October 06, 2005
Scleroderma? Not today, I've had enough!
I have a lot to say about this subject but I really find that I work better with an audience! Hello, hello is there anybody out there? All comments would be appreciated.
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So, let's say you're the typical autoimmune disease suffering person: a young woman, early to mid 20's blissfully skipping along thru life and then, one day, wow, your fingers turn blue when you are cold! Weird! But it doesn't hurt and there's no blood so it must be no big deal, right? Well, we'll see. Maybe you tell your mom and she says you'd better go to a Dr. So you do, expecting a quick answer and a quick solution, because, well, this CAN'T be anything big - it's not CANCER for God's sake! Your Dr. takes a look and, knowing you since childhood, is hoping for the best, so he says "Don't worry about it. Stay warm. Very common in women." OR He doesn't know you very well so he doesn't care how you react and says "OH MY GOD!!! YOU ARE A VERY SICK YOUNG WOMAN! GET THEE TO A MAJOR TEACHING HOSPITAL!!!" So you make your appointment, like a good little dubey, confused and frightened and amazed that this could be such a big deal. Maybe you do some research on the net or library, hmmm... blue fingers, fingers that turn color in response to cold ... Raynaud's disease or phenomenon. Disease=a primary condition, no big deal? Phenom=linked to several devastating autoimmune conditions. It takes you up to 6 months to get in to see the specialist. During that time you've gone thru all the stages of grief, you think. You get there, prepared to accept the worst and the expert says: "You don't have enough wrong with you, go live your life." What??? NOT ENOUGH WRONG? But, but ... I have this ... and this ... "Go away, now. NEXT!" The specialist proclaims. You've got a choice because something is obviously wrong with you. A) you believe him and go on in blissful ignorance; B) you don't buy it and start looking for your own answers. I recommend B.
Posted by Sclero Crusader | Filed under:
Comments
I do beleive you wrote was I was thinking! It's amazing to read anyhthing that remotely sounds like what I started out with. Thanx!
Posted by: Tina at January 10, 2006 12:38 AM
