Trans "patient" here but was presenting as cis male when I was dealing with major medical issue and I met my own Cleon. For some it's just a doctor/civilian power play. "You will not question me! Do you know who I am?"
May Cleon use his last breath on earth to reverentially whisper your name and pray for forgiveness!
So sorry to hear of your bout with the coffee table. Forgive me for laughing through every last word. As severe as this seemed, I'm not the least bit worried about you. Can say the same of Cleon!
OMFG... I am so sorry to hear you went through similar treatment at such a vulnerable time in your life and am glad you are all right! May the Cleons of this world be haunted by the ghost of Hippocrates forever more!
Medical neglect, gas lighting and abuse are alive and well. Not sure anyone would believe my story. My therapist keeps encouraging me to write a book (I won't do if it can't be funny) and my doc keeps saying someday he expects me to win a Nobel (which they don't award to people without a medical degree - I checked!).
Only you have to believe your story :) And it's the small ones that make the best.
Upon waking up from cosplaying Marie Antoinette in my living room, just looking down at my shag Ruggable and realizing I'd been saved by mediocre decor?
Nineteen years after a blood test was misinterpreted, I finally received the right diagnosis and at the same time I was handed back what remained of my life.
I've gone to war. I prevailed and while wounded , I'm not wasting what is left. Along the way, I've learned how to recognize allies. A couple of those allies were in positions that gave access to funds and legitimacy. They listened and together we've investigated novel hypotheses. We were right. We've published in very respectable medical journals.
Somewhere in this, I know there's plenty to laugh about. I'm just now getting the distance (and having the evidence showing I was right helps) to drop my guard and laugh a bit.
None of this helped attenuate my inclination to question "authority."
Thinking of you too. Jess said it perfectly below...your writing is absolutely beautiful even when describing such a horrid situation for you. Also, why do I have a feeling a doctor never told a male patient they had an attitude problem and denied them surgery? {insert giant sigh and eye roll here}
A male patient would grab said hospital admin by the shirt sleeves and say, "You effing allow that surgery or I am going to SUE you so hard your balls fall off and you regret ever setting foot into medical school you empathy-less troll!" And if he can't actually speak it, he conveys it with some Vulcan mind meld he learned from O.G. Star Trek. 😂
Your writing is still on point even through a horrific situation. Amazing. But also, sending love, prayers and healing. I appreciate you. You always ❤️ my posts and I appreciate that.
I second that you win Substack of the month, I also nominate you for Substack of 2023!
Thanks ever so for the kind words. Here's the thing of it... I'm pretty sure the grand mal seizures I deal with are tied to perimenopause, menopause, and the seismic hormonal shifts we all go through--so the work you're doing is incredibly valuable and more of what we need to study as women approach peri, meno, and post. I want to write more about it on The Empress soon... I just need to wake up-UP :) ❤️
💯 agree that cycle awareness and learning to cycle sync our own personal months help to prepare for menopause and post-menopause. I am currently navigating perimenopause as well. Menarche was an initiation to womanhood that was not taught or understood or celebrated in my home. Since learning about this practice, I hope that it will prepare me for the next rite of passage- menopause. Until then, the rocky road that is perimenopause is keeping me on my toes.
I have heard of perimenopause causing migraines (I get them now from time to time) and I have been researching this.
I am very curious about it's link to grand Mal seizures and will look into that as well.
Take your time resting. And when it's time I look forward to hearing what you have learned about this connection.
If I lived close by, I would bring you some bone broth soup. Hugs for healing!
He should be sued for that name alone. Cleon. Pfft. What the fuck kind of name is THAT? Also, I wish I could be there for that can of Whoop Ass you plan to open. If I was in your shoes and that had been MY family? <shakes head> Oh Lordt. All I have to say is, "Do NOT piss off the black folk." And also, you're my hero because Je-Sus. Sending SuperMassive Non-Black Hole (#Muse) healing vibes into the universe for you.
Thanks Lady. I need all the vibes. I just woke up again... so I'm groggy, but Cleon is a true ass clown who deserves, at minimum, a lifetime of perpetually damp socks. And oh... the tsunami of paper and complaint that is coming his way. There are 65 million people globally with epilepsy and after they go through a major seizure and break every bone in their mugs, the LAST thing they need is an effing Cleon giving them grief. Radical Empathy is what's needed... Is anyone teaching that in med school? Sheesh, already. xo
Ohmigoodness I am shaking my fists at the universe for you and simultaneously offering gratitude for mom friends and returning FX shows (after the first 2 eps dropped I immediately texted all my friends about how fucking amazing Juno Temple is in that role!). Sending all the healing vibes your way.
