Physical Health:
We received the updated test results this week for both the hair sample test and the blood test that my new main practitioner asked me to complete. Some of the results were better than expected and some were worse than expected.
Given the results, I messaged my practitioner and asked her if she wanted any additional tests completed prior to my first appointment with her in 3 weeks. She replied that she thinks she has what she needs to get started.
I also had my next round of two IV iron infusions last week and this week. I have felt worse than usual this week, and we aren’t sure if it is because of the iron or one of the other physical issues I commonly experience. It is hard to say. However, the actual infusion experience went well. I chose a different location for this round of infusions since my previous location was bought by a larger hospital network and charged approximately 6x the previous amount for my November infusions. Even though my insurance currently covers my iron infusions (grateful), I have to pay a percentage out-of-pocket, and that amount was extremely high in November. My health insurance is through my husband’s job, and we are fortunate to have a dedicated customer service team at the health insurance company for people employed by my husband’s workplace. My husband helped me by spending the last few months discussing different locations and pricing with our insurance carrier’s dedicated customer service team, so hopefully this round will be more reasonably priced.
I also had my semi-annual (virtual) appointment with my “PCP” last week so that she will continue to order IV iron infusions as needed, and so those will hopefully continue to be covered by insurance. The appointment lasted 7 minutes and reminded me of why conventional medicine has yet to be able to help me long-term. At least this appointment box has been checked for now.
Emotional Health:
It feels good to have completed all of the updated testing for now. Even though there were some results that were worse than expected, I try not to dwell on those. I give myself the time and space for the emotions and feelings to move through me, and then I go back to finding joy as much I can. I also frequently remind myself that each step on the journey is more information and/or data regardless of the outcome.
I have been reminded quite a few times in the last few weeks how amazing my supportive people are. After my last post, I received some very kind and supportive messages. Here is one example:
A few messages like the one above got me thinking about all of the work I have done on myself over the last 20+ years.
I have spent quite a bit of time working on becoming the healthiest possible version of myself in all aspects of my life, and even more so in the last 5 years. In fact, if I have not been close with someone in the last 5 years, they probably don’t know me very well now. My core values are the same, but the way I operate in the world is very different.
The lens through which I see the world has expanded beyond measure. And, I am proud of that. I am far from perfect, but I am grateful for who I am now. What is the point of living life if it is not to grow and change and become a better/healthier person?
This is why it is important to let others grow and change in my mind as well. We all have a tendency to view people as we have always viewed them. For example, some people in my life still think of me as who I was prior to my health situation, and a lot has happened in my life since then. I am not the same person I used to be, and I think that makes some people uncomfortable. But, my job is not to make other people’s lives more comfortable by staying stagnant. My job is to learn, grow, and be the healthiest version of me I can be. And, I know that the individual work I do on myself benefits both myself and all of humanity.
[Side Note: The quote above is from Phil Stutz and Barry Michels. I have learned a lot from Stutz, and I wrote about him in my Holiday PTO (2024) post published in December if you are interested in knowing more about him. He just published a new book recently as well. More on this topic soon.]
Just imagine how different our world would be if everyone did their part to become better versions of themselves.
Brutal. Test results that were worse than expected. Feeling physically worse than usual.
Beautiful. Test results that were better than expected. My amazing supportive people. Working on fulfilling my own potential to benefit both myself and all of humanity.
Just another day of . . . This Brutiful Life: The Brutal & Beautiful Moments of My Life.
This Brutiful Life 