I have had the fortune to recently read two memoirs authored by persons with Multiple Sclerosis. There were so many parts of the book I could relate to. At times, I felt I was reading my own memoir. Our stories were that intertwined. However, there are a subjects on which I differed greatly. The care of my physicians and my experience with insurance.
From day one of my first "symptoms," my nurse practitioner, GP and neurologist have been great. They believed me when I said I had numbness. They did not dismiss me as crazy. Unlike the experiences from the books, these professionals gave me information in their offices - no email diagnosis. I can't believe a doctor actually EMAILED a patient the diagnosis of MS.
I have set in their offices and cried tears of frustration. They have listened. Never rushed me out. Once, the neurologist actually pulled up a chair next to me, shut off the lights, told Brian not to comfort me and told me to cry it out. He told me that I needed to cry and mourn my diagnosis. Seriously? A neurologist who has a busy schedule did this? Yep!
The office staffs I have worked with have been incredible too. When trying to send me to Northwestern for a second opinion, I began working with insurance to get the referral. The office staff told me that I should focus on my health and that THEY would handle it all. Within an hour, I had a call saying that it was all approved and set up.
Another area in which I differ from those life stories is my experience with insurance. Now, do I always get the answers I want when I call insurance? Nope! Sometimes they say something is not covered. Or a new prescription is a Tier 3 drug. I don't always like what I hear. However, never, and I mean NEVER, have I had an insurance associate treat me poorly. They are always extremely kind. If they don't know the answer my question, they seek out the answer and call me back in a timely fashion.
Today, I am thankful for the authors of these books. I am thankful that they shared their stories. In addition, I am thankful for my health providers and their staffs. I am also thankful for my health insurance company and their employees.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
HELP!!
Eight years ago on Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, I hit a wall. I was pregnant with Lizzie and something was wrong. I had everything to be happy and excited about - two beautiful boys, a loving husband, and little girl on the way. But, I couldn't stop crying. Every thing seemed too big for me to handle. Laundry? Forget about it? Dishes? I will get those tomorrow. The water pipes freezing finally put me over the edge that cold morning.
Luckily, I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for that day. The doctor took one look at me, pulled up a chair and started talking to me. After a long discussion she said she believed I was experiencing depression. Lucky me - I was one of the 12-14% of women who experience depression DURING pregnancy.
I called a good friend and said, between sobs, "I need help." Then I called my mother-in-law and, again between sobs, said, "I can't do this anymore." Brian was busy with work. He was working extremely long hours as it was the beginning of the semester at U of I. My friends and family rallied. My mother-in-law's flexible schedule allowed her to come stay with us for a week. Friends brought food and had the kids over for play dates. My family in Indiana checked on me all the time.
Finally, the medicine and techniques my doctor prescribed for me began to work. I began to function again! I did my laundry. I made a meal. I caught a mouse in the house and I didn't crumple. Well, I did scream loudly and demand Brian take care of it (I HATE mice). However, it did not put me over the edge. I began to feel human again.
This may seem a weird post for this blog. Am I thankful for that event? No, not really. I was embarrassed. Ashamed. What in the world was wrong with me?
But, I am thankful for those who have shared their stories through books, blogs, articles, and face to face. Those people have helped me realize that what I experienced is nothing that I have to hide. Nothing to be ashamed of.
If there is one thing I regret about that time, it is that I didn't share with more people. I had close friends who didn't know how poorly I felt. I hid it from them. I wish I had shared with them. So, those who WERE brave enough to share their stories, THANK YOU! Thank you for exposing yourself in your writings and speaking so that I could experience freedom from the embarrassment and shame I carried.
Luckily, I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for that day. The doctor took one look at me, pulled up a chair and started talking to me. After a long discussion she said she believed I was experiencing depression. Lucky me - I was one of the 12-14% of women who experience depression DURING pregnancy.
I called a good friend and said, between sobs, "I need help." Then I called my mother-in-law and, again between sobs, said, "I can't do this anymore." Brian was busy with work. He was working extremely long hours as it was the beginning of the semester at U of I. My friends and family rallied. My mother-in-law's flexible schedule allowed her to come stay with us for a week. Friends brought food and had the kids over for play dates. My family in Indiana checked on me all the time.
Finally, the medicine and techniques my doctor prescribed for me began to work. I began to function again! I did my laundry. I made a meal. I caught a mouse in the house and I didn't crumple. Well, I did scream loudly and demand Brian take care of it (I HATE mice). However, it did not put me over the edge. I began to feel human again.
This may seem a weird post for this blog. Am I thankful for that event? No, not really. I was embarrassed. Ashamed. What in the world was wrong with me?
But, I am thankful for those who have shared their stories through books, blogs, articles, and face to face. Those people have helped me realize that what I experienced is nothing that I have to hide. Nothing to be ashamed of.
If there is one thing I regret about that time, it is that I didn't share with more people. I had close friends who didn't know how poorly I felt. I hid it from them. I wish I had shared with them. So, those who WERE brave enough to share their stories, THANK YOU! Thank you for exposing yourself in your writings and speaking so that I could experience freedom from the embarrassment and shame I carried.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Libraries
I am thankful for the library. I am thankful for the libraries in each of my children's schools as well as the public library.
I enjoy going to the library and perusing the "New" section. I enjoy just looking and touching the book. I REALLY enjoy that I can check the book out and if it is not something I like, I can return it and it didn't cost me a dime! Well, except those taxes.
I love that when my kids come home from school and ask to go to the library because they want a particular book.
I know that as we go more and more digital, the role of libraries is changing. I am thankful for library and hope they continue to exist.
I enjoy going to the library and perusing the "New" section. I enjoy just looking and touching the book. I REALLY enjoy that I can check the book out and if it is not something I like, I can return it and it didn't cost me a dime! Well, except those taxes.
I love that when my kids come home from school and ask to go to the library because they want a particular book.
I know that as we go more and more digital, the role of libraries is changing. I am thankful for library and hope they continue to exist.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Birthday Greetings
Today, I am thankful for birthday wishes and greetings! It warms my heart so see how many "Happy Birthday" wishes I received on my Facebook page. The actual words spoken to me when I ran into people. The email messages. It is all a little overwhelming. There was an incredible group of ladies who treated me to lunch. When I arrived home, a lady from church had called to tell me happy birthday. I don't know her well. She is an older woman. We aren't in Bible Studies or Sunday School together. But she took time out of HER day to wish ME Happy Birthday. Made me cry!
Then, tonight, we had my favorite dinner - Breakfast for Supper. The kids dislike Breakfast for Supper, so we rarely do that. But, it was my night and Brian made some yummy pancakes just for me!
I feel loved beyond measure! It also feels good to be turning 29!
Birthday wishes and greetings rock!!!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Family Gatherings
I am thankful for family gatherings. Over the past two weeks, I have been blessed with having several family gatherings. Each gathering has its own dynamic. Its own story. But, they all have family and memories to treasure.
This year's memories include:
A little snow in Illinois
A Paragi Family Christmas
Several games of Euchre
Roaring Fires
The meeting of the minds
Meeting new friends
A big snow in Southern Indiana
Another new friend - (and a good earring picker outer according to Lizzie)
Fuzzy headbands on babies
A night of cousins
Babies, babies everywhere
Making Christmas cookies with cousins
The result of Katie's "roll up like a hot dog in a blanket and roll down the stairs" moment.
The smoke of 36 candles
Reindeer food
A southern Indiana snowman
The year of the Whoopie Cushions
Babies again. . .
The Game Headbandz
Lots of family memories. So thankful for Family Gatherings.
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