Patients for a Moment #14
Wednesday, December 16 2009
Welcome to the final Patients for a Moment of 2009, which has the unofficial theme of “Duncan Cross Needs To Get His S–t Together”. You see, I dropped the ball on PFAM this month, and missed getting a host for December 2nd. This week, I’ve been too distracted to beat the bushes for submissions – so a big thanks to all who submitted anyway. And finally, I’m late getting this edition up because I got a filling this morning; the taste of Septocaine and scorched enamel is still fresh in my mouth. That means this is also the “Duncan Cross Tries Not To Drool On His Keyboard” Edition.
But enough with excuses – and onto the submissions:
Leslie at Getting Closer to Myself compares chronic illness to a marathon: “It’s a long haul. You need to learn how to pace yourself so that you’ll survive to the finish line.” Leslie also wonders about getting a tattoo – something I have fresh experience with. My only advice is to be really, really sure of the design and the artist before you commit. Four parallel lines: how hard can that be? But apparently, I found the one tattoo ‘artist’ in the world who isn’t going to let double retinal detachment keep him from his calling.
Kairol at Everything Changes asks a question that is near and dear to my… well, not my heart, necessarily: Testicles – Take ‘Em or Leave ‘Em? The question is whether the consequences of testicular cancer – the lack of ballage – are a big deal for survivors’ partners. The guy himself will of course worry, but does it matter to anybody else? In high school, I had a friend with an undescended testicle; we called him the “Uniballer”, and I don’t think the absence hurt him in the lady-friends department, so much as his lack of hygiene.
Kelly at RA Warrior asks whether rheumatoid arthritis is the “Scarlet Letter” of diseases. I would just point out that lots of people are embarrassed by their diseases, and moreover that Hester Pryne earned her scarlet letter. We ought not to let ourselves believe our diseases brand or even identify us, so much as we can help it.
Lisa at Brass and Ivory explains how loud noise and chaos can lead to crippling pain in MS patients. I think a lot of us who are ill get easily exhausted and overwhelmed in those sorts of situations, though it sounds like there’s something especially challenging about MS in that respect.
On a related note, Selena at Oh My Aches and Pains offers a gift-buying guide for folks with fibro – but which might also be useful for anybody whose illness makes malls and shopping centers unbearable.
Finally, Steve at Adventures of a Funky Heart wonders if a study from 1981 suggests a possible cure for his illness – and wonders why there hasn’t been any follow-up since then?
And that’s it! Short and simple. Whatever holiday you happen to be celebrating right about now, I hope it is happy and wonderful. In the meantime, the PFAM archive and calendar is available as always, and the next edition will arrive January 13th.
great PFAM!
i love reading these. can’t wait to host in jan!
Thanks for including me. And thanks for making me llaugh re: your comments about Kairol’s post.
A privilege to be included in Patients for a Moment! Thank you Duncan!