How can we practically deal with the "Great Expectations" of an upcoming medical appointment?It happens to all of us with chronic illness. We look at our calendar and see an appointment looming in the future. It offers such promise. We feel a little excited at the prospect of what may come from it.Hope. It offers … Continue reading Great “Medical” Expectations!
"Hello, you're back again, so nice to see you, how are you?" You'd be forgiven for thinking this warm greeting was being given by a friend, a colleague, or a local shop owner who I'd known for years. This was the greeting I received by the Radiologist at my hospital, when I arrived for my … Continue reading MRI Marathon
"Something isn't right. This is a new pain, a new discomfort. I feel like something is stuck in the middle of my abdomen, just below my ribs......plus I look 6 months pregnant!" This is the conversation I had with my husband just over a week ago. He was so concerned by what he was witnessing … Continue reading Another Day, Another Diagnosis
For 8 days in November 2017 I lay in a hospital bed basically writhing in pain. Rewind to the beginning of that 8 day period and I was being rushed to hospital in an ambulance as my left leg, the one with the non union femur fracture, was like a wooden block and it would … Continue reading A Hospital Stay To Remember…..Or Perhaps Forget!!
My title might suggest a study in economics but rest assured it is not where I am heading with this. The Law of Diminishing Returns Refers to a point at which the level of benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested. When you live with chronic illness, over time your expectations, … Continue reading The “Chronic Illness” Law of Diminishing Returns
Growing up I was often referred to as “Pollyanna” as I naturally played the glad game, always looking for the positive in a situation. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I was born with that personality trait given the health issues that have been thrown at me. As I moved into adulthood … Continue reading Taking A Professional Approach With Your Medical Team
You know that feeling when you are completing a jigsaw puzzle only to find that a piece is missing? It’s a devastating moment. Your stomach turns just a little. All that work, all that effort, all that anticipation of a final outcome. A completed picture was the awaiting reward but it’s been snatched away from … Continue reading Finding Your Way Through A Chronic Illness Conundrum
Saga by definition means, a long story of heroic achievement or, a long story full of incidents. This story is definitely the latter, no heroics to be found I assure you. Rewind three weeks ago and I woke up to find I couldn't turnover in bed. I had pain in my right lower back that … Continue reading A Spine Tingling Saga
I recently saw one of my favourite Specialists. I always look forward to seeing this particular Specialist. We have become good friends and enjoy chatting about all things French. She is mad about France as am I. With me being born on Bastille Day and also loving French decor, the food and the language, well … Continue reading Apparently Life Won’t Stand Still, Even If My Legs Won’t Work!
The term "Rare Disease" suggests unknown territory, complications and no easy answers. That terminology definitely describes my rare bone disease. My Orthopaedic Specialist appointment today didn't fully deliver on my great expectations but on some levels it did. It certainly delivered a sense of direction and further understanding of what it means to live with … Continue reading Accepting Reality
