Comments on: Obama, Hope and Chronic Illness http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/ Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:06:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Rosalind http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-2545 Rosalind Tue, 13 May 2008 16:52:13 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-2545 Getting doctors and employers to think "out of their box" is very tough. We have to use our best language skills -- and even then, it doesn't always work. Rosalind Getting doctors and employers to think “out of their box” is very tough. We have to use our best language skills — and even then, it doesn’t always work.
Rosalind

]]> By: Mary http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-2543 Mary Tue, 13 May 2008 16:43:30 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-2543 I was not certain where to blog about this. This is still a new process for me. I noted that you had jerome groopman's latest book listed-How Doctors Think. wow! What a book! Some chapters make me cry. Some make me think. And some make me just downright uncomfortable. For those of us with "weird" illnesses-his section on how to talk to a doctor so that they think outside the box was realy valuable!! I was not certain where to blog about this. This is still a new process for me. I noted that you had jerome groopman’s latest book listed-How Doctors Think. wow! What a book! Some chapters make me cry. Some make me think. And some make me just downright uncomfortable. For those of us with “weird” illnesses-his section on how to talk to a doctor so that they think outside the box was realy valuable!!

]]> By: Rosalind http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1591 Rosalind Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:48:27 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1591 HI Mary "old friend" - Good to hear from you. So glad to know that the article helps. I have a hunch you'll do a good job with that conversation. You go for it, girlfriend! Rosalind HI Mary “old friend” - Good to hear from you. So glad to know that the article helps. I have a hunch you’ll do a good job with that conversation. You go for it, girlfriend!
Rosalind

]]> By: Mary http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1590 Mary Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:42:00 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1590 Hi Rosalind-yes I work--this is Mary McKennell here. The work that I do makes a difference in people's lives. I used to think that it mattered if I developed or managed programs that affected large number of lives, but I have learned to be content with touching one life at a time. I gave a copy of the 10 things I want you to know handout to my new office-mate. I have not had to share office space in many, many years-so he is exposed to aspects of me behind our closed door that others do not see. I have a new supervisor and think I am going to use it with him also. My job has changed drastically and I have lost a lot of built in flexibility that I used to have to take rest periods. So i think I am going to have to talk to him about my needs. Hi Rosalind-yes I work–this is Mary McKennell here.
The work that I do makes a difference in people’s lives. I used to think that it mattered if I developed or managed programs that affected large number of lives, but I have learned to be content with touching one life at a time.
I gave a copy of the 10 things I want you to know handout to my new office-mate. I have not had to share office space in many, many years-so he is exposed to aspects of me behind our closed door that others do not see. I have a new supervisor and think I am going to use it with him also. My job has changed drastically and I have lost a lot of built in flexibility that I used to have to take rest periods. So i think I am going to have to talk to him about my needs.

]]> By: Rosalind http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1585 Rosalind Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:54:57 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1585 Dear Mary- What I like about your quote from Groopman's book is that believing that what you do makes a difference has so many implications. As you point out, it doesn't matter precisely what you do as long as you do it with intention. Do you work? Does that help you? Rosalind Dear Mary- What I like about your quote from Groopman’s book is that believing that what you do makes a difference has so many implications. As you point out, it doesn’t matter precisely what you do as long as you do it with intention. Do you work? Does that help you?
Rosalind

]]> By: Mary http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1584 Mary Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:12:13 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1584 I loved Jerome Groopman's book! One of the many things he said that I liked was that hope can flourish only when you believe that what you do can make a difference. A cure for my maladies? I would love that-but it remains in the back of my mind as a hope. Thinking about a cure does not help me get up every morning, or to do my work, or feel better today or tomorrow. I can only pray that I use each day and its allotted amount of energy in the best way I can. And I hope that the things that I do, the supplements I try, the medicine I take, all contribute to making a difference in the way that I feel. Mary I loved Jerome Groopman’s book!

One of the many things he said that I liked was that hope can flourish only when you believe that what you do can make a difference.

A cure for my maladies? I would love that-but it remains in the back of my mind as a hope. Thinking about a cure does not help me get up every morning, or to do my work, or feel better today or tomorrow. I can only pray that I use each day and its allotted amount of energy in the best way I can. And I hope that the things that I do, the supplements I try, the medicine I take, all contribute to making a difference in the way that I feel.

Mary

]]> By: Rosalind http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1583 Rosalind Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:26:28 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1583 Hey there, Stacy, I have purchased and read part of The 5 Gifts - but put it down due to so many other things on my plae. WIll finish it now that you mention it. I'm doing great. And you? How's the new job working for you? Rosalind Hey there, Stacy, I have purchased and read part of The 5 Gifts - but put it down due to so many other things on my plae. WIll finish it now that you mention it. I’m doing great. And you? How’s the new job working for you?
Rosalind

]]> By: Stacy http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1582 Stacy Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:09:28 +0000 http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2008/02/10/obama-hope-and-chronic-illness/#comment-1582 Hi Rosalind, If you liked "Anatomy of Hope," have you read "The 5 Gifts of Illness" by Jill Sklar? It's really great, and I think you would like it a lot. Hope you are doing well! Hi Rosalind, If you liked “Anatomy of Hope,” have you read “The 5 Gifts of Illness” by Jill Sklar? It’s really great, and I think you would like it a lot. Hope you are doing well!

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