Thoughts on Coping

I was talking with a friend today. She is having a nudgy little problem that is driving her crazy. She doesn't like nudgy little problems that drive her crazy. She asked me how I do it and cope with everything.

My reply after that, with some deep thought, is:

• Exercise
• Whining
• Prescriptions
• Bitching
• Ice packs
• Complaining
• Chocolate (preferably dark with cashews or pecans)
• Over eating
• Heating pads
• Under eating
• Substance abuse (just kidding)

I admit I haven't had the best week but I'm still here. Monday I was exhausted and in pain. Tuesday I was in pain. Wednesday I was okay but sore after PT. Thursday, its still morning but I feel okay, so far. 

Pain is no fun and its been way too popular this week. One of my many doctor appointments on Monday changed around some of my pain meds. But its still too early to see if that is helping me. So I will refer to my list of options above on how I will cope. But in the meantime, I might need an ice pack and/or a pain pill. 

Its How You Get Up Again

After cancer hits you, you cope and move on. But I think the most important part is how you cope. Many people are familiar with Scott Hamilton, the Olympic medal winning figure skater. But I am not sure that everyone knows about his cancer diagnoses. In addition to testicular cancer in 1989, he has also been diagnoses with brain tumors, several times. And he has also developed that awesome resource ChemoCare which provides a huge amount of information on chemotherapy regimens, including the all time favorite, side effects. His last diagnosis was last spring.

He spoke about this recently with People Magazine, that ever popular medical reference. I found the video very interesting and provided some thought provoking insights. Watch it all the way to the end (its less than 3 minutes), and then think for a bit.

A cancer diagnosis is a big fall in your life. Actually its not a fall, its more like it threw you down three flights of stairs. But you have to regroup and go on with your life.  You still need to go to the grocery store, have surgery, drive your children to school, do the laundry, deal with surgical drains, mop the kitchen floor, dust the living room, make the beds, hang out with friends, and go to more damn doctor appointments that you ever thought possible. And deal with this huge emotional wave of medical crap.

Scott Hamilton has had to deal with this four times now and he came up with this advice.

Its not what happens when you fall its how you handle it. The remember to smile like Kristi Yamaguchi as you do it.

On The Road Again

This weekend I am on the road again. It is a real road trip. I drove with a friend (well she drove all so far) about 840 miles to the middle of Indiana from Massachusetts. We spent a night at my brother's and two nights in a hotel and then we will go back to my brother's and home. A road trip without the Thelma and Louise business.

Why am I on a road trip like this when I am among the least health people in the country? Because:

1. I wanted to
2. Its a great change to do something completely different
3. I am meeting some people I have known online since 2007 but have never met in person. 

Reason number 3 is the most important to me. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I went online for support and to find out information about my latest health debacle. I met all these wonderful women who were also coping with their own breast cancer demons. They were amazingly helpful and supportive and got me through some tough times.

But I never met them in person and now here I am. I will get to meet some of the people who were very important to me and understood what I was going through like no one else could. 

I Have Learned

Unfortunately because of my health I have learned a lot about dealing with doctors and ailments. Its the one thing I can still do.

Someone I know has been dealing with a significant medical issue and now has gotten some more news which could impact the rest of his life permanently. As someone who has dealt with multiple medical issues I could relate to his concerns.

I shared what I would have done based on my experiences with ailments. I guess I have learned a lot in the past ten years or so of medical disasters. This is what I have learned:

Step one: education. Find out as much as you can about the body part with the problem. Research the crap out of it. I would start with any medical organization for doctors who deal with this problem. Then I would find out as much as I could about the ailment. And then the body part with the problem - what does it do, how does it work, and what is the impact of a not so good body part - can you live without it or if its damaged. What is the long term impact of it. Take the time to learn all you can about the changes in your health and how your body can deal with it.

Step two: ask questions. Write down all the questions you have and then get someone to go to the doctor appointments with you so you can the answers you need. Their job is to make sure you get all the information you want. This is always a good idea with a major medical issue. Keep learning, even attempt to stay up with the latest research.

Step three: options. Once you get the information so you have a better idea of what you are facing, maybe get a second opinion. Take your time and think about options. Digest what you have learned and figure out what you want to do. Don't assume the first doctor is correct.

I hate dealing with doctors and stuff. But I guess I have learned enough that I can share with others on what has worked with me. I just wish I was healthy.