• Worth repeating is to follow any success you have with a doctor by asking for referrals.  Once I had a successful result from the chiropractor the cycle for me started.  He teamed with the next doctor who put me in contact with my endocrinologish.  All were positive for me.
• Never be afraid to speak your mind to anyone especially to those close to you.  There comes a time in everyone's life where you are in a situation with a person close to you who might be causing you unjust physical or mental harm.  Say out loud what people let go unsaid.  Sometimes things need to be said, not assumed.  If the relationship is real and built on love then although there might be some anger, disagreement or resentment at first, the relationship will survive.
• We need to find a way to check for sarcoidosis just as we check for other factors when doing routine tests.  Doctors ust not be afraid for egotistical reason to say that they do not understand and ask for assistance when needed.  They must be willing to step out of the box sometimes when they run into a dead end.  Just imagine how my life would be different if just one of those earlier doctors I was personally involved with had done anything other than just say "sinus problems".  I still feel so bitter when I think of those situations; it's so hard to believe it happened to me!
• A way to improve your relationships with your medical professionals is for  you to take the extra step to be nice and courteous to those helping you.
• If you know someone or have someone close to your going through a health condition show your support.  Whether it is just being there when needed or spending time with them, it will make a world of difference.  But you must be sincere and remember you there to help them not yourself.  If you aren't sincere, then just stay home!

I'm going to warn you...this is going to be a long post.  This chapter Gilbert talks a lot about his treatment and the way it all is affecting him physically.  So many of us will see similarities of what we have all experienced at one time or another!

Footnote from Deb:  I personally feel fortunate that I reacted so violently to prednisone. Had it "agreed" with me in some way, in other words helped me I would never have pursued healing with the Marshall Protocol and would now be battling more health issues from the prednisone.  Prednisone caused my blood pressure to spike on a daily basis well into the 180-190/130's range.  I was terrified of having a stroke.  My heart rate would shoot up so fast and so strong that I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest.  Since I have had cardiac IP, my guess is that it was putting a strain on my already challenged heart.  My entire personality went rabid!  I am on the norm and always have been a very passive, calm and patient person for the most part and this changed with prednisone.  I remember one incident in particular where my brother swears my head spun I became so aggravated.  It is funny to talk about now but being in that body at the time was no joke.  I knew prednisone was trouble and for me the happiest day of my life was having weaned off of it.  Thank you MP!

• The first noticeable difference aside from feeling better was my weight blew up from the prednisone.  It becamse a struggle to do the normal things Iused to take for granted such as putting on my shoes.  Being overweight is neither pleasant nor comfortable and we should be more considerate of those in this condition, especially the ones who can't help it.
• I changed my career and got out of management because I felt my health would keep me from being available to my employees, as I should.  As you will later read a good manager makes all of the difference in the world to an employee dealing with personal issues.  Personally I must be able to look myself in the mirror and ask the question, "Could I work or do business with myslef?"  If the answer is no then it's time I get out.
• I experienced my most dramatic mental blow when I was told my basketball days were over.  This had and still has a major effect on my life.  Basketball was more than a game to me but a way of life. Having a health condition alters our lives in ways that are mentally hard to accept.  The mental battles are probably the hardest part of a chronic health condition.  You tell yourself you can do normal activities but when you can't having to accept that fact is hard.  I know because I still wish I could get ont eh court and play basketball.  It actually makes me angryinside when I realize I can't do what is normal for me, even today.  A chronic health condition changes everyone's definition of normal!

