Ms. X, I shall try, as I have for a long time. The leukemia occasionally makes perspective hard to keep, but then I eventually remember I live in the first world country most likely to fix my bad Onco-genes and it's a lot easier to be nice and keep a good attitude.
While I was in-patient earlier this month for my induction chemo (not gonna lie, that sucked, especially toward the end, but my last biopsy put me in remission - I might even get an extra week off before the next round of toxic sludge!) seeing what I could say or do to amuse the staff, medical and otherwise, provided me with a wonderful distraction. I was consistently congratulated for my good attitude.
In retrospect, that seems a bit odd; I'm 42, and of the rational scientist ilk. I have a treatable cancer, the staff at UAB's heme-onc unit are amazing, and neither my oncologist or wife are into beating dead horses - if things turn south, heading to the beach with a sack full of pain meds isn't that scary compared to Gallipoli or Normandie.
At any rate, you and your mom will remain very much in my thoughts as I attempt to continue not to be complete turd to those around me. I hope things get better for y'all. I obviously don't know you, but your internet persona is that of someone I think I'd like quite a bit, and seeing others hurt is a lot harder than dealing with personal pain for me.
I try, but it also seems that a lot of people around me either aren't, or they have a very different idea about how people should be treated :(
I am in one of my periodic misanthropic loops. I am still kind to people because it's how I was raised, but I don't feel a lot of love for humanity right now.
Fillyjonk, you don't have to love 'em. Only treat them as you would have them treat you. Sometimes that means just leaving them alone.
Matthew, I have not checked the rulebook recently but I am pretty sure you get a pass for a certain amount of non-reciprocal speech and action in your situation. And I'll send positive thoughts your way, for whatever good it may do.
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Amen to that thought!
ReplyDeleteI try, I do so try, and am mostly successful, and not proud of when I'm not. But with rampant stupidity in all directions it is so hard.
ReplyDeleteAh well, part of the price of aspiring to be a civilized citizen. If it were easy anyone could do it.
Except we all can't be the king. Or at least that is what I feel is going on.
ReplyDeleteMs. X, I shall try, as I have for a long time. The leukemia occasionally makes perspective
ReplyDeletehard to keep, but then I eventually remember I live in the first world country most likely to fix my bad Onco-genes and it's a lot easier to be nice and keep a good attitude.
While I was in-patient earlier this month for my induction chemo (not gonna lie, that sucked, especially toward the end, but my last biopsy put me in remission - I might even get an extra week off before the next round of toxic sludge!) seeing what I could say or do to amuse the staff, medical and otherwise, provided me with a wonderful distraction. I was consistently congratulated for my good attitude.
In retrospect, that seems a bit odd; I'm 42, and of the rational scientist ilk. I have a treatable cancer, the staff at UAB's heme-onc unit are amazing, and neither my oncologist or wife are into beating dead horses - if things turn south, heading to the beach with a sack full of pain meds isn't that scary compared to Gallipoli or Normandie.
At any rate, you and your mom will remain very much in my thoughts as I attempt to continue not to be complete turd to those around me. I hope things get better for y'all. I obviously don't know you, but your internet persona is that of someone I think I'd like quite a bit, and seeing others hurt is a lot harder than dealing with personal pain for me.
I try, but it also seems that a lot of people around me either aren't, or they have a very different idea about how people should be treated :(
ReplyDeleteI am in one of my periodic misanthropic loops. I am still kind to people because it's how I was raised, but I don't feel a lot of love for humanity right now.
Fillyjonk, you don't have to love 'em. Only treat them as you would have them treat you. Sometimes that means just leaving them alone.
ReplyDeleteMatthew, I have not checked the rulebook recently but I am pretty sure you get a pass for a certain amount of non-reciprocal speech and action in your situation. And I'll send positive thoughts your way, for whatever good it may do.