About me

PROFILE:
I have been writing poetry and stories since I was a child, and a love of reading was instilled in me from an early age. I am passionate about writing, and hope you enjoy the books I have written. Whilst most of you sleep soundly in your beds, like many Parkinson’s patients, insomnia dictates, so during those hours that sleep eludes me, the house is tranquil and quiet, an atmosphere perfect to immerse myself in writing. My life has been a series of strange events, which have without doubt contributed to my creativity. To publish anything is to bear one’s soul to the world. It is to stand naked and let everyone see who you really are. I have poured my heart and soul out on paper and I hope to share this journey, immersing you in a story, capturing your attention and firing the imagination. Through my writing and public speaking I hope to bring greater awareness to the general public about living with chronic disease.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

In good hands


Being chronically ill is not a matter of simply being diagnosed and treated by a doctor. There is so much more to treating a patient, which can ultimately lessen the severity of the symptoms, and in some cases, slow the progression of the disease itself, ensuring a better quality of life. If a patient feels he/she is understood by the doctor and respective family and friends, this gives valuable beneficial support and empathy to the person who is ill. Like the reflection of the sun on the ocean, it radiates back, so understanding fully what someone is going through (whatever the disease) and making allowances, being tolerant and identifying with the person’s symptoms is equally important as diagnosis and medication. I am extremely fortunate to be under the care of doctors who understand the importance of narrative medicine, which makes me feel I am in good hands. I value and trust their opinions, and they in return listen to what I report on my visits and pay attention to family medical history and detail. Treating a patient as a person, and not merely as an interesting medical case, encourages the patient to open up, and valuable dialogue between doctor and patient can transpire. When I walk into a doctor’s office, the doctor always looks up as I enter, eye to eye contact is made, my first name is applied, and an interest with compassion is conveyed. This is the sign of a good doctor. 

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