I'm a literal lab rat. Late 80s, my disease and the treatment had 95% mortality within the first year (BMT for aplastic anemia). I've had dozens of complications, some life threatening, all miserable. Most recently, I was the 3rd patient to undergo a novel way to use whole body radiation to beat back an autoimmune disease (TBI for chronic GVHD).
Sure, a lot of my care providers have sucked. And insurers would prefer I'd just die already. And I've definitely been grumpy.
And yet I'm still alive and kicking.
Life is a gift. Every day is a celebration.
It's very, very hard. But if at all possible, I encourage you to find a way to transmute your anger and outrage into action.
For a while, I channeled my energies into healthcare IT and election integrity. Before that, I cosplayed as a treehugger, trying to save endangered salmon. Maybe I did a little bit of good, nudged the needle.
Was it worthwhile? No clue. But everyone needs a hobby, so at least the work kept me distracted.
I'm a literal lab rat. Late 80s, my disease and the treatment had 95% mortality within the first year (BMT for aplastic anemia). I've had dozens of complications, some life threatening, all miserable. Most recently, I was the 3rd patient to undergo a novel way to use whole body radiation to beat back an autoimmune disease (TBI for chronic GVHD).
Sure, a lot of my care providers have sucked. And insurers would prefer I'd just die already. And I've definitely been grumpy.
And yet I'm still alive and kicking.
Life is a gift. Every day is a celebration.
It's very, very hard. But if at all possible, I encourage you to find a way to transmute your anger and outrage into action.
For a while, I channeled my energies into healthcare IT and election integrity. Before that, I cosplayed as a treehugger, trying to save endangered salmon. Maybe I did a little bit of good, nudged the needle.
Was it worthwhile? No clue. But everyone needs a hobby, so at least the work kept me distracted.