What is a chronic illness? A chronic illness is defined as a medical condition in which there is no cure, but rather only symptomatic treatment. When diagnosed, my doctors ensured my family was fully aware of this definition. A couple months into my clinical rotations, I can say that I have now met numerous individuals with chronic illnesses. Coronary artery disease, hypertension, COPD, diabetes are just a few.
So why am I sitting here talking about all of these different illnesses and why are they pertinent to everyone? After my time in the hospital, I have begun to understand that these illnesses are not only longstanding, but they also have a major impact on the body as a whole. In osteopathic medicine we are consistently taught that there is a connection between mind, body, and spirit and that the damage to one organ system can impact another. It was not until my internal medicine rotation that I truly understood the value of persistence and control in managing these lifelong illnesses.
One of my first weeks on internal medicine, I had the privilege of working up a patient who had come in with diabetic ketoacidosis. She was a young woman with a loving husband and two beautiful kids. As I worked her up, she told me that it was too difficult to keep up with work and family and still care for herself. Her A1C was 11.4. The ideal A1C of a diabetic patient should be below 7. In that moment, I realized how closely I could relate to her thought process. Over the years, the one thing I have gotten good at doing is making excuses for not taking care of myself. She did the same. She admitted it to me and proceeded to tell me that this was her first time ever vocalizing it to anyone. I knew as a future healthcare professional, it was my duty to tell her the impact of uncontrolled diabetes on her kidney function, her cardiac function, and her vasculature. But, in that moment, I also knew that she was merely just another terrified human being.
Just this past week, I came to encounter a patient who had come into the hospital with COPD exacerbation. She had been a lifelong smoker of 40 years. Sadly, she was diagnosed with stage III lung cancer that had metastasized. She shared with me the story of her chemotherapy regimen and the toll it had taken on her mentally. Her husband informed me of the battle his wife was facing with depression and fatigue. Often times, you hear others say that smokers do that to themselves. They know that they will end up with chronic pulmonary diseases. They are aware of the risk of cancer. To that, I say, yes, I am sure they are aware of the risks. That, however, does not discount that they did not wish this upon themselves. No one recognizes the long-term effects of these chronic illnesses. Once again, I had to remind myself, that she is merely a human being like each one of us.
So let’s talk about that. Why is it that we make excuses for ourselves and say that mistakes happen. Why is it that we give ourselves the benefit of the doubt more times than not? The reason is because we have always been taught that this is part of the human condition. We are fully aware that humans make mistakes. Bringing this back to what I have learned through the course of being in the hospital just for a few months, I have realized it is completely alright to accept that mistakes can happen. Chronic illnesses are exhausting. One thing can lead to the other. More importantly, one thing WILL lead to the other. But, the most important aspect of all of this, is taking the moment to understand that a change needs to be made. With my DKA patient, she promised me that she would make a follow-up with her endocrinologist. With my COPD patient, she promised me she would never touch another cigarette in her life. Some say it’s too late to change. I say, it’s always better late than never.
So I guess, the next question is, what is our role in all of this? Not everyone has a chronic illness. Not everyone has to battle with lifelong diseases. For that, we should consider ourselves fortunate. Our role, however, is to consistently encourage those around us to fight for themselves. Give them the confidence to make a change. Give them the understanding that they are human and sometimes, humans lapse. Give them the courage to stand up and take control.
From one chronic illness fighter to the rest of the world, please remember, we are trying. Please remember, we are only human. Tell me when I am messing up. Tell me when I am falling short. Tell me where I can take charge. But, more importantly, support us when we are at our lowest without judgment.
Keeks' Corner 