In education, there is a theory that talks about “learned helplessness” (actually it is behaviorist psychology). Learned helplessness occurs when an animal is repeatedly subjected to an aversive stimulus that it cannot escape. Eventually, the animal will stop trying to avoid the stimulus and behave as if it is utterly helpless to change the situation.…
Back at Medicine X Ed, one of the speakers mentioned an online journal that was written and run by medical students, called In-Training. I tweeted out asking if they would accept articles written by patients? I was encouraged to submit something. And so, I’ve been reflecting on various experiences to see if they might be valuable to…
At one point in time, I stopped researching my illness. I didn’t start researching about breast cancer. In the early days, I couldn’t research. I couldn’t mentally process the papers, but I also wasn’t willing to filter through it all. And I certainly didn’t want to hear all the bad stuff. Then at some point…
I recently completed an application that asked me what is one thing that I’ve wanted to do (bucket list item) that I haven’t done yet, and why haven’t I done it? The one thing on my bucket list is to visit the Galapagos. Now that we live in California, we are a little closer (but…
I recently asked an online celiac support group what messages they would like to send to an audience of healthcare professionals. I was really surprised at one of the answers. People wanted a formal letter from their doctor to their family members explaining that celiac was a real thing, and that gluten cross contamination was…
One of the side effects that some people face during and after chemotherapy (and cancer treatment even without chemotherapy) is called “chemo fog”. Heck AnneMarie Ciccarella used it as a witty title for her blog Chemobrain .. In the Fog. Turns out that brain fog is also a side effect that some celiacs get when…
DNR … it is a gift you give your loved ones, although it is a really difficult one to hear. My father is currently being evaluated to see if he qualifies for a double-lung transplant. His current lungs have been damaged by sarcoidosis – an auto-immune disease that was likely made worse by undiagnosed/untreated celiac…
I’ve mentioned before that I find it a lot easier to motivate myself to exercise if I have some end goal in mind. This summer that goal with first the Avon Walk, then the Peak Hike. My goal then transitioned to preparing for vacation. Now, I have my sights set on an Epic Experience –…
The lymphedema doctor said that I needed to wear a level 2 compression garment on my left arm and hand until the swelling goes away – anytime that I’m awake. This could be 6-12 months or never. In addition, I need to wear level 1 compression on my right prophylactically when I: fly, am over…
I’m not sure why I’m thinking about this today in particular but I am. Today I’m thinking about the strength it must take to continue when the nightmare that is breast cancer never ends. When the treatments are what you do to stay alive. How that journey is so different then the one that I…
