I talk about SelfCare all the time, and I believe one of the most important expressions of SelfCare, is Self Advocacy! I had a medical issue come up yesterday, and the doctors office staff set an appointment for a certain procedure. In the middle of the night I remembered reading about another, better way to treat my issue. I called this morning to ask why it hadnt been offered. When it was determined that yes, the procedure I suggested would be better, they said they only did them on Tuesday mornings; today is Tuesday, and it was the morning. I asked them to get me in today because I am on my way out of town and would be gone next week. Lo and behold, I got in this morning, and had the better procedure. It reminded me of when I needed my uterus out. I wont go into the details, but when I finally relented, I insisted it be done laparoscopically. My doc had never done one, so I asked who knew how. Turned out I knew the doc who did them, and asked my doc to call him and let him know he could show my doc how to do it on my body. Well, I wound up having it done laparoscopically and it was a night and day experience in comparison to a traditional surgery. When I ran into my doc a year later, I asked how many he had done since learning on me, and he said NONE. No one had asked for one, was his response.... I had a friend die a couple of weeks ago. She was in excruciating pain, and they couldnt get her in any sooner than a month. They then determined it was a tumor, and still did not act efficiently. We talked about the necessity of self advocating. Calling and letting them know what you need. She attempted to cultivate the skill a bit too late. It breaks my heart. I am not talking about being rude. I am talking about speaking up for yourself and not deferring to another. The good girl mentality that was drilled into so many of us, isnt really in service to much... Speak your truth. Even if your voice shakes. I love you all!
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:30:40 +0000
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