Thursday H&W 🌻
Why Does Taking Care of Your Health Feel Like Another Job?

Earlier today, I said, “I think I’m up to date on everything.”

And I meant it. I had been communicating with my medical teams, following up on referrals, getting appointments scheduled, and making sure the pieces were in place for my upcoming hip surgery.

I was ready to breathe a little.

Then came a voicemail.

Wait… what?

The physical therapy appointments I thought were handled now needed more clarification. One office was telling me one thing. Another person was telling me something different. And there I was, looking at appointments already sitting in MyChart, trying to explain how we got here.

I sent messages. I sent screenshots. I explained the original referral and why an updated one was needed. I called and reached voicemail, so I left another message.

All while working my regular job.

By my lunch break, I was lying on the couch thinking, This is crazy.

Why does taking care of your health feel like another job?

You make the appointment. You attend the appointment. You listen, ask questions, and try to understand what comes next.

But then you get home, and there is more work waiting.

Was the referral sent? Did it go to the right location? Does that office provide the care you need? Are the appointments connected to the correct referral? Who can answer the question? And when they call back, will you be available?

You can be clear and still experience a disconnect. That is what wore on me today. I thought I had explained what was needed, and I thought we had a plan. Suddenly, I was explaining it again.

I work in healthcare. I know there are different departments, different responsibilities, and people working hard behind the scenes. I also know that being kind and helpful does not automatically mean everyone has the same information.

Today, I was the patient trying to bring those pieces together.

And I started thinking about people who don’t know what to ask. People who aren’t comfortable speaking up. People who cannot stop during their workday to answer a call or send another message. People who are already tired, hurting, or overwhelmed before the phone ever rings.

Who helps them work through all of this?

We talk about taking responsibility for our health. I believe in that. Ask questions. Pay attention. Follow through.

But responsibility takes time. It takes energy. And sometimes the very reason you need care is the reason you don’t have much of either.

The effort it takes to arrange care deserves acknowledgment, too.

When you are preparing for surgery, you are also thinking about rides, time off work, paperwork, help at home, and what recovery will look like. Your mind is carrying a whole list while your body is already dealing with its own challenges.

One unclear message can reopen something you thought you had finished.

That is why good communication means so much to me. Tell me what you need from me. Tell me who is handling the next step. If something changes, help me understand how that affects what we already arranged.

I can work with a clear answer. The back-and-forth is what wears me out.

And yes, I still found a little humor in it today. I joked, “Don’t they know I’m special and loved at Swedish Cherry Hill?” 🤣

Sometimes you have to laugh while you wait for somebody to connect the dots.

When I get through this first surgery, I may have a whole blog of dos and don’ts from personal experience. Because, whew… I am gathering material!

For now, I am following up and giving myself permission to be frustrated. I can appreciate the people helping me and still say this process has been exhausting.

Have you ever felt like managing your healthcare—or helping someone you love manage theirs—became another job?

What part took more out of you than you expected?

Lady Flava Wellness 🌻

From Flava in Her Tower 🌻