Why I discuss my health issues on Slashdot

Journal soren42's Journal: Why I discuss my health issues on Slashdot 1

Journal by soren42 on Wednesday December 06, 2006 @02:32AM

Wow, I received one of the nicest comments I've ever seen on Slashdot this week. It was:

Posts like these is why I keep reading Slashdot...

And, even though it was posted by an Anonymous Coward, it was still a nice sentiment.

I'm usually hesitant to discuss my health problems with anyone, mostly because I try to be high-functioning, and I don't want pity. In fact, in a recent post to my gallery on deviantART, I exchanged these remarks with another artist:

"You know, I've had health problems my entire life, and people (mostly friends) always ask how I put up with it, how I deal with it, and how I can maintain such a positive attitude.

There's a truth of our existence - one that can be put several ways. There's always someone who has it worse. There's always someone better than you. There's always someone in more need than you. And for each of those statements, considered empirically, they're true for everyone but one person in each case.

Now, all that said, I may have a lot of health issues to deal with, and need to endure some painful, uncomfortable, and unpleasant treatments on regular basis. But, I have good health insurance, an accommodating employer, a supportive and loving family, and a very stable psyche. My family (both my wife and daughter, as well as my brother and father) is amazingly concerned and supportive. I have good healthcare providers (after going though several undesirable doctors), and good support staff (insurance advisor, pharmacist, and a PA that coordinates all my care). My close friends go above and beyond to ensure that both my family and I have everything we need, and offer assistance all the time.

So, when I have to stick a 2.5" needle into my leg with a very painful medication, it sucks. But, I'm not deluded or self-absorbed to the point that I'm interested in pity, or think that my life is not worth living."

That was the first online post I have even done regarding my health - in fact, I try to hide my problems from all but the closest of my coworkers. But, given the fact that I've almost entirely lost 2007, I've sort of changed that policy. I sent a note to my entire team at the office, explaining both my life-long health challenges, as well as sharing the details of my current, acute problem.

As for why I post about something so personal as my health on such a public forum, well, that's a complicated question. ^_^ Seriously, though, I post on here about my health when it is 1) relevant to the article or submission, 2) adds some value to the discussion (usually a unique perspective), and 3) is a shared experience with some small group of readers. I always hope to add value with my comments, but moreso with health-related ones. Here's are the comments I've posted:

In response to the article, " Morphine Relief Without Addiction? ", I commented on the profound difference between addiction and dependance.
And, in response to the article, " Scientists Find New Painkiller From Saliva ", I posted a comment on the need for better methods of dealing with chronic pain.

Finally, I recently decided to try and make a difference - both for myself and for others in similar situations. I've started an initiative that I'm calling the "Patient's Prescription". I posted about it (in this comment) in the same discussion as my most recent health-related post.

I'm setting up with three projects - an open source software project, Second Opinion(TM), a podcast, and a newsletter. Any help would be appreciated. Contact information is in my post referenced in the previous paragraph.

Thank you, again, to the reader for humoring me while I discuss my issues and plead for assistance. ^_^

This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.