Lightarted Living: Dealing with a Chronic Condition Requiring Lifelon...

Lightarted Living: Dealing with a Chronic Condition Requiring Lifelon...:   

Dealing with a Chronic Condition Requiring Lifelong Treatment

 

AMKA "The friendly spirit"

A Very Brave Girl

When leaving the dog groomer's after getting Amka's nails trimmed today I smiled at my dog, who hates to have her nails trimmed, and told her she was a very brave girl. She jumped up into the car with her tail wagging and all unpleasantness was forgotten.

I realized, if I thought about it, I could say Amka is dealing with a chronic condition that requires regular lifelong treatment. She may not like getting the treatments, but they're necessary to her enjoying a high quality of life. 

There's no need for me to have long conversations with her about the nail trims beforehand. We simply need to walk into the groomers, get the nails cut, and get on with life. It is an ordinary part of life and must be dealt with as such.

Accept What IS as an Ordinary Part of Life

This perspective came to me as I have just been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer-- a chronic condition requiring lifelong treatment. And this week I'll be brave, like Amka, as I meet with my healthcare team to lay out an updated treatment plan.

Getting My Nails Trimmed

I've decided to see my treatment as my 'nail trimmings'.  Like Amka, I may not like it, but it is just something that must be done to enjoy a higher quality of life. And like Amka, I will do what must be done, not talk about it beforehand, and just get on with living.

All Is Well

The goal is to have as good a life as we can, and to do everything we can to be as healthy and upbeat as we can despite challenges, like cancer, popping up. 

As Mark Nepo said, "We must endure what we cannot escape." Let us find a balance between enduring and enjoying each moment, each day.