.

In fact, if you have a story, and need to get it off your chest, or want to share it with others, send it to me by clicking here. I won’t print your story unless you give permission. Together, we can show the world that the disease can be beaten.