Since I've had a lot of time over the past year when I was required to sit around and wait for someone to tell me my next steps to getting healthy, I thought I would share with you what I've learned about how to wait with dignity.
1. If you know from past experience that you will be waiting in a doctor's office (or dentist office, or lawyer's office, or hair salon, or . . . well . . . you get the picture), take a book with you. I'm reading a completely inappropriate book for my current health situation, but it's so beautiful, I just can't help myself. If you've never read William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, you most definitely need to do that now. OK. Go. Download it to your Kindle. I'll wait right here. I'm good at waiting. Are you back? Think about this. How often do you actually get time to just sit and read a good book? Take advantage of the wait time while you have it.
2. While driving to and from appointments, sitting at stop lights, fighting through traffic, listen to the radio. I love satellite radio. I get to hear new artists that I wouldn't normally have the time to discover. Remember the saying, "Music tames the savage beast?" It will also tame your nerves. I personally prefer to listen to extremely loud, obnoxious metal music. It gets my heart pumping and makes me happy, but I won't judge you if you want to listen to something else.
It's alright. Go ahead and listen to country or rap or the all harpsichord station or Tuvan Throat Singing. Yes, that's a thing. Google it.
3. Dive into some serious self care. Go get a pedicure. Make some homemade facials and lie on the couch with a green face. Deep condition your hair, wrap your hair in a towel, and pretend like you are a 1930s movie star. Wear your towel turban with pride. Meditate while burning incense and playing soft music. Give yourself the whole relaxation experience. Practice yoga. Stretch yourself like a rubber band. Take a nap. Nothing feels as good as a late afternoon snooze. Go for a leisurely stroll and enjoy your neighborhood. Just indulge. Why not? You have the time.
4. Distract yourself. This week I wore myself out, because I didn't distract myself from the waiting. I worried. I didn't sleep. Silly. I know how much red tape there is in this cancer thing. Instead of worrying, next time I will paint, I will hike, I will caulk the bath tub, I will clean the dog's anal glands. Totally gross, but it definitely is distracting. When you use your time productively, you will have a more positive outlook. I know. I know. "Physician - heal thyself." I'm still learning, people.
5. Take steps to self advocate, and make the waiting STOP. I almost gave up this week. I was so sick of getting the brush off that I just didn't want to deal with doctors' offices personnel anymore. However, my mother encouraged me to keep fighting. So, after talking to my breast cancer oncologist, the scheduling desk at the cancer treatment center, and having my general practitioner call the new oncologist four times, I finally got an appointment to get this show on the road. You realize that's at least two phone calls a day every day since the new diagnosis, right? I do have a job. I do somewhat have a life. However, I know that if I don't demand that my needs are met, no one will take me seriously.
OK. Now, we wait until Wednesday. I will travel to Bakersfield and meet with Dr. Schlaerth. I will probably sit in his office and wait. Then, I will wait for pre-op appointments. Then, I will wait for surgery. Then, I will wait through recovery. During all this waiting, I will continue to learn. I will continue to grow. I will continue to reach out to those that need a helping hand through their battles and difficulties.
See? Waiting isn't so bad after all. So, sit back, put your feet up, and wait for next week's blog.
Bye for now, my amazing supporters. <3