Confronting medical challenges

Georgiann,

What a great article! I know you have first hand experience in this issue and I am proud to say that you take such good ownership in your own rehabilitation! You are a living example of what successes can happen after a life altering illness!! I'll be watching for more stories from you that I can share with my own patients!

Love ya!
Your former Occupational Therapist
Nancy
Youngstown, Ohio

Truth be told..after a near death experience in 1996, I turned to God...
put my soul on the straight path so to speak...and it has been a glorious ride despite still having medical issues that are hinderances but not roadblocks..... Positive, hopeful, thinking and knowing there is more than just this life down the road is healing in itself.

Georgiann,

Kudos to you! You have done such a great job getting the message out about such and important issue with great sensitivity. Keep up the good work!

Best,
Rachel Ruff
Denver, CO

I agree with everything in this blog. This is why online forums specifically related to a person's particular illness are so helpful. Not only do they provide ideas on how to pursue recovery (heloing with the three C's), but they are also key in providing the coaching and positive social network that a person needs when the person gets anxious or depressed.

Thank you for sharing the three C's. I have been looking for one easy way to explain how I plan on coping with a event that has challenged me both physically and emotionally and this is a great.

I have a chronic illness-bipolar disorder-that's very debilitating. It's a shape shifter that leaves my MD & I racing to catch up with its latest trick. I will borrow the 3 "C"'s to help me stay positive & accept the illness while remembering I do have some control!

Thx!

Kendall

I agree with the CCC. The 3Cs put rightly the much responsibility for the recovery in the patient's hands. However I would also add that the health system needs to create an "enabling environment" for the three Cs to be applied. What about those that have not by chance read your blog? The US has a medical system, not a health system that protects our health and supports our recovery. Our public health system is fragmented and vague. Most of the time the actual delivery of mental health services is left to charity or non-profit organizations that run self-help groups with the help of volunteers. Mental health services are essential to support people to develop the 3Cs and gain the confidence they can actually take care of themselves again. In addition, a sound organized and well funded and managed public health system would prevent and/or detect many life-threatening conditions early shortening the recovery of life's medical challenges. We need to address the fact our country has a decent public education accessible to everyone, but not an organized public health system that addresses the physical, social and mental health well being of our citizens in a cost-effective manner. Not all our citizens have access to a nutritional and exercise education program for weight loss and prevention of cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation services, mental health services to recover from homelessness, child abuse and domestic violence which affect all social classes, pap smears, mammograms, HIV testing and counseling for all ages (particularly the elderly, who do not use condoms), at also early screening for prostate cancer and depression. I dream of the day when each community will have a public health center where our taxpayers' dollars bail out our health and make the US, the wealthiest country, a healthier nation. I envision the day when anyone in America can visit a public health center int their own community to get preventive information tailored to their needs and a plan to get healthy and fit and the support to make it happen and stay that way.

Great article!

I've found my own experiences in dealing with a couple of chronic conditions, including one that could kill me if I'm not vigilant, is influenced more by my attitude than anything else. The biggest challenge I find is to keep reminding myself to focus on what I can control, and let go of what I can't. The cost of the care is by far more of a stressor than the actual illnesses themselves, but it would be too easy to get caught up with the stress over something I cannot control. I pay for what I can, and keep myself at least in crisis management mode. Not great for long term prognosis, but I would be wasting what time I do have left worrying if I let it get to me.

Thanks for the reminder I am not alone!

My son recently was diagnosed with epilepsy due to a congenital abnormality. He is 16 yrs. old and has witnessed his older sister deal with retractable epilepsy and postictal psychosis due to grey matter heterotopia. With all the heartache and difficulties he's seen his sister endure, he is meeting his own condition with amazing grace and courage. He sees it as a challenge that will build his character and make him grow as a person. Fortunately, he isn't embarrassed by his epilepsy and feels the more others know about it the better for him and others who live with this condition. Needless to say I am incredibly proud of my son and believe he will do well due to his positive attitude.