Covid-19 & Chronic Illness thoughts
Isolation and missed/canceled events are not unfamiliar. Children are at home all day with husband and me, which means I feel less alone. Chronic illness has in a way helped prepare my mind and body for this situation. I do miss personal time with my mom, dad, and other family members. Some information & emotional overload from all of the uncertain and at times scary Covid-19 news. I can empathize with others & how their life may be impacted from "shelter in place" orders. Goals prior to pandemic- Trying to find meaning of life & encourage myself to get outside house a little bit each week. Appreciating the small things that we often take for granted. Continuing to improve my personal coping strategies for things outside my control. Work on finding new activities, hobbies, purpose, and enjoyment in home atmosphere. Learning to treat self with compassion, when had to cancel/avoid events due to health concerns. Responsibly monitor energy output and symptom management when being actively involved. Try changing the atmosphere for a little "me time" even if just by running a short errand by self. Take time to stay educated about things that are important and/or interests me. Consider risk v/s benefit when determining my choices and actions. Goals currently with pandemic- Remain at home, with exception of car ride or necessary medical appointments. Avoid trips to the store as much as possible or being around public. Wear a cloth mask when I have to be around others outside of my household. Continue to work on finding activities and hobbies that I can enjoy at home. Continue getting my infusions, unless they begin to deem them unsafe due to Covid fears. Consider self-care options such as "me time", long baths, music, etc.. Responsibly monitor energy and symptom management. Fears Present During the Covid-19 Pandemic- Reaching out for medical help returned as don't want to increase their work load or bother them. Concerns over attending medical appts because of increased risk of infection. Will son have a high school graduation among all community changes? How is this pandemic going to affect college preparations and high school plans for next Fall? Family members risks to being infected, treatment if they do (including being isolated alone). Summer vacation(s) will they be even be possible before college begins? Thankful in ways that no longer have central line, would increase possible exposure to covid-19. Will I be able to receive my routine infusions, or will they get canceled due to infection risk? Worries over how virtual medical appointments will go with my psychologist and GI doctor. So how is Covid-19 affecting my life with chronic illness? My emotions have been everywhere. From feeling thankful, appreciative, concerned & worried to sadness, disgust, fear, & confusion. Education & awareness is notably important, selfcare & breaks from listening to news are essential, stories read/heard are heartbreaking & terrifying. The evidence of kind deeds in communities are reassuring and comforting. Mentally and physically, I'm exhausted from dealing with already present chronic illness and now analyzing/deciphering the relevant news articles while trying not to become too anxious from all the fears, destruction, and uncertainties this Covid-19 coronavirus is creating here in U.S. and across the world. My therapist and I have actually been discussing so much of what I've stated above, among other things, during the past few sessions. I understand and can relate to so many experiences being had & shared by the “normal” & healthier population. Whether it be their loss of jobs, lack of closure and missing students now that school is remote only, missing events that they were looking forward to, or simply becoming bored at home, etc.. Oddly, I momentarily feel less pressure on myself as I am doing exactly what everyone is supposed to be doing - staying home to help flatten the curve since I don’t have an essential job. However, looking into the future is dicey for my emotional health, as I realize that the majority of those impacted WILL be able to RETURN to the normalcy that they miss so much, while us with chronic illness will be left behind to keep living our “chronic illness normal”. I’m happy for those that are able to return, not having to live in isolation for years and years, but I do hold out hope that they will retain compassion for those with chronic illness now that they’ve had a small “taste”. (And that’s without them having daily symptoms we must endure along with isolation.) Some of the recent news over the past months has been thought-provoking and scary to read. Especially, the reportings of how some hospitals were considering who’s life is worth saving, who has the best chance of surviving and best quality of life to preserve if medical resources are maxed if the hospitals become overwhelmed. Hearing about C-19 deaths, usually followed by “but they had underlying conditions” or that we should reopen immediately because the illness is only dangerous for the vulnerable, the elderly and ones with chronic conditions, is defeating. Not because I’m worried too much about me, but because it reinforces the opinion that those with vulnerabilities (age or chronic conditions) are less important, which I strongly disagree with and because I know and care about many people with underlying conditions and/or in their older ages. (I admit it’s kind of ironic that I sometimes view myself as less, even though it's not true, but get angry/furious when society labels others that way. Sadly, the comments reinforces that my thoughts of being less are actually mirrored, possibly even created, by the larger society.) Death rates, regardless if they had other issues prior to Covid or not are worrisome to me. Deaths are deaths - they all were someone’s daughter/son at some point. Majority have siblings, children, or other close loved one’s, regardless of blood connection or not. They were people. And because of the impact C-19 has had on hospital restrictions, so many have died hurting, scared, and isolated from human contact. It’s heartbreaking, sad, and scary especially when considering if it were to happen to someone I know or love. Strange how Covid has brought out the absolute best in some people, but in others, ugly selfishness roared. Now some people are getting very restless. I can understand and relate to this in some ways. I am fortunate that my parents live in the same town as me. I have been able to keep in contact with them and briefly see them a few times from a safe distance - but I do miss spending one on one time with them and hugging them. Other than that, and concern over catching the virus and then spreading the virus when going to store for necessary items or medical appts, my life has not changed too much. But I do remember what it felt like when I had to miss work and eventually had to stop working (teaching in my case), which so many are having to do now. I’m familiar with finances being extremely tight or questionable, when there were plans I was looking forward to or something I really wanted to go or travel to but had to cancel, reschedule, or miss out on completely. It sucks!! However, for the most part, in a relatively short while, most people will be able to return to their normal lives. Which is good news for most. I’d love to think that when this is all over, society can have a better understanding of what those with chronic illnesses deal with for years/lifetime, decrease the cold hurtful comments of “must be nice to be home all the time”, or stop ignoring the emotional impact that being chronically ill (including isolation it can cause) has on one’s overall life. It sounds odd hearing top Drs, government officials, and society discuss the mental health impact that “shelter in place” or “stay home” orders can have on one’s emotional life - including financial strain and suicidal thoughts - yet I guarantee many of them have and will continue to disregard or dismiss the viewpoint/impact of chronic illness on daily life for years/life when concerns of epidemic cease. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not minimizing the impact that the virus or shutdown has had on the entire population as a whole, I know that it has been extremely challenging and difficult for everyone. I empathize and feel absolutely horrible for those that have lost their livelihood, loved ones, and/or their daily lifestyles.
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Trisha BundyA proud mother, educator, Gastroparesis & GI Motility Disorder Advocate, Like my content? Want to thank me with a small token of appreciation? https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LH7R639ORBML?ref_=wl_share
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