☕ A Taste of Flava

Cowboy Coffee and Clarity

This morning, I had my coffee and my Zoom appointment with Dr. Toomey.

I wasn’t nervous.

I wasn’t hoping for a miracle.

I simply wanted to understand what was happening with my body.

Today, I received some answers.

My MRI shows that I have arthritis in both my hips and my lumbar spine.

Dr. Toomey took the time to explain what he was seeing, and while I look forward to reviewing the MRI images in person one day, I left the appointment with something even more valuable.

A plan.

He still believes that much of the pain I’m experiencing around my hips is actually coming from my spine.

Since I have arthritis in both areas, he wants Dr. David, who has been caring for me since the very beginning of this journey, to review my MRI and determine what the next best step should be. That may include injections or another treatment based on what he sees.

If it turns out my hips are the primary issue, then I’ll return to Dr. Toomey.

That made perfect sense to me.

One thing I’ve learned over the past couple of years is that our bodies are incredibly complex. Sometimes the place that hurts isn’t actually where the problem begins.

As patients, we often want immediate answers.

Instead, healthcare is often about gathering information, listening to experienced providers, and taking one thoughtful step at a time.

After my appointment, I sent a message to my friend and former supervisor, Janice.

She replied with a simple sentence.

“At least you have a plan.”

Those words stayed with me.

She’s right.

Today wasn’t about receiving perfect news.

It was about replacing uncertainty with understanding.

For me, that’s a victory.

So I’ll finish my Cowboy Coffee, enjoy watching my birds from my tower window, and continue walking this journey one step at a time.

Sometimes progress doesn’t come in giant leaps.

Sometimes it comes in the form of clarity.

And today…

I’m grateful for that.

Blessings,

Lady Flava 🌻☕