Читать книгу Above and Beyond - J.S. Dorian - Страница 30

“Behold, we know not anything; I can but trust that good shall fall, At last—far off—at last, to all And every winter change to spring.”

ALFRED TENNYSON

You were recently diagnosed with a relatively uncommon chronic and progressive disease. Your doctor spelled out the basics and handed you a thick packet of pamphlets and article reprints to help you better understand the illness.

At home, you began reading about debilitating physical and emotional changes that could occur as the disease progresses; the potential effects of the illness on lifestyle, relationships, and sexuality; powerful medications and the possibility of serious side effects. By the time you finished reading a series of bleak case histories, you were in a complete panic.

Later that week, when the shock had worn off, you garnered the courage to reread the material, this time with composure and a degree of acceptance. You then realized that you had focused only on the negative.

You have since been able to absorb all the messages of encouragement: the fact that physical activity helps rather than hurts the condition; the wide array of pain-relieving treatments available; the documented reality that most people with the illness live relatively normal and productive lives; the possibility of spontaneous and complete remission.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

What about the bright and hopeful side?