Month 9, Day 31: EPIC – What to do having outlived a Terminal Diagnosis?

Wow, it is simply not possible to describe what getting to  this date means. Certainly it makes me rarer than I was before, so collectable possibly. I now feel like Captain Kirk, Boldly going where few have gone before, and it is about search out new things and possibilities. I always wished I could go into space so this I think is a bit what it feels like. Imagine from tomorrow morning statistically I just should simply not exist, yet I do. The possibilities really are epic and you are all welcome to continue with my family on the voyage. You may read this and think I have flipped, be assured I have not. I am however going to start a new life tomorrow………really, and how many people ever do that.

In the more mundane I attach an interview I did a few days ago with Newcastle drive time radio. They were great a few different ?

Not talking about the crowd funding as promised but just in case you want a look and help breach the magic 100K by Sunday

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dying-with-dignity-documentary/x/8972642

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 11/10 Physical Health 6.5/10 Life Enjoyment 12/10

Month 9, Day 30: Last post regarding crowdfunding

Please watch the video below and see if you can arrange a viral outcome. Pictures say a 000 words

Easy donate below act now, Email, Tweet and Facebook the Globe.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dying-with-dignity-documentary/x/8972642#pledges

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 10/10 Life Enjoyment 100/10

Month 9, Day 28: Blog Guest Dr Rodney Syme

Dr Rodney was the man who inspired me to see if I could positively impact the level of debate, and the laws around the rights for terminally ill and incurably suffering people to have the right to choose to avail themselves, under proper guidelines, medical assistance with their death. I never would have dreamt it would have put me into touch with such a wide range of views, passions, sufferings and what I can only explain as political stubbornness and an inability for some to be bold, lead and take our individual freedoms and rights forward. I am in amazement at the gift it has given me knowing Dr Rodney will make the knowledge and means available to me, if I choose when the time comes. Having knowledge of that control does nothing but free up my mind to concentrate on the great, the positive and the exciting which is what it is all about before it ends. I have no idea whether I will choose to end my own life or let natural events do it, but the point is I will make that choice, no-one else.

Enjoy your moment with Dr Rodney

CROWD FUNDING It is getting to the razor edge. 6 days left, 582 people have helped funding, 82K raised which leaves a need for a surge now to get us to 100K and lock down the funding for this important documentary once and for all. If you are ever going to help you would save my fingernails if you follow the link below to help

http://donate.petershort.com.au/

I went to a funeral today, medium age guy, great life and died well. His family were sad but rightfully proud.

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 6.5/10 Life Enjoyment 9/10 (Funerals are sad)

Month 9, Day 27: Blog Guest Perth MP Alannah MacTiernan

Alannnah is co-sponsoring Richard Di Natales Bill. The following is a great example of a committed politician and her comment around “in a democracy you have to stand up” as well as having courage, I think is worth everyone thinking about, have a listen.

This is the unabated crowd funding week as well. Now at 80K with 20K to go to hit the target. This is really doable I just need a big push from you if you are not in already, help appreciated. DWDV members made a huge contribution today but I need the crowd part of crowd funding to be viral this week. To make it easy link below:

http://donate.petershort.com.au/

I think I was a bit in the dumps from a big week and chemo last week on the weekend. I woke up today however full of beans. Does make one think how easy it would be to get in the wrong mindset. Lucky for me I have Eliz and Mitch pushing me along. Exciting news today was we got a new fridge after our 20 year old beauty gave up. Any bets on will a new one last 20 years?

PS Thanks for dropping in today Robyn and Gai, and hello Mrs Cunningham

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physicial Health 6.5/10 Life Enjoyment 10/10

 

Month 9, Day 26: Blog Guest Senator Richard Di Natale

What a day in Melbourne, I got caught up in the garden, the pool and hanging around in the sunshine. Breathing seems to be getting a bit harder than I would like but we will see where that goes, there are things I can take to help. As mentioned I have 3 guests over the next 3 days and the interviews are to inform a bit more around Dying with Dignity legislative change. I certainly won’t ever be considered Michael Parkinson in capability as an interviewer. They are also to help drive crowd funding for the documentary to our target, still 30K short with 9 days to go, think a telethon style end, do it now if it is to be!

Enjoy the interview with the Senator

Easy link to donate:

http://donate.petershort.com.au/

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 6/10 Life Enjoyment 10/10

Month 9, Day 25: Crowdfund bring it home week 30K needed for target, help!

Big day friday, with a joint sitting of my politician friends, Senator Di Natale, Alannah MacTiernan MP Perth and a significant team from Dying with dignity. All about what next. Big next step is to see the senate report in the next few weeks. There is a plan however one part  for me is the documentary. We are at 70K with a 100K target, and I am hoping like a telethon it comes home in this last week as 10 days to go. 30K in 10 days is a big ask but I believe there is room for a surge. Link below is one I sent out to my 22,000 petition signers, message from my wife, shameless am I not. Have a look and please bring me home in a rush. Approaching 500 funding supporters, need 250 more now.

