MY NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY!

Life happens.  Last Thursday was one of those days. I had a doctor's appointment to have a basil cell cancer spot removed from my nose. This is a very, very slow growing cancer, and when they take it out, it is gone. The interesting thing is, it might be from my teen years. Wednesday I woke up with stomach cramping. Whenever you have surgery in your abdomen, there is a chance of scar tissue later grabbing onto organs, perhaps intestines, causing intestinal blockages. Having had a few abdominal surgeries in the past, I have to be careful not to eat too much raw food, or too much food period. Wednesday was very uncomfortable and surprisingly debilitating. The Chinese believe everything to do with our health begins in the gut. It makes perfect sense to me, because that is where we feed our entire body, and the nutrients are introduced to keep the body healthy.

Trying to find someone to drive me to the doctor's became a necessity because my energy was quite diminished. My friend Darby was able to, and I was very grateful. I had a very uncomfortable appointment.

This is a heads up post. Doctor's instructions are not always in our own best interest. I am not saying they don't have our welfare in mind, but they might not put much thought into our emotional well being. I have a friend that is a doctor and perhaps other doctors will read this. So before you blow up, please read on. My dermatologist sees patients 5 days a week. Taking out basil cell tissues is a mundane task for her, and when you have done it for 20 years, it's a no-brainer. Please excuse the slang! Basil cell cancer spots are a very common occurrence in people. The doctor detects the spot, a biopsy is done, the doctor takes out all of the spot, biopsied again to be sure it is all gone, and stitch you up. A local is given for pain each time, stitches come out the next week, and it's over. Those are the "facts and tasks". Any reasonable person would say it makes sense. 

Before the appointment was scheduled, I asked my doctor if I needed a ride, she said no, you don't need a ride and you will be fine. However, because of my stomach cramping, I knew it would be safer to have a friend drive me. Let me just add I have had several surgeries and 3 babies, and I have never cried in a doctor's office. Nor been stressed out because of a surgery.

After the basil cell spot was removed and before stitching me up, the plastic surgeon gave me the local injections again. None of that was bad. But remember it was on my nose and near my eyes, and I believe it's a very sensitive area. (Even band aids pull on my face.) I don't know how long but maybe 20-30 minutes she did the stitches, from the inside out, of course. She was very methodical and great at explaining what she was doing. Because this spot was on my nose, a plastic surgeon did the procedure, they didn't want a scar. After I don't know how many stitches, and pulls, I was getting very uncomfortable. My mind was racing - "OMG! what kind of pain am I going to have next week, how could my doctor say I didn't need a ride home, there will also be pain from her stretching my skin over so I don't have a scar, and I will have to cancel, blah, blah, blah!" Every time she stitched I felt the pull, and I began saying to myself - Please God, let this be the last one! And it wasn't for a very long time. I laid there and did not move because she was working on my face. But inside I was extremely anxious. 

When it was finally finished, I began to tell the doctor and nurse what I had been going through, and I told them everything I was thinking - and the tears began to fall. I knew it would happen because the tears were there, ready to erupt, many stitches ago. I was not angry with them and I am a reasonable person. 

Through my tears I conveyed my thoughts, logically, though obviously emotionally, explaining from my perspective, the perspective of a patient. A patient who had never felt stitches pulled on her face. My doctor will hear my story, because I believe we can all improve. Doctors are not the best students, especially from a patient. She doesn't know me! I am not angry and won't be nasty, that's not my way. Besides no one listens when people spew out ugly words. 

When asked the question can I drive myself? This is what I would like to hear her say: Most people go through this procedure just fine, and drive themselves. But if you think you might want to have a friend drive you, then you have to decide that for yourself. That sounds reasonable to me. 

Thank you, good night and God Bless!    Aleta

"Be yourself, who else is better qualified."  Anonymous