Uncertainty #AtoZChallenge

Much to our dismay, when we are faced with a chronic illness or worse yet multiple chronic illnesses, we often find a world of uncertainty. To our surprise, physicians are not the all-knowing omnipotent beings they were purported to be a few years ago. As diseases progress it sometimes seems more common to wind up with a diagnosis of exclusion rather than a diagnosis based upon a factual evaluation.

Terminal Illness #AtoZChallenge

Typically when we think of chronic illness we don’t think of terminal illnesses. However many illnesses that end in a terminal condition can, in fact, be a result of a chronic illness. By definition, a chronic illness can be one that lasts more than three to six months. There are many terminal illnesses that would also be considered a chronic illness.

Several members of my extended family have battled cancer over a number of years. Some are still fighting the battle, keeping it at some sort of bay. Others are not so lucky. I have other family members who have battled kidney disease, one of who even had a transplant. Many times in my life I have encountered those who were so ill that it was deemed by them and their physicians that hospice care was the most logical path.

Sense of Self #AtoZChallenge

What is a sense of self? Typically it refers to how we perceive ourselves or in more simple terms it refers to self-image. How does our sense of self influence our lives? How does our sense of self transform when we are suddenly faced with a life-altering diagnosis?

When we are healthy and are able to do things we wish to do, including an occupation where we feel good about going to work each day, our sense of self is easy to identify. We can feel good about our chosen profession. We can feel good about our circle of friends we have built. We can feel good about our family and how close we feel to them.

Resentment #AtoZChallenge

It is not uncommon to experience resentment when facing a long term illness. Don’t beat yourself up if you encounter it. How you manage the resentment will make all the difference in your ability to work through it. Regardless of whether you resent yourself or think a loved one is feeling resentful towards you, you can conquer this!

When you feel as if you have lost your sense of self due to a chronic illness or injury, it is not at all unusual to feel some sort of resentment. Resentment towards life in general for the hand you were dealt. Resentment towards the person who just walked by you in the grocery store with apparent ease. Resentment towards medical professionals who you feel may be dismissing your symptoms. Or even resentment towards yourself for a perceived weakness in succumbing to whatever challenge you are facing.

Quality of Life #AtoZChallenge

If you are chronically ill or care for someone who is ill, you’ve likely heard the term quality of life. Do you really know what this means? As a normal healthy adult, we may take the concept of quality of life for granted, as many people do. You have the ability to work and play without necessarily have to plan around any physical or medical limitations you may have.