Thursday, November 03, 2005

Sometimes you can't decide if it is good news or bad news. On the one hand, the diagnosis of Heather's condition appears to have been wrong. From a condition defined by symptoms and with a known progression and resolution, but with a still undetermined causative agent, she has gone to "nope, not that" -- but getting better quicker.

I think she learned a good deal from the experience of being a 10% or so, and appreciates the recovery. She has always been empathic, but being so sick she couldn't even shoot, had to drop some classes and realized that she might miss graduation from all the days she missed from school, I think that taught her something.

Luckily I was ahead at work before this all started, but it gave me some rough days too.

My wife always thinks of me as minimizing the bad or the chance that something will go bad. I don't, really, but I always tend to downplay the seriousness of things from both ends. I've noticed that most people tend to inflate a little, and that means that until people get to know me, and just assume that I'm inflating a little, much of what I say gets a double discount, once from me, once from the listeners. I'm still learning to overcome that, something I was taught as a kid (and was a good lesson then).

I'll say I'm relieved at how my oldest is recovering, and you can all understand that I'm understating how I feel. I'll leave it at that.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm an over-reactor and my dh is an under-reactor, so I can understand that. Sounds like you've been through storm yet again. So I am with you in expressing gratitude at Heather's recovery. My prayers are with you.

Stephen said...

It is like the time Heather and the Warnock girls drank fertilizer. Everyone turned out ok and it was the first time in a while I'd gone to a hospital and no one died.

Hard in a way, but good to have a normal experience. It isn't as if normal life quits happening, and getting through it makes it easier to get through it.

In this, it was stressful, but healthy. I only blogged about it after the hard part was over, and if things had gone worse, would not have blogged about it at all.

annegb said...

I live in fear that something will happen to one of my kids, so I know how you feel. We had Sarah at the doctor constantly. I think I made her a little neurotic.

annegb said...

I read your post again. What does Heather shoot? What were her symptoms?

Just curious.

Stephen said...

Heather is the commander (team captain) of the rifle team.

She had/has red splotches all over except where she had the lightest of tans. Itching, malaise, etc.

Getting better now.

David B. said...

Stephen,

I have spent some time lately reading some of your blog archives, and some of your pre-blog journals. My heart goes out to you and your family, and the great trials you've endured. I couldn't help but think of Job when I read about some of your experiences.

Having Heather come down with a "mystery" illness had to be traumatic for everyone in your family. It's good to hear she's doing better.

I admire your courage and your strength. You may not necessarily think of yourself in those terms, but you are an example for many.

I wish you and your family well.

Also, thanks for stopping by my blog, and for blogrolling me.

- David B.

annegb said...

Did they check for lupus?