Easy donate link is here:

http://donate.petershort.com.au/

I have also had some very positive support from Christians for Voluntary Euthanasia , both a donation and a page on the web site. It just shows this does not have to be about religion, have a look below,

http://christiansforve.org.au/news/

I have had some great headway with some guests for the blog, so in the next 3 blogs you are going to hear from Senator Di Natale, MP for Perth Alannah MacTiernan and then Dr Rod Syme. Have a look over the next 3 days.

Tonight out for early BBQ dinner at friends on a balmy Melbourne Evening, lovely, get ready Jo et al. Has to be early as this been Chemo week it is a bit tiring.Voice is stable but seem to be coughing more than I would like. Small issues……….

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 6.5/10 Life Enjoyment 10/10

Month 9, Day 23: Sex Party have a look how it and DWD go hand in hand

The interview below speaks for itself. Hope you like it

Please click here to read the Sex Party Newsletter.

Had a trip to the doctor about my voice. All good news it is probably going to stay as is. The doctor was really please as he heard his voice “on the radio” This week with chemo it is really funny. You seem to have the jumps and jitters and at night can’t slow down. Creates a manic pace in the family home but all good. Have also had notification of Clair and Danielle both having new baby girls in the last few days. How cool is that circle of life.

Did a radio talk show with Newcastle drive time this morning, will put it up later, nice people.

Big day tomorrow with some senators, key DWD people and a marketing communications party meeting in Carlton about next steps………..

Still pushing hard on crowdfunding, at 65K after a goal of plus 100K with 10 days to go. Feel free to donate. http://donate.petershort.com.au/

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 6.6/10 Life Enjoyment 10/10

Month 9, Day 22: Vic Premier agreed to meet post Election if I live that long and I suppose as a premier he has the same issue

This morning I called into the openline on Jon Faine on 774 ABC Melbourne and spoke with Premier Denis Napthine. 

774 ABC Melbourne replayed my conversation this afternoon on the drive program with Rafeal Epstein during the ‘Fight Club’ segment with Health Minister David Davis and Shadow Health Minister Gavin Jennings. 

PS: Dr Rodney Syme was off to be interviewed by the police today, it will be interesting 1 am sure. If they lock him up I will have to go off to support him!

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 6.5/10 Life Enjoyment 10/10

Month 9, Day 21: I love my boy/man Mitch

Wow what a day. Below is our interview with Neil Mitchell raising a few different points on the Dying with Dignity debate. He is a very kind interviewer and asked us back in February to celebrate Mitch starting work and me being there.

I have also included the ABC News report from last week about the Dying with Dignity Senate Hearing. I reckon it is a goodie, hope you do.

We also did some work with Fiona Patten to assist her with the upcoming State Election and us in the crowdfunding. Although they are small the Australian Sex Party and Fiona would add diversity of worth I think to Victoria Parliament, just as the Greens so capably do.

Funny thing politics, they closed parliament today to honour Gough. I wonder if they will close Coles Express for the day when I die…….. 🙂

https://twitter.com/28Short/status/524365346816274432

I feel things are starting to gather momentum in the crowdfunding, a bit like a telethon, but long way to go, need pedal to the metal, so feel free to  help every $5 counts, and 2 weeks left. Tab at top takes you there, just under 500 funders so far. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dying-with-dignity-documentary

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 6.5/10 Life Enjoyment 11/10 , even with my lawyer friends for half the day:)

 

Month 9, Day 20: Chemo Day & Photo

This morning just prior to loading up on Chemo (in for a slow week) I had the fun of meeting and having a long chat with the Head of Palliative Medicine at the Hospital I call home. We had a really interesting chat around all aspects of it as she wanted better to understand my needs and ensure her team understood me. Very useful and a world class experienced professional.

I have a few new ideas I am going to try, I will let you in on. Feedback welcome.

1. Occasionally I intend to have on a guest blogger, say maybe a Rod Syme, Richard DiNatale, my wife or son etc. Idea is they can express some views pertinent to the current DWD process and you may get some interesting new slants on my journey

2. I think I will get involved in the Victorian Elections. The key state parties refuse to meet me which is abhorrent, not publicly discuss the topic with is equally abhorrent. At a Federal level some believe against the polling, that they can also ignore or vote down change that is this needed and wanted with no consequences.Therefore I am looking  to use the Victorian fishbowl, to ask voters who are swingers, but who believe the law needs to change to include Dying with Dignity, to vote for the parties and maybe some particular people who have it as a fundamental part of their policy and have supported me so far. Clearly this is Greens and The Australian Sex Party. This will hopefully achieve the consequences of changing a few faces in parliament  and bringing some new ones to the political process.  It may also show the Federal counterparts how important it is to embrace the Exposure draft in theFederal Senate and it may even get the PM to embrace the need to go on record as welcoming a conscience vote in Federal parliament as my petition over the last 5 months has pleaded. Mr Abbott you have more time than me, lets meet soon!

PS I am on 3AW with Neil Mitchell in Melbourne tomorrow at 9:30am, listen in.

Crowdfunding still on, don’t miss the chance every $5 welcome and necessary. 2 weeks left running out of time.

My morning photo I like walking chemo.

Pain 0/10 Mental Health 10/10 Physical Health 6/10 Life Enjoyment 10/10