I just discovered your blog through this last post. A tough post, full of feeling, the result of a long and surely too many uphill race.
A post that seems tough to me, but at the same time full of hope, the beauty of your painting (congratulations) conveys that to me.
I am sure that everything will be fine, people capable of expressing such beauty only deserve luck and light.
Allow me to send you all the positive energy possible, the positive energy of a stranger is sincere, real, powerful, overwhelming, it breaks down walls because it is authentic in its very essence, it is genuine. Let me enter your particular plot, send it to you, and wish you the best. Thank you. I read you.
I so appreciate your well wishes and your positive thoughts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! And thank you for your kind words about my cloud painting. You make a great point: the painting does have an element of hope.
Like everyone, I just need to hang in there. All people face their trials and tribulations, and it is how we handle them that helps define us. We are only human, and life happens -- both good and not so good. The key is to go on in spite of our adversities.
Thank you for your readership and kind, healing words. I appreciate you!
I'm so sorry you've been struggling with this change. I get it. As you might remember, I've gone through a fair number of oncologists. It sure sounds like the one you had was a real gem. I hope you will be satisfied with your new one and your entire new medical team. It's hard changing medical teams. Besides getting to know them, they have to get know you. Of course, this means you have to share again, and in a sense, go through the trauma that was/is breast cancer.
And the cloud painting is wonderful. The changes make it feel more relaxing. So glad you have your art to turn to when things get stressful and just plain hard. Thank you for sharing about this particular struggle. Good luck with the new team.
Yes, I remember your revolving door of oncologists, and that had to be unsettling. You made an excellent point that the new medical team has to get to know me. Truth. It's upsetting to rehash the same history over and over again. I do feel trauma when I have to repeat my story to new doctors. What was good about my last medical group was that they all knew my story and it was like a family relationship.
Now I have to start all over. But there are worse things in this world than selecting a new medical team. I just have to be brave and go forward.
Thanks for your kind words on the cloud painting. I'm glad my changes were effective, and I'm lucky that art helps me cope.
Love the cloud painting Beth.Really soothing. I too find it hard to write when I am anxious, but once sat down and absorbed in the process I am brought back to myself.
Jane, thank you for your kind words about my cloud painting. I think I needed to paint something that would give me a sense of calm during this turbulent time. Sometimes, I have to wait until I'm no longer anxious in order to write.
Oh Beth, I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with the loss of your longtime oncologist. I know he has been a pillar of strength for you all these years. I’m praying you’ll discover a warm, compassionate individual in the medical field who can offer can offer you the kind of advice and emotional support that you deserve. Your painting is simply gorgeous and reflects the work that you’re putting in to keep yourself nourished as an artist. We are all rooting for your well being and care Beth!
Hi Gerry, thank you for such kind, emotionally supportive words. Like you, I am hoping for a compassionate oncologist who has my best interest at heart. I so appreciate your caring and nurturing. Thank you for your kind words about my painting. You are right: continuing to produced artwork is an important means to nourish me as an artist. I will remember these words, especially when I don't feel like showing up to the canvas. The key is to show up for art -- whatever mood I'm in. Thank you again, friend.
Beth, hang in there. I really understand your fear. Your last oncologist sounds so wonderful. You will bond to a new oncologist who you trust and have confidence in. You’re 26 years out. That’s is fantastic. Thinking good thoughts for you with your new healthcare providers
Thanks, Martine. I am feeling more hopeful that maybe I can find a good, kind oncologist. And I realize how lucky I am to have survived this long, thus far! Thank you for your comment; I so appreciate it.
Hi Beth! Remember, you have a number of people who read your blog who are in the Chicagoland area and might have recommendations if your new team doesn't work out. Work colleagues and current doctors have helped me locate new teams in the past, as have my friends. Good luck to you!!!! JoAnn
Thank you so much. You offer sound advice regarding a good way to get in touch with great doctors. I know it will work out in the end; it just takes time to put a nice team together. Thank you for your supportive comment.
