Cancer

Recently at my last appointment at the VA , I met this amazing character actor Arlen Dean Snyder from the film Heartbreak Ridge. Photo courtesy of IMDb.

The Today Show has one of my favorite weatherman Al Roker who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. As a familiar face on television, he has actively decided to educate the public and bring awareness. Mr. Roker’s doctor opted to do a biopsy. The pathology report showed an aggressive prostate cancer and he will need surgery.

Last November in 2019, I reported to my family physician with the VA a worrisome spot on my face under my eye. Being suspicious, I looked up the best surgical dermatologist in Seattle. In documented emails discussing back and forth almost begging my doctor , I requested this specialist. The only thing she offered was a picture taken of my face. In December of 2019 that photo of my skin lesion was read to be benign.

Again, I asked to have it taken off and I was made to feel like I wanted a face lift. This was very disturbing to me so I made a decision to go to a civilian surgeon. Unfortunately because of COVID, my surgery was not until July, 2020 and by this time the suspicious mole had grown four times its size since December of 2019. The good news was the specimen was taken to pathology to be read and I went home to heal.

For two months into the second week of September, I slowly mended. Never hearing from my doctor, I thought I dodged a bullet.  Starting to receive my bills for this surgery I called the billing offices. I mentioned to the billing personnel never being notified of my pathology report. She stated staff would call. Soon my phone rang and the nurse gives me the shocking news. “I am sorry to say your path report was scanned into your chart and it was missed. You have cancer.”

Shockingly I responded, “You are kidding me, right. How could you guys do this?”

As I hung up my phone, the anger was setting in as I had to go back to square one with the VA and get the doctor I originally requested. It has taken the VA system another two months to get me into this specialist and finally on Monday I will have an extensive surgical procedure to clean out the cancer and work on getting clear margins with plastic surgery if needed.

As a highly energized advocate for myself, but falling through the cracks at every turn has become like PTSD. Their were a number of doctors involved in my cluster of poor care and a VA system that is slow and not conducive to timeliness. I am not writing this to blame anyone as that is apparent there is enough blame to go around. Rather this should be looked at as a system’s failure along with physician’s fatigue syndrome ( lack of a better term).

I do not know if this is a volume and processing issue in the VA system keeping up with the soldiers’ care, but this was important for me to share with you as it is something that we can and should do better.

Think of me next Monday as I have more surgery and thanks to Al Roker for being public. It has given me some courage to do the same about my cancer. The wounds I have carried throughout my life are deep, but it does not mean I should not share with my readers. I need you guys ever more praying and sending healing thoughts.

Meeting the actor Arlen Dean Snyder at the VA was a lot of fun. This is a really nice guy.

 

 

 

My Wellbeing

  I just came home from my doctor appointment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  I have been in remission for quite some time from cancer, however, I am followed up for tumors in my right breast.  So far they are benign. My wellbeing is dependent upon consistently having checkups.  That story changed after I took a direct to consumer DNA test.  My life became a bit complicated…Maybe you will relate.  Come along for a story friends…..

Spinning Out Of Control

I promise you this post will make you laugh and be smarter than a 5th grader. I promise!!!!!

The blinds on the doors can be closed to give one a sense of privacy and eliminate  a lot of the noise. 

I was out of control in my mind listening to my urologist state matter of factly, “You need surgery.” Yeah. Right. ( note to readers- read italicized captions under pics after you read the post ) .

Monkey On My Back

Stent running from my kidney all the way to you know where! Ugh

Brain injury awareness month was the last thing on my mind ( no pun intended) as I scoped through my home last week looking for an important document. I was getting mad at myself.
Many of my rooms are partially empty. There are a few reasons for this. Without blaming my autistic son too much, I am convinced he has wanted me to redo rooms for quite sometime. ( He breaks things. I guess we all need hobbies. This one is very expensive ).

Waiting on my Urologist! What Joy!

I have had a brain tumor and some form of TBI ( traumatic brain injury) and like my surroundings well controlled. My inability to find that document drove me crazy. I finally called someone who assisted me! Thank God.

Without boring my readers, I was working through authorizations , etc with my health needs. This alone can drive anyone nuts. 
Surgery again tomorrow and another overnight stay is enough to think about, but my mind has trouble staying focused at times. I do not care if I am labeled with a monkey on my back. Maybe the monkey gets the attention for a cause that may be way worse in others than my case. 

God Follower

Greatest Mom Ever (ask my sons)

Kidney Cancer Survivor

Brain Tumor Survivor

RN

Truth seeker 

Family friendly

Friend friendly

Monkey lover

Settlements

In 2013, several environmental groups sued BNSF Railway for polluting waterways in Washington State.  I was watching this case closely and wondered if the elections would have an impact.  I am quite certain it did.

Blooming

Forward thinking health is my story. Blooming at just the right timing  can depend on many factors…. My truth is no other. Walk in my shoes just one time and you will see.

“Move your foot forward. You can do this.”

The therapist evidently knew more than me..

This was in January of  2011.  My hospital physical therapist had begun working with me in the acute rehab. I was status post one week crainiotomy for a large motor cortex brain tumor.

“It will not move.” I remarked

“Yes. It will. We will get you there.”

I looked up at her admiring her being strong for me.

That almost seems a lifetime ago, yet everyday I am reminded one way or another of my past medical history.

Today that blooming effect keeps rolling along five years later. This past few months , I started working closely with physical therapy for a  left knee injury. While being assessed, it became apparent to the therapist I also had another condition called Left Neglect.

I was absolutely shocked with this. Apparently damage to the opposite side of my brain ( in my case right side of brain) caused my left sided neglect.  Surprising enough, a left-sided neglect individual may not even know anything is wrong. I sure did not.

Damage to the right side of the brain also may cause cognition issues such as  attention. This is where we need to understand paying attention involves complicated neuro circuits being fractured.

I did not realize this neglect and if I did , I would have taken steps way before now to retrain my brain to use my body in equal footing.

As a mother, I wondered how all these complicating issues were going on in my body all the while doing my mom job.  This whole issue is not just one area or disorder, but multiple in nature.  I am thankful to my sons for always accepting mom through so much.

Barriers happen. These blockades will be overcome by an attitute of continual blooming. As I look out into my backyard, I see this in action. Flowers almost blooming or already have, yet I also see precious squirrels looking to get food and jump at the chance when he can.

It all may sound crazy, but this left neglect is a real neurological condition. In  fact, I had to keep a key viewpoint alive in my head that my issues are real. I do not have but one energizing answer to my rehab. It is simple. Keep blooming. Keep smiling. And yes. Keep moving!