Search Results for: blog resisting medical care

Month in Review: Adoption Blog, December 2007

I began the month with a book review that tied in to my November series on coping with discrimination and racism. The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate is based on an inspiring true story of how a town in Montana came together when Jewish and African-American families were terrorized. Then I ran Part One and Part Two Part Two of Is It Okay to Be Choosy? regarding the comments adopting parents often get that if they “really wanted to help”, they’d choose the most needy child or the one with the most special needs–and sometimes we lay this … Continue reading →

Do You Have a Living Will?

Many people don’t like to think about — or talk about — death. But it may be wise to think about the shape you’d like the end of your life to take now… before someone else has to make the decision for you. In the summer of 2001, my paternal grandmother passed away. It was somewhat unexpected — she had been living with Parkinson’s disease, but was largely stable. It was my paternal grandfather who had been very sick that same summer, and he was the one we were worried about. When Gramma died, we started making plans for her … Continue reading →

Be Kind to Yourself

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Being kind to yourself is not the same as being self-indulgent. Being accepting of yourself and your flaws is not the same as being lazy and unwilling to make healthy changes. Self kindness is: Recognizing things you do that are harmful to yourself and stopping them. Defending yourself against negative thoughts, words, and actions from within. Defending yourself against negative thoughts, words, and actions from others. Being honest about your flaws and outstanding qualities. Asking for help when you need it. Resting when you need it. Believing in yourself. Choosing to make changes in your life. Self kindness is not: … Continue reading →

Life After Cancer: Spouses

Cancer is devastating for the patient and for the people close to the patient. In a recent survey from www.WebMD.com, more than half of the spouses of men with prostate cancer said that they took an active role in their husbands’ experience. Spouses of cancer patients often experience the same emotions the patients themselves do: fear, helplessness, anxiety, depression, and a loss of intimacy. Spouses who take an active role may supervise treatments and medications, help make treatment decisions, and act as support and morale booster. Many of the cancer survivor spouses said that the disease brought them closer together. … Continue reading →

When Birth Doesn’t Go As Planned

You have an image of your birth in mind throughout your pregnancy. Maybe you imagine yourself to be an Earth mama. You will have this baby with no pain medications and no unnecessary medical interventions. You write your birth plan, read books, take classes and watch birth videos. As the day approaches, you feel confident and ready to deliver your baby. That is how many of us approach birth for the first time. We are eager to try the exercises and relaxation techniques we learned in child birth classes. However, sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. When the birth … Continue reading →