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HAWMC Day 17: A Slogan of Hope…

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Welcome to the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge brought together by WEGO Health – a social network for all health activists.  Again, I am participating in the annual Writer’s Month Challenge in which I will be writing about my health activism and health condition based on given prompts.

Friday 17th April: Health Tagline 

Give yourself, or your patient experience a tagline.  Grab attention with your slogan.  Make sure it’s catchy!

To come up with a tagline to encapsulate the patient experience or life with chronic illness is extremely onerous.  There are many facets to life with a long-term health condition; some good and some bad.  How on earth could we summarise everything that we have to face every day in just one sentence?

If we could turn back the clock and given some medical literature about our condition, what would we want the tagline of the pamphlet to be?

I know after, I was given a diagnosis of a long-standing brain stem lesion, my thoughts were consumed on the long-term aspect of the condition.  My thoughts were preoccupied with knowing that my life will never be normal again and that no amount of medications will eliminate the symptoms caused by the neurological condition.

Therefore, I would want to read a slogan that could alleviate the fears of being diagnosed with a long-term condition, as well as providing hope that although life will be forever changed, and certain aspects of our lives might be lost, there are still plenty to look forward to and experiences that we can still take part in, and so on.   My slogan would envision hope and positivity despite the unclear outlook for the future.  Also, as my neurological condition is rare, and therefore any support for a condition like mine is non-existent, I wanted a slogan that is inclusive; a slogan that encompasses everyone living with a chronic illness, regardless of the diagnosis.

A friend was recently struggling herself due to her own diagnosis, and wanting to do something nice for her, during her time of need, I sent a card and letter.  In the letter, I wrote “Rainbows and sunshine can still be found even in the darkest of times“, and so I would choose this as my slogan.  I know the tagline does not specifically relate to me, or my patient experience, but it does cover something that we all need at times – and that is hope.  Hope for a better tomorrow.

A Slogan of Hope for anyone living with a chronic illness
A Slogan of Hope for anyone living with a chronic illness
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In Chronic Illness

Spreading my wings…

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As most of my regular already know, I love to write and although this very blog gives me an excellent opportunity to do so, I often wish that I could have an opportunity to write for a wider audience.

So, I am very pleased that this week, I have been published in two excellent publications.

Firstly, several weeks ago, I received an email from a journalist from PharmaTimes magazine, which is a very well-respected healthcare and pharmaceutical publication.  The magazine offers independent, authoritative and trustworthy content on key issues and topics that are of relevance for those working in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.  As part of the development of the magazine, they have began to interview one patient per month regarding their own views and issues that affect them as they navigate the healthcare system from the ‘other side.’  The email therefore was to ask me if I would be interested in taking part in an interview giving my own personal views on the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

I agreed as not only was it a great opportunity to discuss my views on a subject that affects much of my life as one piece of my identity – a patient.  It however was also an opportunity to help professionals gain an insight into the patient perspective and represent the patient population by doing so, especially as a patient living with a rare neurological condition.

The Patient File

In addition, I have again been published in yet another edition of the wonderful ‘The Pillow Fort’ Magazine.  For new readers, The Pillow Fort Magazine is an e-magazine for and written by young(ish) people affected by chronic illness.  Each issue has a different theme, and this particular issue was based around “Self-Care”.  This edition features many informative, interesting and relevant articles based around the concept of self-care from an ‘A to Z of Self-Care’, through to exercise for well-being and even delicious recipes for ‘self-care’ cocktails.

As a result I wrote an article based around self-care and holidays and how we can still take care ourselves even when away from our regular routines and everything that provides us with comfort.  This article was inspired by my recent cruise and how I participated in self-care when I felt at my worst and stuck on a moving ship.

 

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To check out this wonderfully positive and inspiring magazine and/or purchase this particular issue (or previous editions) then please do so by clicking my affiliated link below:

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#spooniebookclub Review: ‘Life Disrupted: Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties’ by Laurie Edwards

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I am very excited for the first #spooniebookclub which is to be held tomorrow night at 8 P.M. (GMT) over on Twitter.  The first book that was chosen was one which we will all would relate to – a book which examines what it is like to live with a chronic illness – and as we were all under the age of 30 – this book seemed to be the perfect fit for us all.

Interestingly, after a discussion with a fellow book group member; we both felt that the writing style of the author felt rushed and forced as if she was merely writing down her thoughts as they came to her.  However, what if we were to look at it differently – as patients, we often have to wait a long time for answers; to get a diagnosis, wait for appointments.  So, isn’t it refreshing for a book about chronic illness to get straight to the point; to be concise and compact.  Each chapter is short, making it very easy to read little chunks when the reader feels up to it.  Fantastic for those like me who tire very easily but still like to read before going to bed.

The book I found was very relatable and encompasses the chronic illness experience beautifully – the author cleverly also uses several other patients and their personal experiences of living with chronic illness; each with a variety of different conditions.  In my opinion, this was a very smart move, as the range of conditions which can be considered as ‘chronic’ is large, and by including a variety of different conditions, the books feel even more relatable – if you are not able to relate to one person for a reason, then there will be another person included that you may relate your experience to.

