Posted by James K on January 28, 2006, at 11:44:10
In reply to Diagnosed, posted by LegWarmers on January 26, 2006, at 22:50:07
> Im curious how people cope with being diagnosed with a lifetime progressive disease. How do you cope with the unknown? Or not so unknown, how do you cope with knowing that things are to come without panicking?
---My diagnosis was Ulcerative Colitis around 4 years ago. I didn't cope very well, so this may be more negatative example than positive advice, but it does turn out okay.
I read everything there was to know about my disease. And tried to accept a lifetime of pain and embarrasement ending with colon cancer or a colostomy bag. Added to the stress of months of not being diagnosed, my own problems, and a bigger health crisis with my wife, I fell apart. I began to think about mortality, about disability, etc.
Now, I take 6 pills spread through the day and am essentially symptom free. I think it is important to understand the statistics and put yourself in the 90 percent that do well, not the 10 percent that don't. And we can cope. Some of us have been coping with the unknown much of our lives. A concrete diagnosis is something understandable and fightable. It can be a wake up call as well. To me it was just to take better care of the physical body. Some talk about getting their life right.
My wife had breast cancer. (totally cured with surgery). We just did what we had to. It was scary.
I hope any of this is helpful, and I hope your concern and/or diagnosis is not too bad.
James K
poster:James K
thread:603266
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20051214/msgs/603735.html