Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Re-entry
Whew! Twelve days away from home and I returned to kind of a complicated mess. Isn’t that the price one pays for leaving regular life behind for a time?
On Thursday afternoon as I settled in to my hotel room in Oklahoma City, Jan called to tell me that she was on her way to the hospital with a sky-high blood sugar. As of today, she is still in the hospital as a whole new way of life is unfolding. Last night she saw an Endocrinologist, a diabetes specialist, who will now be in charge of her newly diagnosed insulin- dependent diabetic diagnosis.
Yesterday the Diabetes nurse educator visited us. Her name is LaTonya and she has that quality of being able to be humorous and regimented at the same time. We both liked her a lot. She gave us new information that we needed, including a recommendation that we ask the primary care doctor for an endocrinology consult. He was surprised because he was planning on sending Jan home yesterday until I requested the consultation. As Jan’s advocate I couldn’t stay quiet about his plan to send her home while her blood sugar is still in the 300’s sometimes. In fact, LaTonya had just said Jan wouldn’t be sent home while her sugar is still that elevated. It was divine order that she saw us before the primary care doctor did.
When I left the hospital I was furious about the primary care doctor’s cavalier attitude about Jan’s condition, and his initial reluctance to request a consult from the diabetes specialist. I fumed around the house. Then another divine order thing came through as Katie texted to check on Jan. I called her and we two retired nurses worked on my outrage. Katie reinforced the need to advocate as much as possible for proper care. God bless friends.
I am grateful to the new doctor who will be managing Jan’s new diagnosis. We also have an appointment to see her in her office next week. She made a few changes in Jan’s insulin regimen, so we’ll see how this plan works. The lesson here? Don’t just settle for one man’s opinion if you have evidence that a new plan is needed.
At work yesterday, I walked in to a mailbox stuffed with mail from USCIS and from clients. Each envelope meant that action has to be taken, action with time limits very clearly stated. USCIS (US Immigration..) can take its sweet time in responding to our submissions, but when “they” want information, we have a specific date by which we must respond. The consequences of exceeding the stated date are serious – a case can be rejected and closed.
I addressed what I could in a four hour period. Then home to pay attention to Mollie dog, who is feeling neglected by my frequent coming and going. In response to being left alone she left me a little gift to clean up and dispose of. And, she did not look the slightest bit ashamed as I pointed out that this is why we put a nice square of pet turf outside. She just looked at me as if to say, “Are you talking to me?”. But she is such good company that I could only apologize to her for being gone so much.
There are thing happening at my Unity church that I am a part of. Last night I prayed about how to best use my time and concluded that if something had to be released, it was two meetings at church. I texted my minister, Jan, and a fellow chaplain, Hope, that I just couldn’t be a part of them as my focus is on Jan and Legal Services and Mollie dog. These two kind souls set to work adjusting the schedule and lovingly giving me the break that I need. Lesson for me? It’s ok to ask for this kind of support, knowing that I would not be giving the church my best attention at the moment.
So, this morning I debated about writing this blog, but the words came easily and did not take long to manifest. I am so grateful for all of the support that is coming my way from friends and family and co-workers. Between them and James Taylor, who is blasting out of my speakers, I feel like I can do what needs to be done!