Put on my Project Manager crown this week, whipping up a couple of project plans so we can coordinate with a project partner. Feel like I'm in one of those old Imperial Margarine ads -duh duh duh daaaa - fit for a project manager/King! Formal project management, which I have done in the past, is really not needed in a firm as small as the one I work for, but when working with other firms (especially ones that are being utlized by a mutual client for project management) I can brush off the old software and pull a project together. I just pray they don't want me to actually update the durn things.
On the road again this week, and probably all of next week. Big Sigh. All of a sudden way too many things to get done in the time it takes to do them. And of course deadlines changing daily, sometimes more than once a day, with all dependent deadlines shifting and changing too! Keeps life interesting that's for sure! The new trainer is learning so quickly it is scary - in a good way. Can't believe our luck in hiring her!
I turned in a request for unpaid time off this week for the CT scan, and my boss, The Big Guy, came over and said quit filling these out, don't worry about it - you're covered. Now coming from an accounting background and having been over payroll and benefits before, I appreciate this - but I'll keep filling time off requests because I like to keep my personal ledger straight. Doing the requests makes it easier to be honest with myself about how much time I'm missing.
Renee at Gypsy Shyaluna has a great post about chronic illness and marriage/relationships. She has some great tips and practical advice whether you are in an active relationship at the moment or not. Her post concerning the path she took to getting a diagnosis of Chiari Malformation and the treatment for it is very interesting also!
Renee's post reminded me of a presentation about the emotional aspects of dealing with chronic illness. This powerpoint was developed for the myositis.org website by Craig Travis, PhD, of Mount Carmel Famly Medicine (Director of Behavioral Sciences). He states that attitude about illness is something you can control when the illness itself is not something you can control. This is a struggle for me somedays because truthfully being chronically ill stinks. I try very hard to maintain an optimistic outlook, but sometimes I just get overwhelmed.
I think I need to come up with some type of mechanism to help me make decisions when the pain gets really bad, because I make stupid decisions like waiting too long to get medical assistance because I can't think clearly. I know if I have a decision making process already lined out I can just turn to that and follow the flow chart. I can use the part of my brain that is still functioning to get to the right decision, instead of just going into pain overload mode and stalling out. I need to get with my PCP about rescue medication so I can have that as part of the plan.
P.S. The link to the powerpoint presentation was provided by an RN who maintained a discussion group about pancreatitis and sphincter of Oddi disfunction. Thank you Michelle!
I cannot express how thankful and proud I am to have such a great mention in your blog. I have learned so much from being sick and it feels really great to have someone notice it. I was once a very spoiled, self-focused, ego-centric girl who was used to getting everything she wanted from life and more. Now, I get my kicks from doing what I can to help others.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that Power Point slide show. There was some great information in there. I love the quote "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Renee: I think we don't realize the gifts that good health gives us until good health disappears! Your post was very insightful and helpful at the same time!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed/dismayed at how long it took you to get a diagnosis. I know that docs look for the usual first, and the unusual last but for you it was YEARS! The lady who shared that powerpoint had had the same issue for a different problem, where the delay in treatment left her with life changing consequences also.
Very wise what you responded here WNPP about realizing the gifts that good health give us until good health disappears.
ReplyDelete((((WNPP))))
Checking back in on you WNPP. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThanks JBR - have been at a client's this week, just got home a little while ago.
ReplyDeleteWe always miss what we don't have, instead of being thankful for what we do have! Aren't people contrary???
Hope this weekend will be a good one for you!
You know that's so true. That in today's society we are so focused on what we have, what we can do, who did more, who has more, who is more, blah, blah, blah! We need to celebrate our differences, we need to focus on the strengths that each of us bring to the world, we need to just love each other for who they are.
ReplyDeleteMy trip to the DMZ taught me so much about respecting life in any shape it comes in. I find it very odd that in a country of 20+million how is it that there is only one dot of light at night?!?!?!
That was an amazing satellite photo!!!
ReplyDelete