HURRY UP AND WAIT!

By Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G

The last five weeks have been extremely stressful and a real challenge for me. In fact, I put much of my life on “hold.” I had a health scare that bordered on terrifying. It all began with a simple annual physical, including some blood work on September 29. That afternoon I received a call telling me that more blood tests needed to be taken and to fast and return the next day. A week later my doctor informed me that I needed to see an oncologist.

That was my 2nd experience in “hurry up and wait.” Getting approval from my insurance company to see an oncologist of their choosing took another week! Getting an appointment with the oncologist took almost 2 weeks. More examples of hurry up and wait!

The oncologist ordered more blood tests (which my insurance company would not give her permission to take. I had to go to an insurance company lab resulting in more delays). Then an ultrasound was ordered.

Another week passed and still no word on a diagnosis of what might be ailing me. Since so much cancer runs in my family, I was really feeling quite nervous and upset. Once in a while I would catch myself silently crying. It took effort to say to myself “Now, Shirley, how would a national treasure handle this?” That thought was enough to calm me down. The woman who called me a “national treasure” back in September will never know the precious gift she gave me!

Since there is just my little Shih-Tzu and me I don’t have much family to share things with. My twin brother was off to New York and had his own challenges to handle. Fortunately, I have a few close, caring, and wonderful friends. They told me to keep my thoughts positive and reminded me that we attract what we think, whether that’s something we want or not. They also said that everything happens when it is supposed to happen. Therefore, let go of “hurry up and wait!”

Be that as it may, I decided to be pro-active about my health. I was not comfortable in my own skin any more. So, I called the oncologist’s office wanting to know the results of all the tests on Monday, October 20. I was told the doctor’s Assistant would get back to me. That didn’t happen.

This Monday, October 27 Dr. Frakes told me I do not have cancer or leukemia but my thyroid needs further testing and more blood work! While emotionally, mentally, and spiritually I feel so relieved and grateful, physically I am exhausted ... Now, I look forward to the results of the latest blood work. Also, I am learning that “hurry up and wait” seems to be the normal pace for the medical world and I am learning to live with it.

Meanwhile, I have just taken my life off “Hold” and intend to live it with gusto!

Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Speaker ● Writer ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com

Copyright© 2008 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you.