This past week was quite challenging. It was my last free week before beginning the dance with health care again, a very busy work week, and my Mom is battling MS symptoms, causing her to fall and feel really bad. Not good that it's happening, but it's happening at a good time, meaning in between my being down and unable to help much. Everything is a dance, a balance. It always works out. She'll be back up again. It's just the way MS operates.
Friday I had an appointment with a new Internist, Dr. Mehta, at Summit Hospital. My previous physician is officed in Hendersonville, and is not convenient given all the doctor appointments I have right now, plus, I've been looking for someone who could help me walk the Vanderbilt mine field, merging the Western view of medicine with the Eastern view of medicine. It has happened.
Dr. Mehta is from the East and is highly involved with the Western doctors at Vanderbilt. He is highly respected in his field, and whenever I mention his name to doctors, even at Vanderbilt, I always hear an endorsement that is uncommon! In fact, he helps to train some of Vanderbilt's interns.
We went over a variety of things that had been left hanging by the Vanderbilt doctors, and he was kind enough to go into great detail and even offered me his email address if I had further questions as I travel further into the Vanderbilt health care vortex.
It was very comforting when he told me that my surgeon is one of the best in the world. Not the state, but the world. Not in the region, but ... in the world! He also told me that the other doctors on my team are highly accredited and that I could trust each of them implicitly. This was a great relief given I have some major surgery coming up and was feeling a little lost. Dr. Mehta explained to me that the doctors don't mean to be uncaring or insensitive, it's just that they are very busy and so it is what it is. 'What is' -- something I understand and can deal with.
This Wednesday I go for a scan to see what my insides look like after the first part of treatment. If all clear, then I proceed to surgery. I feel more comfortable now, and even though I don't look forward to starting up this process again, it will help to have more understanding.
Friday I will go for acupuncture with Dr. Lamberth, who I love, as Dr. Mehta explained it will greatly help me with the stress of treatment. He suggested that I go for stress acupuncture treatment weekly until surgery.
Also of interest, Vanderbilt is studying a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist officed in Berry Hill. She has had great success in treating and even curing people with cancer. He said Vanderbilt may one day have an acupuncture and herbal remedies section, and that he would welcome that.
I have always been interested in meditation, yoga, Chinese herbal remedies, etc. I was raised around these things, and I believe in them. I also believe in the science of Western medicine. As Dr. Mehta and I agreed yesterday, we look forward to the day when the two meet and merge. Knowledge is power, and a cure ... well, who really cares what part of the world it comes from? Let's just have a cure.
In talking with Dr. Mehta about everything yesterday, I have some things to share about what was previously posted at this site. These things are his professional opinion, and everyone should research to see if they agree.
I've learned that chemo can affect you mentally in that it can make you emotional and also lower your normal stress level. Makes perfect sense, as it is pure poison. Not only did I learn that little tidbit yesterday, but I also learned that this eventually goes away. Friends had told me to expect this, but when it happened, quite frankly, I forgot. The reminder yesterday was helpful. I did experience emotions this week when I didn't have need to be emotional, and I did experience stress at high levels when I would not normally have done so. I hope this will help others who experience the same.
There are other things I learned: first, wheat grass is not something he recommends. The specialized vitamins are something he does believe in, but told me the reason I was told to stop taking them is because they contain Vitamin K, which thins the blood. Oh, ok. He does think that CoQ10 is a great thing to take, as it helps protect against damage to vital organs during radiation and other treatments, but said it contains an ingredient that does not jive with all forms of chemo. Ok. Mega doses of Vitamin C - he doesn't buy it. Mega doses of Vitamin D? Could be very bad. No more than 1,000 mg per day, and he said you get that through sunshine and fortified foods, so no need to buy extra unless you are an invalid and never go outside. He is big on fish oil supplements. Very good!
You are getting the picture here. Lots of research and going with what you feel to be right for your own body. Most important, though, is finding a doctor you can trust. I have found a doctor I can trust!
So, basically, if you see me in the hall at work and I don't seem quite like my usual self ... it's the chemo leaving my system. If I seem more stressed than I should ... it's the chemo leaving my system. I guess chemo can be like antibiotics ... not good for you in the traditional sense, but a poison that can heal. I work very hard to have a good and positive attitude, but this chemo ... it kicks me in the arse sometimes.
I'm learning and ready to completely heal.
That's my friend Bliss Wood's book below. Bliss is and always has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. If you need a book on yoga, Bliss is your girl. And, please don't forget to look for and then read the comments at this blog. Sometimes there is great information shared, like that from my now good friend, Nurse Cheryl. Hopefully you find it all here. That's the goal!
Now, my friends, I rest. I have a stack of books waiting for me. I know Nina will be glad she's about to get the one she loaned me back!
I've learned that chemo can affect you mentally in that it can make you emotional and also lower your normal stress level. Makes perfect sense, as it is pure poison. Not only did I learn that little tidbit yesterday, but I also learned that this eventually goes away. Friends had told me to expect this, but when it happened, quite frankly, I forgot. The reminder yesterday was helpful. I did experience emotions this week when I didn't have need to be emotional, and I did experience stress at high levels when I would not normally have done so. I hope this will help others who experience the same.