A Therapist Who TRULY CARES!!!

I have been seeing a therapist for awhile to help me deal with dealing with chronic illness and my anxiety issues.  She is so wonderful and she talks with my other doctors - she is not a psychiatrist, she is a PhD psychologist.  She works so well with my other doctors so we are all on the same page.

I had seen psychiatrists and psychologists in the past and hated them all and was nervous about doing it again.  But she is so different.  I've been seeing her since 2008 and it is amazing now and for awhile now that when I walk into her office - she always turns off all the lights for me! - my body is tuned to auto-relax and my pain level even though high right before - lowers.  I've told her I would set up shop and never leave her office - as a joke.  I think that when you find a TRUE SAFE PLACE that with anxiety making chronic migraine worse that after awhile your body recognizes it and does do an auto relaxation response - less fight or flight response.  I also feel the same way at my acupuncturists office.

But I wanted to tell you about how much a real therapist who truly cares will go for you.  I'll add that she says she sees a lot of strength in me and that she even has said she admires me and uses my (anonomously) experiences and reactions and abilities to learn for other patients.

Last year - about a year ago actually - I had an appointment and went to my car to drive there - it's close I don't drive often and only to doctors and close by - anyhow, I go to my car and it doesn't start.  Well, you don't go try your car an hour before you have to go somewhere to make sure it works and then go back inside, do you?  So, it's a surprise and a problem.  I call the receptionist and tell her and here where I live a cab would take too much time.  I tell her I guess I'll have to cancel my appointment and pay the fee.  She says let me talk to the therapist and get back to you.  She calls me back and says that my therapist wants to come and pick me up and doesn't have an appointment after me so can take me back home as well.  WHAT???  I have never!!!  So, I give her the address and directions and my therapist does this amazing thing for me.  So incredible.  We did not talk appointment stuff during drive - only small talk.  She is very strict about therapy only during therapy session.

SO - today - this morning - I have an appointment and I have since moved but go to my car (I have not driven hardly at all in a while - no one lets me and it isn't a good idea but I thought my hubby was driving the car every so often) AND once again it won't start?!?! - can I believe it? NO.  I call the receptionist once again and talk through the same issues.  This time she suggests that my therapist may be willing to have the appointment via phone.  And she was - since the phone can aggravate my migraine and tinnitus - I put the phone on speaker - also painful - so put on headphones and plugged into phone.  It was great because I REALLY needed to have my therapy session.

THEN - if you can believe it - my therapist suggests that for our next appointment and possibly those after seeing how it goes that we schedule when she can come to my home and have session here!  First she said she could pick me up and take me home and then she said - or I can just be there!

I couldn't believe it.  All I can say is that is how you know when someone truly cares about your health.  I didn't have to ask - she gave.  She is very professional but is giving!  To go out of her way for her patient is unbelievable if it hasn't happened - it is believable. 

Also huge kudos to my other doctors who also go out of their way as much as they are able - so much caring.

I am so grateful!!!

As always love and best wishes

Always,

Elizabeth

Another guest post - My Momma dealing with Cancer and hair falling out

I couldn't help it - when I read my Momma's post for yesterday and talked to her today about how she shaved her head due to the chemotherapy - it was too powerful.  She states that she had cut her hair short to get ready for the fall out and then when it happened she was upset and did she have the right to be?  And most importantly she expresses such positivity even in the face of such hardship and it is so amazing.  I am awed by her.

As I mentioned in my last post her website for her cancer info is http://www.nancyjo.info which gives a place for her to vent and for everyone to give her support and updates/schedules for her medical treatment.

So, without further ado - I give  you my Momma via http://www.nancyjo.info Nancy's updates for June 21, 2011 - cancer a$$ kicker!

Today, the hair doth fall…. I reached up to pull down a bang and the whole thing came out.  Now I knew this was coming but it hit me kind of hard.

I called Carolyn and she said you knew this was coming “you’re not crying are you?” … “No” I lied but I knew she was right…. it’s like when Tom Hanks said “There’s no crying in baseball” … how do I get to say … I cut my hair so I’ll be ready, then say I’m not ready.

It looked like rain outside so I thought I’ll sit out here and have a glass of wine and watch the rain fall… but even the world knows that this is not a problem… the sun came out as if to say “Bitch, quit it” … so today is a great day and tomorrow at 11:15 I’m getting my head shaved.

