Today I saw my new oncology physician for the first time, as a patient. SHE'S WONDERFUL! I still go for follow ups from the breast cancer 3 years ago and never really liked the guy I WAS seeing. He's just who I kind of ended up with. Didn't know any of the other docs on staff either, to know who to switch to. I was introduced to the the NEW & IMPROVED oncologist when I agreed to be part of a clinical research study she is involved with. She is SO easy to talk to and has a great sense of humor and compassion. She's also got kind of a "rebel" streak in her. My kind of girl! It was a bit awkward though when her assistant came in to do the exam. I needed to inform her that I was a "cutter" and that my stomach was all slashed up before she took a look. She was wonderful about it. She held my hand as I was telling her and thanked me for preparing her. I'm SO GLAD I SWITCHED DOCTORS!
Another issue I'm dealing with is my 26 year old nephew Chris, is coming for a visit next week. He was stationed in Iraq, is now back, lives in Colorado and will soon be out of the army period! This is his first visit back to Michigan since returning from the war zone. He's a great guy and aside from my deceased father sending him periodic letters, I'm really the only one on his father's side of the family (my brother who died in a car crash when my nephew was only 6) that has kept in regular contact with him, sending him and his pals all sorts of treats and fun stuff while stationed "over there". Any other time I've visited with Chris, I've had someone else there to carry the conversation i.e. my ex, my father, my sister, other relatives. This time I'm on my own and I'm a bit panicked. We really don't have a lot in common. I, of course, don't like to talk about myself, although I did open up a bit in some of my e-mails to him. My usual M.O. is a barrage of questions, keeping the focus off of me, and humor. I'm thinking I'll be on the spot for more. His two sisters, his mother and our side of the family had a falling out years ago so it's not like they're a common denominator we can chat about. I suppose I could fill him in with news of my siblings. And even though I don't speak with his sisters, I'll probably ask about them just to keep conversation going. This will be a fine opportunity to practice "staying in the moment". My therapist will be so proud! Aren't "growth" opportunities fun????????
I'm sure you'll get along splendidly with the nephew. I can relate about having relatives that you don't have a lot in common with. My dad's side of the family always talked about hunting and racing, in that order. I always just asked a bunch of questions, and they were genuine because I literally knew nothing. It seemed to work.