Wow. That is some upheaval in your life. First, I absolutely love your painting. Such beautiful clouds. And a great title. I want to give you some personal feedback based on my nursing background. I hope it won’t take long for you to find a new oncologist and pulmonologist who will meet your needs and expectations. One word of caution…those magazine articles with “the top 10 docs in (insert name of city)” are paid advertising. Please use caution because what I’ve seen is that those ad opportunities can often (but not always) attract doctors who are more interested in ego and/or bottom line than patient care. Sometimes there are a few gems out there, but some of the worst narcissistic physicians can be right there among them in those publications. I think it’s great that someone will go with you to the appointment. Just make it clear that you are seeking both attentive care AND great advocacy. Also, I know you already know that the office staff and MAs and RNs, nurse practitioners and/or PAs you will interact with also are a good indicator of the level of care provided, and sometimes those NPs and PAs can outshine the doctor.
Okay, enough of my soapbox. I truly hope you find a true professional and caring doctor ASAP. And keep painting. Sending love and hugs.
Thank you so much, as always, for your support. I appreciate your word of caution because right now I'm floundering. I know I'm careful about relying on online reviews of physicians, as they tend not to be accurate. You make a great point about magazine articles touting the best physicians. And you're right about the PAs and RNs etc. also being an indication of the type of care in a particular office. I've had such professionals outshine the doctors on numerous occasions.
I will make myself crystal clear to the new docs about needing great medical care and advocacy. If they don't meet my needs, I will fire them, as I say in the book I published. The thing that will get me is if an oncologist spreads doom and gloom regarding my future. Yes, I would fire him or her, but it would be such an emotional upheaval that I know I will go home, curl into a ball, and cry. I will manage to get back up, though.
I appreciate your kind words about my painting, too!
Thank you for commenting. I'm so glad we have crossed paths, beginning at RMU. I appreciate your prayers. In the end, I'm sure things will work out. It's just difficult to go through such changes.
Oh Beth!
I just discovered your blog through this last post. A tough post, full of feeling, the result of a long and surely too many uphill race.
A post that seems tough to me, but at the same time full of hope, the beauty of your painting (congratulations) conveys that to me.
I am sure that everything will be fine, people capable of expressing such beauty only deserve luck and light.
Allow me to send you all the positive energy possible, the positive energy of a stranger is sincere, real, powerful, overwhelming, it breaks down walls because it is authentic in its very essence, it is genuine. Let me enter your particular plot, send it to you, and wish you the best. Thank you. I read you.
Hi Javier,
Welcome to my blog!
I so appreciate your well wishes and your positive thoughts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! And thank you for your kind words about my cloud painting. You make a great point: the painting does have an element of hope.
Like everyone, I just need to hang in there. All people face their trials and tribulations, and it is how we handle them that helps define us. We are only human, and life happens -- both good and not so good. The key is to go on in spite of our adversities.
Thank you for your readership and kind, healing words. I appreciate you!
Hi Beth,
I'm so sorry you've been struggling with this change. I get it. As you might remember, I've gone through a fair number of oncologists. It sure sounds like the one you had was a real gem. I hope you will be satisfied with your new one and your entire new medical team. It's hard changing medical teams. Besides getting to know them, they have to get know you. Of course, this means you have to share again, and in a sense, go through the trauma that was/is breast cancer.
And the cloud painting is wonderful. The changes make it feel more relaxing. So glad you have your art to turn to when things get stressful and just plain hard. Thank you for sharing about this particular struggle. Good luck with the new team.
Hi Nancy,
Yes, I remember your revolving door of oncologists, and that had to be unsettling. You made an excellent point that the new medical team has to get to know me. Truth. It's upsetting to rehash the same history over and over again. I do feel trauma when I have to repeat my story to new doctors. What was good about my last medical group was that they all knew my story and it was like a family relationship.
Now I have to start all over. But there are worse things in this world than selecting a new medical team. I just have to be brave and go forward.
Thanks for your kind words on the cloud painting. I'm glad my changes were effective, and I'm lucky that art helps me cope.
Love the cloud painting Beth.Really soothing. I too find it hard to write when I am anxious, but once sat down and absorbed in the process I am brought back to myself.