• I was blessed to have this doctor for approximately six years as my PCP.  She is a perfect example of a true doctor who is in the business of helping people and I'm proud of what she is doing for the inner city residents of Detroit.  Although I must admit for selfish reasons I wish she had stayed where she was it is good to see people reach for their dreams.  That is something all of us can learn from.  One good thing from a personal prosepetive and although it might sound craxy, I'm sincere.  If my wife and I ever lose our jobs along with our benefits (which in the twenty-first century is a daily fact of life) then aat least I know there is a place I can get good medical care from someone who knows my unique case.
• In today's world the insurance industry controls our health care options.  If you have insurance then you must abide by what your plan mandates that  you do.  If you don't have insurance then you aren't going to get health care paid services except at maybe a free clinic.  It is your responsibility to educate yourself on how the insurance process works in order to get proper service and receive what your plan states you can have.  Learn to question all bills, find out ahead of time if a procedure is covered or what you have to do to get it covered.Be patient and follow up yourself with the insurance company instead of depending on someone else.  Most of all don't be afraid to ask questions until you understand the answer, no matter how many times or how many people you have to ask.  Our employer is actually the one who determines what coverage we can receive because the insurance companies will cover whatever you are willing to pay for.   The real driving force in our health care is the bottom line ($$$) and that is wrong, no matter how you try to justify it!

  This chapter was interesting from a standpoint of having a chronic illness is a bit more demanding from an insurance standpoint than just going to your PCP for the occasional cold or illness.  It can be frustrating to deal with all of this, especially when a person is so ill they are barely functioning.  I know for myself, I could spend an entire days energy just dealing with a simple insurance issue when I started the MP.  As of late because my energy is so improved and I am able to accomplish many tasks in a day as compared to nil, it is something that I have thought less about.  Just the other day, when I went to refill my Benicar, my copay had jumped $60.00.  Still a deal as compared to when I was paying out of pocket, yet it took me over a half hour on the phone with my insurance company to confirm that yes, this was a policy change as of January 1.

• It is a daily struggle to deal with all of the additional conditions and ever changing circumstances in my health life.  With sarcoidosis on his lungs, liver, lymph nodes and pituitary gland, this caused Gilbert to have additional conditions continuously occurring.  Although the sarcoidosis has been in remission for years Gilbert writes, the additional conditions from the efects of the sarcoidosis on his organs continued to affect and alter his life.  This was not only difficult to deal with physically, but even more so mentally.

Last edited on Mon May 10th, 2010 19:11 by Liopluridon

• An important fact to remember in regards to your medications is the insurance policies you have.  I can't stress the importance of learning how your insurance olicy works and ask questions to your doctor, your pharmacist and if needed call the insurance company customer service directly.  It's your responsibility to learn what you are entitled to because it's doubtful anyone else is going to tell you or even know what to tell you!  It's your policy!
• Be aware there are inconsistencies within medications from one bottle to another.  Two good examples of this in my case are my DDAVP and depo-testosterone because the effects are immediate when they do not work.  Synthroid has been in the news regularly regarding inconsistencies.  (Note: Written back in early 2000)  If you travel take a bottle of medication you have already opened and used before you leave, just to be safe.  You don't want to get away from home then discover you got a bad bottle.  Please remember that medications are man made and like anything man made are subject to error!
• Do everything in your power to understand the side effects of your medications and do not use them as an excuse to act supid or take out your frustrations on others who are just trying ot help you.  This is hard to do and takes a lot of inner strength, but must be done however you can find to achieve it.  Note:  I found this interesting as we also do this same thing with IP as it affects us. 
• In addition know what your medication looks like because pharmacist are human too and even though there are many checks and balances during the process, mistakes do happen.  Always check your medication before you take it; but most importantly take it!!!

Ahhh, Gilbert writes, most importantly take it.  This reminds me of my Benicar schedule.  I learned to become very, very consistent with my Benicar and I'm sure it has been a big factor in my health improvements.  My cell phone alarm is set and it is rare that I ever get off schedule.  When my IP heightened a few months ago, I added a 2a.m. dosing and although at the time seemed inconvenient, it has become a way of life and no doubt helped my progress.  It is easy to stray and especially as we start getting well, because our bodies are not "craving" it as badly, in other words the IP is not as high, but eventually without a schedule, we pay the price.