Its been a while

I haven't blogged in a while because I ... I actually have no idea why. I have been going through the motions of life. I have had some highs - my health has not had any significant new 'bad' things nor have my current 'bad' things decided to act up much. Yet. (There is always that possibility.)

I have also had some lows - a college friend died of leukemia (that was horribly sad) and I have another friend currently dying of breast and stomach cancer.  So emotionally I have been a wreck but I think I have been hiding that part. But I am getting it under control. A big step is getting to my meds therapist next week to talk about options. Did you know that the more chronic medical issues you have you may need more emotional care? (I am not a professional but it is my personal opinion that your emotional you is just as important as your physical you.)

It is also a busy time of year for me. I have no income but I do knit and weave and sell stuff at craft shows from late October to mid December in an effort to buy more yarn. And to get out of the house and see the world.

But it is a struggle. I am working my way through it as usual.

What Is A Chronic Illness?

So I blog about chronic ailments but what are they really? Medicinenet defines them as:

"A chronic disease is one lasting 3 months or more, by the definition of the U.S.National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear."

I saw another definition which defined them as one lasting a year or more. (But it doesn't really matter because they all suck.)

Just to be clear an 'acute' ailment will appear and leave. A 'terminal' ailment does you in.

Once you get a chronic illness, you are screwed. Cancer is now treated more as a chronic ailment than a terminal one - if it doesn't do you in at first and you get through treatment, you are monitored for the rest of your life. So if I count those in, I have four chronic ailments. Plus my bad back - it fits the definition of chronic ailments but I'm not sure it is really considered one.

Having chronic illnesses means you have to alter your life and lifestyle permanently. It can be very frustrating, depressing, anxiety inducing, and down right stressful. The emotional strain of having a chronic illness can actually be the worst part.

As always, your emotional side is just as important your physical side. If you wake up on a 'bad day', you just erase your calendar for a couple of days so you can take care of yourself somehow. And that lunch date that you were really waiting for is out the window. Bummer. An emotional let down - something fun that you wanted to do is gone. And so the emotional roller coaster takes a nose dive, again.

And you wonder why so many people with chronic illnesses are often taking anti-depressants. Along with a million other medications. I have three drawers full of prescription bottles that I dig through weekly to fill my pill box - the kind with a big compartment for morning and evening.

Anyway, having a chronic illness or four can just suck.