Jane, thank you for your kind words about my cloud painting. I think I needed to paint something that would give me a sense of calm during this turbulent time. Sometimes, I have to wait until I'm no longer anxious in order to write.
Oh Beth, I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with the loss of your longtime oncologist. I know he has been a pillar of strength for you all these years. I’m praying you’ll discover a warm, compassionate individual in the medical field who can offer can offer you the kind of advice and emotional support that you deserve. Your painting is simply gorgeous and reflects the work that you’re putting in to keep yourself nourished as an artist. We are all rooting for your well being and care Beth!
Hi Gerry, thank you for such kind, emotionally supportive words. Like you, I am hoping for a compassionate oncologist who has my best interest at heart. I so appreciate your caring and nurturing. Thank you for your kind words about my painting. You are right: continuing to produced artwork is an important means to nourish me as an artist. I will remember these words, especially when I don't feel like showing up to the canvas. The key is to show up for art -- whatever mood I'm in. Thank you again, friend.
Beth, hang in there. I really understand your fear. Your last oncologist sounds so wonderful. You will bond to a new oncologist who you trust and have confidence in. You’re 26 years out. That’s is fantastic. Thinking good thoughts for you with your new healthcare providers
Thanks, Martine. I am feeling more hopeful that maybe I can find a good, kind oncologist. And I realize how lucky I am to have survived this long, thus far! Thank you for your comment; I so appreciate it.
Hi Beth! Remember, you have a number of people who read your blog who are in the Chicagoland area and might have recommendations if your new team doesn't work out. Work colleagues and current doctors have helped me locate new teams in the past, as have my friends. Good luck to you!!!! JoAnn
Thank you so much. You offer sound advice regarding a good way to get in touch with great doctors. I know it will work out in the end; it just takes time to put a nice team together. Thank you for your supportive comment.
Wow. That is some upheaval in your life. First, I absolutely love your painting. Such beautiful clouds. And a great title. I want to give you some personal feedback based on my nursing background. I hope it won’t take long for you to find a new oncologist and pulmonologist who will meet your needs and expectations. One word of caution…those magazine articles with “the top 10 docs in (insert name of city)” are paid advertising. Please use caution because what I’ve seen is that those ad opportunities can often (but not always) attract doctors who are more interested in ego and/or bottom line than patient care. Sometimes there are a few gems out there, but some of the worst narcissistic physicians can be right there among them in those publications. I think it’s great that someone will go with you to the appointment. Just make it clear that you are seeking both attentive care AND great advocacy. Also, I know you already know that the office staff and MAs and RNs, nurse practitioners and/or PAs you will interact with also are a good indicator of the level of care provided, and sometimes those NPs and PAs can outshine the doctor.
Okay, enough of my soapbox. I truly hope you find a true professional and caring doctor ASAP. And keep painting. Sending love and hugs.
Hi Alene,
Thank you so much, as always, for your support. I appreciate your word of caution because right now I'm floundering. I know I'm careful about relying on online reviews of physicians, as they tend not to be accurate. You make a great point about magazine articles touting the best physicians. And you're right about the PAs and RNs etc. also being an indication of the type of care in a particular office. I've had such professionals outshine the doctors on numerous occasions.
I will make myself crystal clear to the new docs about needing great medical care and advocacy. If they don't meet my needs, I will fire them, as I say in the book I published. The thing that will get me is if an oncologist spreads doom and gloom regarding my future. Yes, I would fire him or her, but it would be such an emotional upheaval that I know I will go home, curl into a ball, and cry. I will manage to get back up, though.
I appreciate your kind words about my painting, too!
It doesn’t sound like gloom and doom is your situation, but you need someone to keep you out of trouble as time goes on! ❤️❤️❤️
You have always been an inspiration and my prayers are with you.
Hi Michael,
Thank you for commenting. I'm so glad we have crossed paths, beginning at RMU. I appreciate your prayers. In the end, I'm sure things will work out. It's just difficult to go through such changes.
Beautiful! I hope you love the new doctor!
Thank you so much for your well wishes, Cherie.