December 21st Coaching Tip: Uneasy? Get Checked Out.
It was a very early Sunday morning. I just didn’t feel right; I actually felt uneasy. I haven’t felt uneasy more than probably five days in my life. I made myself listen to my body and gut; I followed my instincts and didn’t delay. I urgently went and got checked out.
Quickly took some time to figure out what I would need for the next few days (purse, insurance info, phone charger, full set of clothes, IU ball hat, etc.) Then I drove myself to the ER closest to our home and was checked in immediately. Couple hours later I was admitted to the hospital and had a very serious situation happening. If you’re uneasy, get checked out.
December 22nd Coaching Tip: Have A Health Advocate.
When you are about to undergo some significant testing, make sure you have a health advocate that can speak on your behalf. And when I say significant (i.e. killer painful) testing, I do kind of mean it. Today had me facing and enduring lots of x-rays and some contrast/dye injected in me to see where the problems were in my body. As the day progressed from 11:40am to 11:40pm with numerous x-rays, hours upon hours of intense pain and losing my cookies multiple times, there were moments when me and my health advocate couldn’t even speak in full sentences. For example, when I needed to throw up, I said, “blue” (the blue barf bag). When I said, “pink”, I indicated that I needed some relief, a quick swipe of a pink sponge on my lips. We made it thru it together, and I’m so grateful that my health advocate and partner was with me during these dire and trying times in the hospital, I just hated that she saw me in such strife and horrid conditions. However, she became the best ER nurse during these killer tests.
Who is your go to person when you’re in dire straits, heading to the ER, or in the hospital or going thru some killer pain/testing? If you don’t have a person, get yourself a health advocate. Get it in writing too, as a “Health Care Power of Attorney.”
December 23rd Coaching Tip: Embrace Sisu.
As I was in the hospital, I was beyond exhausted due to excessive vomiting and intense pain, and I was lacking five nights without sleep. However, I was facing a very significant decision for my current and long term health. Thank the Lord that I have been in outstanding physical and mental shape, especially these last two to three years as I have been training and focused on being a senior athlete. However, as I faced a big decision with a lot of meds in me, lacked sleep, and had intense pain, I knew that I had to dig deeper than I had ever dug recently.
My bestie in Holland, Maleena, reached out to me once she heard from my mother that I was ill and in the hospital. She sent me a couple paragraphs on the word: Sisu. It’s a Finnish concept meaning extraordinary determination, resilience, guts, and perseverance in the face of extreme adversity. It embodies a mindset to keep going when ALL odds are against you, often described as stoic grit, inner strength, action-oriented, tenacity, willpower and overcoming obstacles, and then bouncing back with unyielding resolve.
I embraced Sisu (pronounced “see-soo”) during the evening of Dec. 23, and the early morning hours of Dec. 24th. Although I hadn’t eaten anything and slept very little since Dec. 18, faced extreme exhaustion due to this situation and had the horrid vomiting, I dug deep and embraced Sisu. What did I do? I got out of my hospital bed, still tethered to two separate lines, and walked in place, danced, did squats, and moved! This was purposeful, intentional, and wellness coaching of myself. I was all alone, just me and God. It worked; my doctors noticed an improvement in my health situation before noon on Dec. 24th. Sisu! The greatest gift from God on Christmas Eve.