Random thought for your Monday morning: I really love the ice cubes in the dining halls.
They’re actually more like mini ice logs, but they’re kind of…light and airy? It’s so easy to chew them, and it kind feels like a snow cone texture when you do.
Hooray for really COOL [sorry] ice!
Now that I’ve celebrated that simple joy in life, let’s talk about how Friday morning sucked any kind of joy out of me.
Friday morning: Cloudy, damp, dreary, early. I walked approximately half an hour to my gynecology appointment with hopes of hearing results after the lab work from the previous Friday. That is, the lab work that I was supposed to have done two Fridays ago. The lab work that I (the worst “grownup” ever) didn’t actually complete because I didn’t realize that I had to go into a separate room after my appointment to get blood drawn.
Doc: “For some reason, the system has no indication of any lab work. Do you remember if you go that done?”
Me: “…Um, I don’t know. Actually, maybe I didn’t…”
Doc: “Did you get blood drawn?”
Me: “…No.”
Doc: “Oh okay, that was the lab work.”
Me: “Agh, I’m so sorry. She did say to go get lab work done after the appointment, but I guess I was just kinda confused and didn’t actually do that.”
What was actually going on in my brain: WTF, ALISON!?!?!?!?!
[source]
The super sweet gynecologist apologized for the inconvenience of me coming there for basically nothing. I apologized for being a dimwit, essentially. I then got my blood drawn like I was supposed to do the week before, and then I walked back home. The next earliest appointment they had for me is two months from now, so I must wait some more.
I was frustrated. Embarrassed. I felt so stupid. I cried.
I could have gotten answers by now. I could have gotten this out of the way sooner. I could have been smarter. I could have…
…wait, Alison.
I could be grateful. For quality healthcare. For being able to walk to my appointment. For such kind and compassionate gynecologists. For family and friends who are praying for me. For the new day of life that God granted to me.
Life ain’t so bad. This will all work itself out in due time.
Thank you to all of you who have supported and loved me through all of this. You know who you are.
The theme of gratitude only magnified as the weekend went on.
On Friday night, I had a long dinner with my friends, followed by a beautiful Mass in the North End with more friends.
this was actually my lunch, but I’m grateful for corn bread
Saturday morning came quickly with an early morning wake-up call for service! Some people from the Catholic Center spent the morning volunteering at the Red Cross Food Pantry, where there was nothing BUT gratitude. The people who work there are living saints, and the people whom we were serving are examples of grace and joy.
Saturday night involved burritos— always a reason to be grateful.
Oh, and the people who were eating the burritos with me—grateful for them too. Sophomore bonding night!
Saturday night ended with girl talk with Rachel. Sunday morning started with breakfast also with Rachel. Ugh, it’s like we’re best friends or something. She’s everywhere!
Lunch dessert was pretty bomb too.
berry crisp a la mode
Lastly, Rachel and I have decided that we’re making this our BU bucket list: “50 Things to Eat in Boston Before You Die.”
IT’S HAPPENING.
I’m grateful for a rejuvenating yet productive weekend. I’m grateful for YOU.
O Lord God: Thank you. Forgive me. Help me more.
Here we are at Monday! Hoping you find simple joys like really awesome ice cubes.
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMA! ♥ ♥ ♥ I love you lots.
So tell me:
What did you do this weekend?
Have you ever messed up on something that made you feel really dumb?
Crushed or cubed ice? Crushed! Or mini logs!
Daily Moves and Grooves 
Loved how you turned to gratefulness even after a frustrating experience! It’s always so wise to choose gratefulness and consider the positive side of things and like you said everything will work out!! It looks like you had a lovely weekend full of service and fun. Happy birthday to your Mom! 🙂
Thanks, Jade! ♥
“hey’re actually more like mini ice logs, but they’re kind of…light and airy? It’s so easy to chew them, and it kind feels like a snow cone texture when you do.”
Great Alison. Next week you’ll be telling us they taste like Cinnabon buns. Such a good thing to have gratitude for, basic healthcare- Even though the wait may be longer, it’s 100 notches ahead of many who probably will let symptoms go undiagnosed. Also…those 50 places? How many you reckon we can do in a weekend 😉
AHH! 10? (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, dessert on Saturday and Sunday)
12 if we’re feeling a midnight snack.
Awwr lady… don’t beat yourself up over something like that. Yeah it kind of sucks that you have to wait some more, but to be perfectly honest? Sometimes even a trip to the gyno won’t help you sort things out — sometimes what it really takes is just more time. You never know! 2 months from now, you may be closer to having things all figured out regardless of if you see the doctor or not.
Hope your week is off to an awesome start!
Thanks, Amanda ♥ That’s what some of my friends have said— maybe I won’t even need that second appointment! *fingers crossed*
Wishing you a happy week, friend!
