Another FAQ

I didn't fall off the face of the Earth. I've been taking some time to collect and respond to FAQs. It's been fun and enlightening.


Q-# 1. Some of your blogs are a bit raw and TMI. Is that really necessary?

A. Are you kidding me? My main concern is that readers do not contract diabetes from the excessive sugar coating I put on everything just to make it palatable. This is WAY...WAY uglier than I present it. I have not begun to scratch the surface of raw and TMI.
Wait. Back the bus up.... Do you not understand that this is not an email, it is a blog, ergo, it does not Come To You...YOU come to IT. Hello. While it is unfortunate that your computer did not come with a DELETE button, you'll need to take that up with the manufacturer. Why do I suspect that your television did not come with an OFF button either?!

Q-#2. How can you call yourself a nurse when you write so scathingly about doctors and patients?

A. It's because I write about it, therefore venting the frustrations, that I can continue to LOVE my work. Poop isn't pretty but if you don't do it on a regular basis your body becomes a toxic waste dump. It's sad and shocking how many health care providers get in trouble with drugs as a direct result of stress and burn out. I vent on the blog so that my co-workers and patients only get the best I have to give.

Q-# 3. Why did you need to be so VERY harsh and mean about your last employer?

A. Ok. This one just made me laugh. Three years of daily Hell compared to 1-2 blogs read by a handful of people? Trust me, I used kid gloves writing those blogs. Had I not, their legal department might have been successful in shutting down my blog. More importantly, I wrote what >50% of my co-workers were saying all day everyday, and I used far less profanity. Ironically, after I told the truth, those same co-workers treated me like an unemployed red-headed stepchild with leprosy who wanted to borrow money. No doubt I got blamed for everything after I left, up to and including the Kennedy assassination. Whatever. Sorry, I digress. I did not NEED to be harsh and mean. I was responding to some really shitty things that were said about me after I left to care for my husband because I was denied the four weeks of unpaid leave that his doctor's requested I take, only to return to a staff of eight nurses that were complaining about the boredom from lack of work. I'm just surprised I didn't have a cerebral accident as a result.

Q-#4. Does your husband REALLY have cancer? Nobody lives this long with stage four pancreatic cancer.

A. Yes, according to several doctors and the ICD codes on the medical bills, the man has pancreatic cancer stage four. As for the discrepancy of his survival, I will be posting a blog on this matter soon. Working title....”We want our fruit baskets back.”

Q.-#5. Do you realize how hurtful your attitude towards cancer and dying is to other people experiencing it? OR--”Why don't you act like someone who's dealing with stage four pancreatic cancer?”

A. This “question” has been the biggest hitch in my get-along with the blog. I get this question OFTEN, in a vast variety of flavors. Since Rich's diagnosis I have dealt with people's confusion with how I deal—questions and remarks both subtle and blatant. Unfortunately, I did not get the Code of Behavior Manual along with the Diagnosis. (Just as well since I never read the instructions—which drives Rich crazy.) The simplest response is to refer back to the Answer for Q-#1. Hmmmm. Nope, too easy.
I suggest you write the Code of Cancer Coping Behavior and submit it into law. Congress will be happy to pass it providing you attach enough pork, suggest it will cut healthcare costs, and for good measure a pay raise for them. THEN. I will be happy to abide by your concept of proper cancer coping. So far as you know.
I could go on. But I think I'll stop here because I feel this Q/A deserves it's own blog entry.

Q-#6. Are you just making this shit up?

A. LOL. If only. I have enough first hand witnesses reading this blog that I cannot even exaggerate to make a point. On the contrary, I edit out much of this journey for fear the truth is too outrageous to be believed. I struggle to keep the blog from being depressing; I struggle not to be upbeat to the point of delusion and denial; I struggle with the balance of Hope in the face of Diagnosis/Prognosis/Hypnosis and cyanosis. In the midst of all the struggle, my bottom line is.... Keep it Real. If for no other reason than the Third Angel on the Left is watching.

Q-#7. What more can you possibly say about living with cancer?

A. You may regret asking. And speaking of regrets......


Quote of the day:

Never regret your time in Hell. It's damned good training.”..... LisaRuth Coffman