I remain constantly amazed at my Momma's strength.  I shared with her the spoon theory and website

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/ by Christine Miserandino that helped me so much years past when I was introduced to it.  Her main website is http://www.butyoudontlooksic.com 

 

Anyway, my Momma grabbed on to the idea so amazingly well - seemed like better than I did and she talks now to me about how many spoons she has left before she decides to do something else for the day.

 

Love and Best Wishes to All as Always

 

Elizabeth

Thank You Lord, Ya Done Done It Again!

This is a guest post - the guest being my Momma who is going through cancer and Chemotherapy.  She doesn't have really any insurance and we have worried a lot about her dealing with the financial issues and costs while she needs to focus on getting better.  True to form, my Momma - is so positive.  We - her best friend started and then we spread the word - had a first fundraiser to help with her medical bills on June 5th.  It was a fish fry and raffle.  It was awesome.  This was my Momma's post on her website - http://www.nancyjo.info  after the first chemo treatment and to thank everyone for the fundraiser.  And I adore how she signs off as Nancy the Cancer Ass Kicker!  My Momma so true to form. 

The Title of this Post is a Phrase that my Grandma always used to say when the Lord got us through another battle or just another hardship - Thank You Lord, Ya Done Done it Again!  And will be our Team's hat's at the Kansas City Komen Race For the Cure - which we have done as a family for YEARS.  We have known so many who have survived or not survived breast cancer and Momma always has made us - and we are happy to - give back!  We walk under my Grandma's name as a team as she survived breast cancer although has since passed but we feel her with us everyday.  We also generally every other year do a family fundraiser for a local charity in need - however this year - we had to let that go in favor of Momma.  Momma pushed us to give back to our community as well as to causes.  And to WORK for them.  I wish I felt better.

I wish I could sign off as the Migraine Ass Kicker - but I am feeling like I am in a losing battle.  But NO MATTER - MOMMA is what matters and her first!  So, I have below her post at the website linked and mentioned above after her first chemo treatment because I found it SO inspiring and I hope you will too!

From http://www.nancyjo.info

First, I want to say I’m sorry for taking so long to add to this blog. Everything has sort of been happening faster that I can take it all in.

The fundraiser was amazing, but not just because of the money we raised but the great feelings of hope and love that I felt. My nephew came from Wichita… my cousins from Spring hill… my kids and their spouses and their families and friends, so many friends. I know my kids were just as grateful and amazed at the amount of love and turnout that was there. Plus the whole Ribbon Room family too. Carolyn is the most wonderful person in the world and Brad is so supportive. He and John nearly melted cooking all that great food. What a send off to my first Chemo… it’s no wonder things went so well! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Monday, I got the port put in… hurt but not horrible. I now feel like a Borg, ready to be hooked up to receive the stuff that will kill the stuff. Lil Ron and Jane took me and I was the first one of the day. They were supposed to leave the needle in (they didn’t) so I had to have it put in on Tuesday… hurt, but not too bad (this may be a repeatable phrase a lot).

Tuesday, Chemo… this really went well. They load you up with stuff to keep you from getting sick first so I was relaxed and a little high. The actual Chemo did not hurt, just seemed a little odd knowing that you are being filled with poison. Veronica and Jane stayed with me and we snacked and talked and tried to come up with a game plan with all the different agencies we could apply too. Veronica is doing an amazing job calling and working with the agencies and billing people.

Wednesday, plastic surgeon did not have a lot to say as we don’t know how things will work or how much surgery I will need. But she took pictures and said she was ready to do whatever needed to be done. I liked her and am sure she’ll have a plan when she has more information.

So, that brings us to today, Thursday, I worked today and though I’m really tired I think it went well and will help me keep my mind off of other things. I also got a shot Wednesday that will help me make more white blood cells as well as make me feel like I have the flu. I know the flu part worked – let’s hope the white blood cells did too.

I’ve not been sleeping well, but I think that is a lot nerves and medications, but I’m very tired tonite so I hope to sleep better.

Thanks for all the good wishes and love. I so appreciate everyone of you.

This is Nancy the “Cancer Ass Kicker” signing off.

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