Need solutions for the medication, medical appliances and/or medical travel that you can't afford? READ EMPOWER Yourself.
A Health Information Management professional, I survived a life-threatening emergency with information that only a person of my professional experience would know. And I’m sharing it!
Showing posts with label self-improvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-improvement. Show all posts
B'SD 15 Tevet, 5775 It's after sundown and technically Tuesday for me, in Israel. You might be having a Monday, recovering from a raucous weekend. Let's focus on some character-building stuff that makes all of us happier. I've spent some appreciable time deep in thought about some directions I want to pursue, and directions I've already set out on. Before I share information about that with you, let's keep our focus on the new calendar aka fiscal year, 2015. Life's not only about financial earnings. It's about the Quality of the Lives We Lead. Many people are unsung heroes and heroines. I wrote about several when I was a reporter/feature writer. I know other unsung heroes and heroines whose efforts would be compromised by publicity. I cherish their acquaintances and friendships. OK, back to the daily grind. Some of use seek ways to become heroic, to ourselves and/or to the world at large. I have a preference for quiet heroes who simply get the job done, leaving other people better off than they were. Fanfare makes me doubt the efficiency of some goodhearted efforts. None of us can be especially helpful to anybody, though, without being good to ourselves first. Much of my public presence, and private life, is about promoting sensible self care. Care to read over my shoulder again? Let's enjoyCounting Your Blessings and Changing Your Lifetogether.
Count your blessings and begin to change your life
Have you made any resolutions for the coming year? If not, try the following. Each is potentially life changing.
Please let me know your thoughts about that essay. Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism. Find yourself, deep inside.
B'SD 18 Kislev, 5775 I was at a social event yesterday, and ended up crying. Several people there embraced me, and told me how the book has helped them, and keeps helping them, to face their medical and emotional health issues. It was an unexpected, moving experience.
Here's another medical professional's praise for the book: "This book is good! I added it to our recommended book list." - Al Musella, DPM Founder and Director Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information
http://virtualtrials.com/index.cfm As you've read this week, he's not the only doctor who endorses EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.
Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism. Cry out the fear, anger and sadness. Then get your grin back.
Friday, October 24, 2014
B'SD 29/30 Tishrei, 5775 My schedule's been a bit unpredictable this week, and full of interesting happenings. Last night I was part of the security detail at a city-wide event. While patrolling the perimeter, a participant called out to me (in Hebrew) "We need an ambulance!" Someone in the crowd had passed out while standing up and chatting with her friends. The pre-arranged and on-site ambulance crew took care of her, and I'm pleased to have been part of the effort. Part of the patient's problem seems to have been dehydration despite our cool weather. Be sure to sip water throughout your day, no matter the temperature. The human body needs fluids 365 days of the year!
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I'm ending the work-week with the 5th and final part of the "Talk About Your Medicines" month blogpost. You're invited to comment about any of the blogposts. I tend to respond quickly and I look forward to interacting with you. Here's an FYI about the sponsor of this week's blogpost series: The American Recall Center, which promotes the Talk About Your Medicines monthblogging effort, is concerned about the drug Xarelto. Click the link to learn about that medication. OK, here's the wrap-up for this week (the highlighted text focuses on medication specifically), another excerpt from the EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge book:
Doctors appointments, insurance papers, calls to make, child care issues, nosy neighbors, relatives who just don’t "Get it," have you seen the baby, meals to prepare, pills and potions to swallow or shots to inject, omigawd we need a really BIG bank account, where are my keys, did anyone see the remote and why is the dog making noise like that?
Ever feel as if your inner PC and its memory banks just went and shut down on you? Read on and find some solutions to the problem.
Many people facing medical crises have so much to remember that their inner filing cabinets overflow. They reach a point where they wonder if they’re losing their minds! Know the feeling? You forget almost everything? Even how old you are?
As you read earlier, I experienced no less than five benign brain tumors and their surgical removal. A human head does not have much space for tolerating all that intrusion and banging around upon soft brains. People who’ve experienced brain injury often suffer memory problems. So can anyone facing any type medical crisis. Stress hurts. And medical intervention messes up the insides of your body even more! I lost some memorization ability after my treatments. I benefited from a rehabilitation program for the brain injured. Students of every age in my program learned many tips for vastly improving our memory power. Here are a few tips I'll share with you:
Keep a reasonably sized notebook or day-planner with you all the time. Record upcoming: appointments, social events, PTA meetings and other important scheduled stuff as soon as you commit to it or even hear of it.
