Picking Doctors...learn from my valuable lessons

When I found the lump on my right side just over a year ago I had a panic attach and went on the internet. Not good! It was a little shocking when I had asked one doctor, "hey feel this" and they said "no - can't feel anything"...I took their hand and said "FEEL THIS"! Their reply..."Oh that...maybe you should see your GYN"?!

What did I learn? Unless you are in the emergency room get a second opinion from a specialist always. I was lucky. The doctors I was referred to were fantastic - minus a couple hiccups. It never ever hurts to get a little more information though. I just had to have hernia surgery - a complication from my original surgery - a 12% risk of infection with colon surgery gives way to hernias.

I chose to have a new surgeon fix me up. I wanted to keep all my care in one spot and have an oncology surgeon this time around. I had moved over to NY Presbyterian Cornell/Weill for my oncology care at the Jay Monahan Center last year with my diagnosis. Going to a specialist - someone who performs that type of surgery or care over and over can give you the comfort that they know what to expect, what to see and when to use new techniques. Although it can be really, really scary in the midst of a crisis take a few days to ask questions...they may be questions that save your life and well worth the time.

Other item to consider when picking any doc...what kind of care are others getting? Do they take all types of health insurance? Do you have to wait long? Is the facility clean and friendly? For those who are strapped and think a private hospital or practice is out of reach - check on programs they may offer for those who are financially challenged. Are these doctors specialists, teaching, published and known in their fields? Are they respected? Start with your health insurance in network providers - it can save you thousands of dollars. If you really need and want to go out of network, again ask the facilities if there is charitable assistance to help with deductibles, medical co-pays and even drug coverage. Needing help is nothing to be ashamed of and it is available.

My experience with NY Pres has been wonderful. My doctors are smart and attentive leaders in their fields. The facility is beautiful, clean, friendly...all things we should not take for granted especially with the cost of health care - we really should come to expect great care.

Click on the title of this entry and you will go to the New York Magazine 2009 Best Doctors list and see how they choose them. We are our own best advocates. Don't be afraid of your health care - make it your right!

For those of you who want to know more about health care challenges and changes go to Obama's health care page and find a local group that can explain the changes proposed or host one of your own....we are so damn LUCKY we can question and create our government! Do not take it for granted - GET Involved!


Hugs,
Jen

Back In the Saddle....

I have been running, swimming, hiking, biking, yoga and all that jazz....most of my life.  Just a few years ago I was a little frustrated and decided I needed to push myself, so what did I do? What any other 5' 2" frustrated woman does...I joined Team In Training and did the NYC Ford Triathlon for the The Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  It was the most exhilarating 31 + mile experience.  I have never forgotten what I gained in each stage.  The .9 mile swim in the Hudson River was the hardest.  I am a swimmer, who went to the gym and put in her time.  I windsurfed, sailed...but was terrified of the loss of control and distance in open water.  I also had smoked on an off over the years - swimming a mile is no easy task...my lungs and heart were feeling the pain...would I make it?

  

I had to really believe I could carry myself through the unknown.  The 24 mile round trip bike up to the Bronx was a quite reprieve - a place to regain energy lost in the swim.  I congratulated myself on what I had accomplished so far and prepped for the end....6.2 miles over and into Central Park.  I had found my high and I was kicking on to the park course and I new I was going to be fine.  

I almost did not finish my training for that journey - friends and family kept saying I had nothing to prove and if I was too tired and the swim was too much that I could bow out....I couldn't.  There have been many tough fears over the years - and at times they have won.  I needed to know I could rely on myself.  I finished, exhausted and triumphant.  

I often meditated on those moments over the last year.  As I write this I wonder...was that experience guiding me for what was to come?  I was not able to swim through chemo because the drugs Folfox (5 FU and Oxaliplatin) - the Oxaliplatin caused unbelievable aching in my nerves in my ears and chest.  I ran on occasion and walked in my good weeks....

Because of the severe vomiting to a point of dehydration and pain I was perscribed a steroid, Ativan, Emend, Vicodin and a few others... I gained 20 pounds - all to get through 12 treatments over 6 months.   I resented the torture to my body, but I made it...it saved me and it was the hardest journey of my life.  I rewarded myself this past Sunday....

Running the More & Fitness Magazine 1/2 marathon with my dear friend Gloria Cruz!  The heat killed the event.  They had to close down the full marathon and cut the half marathon to a "fun run" for the safety of the athletes.  

We did it though!  Gloria and I clocked  7 Miles in 2 hours and 8 minutes.  I am so very proud of myself and my friend.  Gloria had nursed me and her husband through chemotherapy this past year...only to then loose her job and find that her mom is facing colon cancer as well.   Gloria is so deserving of this personal success and so much More...