You managed to write this piece with the effedupedness you’re enduring? You win best Substack of the month. Cleon needs a license revocation. So much for Hippocrates. I’m a prayer girl and big on manifesting so watch out. Major healing vibes from me and your loving community here are bypassing the Embarcadero and landing in your hospital room.
What a harrowing tale, lovely! Sue Cleon's balls off. And then sue the smile off his face (those ball are small; might as well hit something bigger along the way). WTAMFF on that behavior?!!? I'm just glad you are safe now and on the road to recovery. Your writing skills and humor are well intact, Alisa. (They might've even gotten better. Bitter will do that to a writer.) xo
As soon as I wake up... Cleon will know my incessant wrath. I have a WAY overdeveloped sense of justice. Like Popeye arms. (Where did that even come from?) I must be delirious.
Keep strong Alisa. We'll all be pulling for you. (And praying too because it can't hurt at this point.) We'll throw everything we've got to help you along the way to recovery. xo
Sending you MASSIVE HEALING VIBES from the Womancake universe, where we believe (among other things) that good and wonderful things are always possible for midlife women. Can't wait to hear the lawsuit saga, and may it fortify you with strength as you go through your healing process. PS Fuck that slow-dumper, may all his daily (gut) dumps be slow forever!
Trans "patient" here but was presenting as cis male when I was dealing with major medical issue and I met my own Cleon. For some it's just a doctor/civilian power play. "You will not question me! Do you know who I am?"
May Cleon use his last breath on earth to reverentially whisper your name and pray for forgiveness!
So sorry to hear of your bout with the coffee table. Forgive me for laughing through every last word. As severe as this seemed, I'm not the least bit worried about you. Can say the same of Cleon!
OMFG... I am so sorry to hear you went through similar treatment at such a vulnerable time in your life and am glad you are all right! May the Cleons of this world be haunted by the ghost of Hippocrates forever more!
Medical neglect, gas lighting and abuse are alive and well. Not sure anyone would believe my story. My therapist keeps encouraging me to write a book (I won't do if it can't be funny) and my doc keeps saying someday he expects me to win a Nobel (which they don't award to people without a medical degree - I checked!).
Thank you for the advice. I might be here to learn to write. And yes, Huzzah! 💗
Only you have to believe your story :) And it's the small ones that make the best.
Upon waking up from cosplaying Marie Antoinette in my living room, just looking down at my shag Ruggable and realizing I'd been saved by mediocre decor?
That's a short story in itself.
Nineteen years after a blood test was misinterpreted, I finally received the right diagnosis and at the same time I was handed back what remained of my life.
I've gone to war. I prevailed and while wounded , I'm not wasting what is left. Along the way, I've learned how to recognize allies. A couple of those allies were in positions that gave access to funds and legitimacy. They listened and together we've investigated novel hypotheses. We were right. We've published in very respectable medical journals.
Somewhere in this, I know there's plenty to laugh about. I'm just now getting the distance (and having the evidence showing I was right helps) to drop my guard and laugh a bit.
None of this helped attenuate my inclination to question "authority."
My very best wishes for your recovery.
Huzzah! 💜
Oops. CAN'T say the same for Cleon!
No stress. I am a human typo--I get you 😂
Thinking of you too. Jess said it perfectly below...your writing is absolutely beautiful even when describing such a horrid situation for you. Also, why do I have a feeling a doctor never told a male patient they had an attitude problem and denied them surgery? {insert giant sigh and eye roll here}
A male patient would grab said hospital admin by the shirt sleeves and say, "You effing allow that surgery or I am going to SUE you so hard your balls fall off and you regret ever setting foot into medical school you empathy-less troll!" And if he can't actually speak it, he conveys it with some Vulcan mind meld he learned from O.G. Star Trek. 😂
🤣 yep that sounds exactly like how it would go.
Your writing is still on point even through a horrific situation. Amazing. But also, sending love, prayers and healing. I appreciate you. You always ❤️ my posts and I appreciate that.