Keep repeating a person's name in the conversation as normally as possible when you first meet.
Collect business cards when offered to you. On the back, make notes of where you met and what they look like, your 1st impressions of the person, anything remarkable they said, e.g., Redhead, skinny, laughs a lot. Met at Joe's celebration dinner
Put your stuff away in the same place all the time. NO LAZY SHORTCUTS! Shoes and clothes go in closets, not in chairs, the wrong room or atop doors.
Kitchenware gets washed, dried and immediately put away. When you're cooking, ALWAYS use a timer to alert you to shut off the heat.
Me, I keep my keys in the front door once I lock it from inside. I wear them on a cloth strap, a key strip around my neck, when I leave home. I never lose keys anymore.
Ever seen the funky new chains for holding your glasses around your neck? Use the one of your affordable choice. No need to feel like a moth-eaten relic. The new styles are super-trendy. And you won't lose your glasses.
Using the above techniques jogs the memory cells. Watch. You'll end up teaching folks who never had tumors, brain injuries or any sort of medical stress how improve THEIR memories!
The human body is full of quirky surprises. Some of them are quite interesting and not life-threatening. Follow the suggestions above and good advice from your therapists and medical team. Not every forgotten thought is a danger sign. Now, on to some techniques for straightening out that mother lode of medical and insurance paperwork…
As you make your way through your medical crisis or that of your loved one, the pile of papers with important phone numbers, addresses and other information will grow. If you fail to organize it, the mess can make a wreck of your get-well efforts.
If you're the sort of person who hasn't yet succeeded at organizing your life, I offer sweet solace with simple advice:
“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out the window but coaxed downstairs one step at a time.” – Mark Twain
Here's my Five-Step Plan to Organization: Some simple suggestions for keeping your papers and yourself organized:
STEP ONE: First: Sort out the papers that you have. Place test results in one pile, with newer results on top and older results at the bottom.
Do this for every health care provider organization and insurance company, prescription, referral, medical payment approval etc. with newer paper work on top and older results at the bottom (I highly recommend photocopying each medical payment, insurance or medical approval and prescription. Do this before a medical or insurance person takes it from you when you receive the relevant medical service or buy your medication).
Second: Separate anything written by your Primary Care Physician from the pile of health care provider organization stuff.
Set aside all papers from the hospital.
Keep all discs of MRIs, CT scans and other tests in a pile of their own.
Third: If you do not own a day-planner, buy one with ample space for recording upcoming appointments, tasks to be accomplished, questions for your doctors, and a contact information area (names, addresses, phone and Fax numbers, E-mail addresses, medical specialty). I recommend filling in each day's updates in pencil rather than in pen. Appointments change and scratch-outs make the pages harder to read. Cleanly erased obsolete notes are a big improvement over jagged lines crossing out stuff you no longer need to remember.
IMPORTANT: Select a blank page in your day planner on which you can record all the medicines you take, how often you take them and WHY. Many people forget (especially when they feel stressed) why they take some pills or potions. De-stress your life with good record keeping. And do take time to list all the questions that you want your doctors to answer. I like to note those questions in the blank space under noted appointments or on a page designated for that purpose.
Decide where it will be smartest for you to record new symptoms that you want to discuss with medical professionals. That way, you won't slap your head and ask out loud to nobody in particular "Oh #@@!, why didn't I bring that up during my appointment with Dr. So and So?"
Your preparations can improve the chances that you will select the right doctor to treat you. You will be prepared to ask relevant questions. Focused discussions will reveal if a particular medical professional A) treats your concerns seriously and 2) has the expertise to deal with your medical situation.
Have you enjoyed this series of informative blogposts? Imagine what the rest of the book is like, as it addresses moods, self-esteem, packing for hospital stays, how to deal with rude medical professionals, in-laws and outlaws. Click the title in this sentence, or the book cover above, to buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism. Feel better again, even if you have an on-going medical or mental health issue.