Three Things to Be Grateful for:

1) A desire to Live

2) Friends to share challenges and triumphs with

3) The joy of accomplishment - it is food for the soul

xoxox

Jen

 

Keeping Track of Cancer

I have a lot to do in my life...one of my new responsibilities is to keep track and up to date on a slippery disease called "cancer".   When I interviewed oncologists, one told me something I will never forget..."This is not a fight, this is a very strategic process and you must act smart...be aware".  There are no guarantees, but I do this with the tools that a number of great organizations out there provide for the cancer community - see "connect with others" on this page.  Under organizations like CancerCare and The Lance Armstrong Foundation you can find information on specific areas of the disease that may be of help for your own individual journey.   Take advantage - these are truly dedicated organizations and are there to help!  

In the past month I have learnt new up-to-date information on Colon Cancer Health with over 1,000 individuals on the teleconference from around the world.  The content featured doctors and nutritionists from MD Anderson, Dana-Farber and the State University of Louisiana - serving as the largest teleconference call in the history of CancerCare.  I also participate in additional teleconferences offered through CancerCare on being a Survivor, am on the message board with the Colon Cancer Alliance and keep a up to date on how I can care for myself in general through exercise, nutrition and spiritual practices or "mental time outs".    You can also help others and make a contribution - I have highlighted both

 CancerCare and LIVESTRONG for your convenience....

From the Manifesto of The Lance Armstrong Foundation:

...."We believe in life.  Your life.  We belive in living every minute of it with every ounce of your being...and that you must not let cancer take control of it.  We believe in energy channeled and fierce.  We believe in focus: getting smart and living strong...Knowledge is power.  Attitude is everything...."

Gratefully,

Jen

North by North East goes to SXSW

Oh - to wait and ponder....if you wait too long the moment goes and with it the senses - the smells, the laughter, the sounds of what happened...never to happen again in quite exactly the same way. I hesitate to write. I too get caught up in the "suppose to activities" of life...you would think I had learnt that lesson...

March carried me and mine out of the cold. We journeyed down to Austin for family warmth of heart and the sun too. We got all that Texas hospitality from Michael's dad - Phil, and his wife Linda and seeing Clayton - Michael's son. Surprisingly, Amelia joined us for a few days of her spring break and Jeff, Michael's brother, came for a little reprieve. We missed having Jeff's family - Adrianne, Lola Grace and Blake to make the whole Brooklyn clan complete - they stayed back home holding down the fort.

Michael relished in the warmth like a desert lizard. I stood, figuratively, with my hands out to my side whirling around at the prospect of so much newness in my life - family and destinations. I had not been back to Texas in sometime. In April 2007 I went to see Michael before a new job, and before that at about 18 years old. I hung in downtown Austin with friends for a weekend, dancing and taking in the handsome cowboys during the Pecan Festival - just another reason to party in Austin. Before that, my time in Texas was under the escape my mother took with her kids and new husband to live on South Padre Island, in a teepee on the beach, when I was 10 years old....another story.

For that week in March - when that north east cold just won't let loose of your bones in NYC, we ate Texas BBQ (oh I wish I could eat it every day!)

kayaked with the view of the Austin skyline, heard Billy Joe Shaver ...and thought could I live here? I had the good fortune of meeting with folks at The Lance Armstrong Foundation, Andy Miller the VP of Program and Policy, and know there is a strong community here.

Most importantly though is the contemplation of joining two families together and are

we ready? Michael will leave NYC this fall and go back to raising his wonderful son. Amelia will be in her second year of college and I...well I am finding my way in a new life. Will I go south too? Texas - the heart of the Southwest, with rodeos and the open range is familiar and carries memories of my childhood both in Texas and in Colorado - and now something different - something new...

I am grateful to have such full experiences, even the difficult ones, and that I can still wonder the planet and take in all the sights, sounds - the tastes, touch and smell of life.

xoxo

Jen

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month - Think Blue

Check out all the information - early detection is KEY!  Wear blue on Friday March 6th and schedule your favorite check up...talk with your doctor about early screening before 50!  Also please go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to see all things about "Living Strong" as a cancer survivor.  

So now that I am living day to day - just like you (ok maybe with a little bit of awareness) there are many new endeavors and desires....

1) Bucking for "The Best Job in the World" - applying certainly has inspired the creative juices!  Click to see and oh i just had to...yeah, I know you only wish you had applied too!  

2) Exploring new career options near and dear to my heart - writing, business development, communications & inspiring others to do something "unforgettable".... see my LinkedIn

3) Going to hang out with Michael, Clayton and Amelia in Austin for a little warmth and SXSW

4) Training for the April 26th More Magazine 1/2 Marathon with Gloria Cruz - Go Girls!  I needed to do something just for myself - we all should.

5) Raising $2MM with my friends for the Northside Town Hall Community & Cultural Center

How are you spending your New Year?  I hope happy, healthy and believing!

xxoxoxoxo

Jen