Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Feels Like Chemo

Throughout the day I experienced a strange but familiar feeling - the toxic sensation of chemo running through my veins. Also, as I went about my day, my mind didn't seem as sharp as it normally does - or at least as sharp as it has been of late (my mind is still not 100% as a result of my 12 post-surgery chemo treatments). In the early afternoon, I was at a traffic light and when it turned green, I took a left hand turn only to realize my right blinker was blinking (fortunately I was in the "left only" lane).

Side note: I never make these kinds of driving errors.

As I completed my turn, I thought it a bit odd and went about my day.

I couldn't quite put a finger on it and it wasn't until this evening that I put it all together and realized it must be some chemo working its way out of my system. That's a good thing but it is definitely creepy. Chemotherapy is a very unpleasant experience and not something I was to experience again. And if it went in, I suppose it will find its way out again.

Correction

My appointment with my primary care physician was not on Monday. It's scheduled for Thursday. See ya then.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Inspiration

I am writing this blog entry because I feel Daniela's entry about Insight Coaching does not do it or her any justice. Insight Coaching was not just a good idea Daniela had. Insight Coaching was born of Daniela's commitment to making sure my treatment was the best it could be at all times. We both continually experienced breakdowns in communication with nearly every doctor we dealt with. Had we simply accepted their answers and recommendations without truly understanding them, my cancer treatment would not have been as aggressive as it evidently needed to be. I don't only blame the doctors, but the the system and the facilities as well.

That being said, as time went on, Daniela soon found herself having conversations with people in need of clarity regarding the medical decisions they were making. After many, many months of these conversations, Daniela saw the difference these conversations made for those who called on her, not to mention the difference it made for Daniela. What became apparent for her was that most people already know what they want, but not all have a person in their life with whom they can call upon to help illuminate their path through all of the emotional ups and downs that occur in our most stressful times - the times during which we have the most difficulty seeing, yet have the greatest need to be able to see.

Daniela's decision to become a Life Coach is much more than a business decision. It's the next step in the natural progression of who she is and I am excited for her and those who have the privilege of working with her.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

A Diagnosis is Finally Here

I spoke to my Pumonologist yesterday. She has diagnosed me with Extreme Deconditioning as a result of having cancer, chemo, radiation, surgery, an embolism and the sedentary lifestyle which resulted from it all. Her recommendation is rehabilitation and believes, due to what she refers to as my anaerobic state, I will require anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks of rehab.

This is GREAT news! I am thrilled that my diagnosis is one in which the treatment can completely cure the symptoms. I will see my Primary Physician on Monday and anticipate an immediate referral so I can get back to a "normal" life.

Might this blog actually be coming to end???? [laughing out loud!!!] I sure hope so.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Very Uncharacteristic of Guthrie-Sayre

I should clarify.

I called my doctor a week ago Friday and was told by her staff that "this is her ICU month" and therefore she is very busy. If I do not hear form her by the end of the day today, I will call her tomorrow.

In my world, I at least deserve a phone call from my doctor or her staff acknowledging a wait time very uncharacteristic of Guthrie-Sayre.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

And We Wait

It's now been over two weeks since my Cardio-Pulmonary Stress Test and I still have not heard from my doctor. This is something I am definitely unfamiliar with.