B'SD 27 Elul 5774 I've been rushing around the country this past month, interviewing for employment since I passing my final exams in ICD-10 medical coding. If you need to remember what that means, here you go: I am skilled in translating a patient's medical records into specific alpha-numeric codes created by the World Health Organization. Medical researchers and medical insurance professionals use those codes in their work. People such as me save them hours and hours of time by reducing lengthy text into succinct coded summaries of exactly why someone needed medical care and which care they received. OK, back to my life. It's been a tiring, time-consuming, EXPENSIVE and hectic effort mixed with fun social events. Now I'm preparing for the start of the Jewish New year aka Rosh HaShana. Care to join me in reading a wonderful, heartwarming essay about Rosh HaShana? It's atA Holy Family. Here are some FYIs about the Jewish New Year:
Medical, emotional and mental health (financial, etc.) problems can make life seem unappealing. Holidays tend to make everything, including you, seem to be worse off. The reality, though, is that it's a matter of regaining a neutral - or even better - a POSITIVE perspective on the situations before you. The fun part of the Torah-oriented point of view is that GOD/HaShem gives us still more chances to get things right. Life is literally a do-over. I wish you a sweeter life, and perspective, in the new year 5775. Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism. Fill yourself with emotional strength. It's a lifelong process - and it pays off well.
Here's a heads-up on the topic for a forthcoming Refua Radio Show, where you can hear me speak about health matters. In a few weeks I'll be making pre-recorded remarks about the alternative healing world, the one with words such as "complementary," "alternative" and "natural." Here's an outtake:
"Some people are angry or sad that they or someone they love has not recovered from or survived a medical situation. They tend to express that unhappiness by scoffing at natural healing claims and techniques. That emotional response to heartache is not an intellectual, fact-based assessment of facts. But over time, some skeptics are becoming believers. Many of them are in the medical world, and what an F-Y-I that is!
"The fascinating TedTalks have featured oncologist Dr. William Li, who cures people of cancer with food instead of using harsh chemicals! His presentation is called “Can we eat to starve cancer?”and the answer, to his former BIG surprise, is a resounding “YES.” Dr. Teri Wahls ended her misery and Multiple Sclerosis with food. She explains how at Minding Your Mitochondria.
"GOD is in the details. So is the natural healing pharmacy spread out across our planet. That natural pharmacy is in plants, animals, simple foods, pure water, air, sunshine and even rain. The trick is to be aware of how to benefit from those items and to avoid health-endangering behavior. Naturopaths study all that. Reputable naturopaths save or improve lives with their knowledge and applied healing skills.
"Still skeptical even though those MDs, PhDs and their naturally healing patients are gaining more health by the day? Do you suppose that a woman, blinded by a benign brain tumor crushing every nerve between her head and body, could hope to regain her vision with crushed optic nerves? Guess again. I did."
You can read about how I went from powerless to empowered - and how YOU can, too - in
Save money and improve your health. Lower the cost on your healthcare with information from the Global Resources section in the back of the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.
Lower your stress with one reading of the soothing text that explains how to take control of a chaotic medical, disability or mental health situation. Click on the words EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.
You're going to love the results. Let me know how the book helps you.
Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity.
Face Your Future with Optimism.
There's nothing like a Monday morning Quarterback annoying everybody with wisdom that just doesn't matter anymore. Maybe the second-most annoying thing is looking yourself in the mirror and being disappointed with what you see, especially after you've broken another set of New Year's resolutions.
So, I'm sharing the EZ Shmeezy tool for getting things right: Take life one day at a time. If necessary, one hour, minute or moment at a time. Realize that humans fail at times. It's part of being normal. Start over as much as necessary. Review your commitments regularly. Strategize for meeting goals. Set deadlines. Meet them.
Look in the mirror again. And congratulate yourself, one improvement at a time. Only rare individuals are capable of a 100% overhaul in a heartbeat.
A Facebook friend's message this morning shook me to the core: "heading towards the big 37 and counting as many wrinkles. does vanity increase with age?!!"
My Giveret Golani Self-Help Coaching services and the EMPOWER Yourself E-book teach the increasing value of your worth over time. You learn from experiences, you are able to be more compassionate because of your insights, you become more capable at dealing with stress due to past practice and your ever-increasing ability to sort trivia from serious issues.
