Approaching shabbat
I'm trying to stay busy, and that seems to work fairly well for my mood. Along with walking the 2 miles to my Oakland office this morning, and catching up with phone calls to family along the way, I'm feeling better, and my number now is a 6 or so. Much improved.
My friend Sarah has provided me with tons of info about doctors and therapists at Kaiser in Oakland. I've tried to make appointments with limited success, but at least the process is begun.
I have an appointment on Tuesday 11/1 to see Dr. Kelly O'Neal, a surgeon at Kaiser in Oakland, after which I will meet with Rachel Whalen, the breast care coordinator there. I will have a list of questions a mile long and hopefully will bring along someone who will agree to be my point person and come to every appointment with me. Still searching for that point person, stay tuned on that score.
I am taking copious notes and carefully documenting everything. This provides me with some comfort and will be useful in the future, I'm sure.
I have asked that people who pray ask for continued strength and courage for me.
Avi will be spending most of the weekend with his best friend Asher in San Francisco, which means he'll be at Beth Sholom this Shabbat. I expect he'll get lots of hugs . . . I think he could use them.
I'm fresh out of witty things to say at this point. Thank you for encouraging me to keep this blog going, it's been wonderfully cathartic for me.
Next post will be after Shabbat ends on Saturday night, which this week will be at about 7pm.
posted by Judith Rosenthal Schwartz @ 1:41 PM
1 Comments:
I'll be sure to give Avi a big hug...
I handled my diagnosis similar to you. I went into full research mode and had lots of questions. I'm glad you're bringing someone with you to your appointments for support and notetaking. At some point a doctor tells you something and your just wraps around and around that thing, the rest becomes a blur. With someone there, you'll have a record of the answers.
Also, if they haven't started this already, be prepared for the doctors to talk to you in "percentage of survival" or "percentage of reoccurance." It's kind of hard to hear your life reduced to statistics. It's not that they're unfeeling, that's just how they need to explain the options. But when it comes down to it, remember that you make the decisions, not them.
I also continued my yoga practice throughout my treatment, albeit modified at different times for different circumstances. It was a life saver for me, even when I just had to cry...I knew I was in a safe place.
Take care, my friend. I'm sending you lots of love and healing energy.
Marilyn
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