BRING Your Own Advocate

Remember what I said about "being your own advocate?" Well, that's still true. Be your own advocate. But if you want a super strong case...bring your lawyer friend too (a.k.a. my mom, in my case).

So, I went to my appointment at 2:00. Proceeded to wait for 30 minutes (what are they doing back there anyway?) and finally saw the Nurse Practitioner. My plan was clear. I walked in armed with my notebook of diligent notes and questions I wanted to cover. As I tried to make my case, my lawyer (or mom) kept jumping in to add (and add detail to) important points that I was making. By the end of the session, my mom had completely taken over, the nurse was completely engaged and ready to help us in any way possible.

So here was my first lens (attitude): Annoyed. I was aggravated that my mom was not letting me make my case and get in and out as I had planned to. After the appointment the nurse decided to immediately put me on a I.V. steroid called Solumedrol. As I received my medication, my mom embarked across the office to plead my case to any and every person who would listen...the nurse, the other nurses, the front desk clerk and even the innocent scientists who came to me asking me to participate in a study. By the time we left the office, everyone knew my story, whether I liked it or not.

Current lens (attitude): Grateful. I left feeling annoyed, overwhelmed and aggravated. Then as I proceeded to shift my lens (as I've been consciously doing all day), I began to realize that I should feel awesomely blessed to have someone who know me better than I know myself on my side. My mom is the best lawyer/advocate-partner I could ever ask for and I only pray that other people have someone like that on their side when going through situations like this.

By the time I got home, my phone was ringing off-the-hook. The drug rep ASSURED me that my medication would be here by Tuesday- well before I leave for school and that everything will be fine. They even gave me the cell number of my person representative if any questions were to arise. As for the doctor's office- my mom turned that place out...all for me. Those people are at our every beck and call right now, and though I was embarrassed at first, I am now so overwhelmingly grateful. Sure, I have a debilitating illness...but (unfortunately) not many people can say they have as much support as I do- with or without their health.

So, I'll be receiving these infusions for three more days at most, and I'll be back on regular medication on Tuesday ("at the latest"). It looks like my life may be making its way back on track.

Thank God for my lawyer :)