Perspective
I had an
appointment for today at 2pm to consult with the oncologist…finally. It should have happened two weeks ago but
they “lost my paperwork.” Today at 1:30
pm I received a phone call postponing the appointment until tomorrow
morning. “Sorry for the last minute
cancellation,” she said.
I asked
about whether they were doing the markings and set up tomorrow too. “Oh no,” she said, “that will be sometime
next week, if we can find a slot for you.”
“Oh and then I’ll begin the radiation?”
“Well no,
then we’ll have to see when we can fit
you in to begin sometime in the next month.”
I wondered
why, and felt a little sorry for myself; sorry that obtaining treatment would
take so long and be so vaguely planned.
Then I remembered.
I have a
home, un-burnt and un-flooded. I have
electricity and heat. I can do laundry and can drive where I want to
go. I don’t have two hundred year old
Black Oaks falling on my roof while I wait over a month for a tree company with
a crane to come and cut them down. I have
fresh food. I don’t have to worry about
the temperature dropping outside and my pipes freezing. I have Medicare which will pay for all or
most of my treatments, whenever they happen.
I’m a lucky
woman.
It helps to
keep the problems in perspective.
Photo and words are copyright © Carol Steel
8 comments:
Good for you, Carol, for turning the negative to positive!
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine"[Prov.]
Carol, You have a wonderful perspective. I agree, one's happiness, or lack there-of is so dependent on how we look at things. If I get down in the dumps over something, I remind myself that I have my health, my home, my husband, my farm... and on and on and on. You are going through some tough times, I am so sorry, but I think your attitude is great.
Hi Rinske Salmon,
The only choice I have is to turn the negatives into positives, otherwise I'm just wasting my time and energy being upset. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Jeri,
I agree with your comments. I can easily get down in the dumps but it hurts only me then. So I do the best I can to let go of those feelings and to focus on what is going well in my life, and there is lots of good too. Thanks for your note.
I think it's great to see things in perspective and to realise your own good luck!
At the same time, you would hope for a more efficient and better organised medical service!
Yes, I do live in hope that my medical service will become better organized and that I don't get lost in the shuffle of paperwork. Thanks for the comment CGP.
Hi. I think you are taking the right approach... the less stress, the better. I never seem to have much luck hurrying the system... Jane
Thanks Jane. I do realize that in my current situation, stress is especially bad for me. Hurrying the medical system seems an impossibility; trying to hurry it can lead to much frustration and therefore...stress.
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