August Ughs!

August Ughs! So.... Not sure where this will take me today as it has been a long month with several ups and downs,so just go with it and forgive me if I jump around a bit or if there is no fluid theme/thought for this entry! That being said.....still fighting the good fight ("whatever"- insert sarcastic tone here), filled with questions, concerns and general confusion as well and surprise. So after blogging about advocacy, of course I became challenged around every damn corner I turned! Both physically and emotionally. Anyway... With such success advocating for myself with my Chiropractor, I continued to do so as I was seeing her every week to deal with my back. I somehow pinched a nerve and it was not getting better. At one appointment my chiropractor had asked me who my Doctor was...... Hmmmmmm....???? So why would she ask me this????? She had become concerned about my current situation. In the past I had been the easiest person in the world for her to work with, a quick snap, crackle, pop (sorry I had to ,hehehe) and I was good to go. Well that was not happening this time. I was not getting better. The pinched nerve was enough trouble, but that pain was being aggravated by some tendinitis she found in my elbow. (that's right I have a athletic sports type injury :-) ) She, hesitantly, starting to talk about physical therapy, at one appointment she mumbled "MRI" at another something about "Surgery"....... knowing I would have to get a referral from a primary care Doctor to do anything like this...... (because insurance companies foolishly still do not recognize chiropractic practitioners or their services~ soap box issue) She asked me who my Doctor was and I told her I was in search of a new one....... She left it at that, for now..... So I am in pain physically, emotionally freaking out after hearing my chiropractor talk about Doctors, physical therapy, MRI's, and surgery!? , not to mention the fact that I have constant pain AND tingling throughout my arm all the way down to my hand (feels like my hand has gone to sleep, you know that tingling pins and needles feeling) and blah blah blah...... "What the H*LL?" I kept thinking to myself..... I am just trying to get healthy! Why so much resistance? Of course I spent much time contemplating this ...... Looking for the "Lesson" or "Message" , what am I missing..... (anyway I will spare you that whole process) Choosing to forge forward I got more serious about finding a new Primary care Doctor. I have been unhappy for years with my current Doctor so I asked around, got some recommendations, spent sometime on the Blue Shield web site, even did some digging around on the Internet regarding a few Doctors. I came up with some names to call, ask questions, and see about getting an initial appointment started. (look at me advocating for myself :-) ) ***** I want to interject here that for me a part of advocating for myself is believing I deserve a team of people on my side and then creating it. I really am trying to create a team of people to work with and have as a part of this journey because I am clear about one fact, which is that the support and accountability are a crucial part of my success. ****** Back to the Doctor search...... my experience goes something like this...... ring ring ..... Sorry not taking new patients!, "hmm bummer", Next...... ring ring....... NO, She's not taking on anyone new,CLICK!, "Wow someone is having a bad day" ring ring.......ring ring .....ring ring ...... If you know your partys extension......."Hmmm???" ring ring.......ring ring ......ring ring ..... ring ring ..... ring ring ring ring ring ring , "Hmm??? maybe I can inquire by email,? I did like their web site"........ So I sent a email, only asking a couple questions (for now) ....... That was over two weeks ago and NOTHING! No reply! So , needless to say I have yet to find a new primary care Doctor (still working on it).... out of shear frustration I decided to keep the positive ball rolling with the team members I have in place, my weight specialist Doctor and my chiropractor for now. So these challenges of course spark others....... specifically related to lbs. and exercise, however I seem to have gone on long enough for now. That being said let me know if you would like to hear about the weight or exercise issues for this past month and perhaps I will do another entry. FYI~ My back is feeling a bit better, still having tingling in the arm and hand.... (that freaks me out no matter how much reassurance the chiropractor gives me). I have also found a massage therapist to work with and the chiropractor tell me this is a wise move. So I move forward... a little at a time trying not to notice that with every few steps forward I seem to hit a wall of some kind with a lesson attached. (Damn Walls!) Thanks for stopping by and please do let me know if either of the above mentioned topics are of interest to you...... It has been a LOOOOOONG Month! LOL Take Care :-) Kathryn