Did someone say random …
- When I walked into that first radiology appointment for my tattoos, there were three people in the room. They were never introduced, never knew their names or jobs. It became obvious one was a student, possibly a medical student, not even an intern. I don’t know. Hope she enjoyed the show. I found that rude.
- After feeling a funny sensation I finally asked what that was. It was a Sharpie marker. If you are going to write on me, at least tell me if you are not going to ask me. That really was wrong. Period. And rude.
- If you have the ability to pipe in music, or stream anything during my radiation treatment ask me what I would like to hear and mark it in the notes. One tech asked me once, and remembered. Too bad they changed often and no one else asked. He nailed it though, thank you.
- There is nothing like a hand written card. Really.
- I like reading the news on my phone or device. I am finding that now I will much more often read a paragraph or two and just sweep it away thinking “why am I wasting me time reading this?” That is not a comment on the news itself, just my consciousness that life is too short to waste.
- Running a group that consists of an overwhelming percentage of women caregivers is a good thing when you are diagnosed with cancer. It helps if they like you. I have no idea how to thank them even though they say they are thanking me.
- Pearlsky is starting to realize that something is going on. I need to spend more time with her, have to figure that out. Sooner rather than later.
- I got a call yesterday that I need to get a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I simply asked “Is that another camera shoved up my ass?” “Basically” she said. It’s not so bad, no anesthesia or anything. Since the tumor can be felt with the doctor’s finger, he is not going very far. Something to look forward to.
- Most side effects are pretty much gone, but the exhaustion. I don’t get it … my mind is fine, but my body is really tired. I look spaced out at meetings but am fully in tune.
- Dr. Pye, my oncologist-hematologist is wonderful. I really like and respect her. At work she works with patients such as me, trying to prolong my life if not simply save it. At home, she is praying for her little boy who was born several months early and is still in the neonatal ICU. She is pretty much exactly middle age as well (does not look it! and that is purely numeric). I think about that and my respect, empathy, and appreciation grow. I am keeping her boy in my prayers.
- At this point, my life is in the hands of the surgeon and he is up to bat in seven weeks.
- Surgeon’s have interesting personalities. Inanna has a theory … it is because they cut people open every day. Yeah. I think that makes sense.
- I think I will have an affair with a former playboy model and not cover it up. Or I hear good old Stormy is getting divorced. Wonder if this old curmudgeon has a chance. I do have a glowing penis from all the radiation. Sort of. Oh, wait, that’s my personality that’s glowing. Never mind.
IfWhen I get to the other side of all this crap, alive, I will probably be a different person in some ways. I don’t think major ways, but yeah, different.- My Amazon wish list (in case I just can’t wait any more):
- X-ACTO Knife set
- Selfie stick with mirror
- Rectal speculum
- Bullet
- Krazy Glue
- Disposable absorbent blue pad
- Bio-hazard zip lock bag
I wanted to end this random thought post with a random video in my Youtube collection for absolutely no reason.
Eight years ago there was this thing where people would take a clip from a foreign movie and add subtitles that were, well, not exactly what was being said. A very popular target was a clip from a movie about Hitler. At that time I was blogging about incredible problems I was having with a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company and Pearlsky’s wheelchair. They actually had to deliver it three times to get it right. A $7000 wheelchair, finally delivered by the vice president in person. Being a geek at heart, I jumped on the bandwagon and made a video clip from that same movie. IT IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT. It has what some people will consider BAD words (concerning disability, not curses). It was made when I was a blogger in the disability world. If the concept of making fun of Hitler bothers you, if seeing Hitler using words that are not politically correct bothers you, then end this post now! Otherwise … see what Yiddish he knew …
Maybe he needs to rant about chemo-radiation next …
I hate hearing the all-too-frequently-told stories about healthcare providers who don’t introduce themselves. Have you heard of the movement called #HelloMyNameIs? It’s big on Twitter and there’s a website by that same name. It was started by a physician who herself had cancer. The initiative calls for healthcare providers to greet and identify themselves to patients at the start of an interaction. I teach occupational therapy students and each student who comes through our program takes the #HelloMyNameIs pledge in their first term. Hopefully the message they get and the pledge they take will stick with them when they enter the field.
Most people have been good with at least their name but they really should also give a hint as to their job. For whatever reason, I was much more disturbed by the young student not being introduced and my not being given a choice concerning her participation.