Hi all. I wanted to share some articles I came across regarding people who are sick but don't look it. I started this search mostly for myself because I often hear people say how good Ray looks. I'm very ashamed to say hearing this caused me to doubt. So I thought I should educate myself. So I hope this helps someone out there as much as it has helped me.
Here is a short copy and paste from an article @
http://www.publichealthalert.org/Articles/susanwilliams/10%20commandments.htmlI hope you will read it all.
------------------------------
But You Don’t LOOK Sick... 10 Commandments For Interacting With The Chronically Ill
Ten Commandments.
1. Thou Shalt Not Imply That We Are Not Truly Ill.
You will not convince us otherwise with remarks such as, “You LOOK good,” or “But you don’t LOOK sick.” Even if you meant them as compliments, we perceive those kind of statements as insults because they imply that you do not believe us.
-------------------
Here is another about a woman who has had juvenile arthritis since she was a teen.
http://midatlanticarthritis.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/oldies-but-goodies-you-dont-look-sick-the-face-of-invisible-illness-arthritis-sure-aint-pretty-by-ashley-boynes/What I do ask in writing this, is for everyone to get past your perceptions of what a sick person should or shouldn’t be, do, look, say or feel.The same illness might affect me far less than someone else who has it, or vice versa. One day I may be a seemingly healthy, happy-go-lucky 25-year-old who is able to maintain a “normal” life – but the next day, I may be worried sick (pardon the pun) because I can’t eat or sleep, my medications may be giving me side effects, and the pain and lack of energy may be too much to bear. I might not be in a good mood, or feel much like talking or hanging out, even when I’m trying to put on a strong, positive, and happy front.
I literally may not be able to physically do the same things you can do, even if it seems to be a simple and mundane task. You should never judge others on any level, and should also keep in mind that some illnesses and disabilities are pretty “well-hidden,” especially for those of us who do try to maintain as “normal” a life as humanly possible.
I like a quote that I came across: “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”
You may never know what excruciating path someone had to take to get to where they are, or what internal struggles they bear each day. So whether it is cancer, depression, or chronic fatigue syndrome; or whether it is a learning disability or another invisible handicap – never judge. Don’t be quick to jump to conclusions, for someone may be having the worst day of his or her life, and facing private battles that you would never see on the surface – whether health-related or otherwise.
----------------------
Here is one more about prostate cancer statistics.
@
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/prostate-cancer/treatment/statistics-and-outlook-for-prostate-cancerGleason grade or score
With prostate cancer, your outlook also depends on how the cells look under a microscope. This is called the grade of your cancer. In prostate cancer, this is recorded as your Gleason score. A Gleason score of between 2 and 6 is a low grade prostate cancer. It is likely to grow very slowly. A Gleason score of 7 is an intermediate grade that will grow at a moderate rate. A Gleason score of 8 to 10 is a high grade cancer that is likely to grow more quickly.
If your Gleason score is low and you are older or have early stage disease your doctor is likely to suggest watching and waiting (also called active monitoring). This is because your cancer may not spread or cause any trouble. If you have a high Gleason score, are younger or have higher stage disease your doctor is more likely to suggest you have active treatment such as surgery or radiotherapy.
Stage 4
In about 20 to 30 out of every 100 men (20 to 30%) the cancer has spread to another part of their body when they are diagnosed with prostate cancer. This advanced disease is called stage 4 prostate cancer. About 1 in 3 men with advanced prostate cancer (30%) will live for at least 5 years after they are diagnosed. Again, this is a relative statistic. So it is only related to prostate cancer, and not the risk of dying from other causes. Many men with prostate cancer are older and the disease can be very slow to develop, so it may not end up affecting their life span.
----------------
I just want to add this has been an answer to my prayers. I have struggled with this for some time but now I can have sympathy instead of doubt.
Please read the articles in their entirety, some very good info there.
This is for all you out there who are ill in some way but otherwise might look "healthy".
Peace,
G. Driggs