People may tell me that I look good, but I don't always feel that way.
PUBLISHED April 26, 2018
Jane has earned three advanced degrees and had several fulfilling careers as a librarian, rehabilitation counselor and college teacher. Presently she does freelance writing. Her articles include the subjects of hearing loss and deafness, service dogs and struggling with cancer. She has been a cancer survivor since 2010.
She has myelodysplastic syndrome, which is rare, and would love to communicate with others who have MDS.
She has myelodysplastic syndrome, which is rare, and would love to communicate with others who have MDS.
Several people with cancer have mentioned that they are often told platitudes like, “You don’t look sick,” “You must feel great,” or “Are you all better?”
I get these remarks all the time. To make matters worse, I will never be off chemo because I have a blood cancer, so I am never “cured” or “well.”
What most people don’t realize is I always pay the price. Yes, there are days I go out and do a lot. Sometimes I have bunches of errands to run. I may be with friends or family visiting from out of state and I don’t want to miss anything. Holidays are always strenuous. In addition to the cancer, I have fibromyalgia and severe arthritis. I also suffer from a profound hearing loss and the constant strain to hear and lip-read exhaust me. I was born with an immune disorder and half of my immunity is gone. So I have quadruple whammy! As a result, I push and push and spend the next day in bed.
I get these remarks all the time. To make matters worse, I will never be off chemo because I have a blood cancer, so I am never “cured” or “well.”
What most people don’t realize is I always pay the price. Yes, there are days I go out and do a lot. Sometimes I have bunches of errands to run. I may be with friends or family visiting from out of state and I don’t want to miss anything. Holidays are always strenuous. In addition to the cancer, I have fibromyalgia and severe arthritis. I also suffer from a profound hearing loss and the constant strain to hear and lip-read exhaust me. I was born with an immune disorder and half of my immunity is gone. So I have quadruple whammy! As a result, I push and push and spend the next day in bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment