Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Giving Up?

As living with any chronic illness, we have a number of barriers to overcome daily, and every minute. Sometimes it is hard to wake up and deal with another day, entirely in pain unable to do what we used to. Because these are invisible diseases, we don't have scars that people see and we have alot of judgments. 

Some judgements come with a 'why are you not trying everything possible, you are giving up, letting your disease win'. It is not that easy. This post is inspired by this article I read from Lisa Copen writing for the Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-copen/is-living-with-illness-ch_b_853990.html?ref=fb&src=sp

In my journey so far, I have been told I am giving up, when I am refusing certain treatments. My reasons are based upon what my doctors have suggested, my questions to them and other medical and pharmaceutical professionals, and my own research including my own body.


As I have mentioned in previous posts, I do not respond well to meds. I cannot take anti-inflams, NSAIDS, and the like. Being on such medicines, then going into the cycle of more meds to counteract side effects, on and on, I cannot afford costs nor can I afford what it will do to me. I am constantly amazed at how many people take whatever is prescribed blindly, without knowing what they are on nor the risks associated. This is giving in. 


I have been through radiation, and I do not want to do this anymore. I am and will continue to refuse chemotherapy. Is this giving up? I do not think so. 

I am in this journey on no meds, but I still try to make it through a day. I have lost everything, but I am still me inside and I won't become a zombie and wait for everything else to pass me by. 

I am stubborn. Giving in? No. Realist, and taking charge of what I can with what I do have left. Yes. 











2 comments:

  1. You are amazing and you are loved very much by us your extended family.

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  2. It's YOUR fight, Rhian. No one else's. Therefore, your decisons are what's best for you. I always liked the saying, 'Till you've walked in someone's shoes you'll never know what it's like'. I would never judge what you deem best for you. I admire you for doing the research, asking the tough questions, experienced the difficulties with meds, etc. I think adverse comments come from many sources, mostly concern and love. They just haven't walked in your shoes. ((HUGS))

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