I See Potential

I finally met with my new pain management doctor. I liked him. He actually read my whole file (or at least the most recent relevant parts - the entire thing is probably close to the size of the complete Proust) before seeing me. Then he listened to what I had to say. Asked questions. Appreciated my seriousness - I was actually taking notes - and that I go to the gym. I think I am happy

He did tweak some medications but asked me what I thought about it instead of just saying 'up that dose' or 'here's more pills'. I am going to have injections in my back in a couple of weeks and follow up after that.

There is such a difference when a doctor listens to what you have to say, discusses things with you, and seems like he really wants to make you feel better. The moral here is find a new doctor if you don't like your current one.

PTSD

PTSD has been noted in people diagnosed with cancer. But unfortunately the main group of people who are diagnosed with PTSD are the soldiers who see and experience horrible things while serving our country. I know what I went through emotionally with two cancer diagnoses. I got myself lots of support to help me cope.

I can't imagine the veterans who come back after fighting overseas who are waiting for a diagnosis, never mind treatment. We are letting them down as individuals and as a country.

What if you were diagnosed with cancer and then couldn't get an appointment to see your doctor or anyone for months after? You were stuck in  limbo with a horrible diagnosis and could do nothing for your treatment. The emotional roller coaster would be unimaginable. And add to that if you were already physically ill at the time of the diagnosis and couldn't get any care?

This is how I feel we treat our veterans. They come home from serving their country and can't get the care they need once discharged. They are stuck with a bureaucratic nightmare called the Veterans Administration which treats them horribly, has too small a budget, and not enough medical providers.

Today is Veteran's Day. Take a moment or ten or more, to thank a veteran and do something to help one or many. We owe it to them.

Fall out

Earlier this year we watched the Komen foundation's fall out as the result of the poorly handled 'foot-in-mouth' PR disaster with Planned Parenthood. It has had some deep running, not yet concluded effects on the organization.

This week we saw Lance Armstrong being stripped of his awards for more than 10 years of cycling fame. He has chosen to stop fighting what he called a 'one sided' battle and as a result the conclusion has been drawn that he was using performance enhancing drugs to help bring him to fame and fortune. I am not trying to debate whether he did or did not or why he chose to end his fight.

Regardless of what he did or did not do for cycling, he did do one thing we cannot dispute. He created an amazing foundation to help people coping with cancer. That is his legacy and no matter what the cycling federations say, it can not be taken away from him.

The first statements attest that the foundation is going strong with support from fans all over. We should not watch the organization be destroyed no matter what the press and the cycling word things about Mr. Armstrong.