Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter One: Dealing with Your Diagnosis
Chapter Two: Taking Control
Chapter Three: Sharing with Family and Friends
Chapter Four: Talking to Your Children
Chapter Five: Hospitalization
Chapter Six: Managing Your Medical Expenses
Chapter Seven: Coping
A Final Message of Hope
Resources
A Final Message of Hope:
Have you ever wondered why so many people are drawn to and moved by a Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture) or a Morrie Schwartz (Tuesdays with Morrie)? It is because these men have lived their terminal illness with dignity and joy. They did not constantly ask, “Why me?” but instead accepted what they were given and made the most of it.
We are all going to die, but seeing someone who knows he is dying, yet keeps living life to the fullest, brings us hope and a sense of peace, despite the inevitability of death.
In the last several months I have had a lot of time to reflect on, and wonder about, the role chronic illness plays in my own Christian faith. I have come to the realization that we may be misinterpreting the reasons for chronic and terminal illness.
So many of us feel like we are being punished or that our diagnosis isn’t fair, but I would challenge you to reframe this life experience.
Could it be that we have been chosen? Perhaps we should feel honored and privileged. Through our attitude about, and ability to cope with our illness, we can be a model and inspiration to others, an example to help them appreciate their own blessing of health and help them grow into better people. What an extraordinary gift we can give by living honorably despite our discomfort.
If we can each strive to be a role model for others, our experience of illness will be transformed into a better and more fulfilling one, because we will discover the good that can blossom from our personal suffering.
May those of us with chronic and terminal illness strive to emulate brave people like Randy and Morrie by learning to live our lives of illness without anger, and instead delight in living the life we’ve been given.
My Catholic upbringing has taught me to believe that my mortality is not the end, but rather the beginning of an eternal life with God. This new life will be free from illness and suffering and will be filled with health, happiness, and love like none I can imagine. This promise of an everlasting life brings me great peace and makes the pain, trials, and sadness of my current condition more manageable.