Working in healthcare I treat a lot of chronic complaints and work with patients towards long term health goals.
Sometimes during the course of treatment, or along the way towards achieving a goal, it can be easy to become dehumanised by the process.
At these times, it may be helpful to remember you are not your disease. You are so much more than that.
You are more than a condition.
More than a collection of symptoms, of aches, of complaints.
You are not defined by your diagnosis.
You are more than just another patient sitting in the specialists waiting room. Your test results, blood results, scan results do not define who you are. Who you are cannot be captured in a simple reference range.
Who you are is amazing. There has never been someone exactly like you in the history of humankind and there never will be again.
Your body is capable of many amazing processes and functions, most of which you are simply and effectively conducting without even being consciously aware of it. Your body is in a constant state of growth and regeneration, all without you even having to lift a finger.
You are everything to someone, or someones. Someone, when they think of you, breaks in to a huge smile.
You are a loving human being, and your capacity to learn and grow and adapt is phenomenal. You are, quite simply, pretty damn awesome.
Your struggle may be very real and painful. It may cost you so much just to get through another day, another treatment, another ‘failure’.
There may be times when you feel it is all too much and you feel like giving up. That your goal isn’t worth the heartache.
At those times I ask you to remember, you are not your disease. You are so much more than that.
Anna McMullen
Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Anna is available for consult at MCM Mondays and Saturdays. For bookings visit www.morningtonchinesemedicine.com.au