Look yourself in a mirror.
The lines around your eyes, mouth and on your forehead are marks of pride. They are the story of your efforts, sacrifices, kindnesses, of smiling through hard times and maintaining or recovering your dignity during hardship. Facial lines reflect your "Transcendence Over My Limitations" better self.
The Musella Brain Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information Foundation lists my two books about how to cope with medical crises on its "Recommended Reading" page.
Readers call both books "Inspirational," "Self-help," "Do-it-Yourself Health Care" and "Spiritual." Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital features my book in the Kivunim/Patient Information Center. Other medical and mental health professionals use, sell or promote my works in their offices.
I hope you'll take a moment to vote for your preferred edition, or vote for both books!
Today's the last day of 5770. I'll be tapping at you next year as soon as I reasonably can. The Jewish New Year season lasts weeks, with lots of prayer time culminating in a festive residence inside a sukka and joyous meals with friends and family as we celebrate commitments to morality, decency, and compassion just as the Creator asks of us. We have lots of cooking and cleaning to do, and plenty of reflection on how to improve our characters.
The cookbook for a healthier, happier life. Quick and convenient: E-book EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. BUY it TODAY at http://www.booklocker.com/books/4244.html
Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.
explains that suffering is part of every life. It's packed with coping strategies, laugh-out-loud humor and information on how to get free or low-cost quality medical necessities.
But sometimes you need to see things from someone else's perspective.
When my Self-Help Coaching clients or fans of my book ask me how I helped myself to recover from devastating medical problems, and what YOU need to do to cope with your medical situation, I reply:
"I look at what's going right, NOT at what's going wrong with a given situation. I do the same with clients of my Self-Help Coaching services. My brain - and yours - already knows what went kerflooey. No reminders are necessary. By reassessing the situation, we seek out what works as a coping mechanism, then build on that. Capitalizing on and expanding existing skills and insights builds resilience, teaching you how to be strong and how to expand strengths you already have."
Sounds kind of dull, hmmm? The dancing, traveling, gardening, laughing, sports, hobbies
and strength-building I do and advocate sure aren't.
Want to read a fun book that teaches you all that and never gets tired of repeating the lesson?
AND can save you lots of money with the Global Resources section in the back?
Be sure to read
Dr. Judith Guedalia Chief Medical Psychologist ER Trauma Shaare Zedek Medical Center calls the book "Lifesaving, emotionally rewarding, funny & helpful."
One item I wanted to mention on the air yesterday but couldn't due to time constraints is this: Families, friends and the sick person him or herself can become a very effective coping team.
Facing a frightening medical diagnosis and all the complications that go with it, is a road that you and your loved ones, friends and hospital acquaintances will explore and a situation you'll tame with time and patience.
Check out all your (or the person who is a patient) reactions to medications, procedures and information with the medical team, asking every question you can think of and then some.
Allow yourself and everyone else to discover potential inner strengths and to act on them.
One of the things common to anyone who suffers in any way is this: we never imagine being able to cope with or to overcome the problem. Then we accidentally discover our hidden strengths or decide to create some. After all is said and done, we look back and wonder "Wow? Who knew that he/we/she/I could be that strong?"
Take everything one step at a time. Delegate authority to relatives and friends who want to help out. Recharge your physical and emotional batteries.
Pray. Pray some more.
What will life be like when this is over? New, uncharted territory in which you'll know so much more about why you're a person worth admiring and why special people in your life are such heroes. Hang in there. I've done it. You can, too.
I receive phone calls and E-mails from people seeking information about how to cope with some aspect of illness because I wrote a highly acclaimed book about that. My phone has been ringing off the hook about such concerns today. I've listened to a lot of tears. Many of them could have been prevented if the people crying had read my book instead of telling me "Yeah, I should have..."!
This message is a reminder that you can save yourself time and LOTS of stress by buying and reading my book! Order it in your local bookshop. If you're in Israel, get it at Pomeranz Books on Rechov Beeri 5 in Jerusalem (near MASHBIR). Or buy it online by clicking on: BUY YOCHEVED's BOOK .
and strength-building I do and advocate sure aren't. 
AND can save you lots of money with the Global Resources section in the back?
