Combo Post - 2 years of blogging, day 2 of reflections, 2 many doctors
If anyone is here for my weekend snapshot, that post is below this one.
Quilly is hosting a new challenge where everyone posts photographic reflections, as I mentioned yesterday. I recently realized that I have been blogging for two full years which started me reflecting back.
In a few weeks I start with a month of too many doctors. I started blogging as a way of dealing with the aftermath of cancer. Happily the further out I get without recurring, the more my thoughts and blog branch out to other more pleasant aspects of life.
One of my ways of dealing with having too many doctors has been to take my camera with me to appointments. All of the reflection shots in this post were either shot on my way in or out of a doctor's appointment, or at a stop I made on the way home to take the edge off with a photo shoot.
One year ago I wrote a post titled: It's been a blogging year. I was pleased, after reading that post, to realize it wasn't half as negative as I thought it would be. I was even more pleased when hunting for reflection shots to realize that in spite of limitations from physical problems I've had following my groin lymph node dissection, I have a pretty damn good life. I am able to go on pleasant walks and trips with my camera by my side, to remind me later that my situation isn't half as bad as I sometimes make it out to be in my head.
I even get photo ops when I'm going to my oncologist(s), dermatologist, rheumatologist, pain specialist, and gynecologist, or when I'm getting scans. I have photographs in my archives from visits to each of them as well as to opthamologist, physical therapist, dentist, periodontist, and oral surgeon. Did I mention that I have good major medical and dental insurance? That is HUGE on the I'm thankful list.
I'm not expecting any big problems from the five doctor's appointments I have next month. However, the plus side of too many doctors, is one or the other of them is bound to trip over it if there is a problem. That means I should be able to stop worrying about issues which fester at the edge of my thoughts, if I let them.
I had intended to write a post about my anxiety over the looming doctor traffic jam. Then I realized I had been blogging for two years so I thought I'd spin it more in a more positive light. My blog has gone from being preoccupied with my life after stage III melanoma to being primarily a fun diversion and more photography oriented. 
I felt even better after the photographic reflection challenge came up and I started hunting through my photographs. I was reminded of trips to the mountains and frequent walks around the lake and on reflection, life seemed pretty damn good. You can find other photographic reflections at Quilly's Pacific . . . Paradise?
Quilly is hosting a new challenge where everyone posts photographic reflections, as I mentioned yesterday. I recently realized that I have been blogging for two full years which started me reflecting back.
In a few weeks I start with a month of too many doctors. I started blogging as a way of dealing with the aftermath of cancer. Happily the further out I get without recurring, the more my thoughts and blog branch out to other more pleasant aspects of life.
One of my ways of dealing with having too many doctors has been to take my camera with me to appointments. All of the reflection shots in this post were either shot on my way in or out of a doctor's appointment, or at a stop I made on the way home to take the edge off with a photo shoot.
One year ago I wrote a post titled: It's been a blogging year. I was pleased, after reading that post, to realize it wasn't half as negative as I thought it would be. I was even more pleased when hunting for reflection shots to realize that in spite of limitations from physical problems I've had following my groin lymph node dissection, I have a pretty damn good life. I am able to go on pleasant walks and trips with my camera by my side, to remind me later that my situation isn't half as bad as I sometimes make it out to be in my head.
I even get photo ops when I'm going to my oncologist(s), dermatologist, rheumatologist, pain specialist, and gynecologist, or when I'm getting scans. I have photographs in my archives from visits to each of them as well as to opthamologist, physical therapist, dentist, periodontist, and oral surgeon. Did I mention that I have good major medical and dental insurance? That is HUGE on the I'm thankful list.
I'm not expecting any big problems from the five doctor's appointments I have next month. However, the plus side of too many doctors, is one or the other of them is bound to trip over it if there is a problem. That means I should be able to stop worrying about issues which fester at the edge of my thoughts, if I let them.
I had intended to write a post about my anxiety over the looming doctor traffic jam. Then I realized I had been blogging for two years so I thought I'd spin it more in a more positive light. My blog has gone from being preoccupied with my life after stage III melanoma to being primarily a fun diversion and more photography oriented. 
