The Invisible ~ #MondayBlogs

There are chronic illnesses that can’t be seen by others but still can make a person feel like sh*t. Sufferers of these chronic conditions deal with pain, exhaustion, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and more “lovely” annoyances. In some cases, what is more annoying is the lack of compassion and support for people who undeniably feel like they are very much alone. Constant accusations of laziness, hypochondria, excuses and outright lies can send a person who already feels desperate into complete despair — feelings of growing depression only seems to magnify the general feeling of CRAP.

Some Invisible Illnesses are diagnosed through blood tests, scans, and fevers, but there are others that even the medical community cannot prove scientifically. Sometimes it is only repeated symptoms that are used to make a diagnosis and even less is known about treatment. Even some doctors label these conditions as “meaningless catch-all phrases” for non-existent illnesses. It’s beyond frustrating when a patient knows that something is wrong and yet no one will even acknowledge it. Well-meaning family members and friends try to be encouraging, but there constant advice to “why don’t you just get to sleep at a decent time” or “get up and move and you’ll feel better” actually feel like pin pricks. Anger just adds to frustration and depression.

Some examples of invisible illnesses are: Allergies and Food Sensitivities; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Cancer; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain; Depression and Mental Illness; Diabetes; Ehlers Danlos Syndrome; Epstein Barr; Headaches; Migraines; Congestive Heart Failure; Lupus; Lyme Disease; Multiple Sclerosis; Osteoporosis; Neurological Diseases; Sjogren’s Syndrome; and more. (thanks to Molly’s Fund and the CDC for help with this list). Chronic diseases are associated with more depression, increased mortality, higher divorce rates, and worsening chronic conditions. The CDC estimates that approximately one out of every two Americans suffer from some degree of chronic disease at some point in his life. Most chronic sufferers do not use any appliances (like canes or braces), but as the condition progresses they may move on to needing these aids.

Everyday life is more difficult for anyone with a disability. The Americans With Disabilities Act does protect the rights of anyone with a known disability, but when that condition is invisible and the patient is doing his or her best to be “normal” and accepted, there is often no such thing as rights. Very often it isn’t mere pride that keeps a person from sharing their confidential health history; “normalcy” is more accepted, hired more often, considered for promotions, and not made to feel like a burden.

Just because someone can’t SEE a disability doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.

Freelancing Ups and Downs ~ #MondayBlogs

I love the idea of working for myself, but it’s not all sunshine and carefree work days. Aside from the obvious pressure of maintaining enough paying clients and paying for one’s own health insurance, the biggest things I miss from working for someone else are NO sick days and NO snow days.

Okay, sick days… I actually had Chicken Pox at the ripe old age of 40 and I worked during the entire illness… thank goodness I didn’t have to use any videoconferencing; I was very self-conscious about those terrible red marks. That was a couple of decades ago.

And snow days, wow. It is hard to complain about commuting over snow covered roads when all you have to do is walk down the hallway from your bedroom. I even begin most of my workdays in my robe and jammies. The only thing that really puts me out of work is a power failure and/or internet interruption; with the convenience of a fully charged laptop, fully charged tablet or fully charged smart phone I can at least manage a few of my tasks (I just have to remember to plug everything in to keep them charged).

The most important thing is that I am doing what I want to do, I love to write, I love to know that people read my words and maybe, just maybe I can make a difference for someone.

My favorite kind of writing is my fiction; I love to tell stories combining passion and suspense. Let’s face facts though, few fiction authors exist on their writing alone. I am doubly lucky, I enjoy my “back-up” job as a journalist — yes, still writing. I write how-to articles, blog on medical issues, author a monthly column in an Emergency Medical Services trade paper, and publish a Kindle blog filled with writing lessons. I love the research and getting information out to people who need it.

"If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." I heard that adage many years ago and I wind up living my work life by it. There are days I get frustrated, clients are paying on time, I could use more money (who can’t?), a subject I am interviewing isn’t very cooperative, and that’s just the non-fiction part. For my novels and short stories, I wish I had more readers, more reviews, more sales and better Amazon rankings.

I am extraordinarily lucky, I work with several absolutely wonderful editors; of course I try very hard to meet all of my deadlines and get the job done to their satisfaction, I hope they feel as warmly about me. My novel publisher is beyond words terrific, goes out of her way for her authors and always encourages each one of us; she has also become a very good friend, although I have never met her face to face we’ve shared many great phone calls and emails. And the best thing of all is the support I get from my husband, emotionally and, yes, financially.

So it’s off to work I go, despite my occasional sniffles, with a smile on my face.

Contagion - #MondayBlogs

As if there weren’t enough frightening things going on in the world today, we’re hearing news reports about Ebola and Enterovirus – no one feels like extending their hands In friendship for any reason.

What can we do to protect ourselves from everything contagious including influenza, the common cold, HIV, Hepatitus and TB? Know the facts, use common sense, take precautions to protect yourself AND unsuspecting folks around you, and seek the proper and immediate medical care if you suspect that you have been exposed or have symptoms.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) offers great information about exposure risk factors for Ebola and tips to recognize symptoms at http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/qa.html

In general we should all be practicing healthy habits such as frequent hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting food preparation surfaces, sneezing into your sleeve, storing food at prescribed temperatures, get recommended vaccines, and staying home when you are sick so you don’t generously share the germs. Health care workers, although still learning, are being trained to effectively care and treat those who are ill without contaminating themselves or spreading the germs to others. It is frightening though since so much is unknown in the world of infectious diseases.

I once watched a group of teens who were receiving first response emergency medical training. Unknown to the teens, the instructor “sprinkled” the pseudo victim with glow-in-the-dark powder. Most of the teens donned gloves and even wrapped the “patient” cocoon style for transport to prevent contamination. After they were done and removed their protective gear the instructor turned out the overhead lights and the scene was unbelievable. Several of the students had inadvertently touched themselves in unprotected areas, had handled equipment and had contaminated their partners on scene – all without realizing. It was a terrific lesson which taught them to seriously use PPE (personal protection equipment) and care.

Right now New York and New Jersey are arguing for a 21-day quarantine period for anyone exposed or suspected to have been exposed to Ebola. There are those who believe this is tantamount to unlawful imprisonment while others say it is the safest way to keep from spreading any potential disease to the public and loved ones. I spoke to an EMS provider who told me of an in-house employee discussion; the majority of those present said they would voluntarily enter into quarantine and not take the chance of infecting their families. I agree. How do you think you would feel if you believed you had the potential of passing something dangerous on to family, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers on the street?

Meanwhile the rest of us need to carry on with our lives and our responsibilities. We need to follow REASONABLE and healthy routines and try our darnedest not to live in any kind of crippling fear. Learn all you can about the common diseases out there and if you are able, support research efforts into cures and prevention.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy.