October 22, 2008
The visit to the oncologist yesterday revealed the information that the advent of the new MDS chemotherapy (which was just getting started when I began the disease) radically changed the trajectory and outcome of the illness. He told me that he has several other patients who are in the “state of suspended animation” as I am. . . not in remission, but not advancing toward death, either. He reiterated that there is no point in doing a round of chemotherapy at this time as it would only weaken the fragile blood situation, and he commented, “We’ll not change a thing, because so far, you haven’t even had to have blood transfusions!” The three week old cold has now become something else; not pneumonia, but more like asthma. So it is off to a specialist to check out what is taking place inside the lungs. Poor body! It does try to deal with these onslaughts to the system, but it always seems to come up wanting. This leads me to the term “chronic” and all that it implies.
“In medicine, a chronic disease is a disease that is long-lasting or recurrent. The term chronic describes the course of the disease, or its rate of onset and development. As an adjective, chronic can refer to a persistent and lasting medical condition.”
Around 90% of seniors have chronic illnesses. This means that just about every gray haired person one meets each day is likely dealing with some degree of discomfort, and all of us may have met someone who is not stoic about it. . . this person might respond in gruesome detail to the polite inquiry, “How are you?” and usually, one’s mind has walked on long before the body can get away. (I should hasten to add that should you meet me and I ask, “How are you?” you are NOT required to smile through gritted teeth and say “Fine” while feeling dreadful; I speak of a different sort of experience entirely.)
As I embrace the lifestyle that now includes “Chronic”, I offer a few Commandments:
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s good health and energy, it availeth thee nothing, but leadeth to a shrewish nature and a down-turned mouth.
- Thou shalt not dwell upon thine own infirmities, for this doth darken thy spirit, and causeth it to descend to the depths, thus bringing nought but more misery into thy life.
- Thou shalt not ask, “Why me?” for it hath no answer and it giveth no comfort, and the sound of a whining voice soon turneth away even the dearest of friends.
- Thou shalt not forget to give thanks for the good things that are thine – faith, family, friends, doctors, and an abundance of blessings, known and unknown, for it is in these that thou shalt find thy strength and thy courage, and thy life will have joy and delight until the end of thy days.