One week post-op and I’m happy to report that the growth is benign and has left the building! I’m recovering, but a terrible patient. More than once I’ve needed to be reminded to take it slow. How humbling. The doctor noted that I will have a little scar on my neck where the incision was and apologized for another circular scar I will have where they had to cauterize a vein to stop the bleeding. I told him that in the grand scheme of things a scar was minimal and I was going to count my blessings. It will take time for my chemistry to recalibrate, so I’m doing my best to be patient for that. Overall, the surgery was a success
I loved that book so much I was talking with my friend Chloe about it. Chloe’s face lit up when I said the author’s name. “Belleruth Naparstek,” Chloe repeated with a huge grin on her face. “I know that name. I’ve been listening to her surgery meditations.” Chloe explained that she about to have hip surgery and that Bellleruth had these pre-surgery guided imagery meditations that were extremely calming. After the surgery, Chloe said that she felt the meditations helped her stay calm as she went into surgery and heal faster. I was enrolled!
Since then I’ve recommended Belleruth Naparstek’s “Successful Surgery” CD to friends, family member and clients. I recommended it to my client who had a brain tumor removed in January. I recommended it to my friend who had fibroids and I recommended it my aunt who had surgery on her neck and an ankle replacement. And thank goodness I did, because she was the one who reminded me about the CDs when I was told I was going to need surgery.
Moments before they wheeled me into the OR I listened to the three minute demo on my phone. I’m including a link here for you to listen in case you or a friend might need this in the future.
While I am letting go of my disappointment with my primary care physician I’m grateful for the care I’ve since received. I will echo my sentiments of my last e-mail that WE MUST BE ADVOCATES FOR OUR OWN HEALTH. We cannot give away our power. We cannot defer blindly to the profession which seeks to profit from our sickness rather than our health. WE must help ourselves and others whose voices might be ignored or diminished.
Our country would be a stronger, healthier, happier place with a greater respect for human life if we embraced universal health care like our neighbors to the North and like other civilized Western Countries. Our system is antiquated and oppressive. No one should have to pay to live. I think of my friend, Roger, whose brother died in his thirties because he couldn’t afford to go Urgent Care when he was sick. It makes me sick to think about.
After my last post I had Canadian friends and clients contact me and share with me how grateful they are for Canada’s free health care system. They feel proud at how their country has cared for them and their family members. I would like to have that same pride for America. Here’s an article from Health Affairs that shares how our country would benefit if we had Universal Health Care. I don’t see this as a partisan issue. I see this as an American issue. I see this as a human rights issue.
As a self-employed person, healthcare is a huge expense. I thought I could get away with a Bronze plan last year. Now that I need to meet with an endocrinologist, have monthly lab tests, medication, bone scans, and such I’m going to need to get a better plan. I had the Bronze Plan. I started looking at the Silver Plan. The difference between Kaiser Silver and Gold is $20 a month, but one has a $2500 deductible and one has a $0 deductible. I also read that you might as well get a Gold plan because the cost difference is so minimal compared to what you get.
This is also your public service reminder to renew your coverage before the end of the year and really read the details on those plans. I’m curious to know what you’re paying for healthcare and how you feel about our current system. In 2020 I will likely look outside of Kaiser for other plans.
Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers and for your kindness and love. I felt it and I appreciate it.
So here’s another gift to you!
And here are some great ideas for holiday gifts that will empower and inspire you and your loved ones!