I felt even better after the photographic reflection challenge came up and I started hunting through my photographs. I was reminded of trips to the mountains and frequent walks around the lake and on reflection, life seemed pretty damn good. You can find other photographic reflections at Quilly's Pacific . . . Paradise?
18 comments:
Carver, this really was a great reflective post! You've come a looooooong way baby! I pray all of your doctor appointments come out with excellent results and that you will not worry, but trust God to get you through them!
I absolutely LOVE those little glass boats in that pond picture! At first I thought they were some sort of plant! But when I bigged it I saw clearly! They certainly would have caught my eye!
Hi Carver,
It's a hard thing to do, isn't it, to try to focus on the positive. Easier when you have such pretty REFLECTIONS in your photographs. There were some really cool shots in that collection. Life is pretty damn good and I do look to your blog as a model for thinking about things other than cancer.
But, in your case, I think the after effects of your treatment are pretty significant. It'd be hard to keep them at a minimum all the time. So ... give yourself a break.
Again, though, from one cancer person to another, I appreciate you telling about the struggle to look at the positive. It's an important skill! And, it really can help turn around your day.
Take care!
wow, this was a wonderful reflective post in many ways. i think you have little to fear as long as you stay positive. take care!
This is a powerful post. You give an example to everyone. And your photo-reflections are absolutely beautiful. It's an honour to visit you.
Carver,
I just read your blog for the first time yesterday and I like it a lot. This reflective post was wonderful. The pictures were great, too.
Wonderful post and such wonderful photos. My favorite is the little boats in the water - very nice!
Stay positive and continue with the picture taking - a wonderful outlet that has served you very well.
Carver,
A great post of reflecting and the beauty of life. you are a great person with so many talents. What a way to go with courage.
Gia
Carver,
Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary! Your reflections are a great way to see how far you've come. I'm glad there hasn't been any recurrence and that you can reflect on other things around you more and more. A happy heart is good medicine...
It was nice to read this post. It must have been really nice to realize how far you have come. Congrats on the 2 years of positive thoughts. Lets keep them coming.
Thank you so much for each of your thoughtful comments. It means a great deal to me.
Dear Carver,
I spend many days reflecting on many things TOO, even though I am a dog. It would appear that I just stare into the corner, but I am actually thinking and reflecting on the best way to get a treat or perhaps a chewie. Sometimes I fall asleep and reflect on my favorite thing of all:
TennisBall.
This is a wonderful post and I love the pictures and the thoughtful reflections. TWO years is an important milestone and I am so glad that you have shared so much.
Congratulations.
And I wish you luck on going TO al of those doctor appointments. I often reflect on why doctors do such things as extract teeth and express the anal glands of nice little doggies like me. I am glad that the doctor took away my ruptured disc, though. I feel much better now. I certainly hope you fare well with these appointments.
There is another thing on which I often reflect; I am glad that you are my Human Friend.
Love, Emma
There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way."
-C.S. Lewis
Most important reflection of all:
Carver you are ONE of a kind.
Wow! 2 years seeing so many doctors, I admire your strength, determination and being so optimistic despite the pains and inconvenience.
My son is seeing 3 doctors and it has been a tiring, frustrating and miserable time for me. I try not to show it in front of my son.
I pity him for going through the numerous lab tests and trying different medicine. When is it going to end for him?
Congratulations to your 2 years of blogging !
And what nice pictures you catched out of the visits to your doctors, that's a very good idea I probably would never have thought of it.
BTW the Atomium is not a special art it represents an atomic structure and is the symbol of Brussels.
You can read more about it here
I felt even better after the photographic reflection challenge>>> wow! photography is ineed relaxing. specially when you get to see unusual places.
Thanks again to everyone for commenting. I appreciate your kind words more than I can say.
good luck on your doctor appointments next month. I know how anxiety producing they can be; recently found that i missed two of my annual doc appts so those are on my agenda as well
lovely reflective shots. did you have that agenda in mind when you left that morning?
I was going to say reflected glory. There you are, I've said it!
As is said nowadays....get outa here! Two years of blogging? Seems like only yesterday. Long way to come, great reflection on that journey, especially for those who have traveled with you. Makes me pause and reflect about the living we have done with our unwanted travel partner....and here we are!
This IS the day the Lord has made....let us "reflect" and be glad!
Nice job, Carver!
Love,
CarolA
Post a Comment