How can you tackle the impossible?
3 years ago, I never would have dreamt that I would have or have been capable of traveling 669 miles by car to have major surgery during a pandemic.
Making the decision of where to take my case was a big step. Making it happen, however, was another stressful, anxiety provoking story in itself.
“Magic lies in challenging what seems impossible.” —Carol Moseley Braun
✨What steps did I take to make it happen?✨
Step 1: Insurance ✅
After deciding who to bring my case to, I began researching the steps necessary to get there. The surgeon I wanted to see is an out of network provider with all insurance companies. As my symptoms worsened, I crossed my fingers and toes, hoping for no endomergencies and waited for open enrollment to come around. In the meantime, I studied up on our plan options. When open enrollment did come around, we switched our health insurance plan to the option that had out of network benefits and would work best for my upcoming surgery.
Step 2: When? ✅
After switching our insurance plan, I decided that the best time for surgery would be sometime that summer, when my teaching and performing schedule was lighter. I just had to find out if my desired surgeon had any availability then.
Step 3: Records review ✅
Surgeon #3 has an intense application process and includes compiling all records from previous surgeries and submitting a detailed personal narrative. It took me a month and a half to compile all my records and write the narrative, but going through this process made me feel seen before even mailing it out. Within a week of receiving my package, Surgeon #3 called me to give his opinion. He was wonderful. Straight forward but with detailed explanations, took my narrative into account, accepted without question and tailored his treatment plan around my personal fertility views. I was excited to move forward.
Step 4: Scheduling ✅
Quite a few months passed between my records review phone call and scheduling due to the pandemic. By mid July, I had my surgery scheduled for 9/23/20. It was really happening!
Step 5: All the lists and travel accommodations ✅
4,872,347,364,093,712,893 lists later, I was eager to get packing and ready to book a place to stay. Because of the pandemic, we opted to make the 669 mile trip via car and booked a detached single family home through AirBnB. I made detailed packing lists for the trip and my hospital bag, ordered everything I would need weeks before we left, and tried my best to keep calm about the fact that I was about to travel so far to have major surgery in a hospital during a pandemic.
Step 6: Local post operative care ✅
I thought this step would be easier than it was. My new surgeon required that I set up 2 and 6 week post op appointments with my local doctor. I never had warm and fuzzy feelings about Surgeon #2, so I called Surgeon #1, only to find out she recently left the practice to move to another state. So I called Surgeon #2. The administrative staff was wildly confused about why I would want to book post op care in Baltimore after having surgery in another state. After explaining several times, they scheduled me an appointment and messaged Surgeon #2. A few days later, Surgeon #2 sent me an email saying she would not see me anytime during the post op period and advised that I go to the ER or urgent care for my post op checkups. During a pandemic.
This was horribly disappointing and was the final straw for me with Surgeon #2. I felt as if I had been abandoned. I was preparing for a major Endometriosis surgery and no longer had a local OBGYN and had a limited time to get set up with a new one.
So I consulted Nancy’s Nook. I was fortunate to find a highly recommended doctor at another hospital in Baltimore. Upon emailing her, she responded within a few hours saying that she would happily take over my post op care. I was able to set up 2 and 6 week post op appointments, drama free.
Step 6: Keep calm and carry on ✅
I can’t say that I was a model of composure during this time. I fluctuated between anxiety, depression, and snippiness constantly and had to indulge in a lot of self care to keep grounded. After having several other traumatic surgery experiences, I wasn’t exactly holding it together all the time.
While I hope none of you are feeling like you are gearing up to tackle the impossible, some of my self care favorites that helped me during my seemingly impossible time were:
Therapy - my therapist was hugely helpful to me during this time. And let’s be real, all the time. She gave me an extra level of support I desperately needed and helped me keep my irrational fears and stresses in check
Meditation using the Calm app
Exercise
Baths
Face masks
Using my heating pad to reduce tension
Eating light and bland meals to avoid additional acid reflux
Reading
Binge watching TV shows and movies
Playing video games
Listening to music
Listening to podcasts
Practicing my instrument
Drinking tea
Leaning on my husband, family, kitties, and friends
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Thanks for reading part V of My Story! Wishing you all the confidence to tackle the impossible and pain free, musical days always! 🎶
Sincerely,
