{"id":1568,"date":"2015-02-23T21:02:24","date_gmt":"2015-02-23T21:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1568"},"modified":"2015-02-22T21:23:53","modified_gmt":"2015-02-22T21:23:53","slug":"food-for-thought-sifting-through-all-that-info","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2015\/02\/food-for-thought-sifting-through-all-that-info.html","title":{"rendered":"Food for Thought: Sifting through All That Info!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maureen<\/a>When you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness especially one that is very serious and affects many aspects of your life, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount and variety of information available to you. The moment you leave the doctor’s office, your head might start spinning with what he or she told you and the further questions you have. By the time you get home, confusion, muddy and murky, might set in, so you start making phone calls, looking at books, and, of course, consulting the Internet. There, oh, my! Far from clarity, you might find even deeper, unfathomable waters!<\/p>\n

Sifting through all the information available through these and other venues can be more than a full-time job. And if you are troubled, sad, or otherwise negatively impacted emotionally by the diagnosis (which is completely natural), along with your quest for understanding might be more than a dollop of frantic hope that somewhere, somehow, you’ll be able to get a quick cure and all will be well again.<\/p>\n

“Back in the day,” salespeople traveled around the country selling elixers, potions and lotions and other alleged balms, most of which did not work and many of which did harm instead of good. Today, you might not have someone knocking at your door, but there are plenty of ill-advised avenues on the ‘Web and elsewhere. Some things never change!<\/p>\n

Beyond the hype and above all the noise of conflicting information, here are some things I’ve found helpful:<\/p>\n

o \u00a0Your primary doctor is your primary source of treatment and information. He or she knows your health history best and is in the best position to guide you. Trust your doctor as your primary source for guidance and, certainly treatment or, if your medical condition is best treated by a specialist, work with that doctor, too, and facilitate communication between him or her and your primary doc.<\/p>\n

o \u00a0Write down all of your questions and take them into your doctor. Schedule an “information” appointment, if need be, and bring a tape recorder or a friend so that you can revisit what your doc says. Ask your doctor what he or she thinks is the most credible source of additional information (a patient advocacy group, for example, or a book)<\/p>\n

o When you tell your physician about any medications you are taking, include everything, including any dietary supplements or over-the-counter medication. This is crucial to your doctor’s ability to effectively evaluate and treat your condition.<\/p>\n

o \u00a0Understand that there is still much that medical science hasn’t figured out, and sometimes, your doctor might tell you he or she doesn’t know how long your symptoms will last or why they came up in the first place. Continue to touch base with your doctor about anything new that has developed in the realm of treatments and\/or other considerations regarding your illness – for many diseases, research has only just begun!<\/p>\n

o \u00a0Be honest about how you contribute to your overall health. If exercise, diet, weight management, and other considerations figure into effective treatment or maintenance living with your illness, you are the person who has to take responsibility for following the guidelines and instructions given to you by your doctor, physical therapist, or other medical professional.<\/p>\n

Peace,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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