The Positive Side of Chronic Illness

Today I want to begin some writings on chronic illness.  A good working definition of chronic illness is an illness or disease that continues for a long time or perhaps will never go away.  In many cases of chronic illness, there is likely no end in sight as there might be with a sudden illness or accident in which a patient needs short-term care but does improve and regain healthy physical/emotional status.  The good news is that chronic illnesses are not necessarily fatal illnesses, but conditions which can be managed with proper information about the illness and perhaps extra help from family members or a professional caregiver.  Examples of these might be diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart conditions, or many other such illnesses.

As I mentioned in a prior post, while researching the subject of chronic illness I found there is enough information on this subject, and how it affects the patient and how it affect the family or caregiver, to write an entire book.  So, I am keeping the series rather open-ended at this point, and we will see where it leads us, particularly if you (the readers) have questions or certain specifics you would like to see covered in the writings.

Due to the nature of chronic illnesses, which can be progressive, it seems a rather bleak subject.  Yet it must be discussed because this is what patients and family/professional caregivers must deal with on a daily basis.

But I thought I would begin the discussion of chronic illness on a more positive note.  I found a wonderful article while researching, entitled “The Brighter Side of Living with Chronic Illness: 6 Amazing Things You Know Better than Most.”  The author of the article is Lottie V. Ryan, who suffers from chronic illness herself.  She mentions that while the diagnosis of any chronic illness is, for the most part, something patients wish they did not have to deal with for the rest of their life, there are things the illness teaches the patient which can be rewarding.

I will present her list of the 6 amazing things, and summarize the article for you.

1. True Love – A patient can often discover the meaning of true love when she/he is being cared for by another person, be it family or a professional. The patient is able to see how much that other person cares about them just through the actions they perform in their regular caregiving duties.  The patients know what it feels like to have someone stay by their side and walk with them daily, encouraging them in action and in word.
2. Compassion – When a patient has a chronic illness, they learn that not all illness is visible. They learn not to judge others and to be more accepting of others, particularly those who also have a chronic illness.
3. The Value of Time – Chronic illness can teach a patient just how precious time is – the patient learns there will be moments and days of “wasted time” sitting in doctors’ offices, or confined to a bed, but there will also be good moments and days when the patient feels well enough to leave the bed and participate in activities with friends and family.
4. Community is Important – A patient with chronic illness often establishes a community of friends and family who act as a support group. Often a friend, neighbor, or relative will stop by to chat or to run an errand or bring a home-cooked meal.
5. You Recognize the Beauty in the Little Things – When a patient is dealing with a chronic illness, it becomes vitally important to move beyond the pain or suffering in order to see and appreciate the smaller things in life – a beautiful song, a flower blooming, the sound of a child’s laughter. All the little things can bring great joy to a patient who knows the darker side of illness.
6. Gratitude – Chronic illness teaches the patient to be grateful for so many things – a doctor’s kind treatment, family and friends, the internet which gives the patient contact with the outside world, and just being alive and breathing.

This list could certainly be extended, but I think Ms. Ryan brought out some very good, positive points regarding chronic illness.  The article truly helped me to think on some of these positive factors, as I also have chronic illness, and it strengthened my ability to see that there can be, and is, a bright side to living with chronic illness.