Firstly, Happy birthday to your mom!!!
Nextly (?) this is definately something I would have done /possibly have done!🙈😂 some people think it’s because I have my head up my but but I’d like to think it’s because I just always have so much intelligent activity going on in my brain #not lol but hey you love and learn and it will all work out for the best!
I love that food bucket list!!!! Epic🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 I believe in you. You got this😉😂
That’s absolutely my excuse as well, Katie 😉
Thank you for your love and support. Hope you have a great week, girl!
Funnynotfunny, but almost the exact same thing happened to me once…my naturopath had to send in an order for the blood work, which we were supposed to bring with us and present at the front desk. Well, I left it in the printer. Forty-five minutes there, forty-five minutes back…for nothing (plus, crabby workers, and this was not our first negative experience at that place). Your story sounded exactly like something I would have done! Meanwhile though looking around for an adultier adult who is successfully adulting to take over the situation. 😛
We’ll keep you in our prayers…you are very inspiring, and I admire your courage to be real and share with us here on the blog. ❤
Aw man, crabby workers are really the icing on the cake for those bad experiences… I’m sorry that happened to you, Hannah. I need an “adultier adult” with me at all times if possible.
Thank you for your prayers!
It’s amazing you were able to shift your mindset like that because it’s so easy to dwell on the frustration for a long time. I am thinking about you and praying for you and that you get answers as soon as possible!! ❤ ❤
Thank you for all your love, Hayley! ♥
Oh gosh I could so see myself doing that. I actually probably have done something similar. I love your reminder to be grateful when it would be so much easier to complain and beat yourself up. And I agree with Amanda; this could be a blessing in disguise. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your journey with us, and I’m hoping and praying you get this figured out. ❤
I hope you and Amanda are right! Thank you for your love and prayers, Abbie ♥ Count on mine too!
All this means… is you are human! Who would have thought!? 🙂
I really am doing things like this all the time, at least I feel that way. Probably more often than not, I hate on myself and get angry rather than stepping back and realizing that, hey, it was a mistake… I’m human… it sucks but it is most definitely not the end of the world… that this does NOT mean I am stupid (I think this is the most important one).. and that there are so many other things to be grateful for. The fact that you were able to do this and change your mindset is beautiful and fierce. And like Amanda said, maybe it was meant to be and your appointment in 2 months will be better timing all around. This is all just awesome.
Ordinary humans we are indeed! Wouldn’t have it any other way. 🙂 Thank you, girl ♥
Wow. Yes gratitude is the cure to so many things, and I know what it’s like to grow up. It’s hard sometimes, but don’t let it get you down. ❤ I think you're doing great Allison. God will carry you through!
And I’m totally always doing things where I think, ‘Why did I do that?’ I probably have a once a week happening like that.
Glad I’m not the only one! Thank you for your kind words, Emily ♥
I do stuff like that all the time, and especially when I am already nervous about doctors and my lady parts. My doctor had to basically walk me from the exam room to the phlebotomist last time I was there. Two months is a long time…maybe they could put you on a cancellation list in case anything earlier comes up in the meantime? Just a thought. They should be able to give you any results over the phone, at least, before then. It only takes a couple days for the lab to run the analyses.
The gyn had to point me to the lab room this time too, and I still almost couldn’t find it. #me.
They should have results soon, but they’re totally booked ’til November!
Happy birthday moves and grooves mama! 🙂
Also these things happen with the appointment – although you have to wait a couple of months you will probably be amazed at what your body will do within those 2 months for the better!
That list makes me drool… And wish I was going to Boston!
Thank you for the encouragement, Jen! Hoping something will happen before then.
Come to Boston and eat with me one day!!
Oh jeez Alison, hahaa! Ok I’m sorry – no laughing. Or wait, I personally think to laugh over such a situation can be quite a good thing in pushing it behind you. So I’ve been reading all along whenever I could (despite not commenting due to a finnicky internet) and seriously you may not want to hold great hopes onto the feedback from the gyne. With all due respect to the very well-known gyne I visited in my time of confusion and frustration; he actually couldn’t help me. In fact he told me everythings fine and gave me pills to kick-start my period. Which obviously worked for all of one attempt at a cycle because the real problem ran much deeper. Now I know you’re doing a good job taking care of yourself 🙂 ..so keep up the self-kindness and it’ll work out. Much love!
I’m definitely trying to avoid hormonal birth control if at all possible, so hopefully this will all work out naturally before the next appointment! Thank you for sharing your experience and for your support, Ms. J!
I need to make a food bucket list! So many delicious things I’ve been meaning to try but I always forget whenever I have a date night. 🙂 Great idea!
Sounds like there is a lot to be thankful for!! And honestly, I know what you mean about the ice. We have that kind at work and I love it! Also that list of food items to eat sounds great!!