The book encompasses everything that a person living with a chronic illness in their twenties and thirties are likely to experience in their life – leaving college or university and starting the path to their chosen career; making and maintaining friendships; starting romantic relationships and sustaining them, as well as the experience of chronic illness – hospitalisations, the patient experience both in hospital and in the ‘real world’.  Much of the book, I found reflected on life in the hospital – and as a someone with a chronic illness that does not require frequent hospitalisations, I felt that it somehow didn’t apply to my experience of illness.  However, the author does describe how ‘one of the only predictable things about chronic illness is its unpredictability‘; which I feel captures my experience of chronic illness beautifully – I never know how I am going to feel hour by hour, or day by day; and furthermore find planning activities and social gatherings very difficult as I never know if I will be able to attend, and if I do, often need to cancel such plans as I feel to unwell to go anywhere.

The only problem that I found with the book, is the obvious differences between the healthcare system between the UK and US.  Some of the book talks about the major financial implications that chronic illness causes; something which thankfully, we living in the United Kingdom have to worry about.  However, in contrast to this, the author also describes the relationships and contact with her medical team – often with patients being able to email or have easier contact when needed – which unfortunately does not encapsulate the experience with doctors or nurses here in the UK – instead my experiences have been one of long waiting times to see a medical practitioner, and having the hardest time to speak to a doctor even on the phone when things have become bad.

Overall, the book is very well written, and with the concise and compact chapters, makes it very easy to read in small chunks.  Reading it, I found some of my own experiences being fed back to me, as if ‘finally, someone understands exactly what I go through’.  The book was very easy to read, and managed to read the entire book in only a couple of days and really delves into the experiences of chronic illness that matter most in your twenties and thirties.

 

Has anyone else read the book?  What were your thoughts of the book?  You can share them here or on the ‘Spoonie Book Club’ Page which you can access on the top of the page.  Or you can even join us on Twitter at 8 P.M. (GMT) to discuss the book using the hashtag #spooniebookclub.

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NHBPM Day Six: Attention New Doctors!

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Today I have decided to use one of the bonus prompts provided by WEGO Health.  The bonus prompt asks us to provide advice for newly qualified doctors and nurses.

I am sure that many of you reading who are also battling chronic illness, have all had negative experiences concerning doctors – those who don’t listen to the symptoms you are experiencing daily, perhaps brushing them off as psychosomatic.  Doctors who are constantly checking their watches for the time, due to the limited time they do have with patients.  Doctors who just fail to listen to their patients; not listening to their situation or concerns regarding their health.

So, wouldn’t it be great for patients such as ourselves to be able to advise new doctors and nurses on the care that WE would like to experience from them.

So here are my top tips for new doctors/nurses:

  1. Take an interest in your patients; learn our names and get to know our likes and dislikes, and everything there is to know about our health condition.  I think we would all agree that going to the doctor’s office is not a pleasant experience, and we all could think of many different activities that we would rather do than visiting our doctor.  So, consequently, it would be great to have a doctor who is warm, friendly and actually has an interest in us; a doctor who doesn’t simply see us as a set of symptoms.  To have a doctor who is warm and friendly are important qualities to be able to establish rapport with another person, and if patients are able to build that rapport; then it is that much easier to open up to them and talk about everything that is  going on with their health.  I know I haven’t been able to get on with certain doctors at my local surgery and as a result I hadn’t fully opened up to them, of all what I was experiencing due to embarrassment and fear of not being believed.
  2. One of the most important tips that I could give to a newly qualified nurse or doctor is to simply LISTEN to their patients!  I have had so many experiences with doctors whom didn’t listen to what I was telling them, and instead just heard what they wanted to hear or simply made their own assumptions.  With so many years living with dizziness, many of the doctors that I have seen over the years, after failing to find a cause for it, just assumed that it was a psychological issues – and each time I challenged it by stating that although anxiety is a factor, the dizziness always comes on before the anxiety – but each time I told the doctors, I was simply short down and again it was reinforced that the dizziness was “all im my head”.  So, listen to your patients, after all we know our bodies more than anyone else, even someone with a medical degree – and know when there is something wrong.  And believe them – and fight for us, fight to get answers, even when all tests come back ‘normal’, don’t give up!
  3. It can often be intimidating and frightening visiting the doctors’ office.  And this is more often the case, when the office is obviously belongs to a doctor – the stereotypical white, sterile room with the obvious medical paraphernalia.  So, try to make is as welcoming as possible, a nice pot plant, pretty prints for the walls, and perhaps if possible, paint the walls a neutral colour to make the room appear bright, warm and welcoming.
  4. Refrain from behaviours such as checking your watch every few minutes as this can be distracting to the patient, and in addition can appear that the doctor does not take an interest in the patient
  5. Be upfront and tell the patient all of the information regarding tests results and so on – This is for me is one of the most important tips that I could offer a new doctor or nurse.  There really is no point, in my opinion, to sugarcoat information – the patient has to know everything there is to know so that they can make an informed decision.  I remember that I only found out about part of my condition, the spastic paraparesis after reading about it on a letter that the consultant had sent my G.P.  This consultant had never mentioned about this during the appointment I had with him, and if I had not read the letter, then I would not know anything about it.  And if I hadn’t know about it, and after searching about the condition online then I would have been very worried and distressed when the condition in my legs started to deteriorate as I would not have had a clue what was going on due to the lack of information!!  So please, newly qualified doctors, make sure to tell your patient all there is to know regarding the results of tests run, or even regarding the condition that has been diagnosed so the patient knows exactly what to expect.

And there are my most important tips for newly qualified doctors/nurses to make the experience for patients the best it can be!  And to make the patient feel at ease from the first visit.  Are there any other tips that you can think of, that you would like new doctors to take on board?  Feel free to add them to the comment section.

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