TV Programs and Illness
“Well, you look good?! ” is a blog that was started by Michelle in Lewisburg, TN . She recently blogged the following about the TV show House that aired this week.
On Monday’s episode of House, the patient had chronic pain and had been to seven specialists in three years. The whole episode hit very close to home. I wish I could put this episode on a DVD and hand it out to everyone who tells me…well, you look good. It is hard each and everyday and most days the pain is not visible. Please keep my family in your prayers, especially my kids. My illness is just as hard on them as it is on me.
Michelle shares a little bit about herself in her bog… “In February 2005, I was diagnosed with three chronic illnesses. The first illness, scleritis, is an auto-immune disease which causes thinning of the white layer of my left eye. Fibromyalgia, my second diagnosis, is an increasingly recognized chronic pain illness which is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue and sleep disturbances. Last but NOT least migraine headaches.”
Have you caught a television program you thought portrayed chronic illness or invisible illness well done? We’d love to hear!
Michelle, I agonize with you, esp. for your relationship with your children. I’m older and have finally made close acquaintance with my chronic illnesses that began two decades ago and kept me from my career as a journalist. My youngest, a daughter, is grown and loves me. She was the one who shouted (for herself, really)that she would not grow up to be like me. I hope to write more for chronic pain and invisible illnesses this year. May you always be aware of the power within you though these illnesses lie within your body. May you always be aware that your inner power is stronger than anything and will overcome, even in the end. Bless you.
Carol Hegberg
January 26, 2009
Please read the updated post on the House episode. Thanks, Michelle
Michelle
January 26, 2009
‘Mystery Diagnosis” on Discovery Health Channel portrays the process of being diagnosed with a difficult illness to be very real and accurate. I relate to their stories easily. It took eight years of going to doctors before I was diagnosed with Lupus and then a couple of months later I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Finding doctors that do not take me seriously and does not make prove to them all my past blood work. I have been living with my diagnoses for 19 years. A TV show concerning living with illnesses and triumphing in spit of them would be a very good series. Concerning the article in the Jacksonville newspaper, I am a type “A” person who has been married for 25 years,has a Bachelors and Master degree, and two children. I resent that doctor’s sterotype of people who have illnesses. It is hard enough getting taken seriously without a doctor making statement that are opinionate and stupid. If you want to send this submission in to the paper, please do.
Tatiana Bowers
February 19, 2009