FEELING OUT OF CONTROL?

As time marches on, it seems more and more of us feel out of control, worried and frustrated, stuck between attempting to create a “normal” life while dealing with increasingly abnormal times. For those of us with health challenges, there is the added dimension of getting medical care, as well. Being our own advocate or advocating for a loved one takes a great deal of energy, but it is probably the most important thing we can do for ourselves or those we love.

How do we stay ready if we are called into action? Practice, practice, practice. By that I mean review what others may need to know about us or one in our care. Pertinent information must be readily available, such as medications, physicians, diagnoses and past surgeries and hospitalizations. Everything is potentially relevant and may make the difference between establishing the correct protocol and wasting time. 

I am a firm believer in anyone with a medical condition wearing a medical alert bracelet or medal, and it is recommended to be worn on the left wrist, since that is where pulse is taken. To that point, many years ago, I was told of an ostomate who was hit by a car while crossing the street. He was knocked unconscious. The first responders examined him and saw the output from his broken colostomy pouch on his abdomen, and of course, they were shocked. Why would there be this output? What happened when he was hit by the car? It turned out that he was relatively fine, thank goodness, and had he been able to tell the first responders that he had a colostomy, they would not have wasted time looking for the source of the output.

Feeling out of control also comes from fearing what is coming next. Our very fertile imaginations can do quite a number on us, and frequently what we fear is worse than what is likely to happen. Perhaps recognizing that we are “telling ourselves a story” that isn’t necessarily rooted in reality may save us from wasting precious energy we may need at some point. Snapping a rubber band to extinguish negative thoughts is a valuable tool when fear threatens to overcome us.

Each day we navigate the treacherous waters of Covid and its fallout is one more day down. Eventually, we will find our way out of the dangerous tide, and hopefully look back on these past two years with gratitude they are in our rear-view mirror. None of us knows when that will be, but I am optimistic it will happen. 

My hospital bag continues to be at the ready, my list of meds and physicians updated, identification and insurance cards available, and a plan of action in my mind. Hopefully, these will not be necessary, but I will worry less if I feel as if I am really in control!