Having illness is a human trait

[Elliot43]

Below is an article in The Conversation which took my eye and is quite interesting..

We maybe should be more mindful of the fact that we humans have illnesses and be more accepting of that fact…

theconversation.com/to-be-i...

Sheila in Freo

[ygtgo]

That's the attitude that I have Sheila.

It is what it is, and I have to adapt and live with it as best as I can until hopefully a cure can be found.

I've seen enough family and friends go through all sorts of serious illnesses/accidents ... and then there are those that sail through life and never seem to sneeze, it's all part of the world we live in ...

... I hope that I've had my fair share though.

ygtgo

[Elliot43 in reply to ygtgo]

You're so right there ygtgo. I've had quite a few health issues all my life like eczema as a child and as an an adult. Mostly ignored by all around me till it became acute!! But I and maybe others here were brought up not to complain but get on with it, deal with it etc. which I do mostly with a bit of moaning in between..haha Then I get on and enjoy life in the moments and days...months when I'm feeling great.

Ermm...I'm just feeling a bit better again after having a nasty gastro few days. 3 cheers. So here's hoping for my usual swim at the beach on Friday yay....

Sheila E...Freo

[ygtgo in reply to Elliot43]

.... " Just get on with it "

It didn't matter what 'it' was .... especially as an apprentice engineer !

I grew up with that attitude everywhere I went school/college/workplace ... and ' no one ' was ever interested in excuses.

I tell my boys that the world has changed beyond recognition ... the 'get on with it/can do attitude has been replaced with ' you can't do this - you can't do that - and don't even think that !!! '.

I could look after myself when I was about 16 ... my sons are hitting 30 and better educated, but some 'common sense' things seem to baffle them.

Me old mum, is now hearing of some of my adventures ... " I never knew that " ... " Just as well, I didn't know about that ! " ... " It's all comming out in the wash now ! "

I told her that it was all her fault ... I had a misspent upbring ... not the cotton wool upbringing of plenty of my sons and their generation.

I had to do everything manually ... from changing the tv channel, to being sent all over the town to buy a loaf, a pint of milk ... and I kid you not, a gallon of paraffin for the heater in winter .. I could hardly carry the thing ... and there wasn't any rewards for doing chores .. you got your pocket money and when it was gone it was gone ... " Just do it ! "

Next time your on the beach ... have a wee paddle for me .. I don't care if the water is cold ... get on with it.

ygtgo

[PaulaS Volunteer]

A very helpful article - thanks Elliot43.

Paula

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Thanks Sheilia,

Of particular note:

'Serious and chronic illness is becoming more common. At any one time, about half of us will be managing a serious health condition and around one in five of us will be experiencing two or more serious illnesses at once.'

And increasingly relevant to our community:

'We are now coming to understand that many life-threatening diseases are in reality long-term conditions rather than a death sentence.'

Good to see the article mentions 'forms of support (that) may help people thrive with illness rather than despite their illness.'

Neil

[CLLCalifornia-USA]

Sheila,

Thanks for sharing such a great article. I'm open about my diagnosis and it makes it so much easier for me. It's just part of my life. Another facet of me.

Kind regards,

Sally (USA)

[Elliot43 in reply to CLLCalifornia-USA]

Hi Sally yes me too I've been open about cll from the time of diagnosis. After the initial shock of course, being frozen to the spot, mind whirling about in all directions I then started to educate myself and my sons eventually..still doing that. It's a very complex disorder. Blood has a million functions.

Mostly though friends and family forget that you have a blood disease cos there's not many signs in watch and wait. Then after getting over The Treatment and its manifest side effects we're mostly on a good wicket.

As you say another facet..

Sheila in oz

[Ker19]

Hello Sheila,

Could I ask who you see for your CLL? I am in Perth and am interested in hearing reviews of various haematologists nearby.

I thought I had replied to your latest post but cannot see it here - not sure what happened. However, I hope the weather improves and you do get your swim in!

Kerry - Perth

[Peggy4]

Thank you. A good article.

Peggy

[Corin850]

Good article. Interesting. I'm in the south of England. My perception is that there are people in need who can easily be alone and or lonely and groups of people who ignore the needy because the latter is frowned on. I'm needy. I have CLL and drain the NHS! So I have groups of friends who cycle or drink neither of which I can keep up with 😕

[virdieblue]

So appropriate on the day Congress votes on legislation which will end health care for many people!

I heard a man on the radio, who after realising the problems so many were dealing with, answers the question "How are you doing" with "As well as everyone else I know"

Virginia

[kathyg]

Good article, makes you understand that illness is a part of life. It is how you choose to deal with it that makes a different on how you live your life.