FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014
Botox...Seriously?
Yesterday I was at work sitting at my desk, and a girl walked up to me and whispered, "where did you get your Botox done on your forehead" I whispered back with a shhh and finger over my crooked mouth. "Are you kidding me? She said I don't have Botox, "then why doesn't your eyebrow move?" "Umm, because I have a partial facial paralysis." she then said, "Oh, you were gone for a while and I just assumed when I saw you that you must have had some Botox, or plastic surgery done." Again, I'm laughing inside. Still, I replied as I took off my reading glasses "look at me, I mean really look at me, does it look like I had plastic surgery? If this is the result of plastic surgery, I got ripped off."
Wednesday, I had an appointment with Dr. Barrs at Mayo Clinic. I was a little anxious to see him and to see what his reaction to me would be. I love him and was worried he would be upset with me for going to Cleveland Clinic. I couldn't of been more wrong; he came in with his big smile, arms out, reached for a hug, and said, "As I live and breath, who is this beautiful patient?" Pleased as I could be, I jumped up and hugged him back. I told him I felt like I was HOME at Mayo Clinic, not that there was really anything I didn't like about Cleveland Clinic, but there is a reason Mayo comes in #1 every year with ratings from patients and medical statistics. I told him Dr. Haberkamp was great to work with and that my leaving had nothing to do with him; it was the procedure the other Doctor proposed at Mayo. I was just jabbering. He shook his head and said, "I was never upset or took it personally." even if that was not really how he felt, he was classy enough to make me believe him. He sat on the chair before me and wanted to hear the Cleveland Clinic experience. I also told him Dr. Haberkamp said he wanted us to tell Dr. Barrs his work on my ear was impeccable.
He examined my ear and said everything looked good, but we will need MRIs a couple of times a year on the head. Kathleen came in to visit with me; she is beautiful inside and out, and was so concerned about me, she embraced me as she left the examining room and said "I love you"
My eye is still the biggest concern now, he agrees but I'm doing all I've been asked to do. Cleveland Clinic is calling to schedule the next surgery, I told Erin (gastman's PA) I can't think about that right now. That chapter needs to end, ironically enough I think it's just the beginning of the end. This is so hard.
Today, Friday I had the privilege of seeing my oncologist Dr. Donald Northfelt. I think for most cancer patients this is a bitter/sweet appointment to have. I started to fret and worry last night, my mind has been so pre-occupied lately with all that has happened, I have not let my brain think of today. No panic attacks getting off the 3rd floor elevator today, that's progress. Maryann came in to see me, greeted me with a huge hug, we both had tears. She is incredibly insightful, when I was in Cleveland she said a prayer with me over the phone. We visited awhile, it felt warm and loving to be with "my" people again--I know both Mayo Clinic campus's like the back of my hand, but today being back was a feeling of reunion, rather than burden. Anxiously waiting to see Dr. Northfelt, I am so grateful I listened to the spirit when I was led to him for my oncologist, I love him. He went over my blood work and said it looks good right now. For me, for right now, as in today, this is who I needed to see. Dr. Northfelt promised to be with me the entire journey and so far, he has, he gets it. Once he was done with his report and examination, he sat down looked at me, no words needed to be said, I could tell by looking in his eye's he could feel my burden was heavy. We talked a bit about the past few months, but didn't hover...we moved on to happier thoughts. I told him about working with Nerium and how positive the atmosphere is for me. I also explained to him about the Live Happy Movement trying to get more happiness in the world by spreading my own happy thoughts with others hoping they will also spread the word to BE HAPPY no matter what the circumstance. We had a great visit, I will never be able to articulate the feelings I have of HOPE just because he is who he is, not only a wonderful doctor but knowing he deals with people like me everyday, I always feel like I am his only patient, and that he loves me.
2 COMMENTS:
What a sweet, grateful post.
Thanks for this
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