7/2/24 – This post is brought to you by ThedaClark Emergency Room. Where ill and injured people come to wile away entire days in uncomfortable accommodations, getting temporary relief but few answers to their debilitating pain.  To be clear, this visit isn’t about me.  My mom developed severe neuropathy-type spasms at our cottage yesterday that intensified overnight.  Multiple scans & injections later, she is back home, stable & resting.  Again, very few answers, but not for lack of effort by caring, overworked healthcare professionals.  Also not surprising in this country’s dysfunctional care system..  which I’ve become all too familiar and (more) disillusioned with over the past six months.  

My own health journey hit a slight speed bump after the last round of scans in late May.  Not a detour, but definitely a moment to hit pause and reassess next-steps.  First item on to-do list, explore 2nd opinions from both Mayo Clinic and a highly recommended oncology group in Illinois.  Other facilities were considered, but since all are “out of network” (ie big $$$) these two checked the most boxes for practicality and proximity.  Several weeks and many hours into the Mayo process, the impracticality became clear.  In-person appointments over two weeks would require multiple trips to Rochester, reschedule of existing treatments, cost a boatload (unspecified “max”) and likely result in similar recommendations to UW.  The Block Cancer Center in IL felt like a better fit from the start.  Still many hours of scheduling, intake forms, records authorizations, but more streamlined with transparent cost estimates.  Provider appointments over the next few weeks will be via Zoom, so no travel and less disruption. They offer a holistic approach with conventional and complementary treatment recommendations. 

Next, Steve & I meet with UW oncology this week to discuss how any new opinions might dovetail with the existing plan and what insurance will cover.  So that’s where things stand at the moment on this crazy ride.  Undeniably frustrating and exhausting at times. But also a critical reminder to prioritize joy, peace, and connection. So much gratitude to all the fabulous humans providing those things through your positive encouragement and loving support. <3