A few weeks ago I had a seizure. I was sitting in my kitchen with my 17 year old son, working on his college applications. The next thing I knew there were strange men trying to kidnap me (paramedics) and, when I was finally full aware, I was sitting in an ambulance on my way … Continue reading The Practice of Medicine
stress
Transitions
Yoga is often an allegory for life. Such is the case for me right now. After my cast came off , I graduated to a sling type contraption. I was finally able to put weight on my foot and, after about three weeks, it was feeling really good. I decided it was time to head … Continue reading Transitions
Disability, Prejudice & the Narcissist
I am prejudiced. 100% prejudiced. I am prejudiced against people with disabilities. Which makes it mighty tough to be a person with disabilities! I was raised to believe that you must be doing something constructive each waking hour. Work/school were not to be missed, even if you were deathly ill. "Leisure time" was used to … Continue reading Disability, Prejudice & the Narcissist
Narcissists, Stress & Health
After the first few years of chronic illnesses my family started to say to me "do you think it's stress?". I was flummoxed as to how to answer. Of course it was stress. I was a mother of 3 young children, I co-owned a restaurant with my spouse, he was never at home, and when … Continue reading Narcissists, Stress & Health
Wake Up Call
For a variety of reasons I've been working a lot the past two weeks. I should quantify this: a lot for me. I love working. I love projects, being around people, feeling productive, not laying in bed. Despite the fact that I know better, I still volunteer for much more than I can handle physically. … Continue reading Wake Up Call
Steer Into the Skid
You will know this is a true story because who would/could make this up. My day today - My drivers license expires in 3 days, so I set this morning aside to renew it. I drove 20 miles further than the DMV close to me, because there is never a line. I walked in … Continue reading Steer Into the Skid
Empathy for Teenagers
I've been spending time with my niece & my son, both of whom are teenagers. We are staying next door to my parents, and any time they act teenagerish my parents say something like "I can't wait until you have your own teenagers! you'll see then". To be clear, I am not picking on … Continue reading Empathy for Teenagers
Journey vs. Trek
I've hated the word "journey" ever since I was diagnosed with cancer. When first diagnosed, you enter a surreal world in which you are purported to be many things you are not: a hero, a fighter, a warrior, an inspiration, and on a journey. It's crazy, because it happens in no other medical condition; … Continue reading Journey vs. Trek
My Brain on Trauma
This is hard for me to write, hard for me to say, hard for me to admit. I am a perpetual victim. Of my own making. I knew I didn't handle stressful situations well, but I had no idea that I respond to situations like a victim. Before I tell you what happened, I … Continue reading My Brain on Trauma
Enough
Remember the scene in Love Actually when Mark, who's in love with his best friends wife, Juliet, tells her, via signs, that he is moving on? As he walks away, he says "enough", and it is clear that he has turned the corner. He is done wallowing, he is over pining away for her. Today, … Continue reading Enough
Groomed but Escaped 