I second that you win Substack of the month, I also nominate you for Substack of 2023!
Thanks ever so for the kind words. Here's the thing of it... I'm pretty sure the grand mal seizures I deal with are tied to perimenopause, menopause, and the seismic hormonal shifts we all go through--so the work you're doing is incredibly valuable and more of what we need to study as women approach peri, meno, and post. I want to write more about it on The Empress soon... I just need to wake up-UP :) ❤️
💯 agree that cycle awareness and learning to cycle sync our own personal months help to prepare for menopause and post-menopause. I am currently navigating perimenopause as well. Menarche was an initiation to womanhood that was not taught or understood or celebrated in my home. Since learning about this practice, I hope that it will prepare me for the next rite of passage- menopause. Until then, the rocky road that is perimenopause is keeping me on my toes.
I have heard of perimenopause causing migraines (I get them now from time to time) and I have been researching this.
I am very curious about it's link to grand Mal seizures and will look into that as well.
Take your time resting. And when it's time I look forward to hearing what you have learned about this connection.
If I lived close by, I would bring you some bone broth soup. Hugs for healing!
He should be sued for that name alone. Cleon. Pfft. What the fuck kind of name is THAT? Also, I wish I could be there for that can of Whoop Ass you plan to open. If I was in your shoes and that had been MY family? <shakes head> Oh Lordt. All I have to say is, "Do NOT piss off the black folk." And also, you're my hero because Je-Sus. Sending SuperMassive Non-Black Hole (#Muse) healing vibes into the universe for you.
Thanks Lady. I need all the vibes. I just woke up again... so I'm groggy, but Cleon is a true ass clown who deserves, at minimum, a lifetime of perpetually damp socks. And oh... the tsunami of paper and complaint that is coming his way. There are 65 million people globally with epilepsy and after they go through a major seizure and break every bone in their mugs, the LAST thing they need is an effing Cleon giving them grief. Radical Empathy is what's needed... Is anyone teaching that in med school? Sheesh, already. xo
Radical Empathy and Bedside Manners are definitely NOT being taught in med school. At least, not here in America.
May the Lord Have Mercy on that Doctor and that Hospital when you get well again Alisa :-)
You failed to mention that she is, for real, a tiger.
Also, holy shit.
You know, when I go back through with edits... I think the tiger will bear more mentioning.
Ohmigoodness I am shaking my fists at the universe for you and simultaneously offering gratitude for mom friends and returning FX shows (after the first 2 eps dropped I immediately texted all my friends about how fucking amazing Juno Temple is in that role!). Sending all the healing vibes your way.
Thank you!!! I need all the good juju. And don't you just love the turn in the conversation between Juno and Jennifer Jason Leigh... I had chills!!!
It was so good! I can't wait for the rest of the season.
Me too! (I just woke back up.) I can't wait for Tuesday :)
You managed to write this piece with the effedupedness you’re enduring? You win best Substack of the month. Cleon needs a license revocation. So much for Hippocrates. I’m a prayer girl and big on manifesting so watch out. Major healing vibes from me and your loving community here are bypassing the Embarcadero and landing in your hospital room.
I will take it all xoxoxoxo
What a harrowing tale, lovely! Sue Cleon's balls off. And then sue the smile off his face (those ball are small; might as well hit something bigger along the way). WTAMFF on that behavior?!!? I'm just glad you are safe now and on the road to recovery. Your writing skills and humor are well intact, Alisa. (They might've even gotten better. Bitter will do that to a writer.) xo
As soon as I wake up... Cleon will know my incessant wrath. I have a WAY overdeveloped sense of justice. Like Popeye arms. (Where did that even come from?) I must be delirious.
Keep strong Alisa. We'll all be pulling for you. (And praying too because it can't hurt at this point.) We'll throw everything we've got to help you along the way to recovery. xo
Thanks. So much gratitude for you and our little quirky tribe. I'll take all the good juju I can get. xo
Sending you MASSIVE HEALING VIBES from the Womancake universe, where we believe (among other things) that good and wonderful things are always possible for midlife women. Can't wait to hear the lawsuit saga, and may it fortify you with strength as you go through your healing process. PS Fuck that slow-dumper, may all his daily (gut) dumps be slow forever!
I just need to make it through the next 72 hours. xo