Coping with a life altering illness or disability

“This cannot be happening to me!”

You recently received a promotion at work and purchased the home of your dreams. You are enjoying life, spending time with family, and making plans to travel internationally for the first time. The goals you established in your early 20’s are finally coming to fruition.

In preparation for your trip, you schedule a physical exam. It has been a while since you’ve seen a doctor. After pleasantries are exchanged your Doctor informs you that your glucose level and kidney lab values (Creatinine/GFR) are elevated.

You’re baffled by the results…you feel fine.

You ignore the recommendations made by your Physician to decrease your sugar intake and return for additional lab tests in 2 months. You enjoy your trip overseas and return to working 45-60 hours/week.

Heck, you were just promoted. You do not have the time to be sick!

Several months later you find yourself in the Emergency Room, with severe shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in your lower extremities and mental confusion. The ER Doctor explains that you are in renal failure and need dialysis-immediately.

I have witnessed this scenario on many occasions, life hits individuals with a curveball in the form of physical or mental illness.

Working through the grief and loss of the life as you have known it, requires a change of plans.

Stay tuned as we dive further into this topic– How to emotionally cope with a life altering illness.