I’m swearing off health news, health advice, Dr. Oz, my second cousin in nursing school who calls me in the middle of the night to tell me about glioblastomas, and my friend T. who finished his intern year and thinks sick people should just be killed, even if they only have a hangnail.
I don’t know but I’m scared shitless. I’m the special kind of hypochondriac. The one who never sees doctors but wonders when her good fortune of great health would run out. I was watching the news (my first big mistake of the day) and caught the tail end of the tragic death of a young girl (only 24) from uterine cancer. I didn’t even know people her age would get it, much less die from it.
And then I answered a long distance phone call (my second big mistake of this xaar day). A dude I knew from high school’s brother dies after a six month battle with leukemia, the second fucking person younger than me dying of that soul-sucking illness.
I know, I know, it sounds like I’m dealing with mortality issues now that I’m getting on in the years, getting long in the tooth, and all the other mean-ass cliches about being older than 16. But I really am not. I’m just developing this horror-fear-nausea-disgust-numbness response to news about sickness and sick people.
Finally, I check my e-mail (third and final mistake of a marathon stupidity day) and it has a scanned article from some magazine from my younger brother . Yes, the same donkey who was supposed to find a nice girl this past summer, make my parents some grandchildren and get them off my paranoid back. Noooo, he doesn’t go out and find this nice girl, instead, he clips an article about a woman who gets the human version of mad cow disease 20 years after she became a dedicated vegetarian.
I don’t eat red meat now but I did when I was a kid because that’s what we bloody ate at home. Mad cow, mad goat, mad squirrel. There is nothing I can do about that now, is there? Thanks brother, I hope you are stalked by a mad neighbour in spandex.
September 4, 2008 at 2:10 am
I’m sorry dear that you’re feeling this way. It is very cliché to tell you not to worry because there is nothing you can do about all these what-if situations. And yes, that statement is correct but it’s also human to worry and wonder when you receive that much bad news on the same day.
All you can really do in such a situation is be thankful for your own health and if someone you know has a terminal illness (I have several, some younger, a few slightly older) all you can really do for them too is lend an ear when they really need to talk which can be quite often.
Don’t fret too much about it – not to repeat it, there is no need to worry about something you have absolutely no control over. The only person you’re harming is yourself with needless worry.
With that said, which turned out longer than I thought, I’ll bid you adieu my friend.
September 4, 2008 at 9:37 am
Allah the Almighty says in Surat Al-Baqara” And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the steadfast, (155) Who say, when a misfortune striketh them: Lo! we are Allah’s and lo! unto Him we are returning. (156)
indeed there is no need to worry about something we have absolutely no control over.
this could be another item in your list of “mistakes” but there you go!.
kidney failure, liver diseases and various types of cancer are widely spread, in the city where i live!. and these diseases are related to exposure to harmful environmental conditions. the air pollution is choking. water tastes funny, food is poisoned, the air is thick, gray and there is always a haze over Cairo . The sky is not blue, but its gray.!!! it was reported that the last person seen the stars in this city was the mummy!
Ramadan Kariim sis. May Allah bless us all and Give us good health and calmness.
September 4, 2008 at 11:36 am
I would tell you to not worry but I am sure that has no meaning for you. I always say we’re all going to die at some point and when is not really up to us …. so why worry about.
September 4, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Worrying is similar to paying interest on the problem. This is because it doesn´t provide a solution but kills your time and energy.
That said, I still find it difficult not to worry about everything. Best thing to do is to leave to Allah….what will be will be for we have no control over the trials that await us in this world and the hereafter.
But then again,we are human beings and all this is easier said than done.
InshaAllah kheyr sis
September 7, 2008 at 1:39 pm
AMTAF, I’ve always had a heightened fear of disease, even as a young child. And I’ve always been extremely blessed with excellent health. Do you ever wonder when your good fortune would run out?
And you are absolutely right, my dear friend, there is no real point in worrying about something you cannot change for the most part.
M. Haji, I’ve read that Egypt has one of the highest rates of kidney and liver failure but I had such a difficult time believing it. I’ve since read more and realize that the quality of their daily diet as well as pollution have ruined the general health of the populace. I hope you don’t live in those crowded and highly polluted areas! LOL @ the mummy. Ramadan Kareem walaal and ameen to your du’aa.
ASG, yes indeed! Ramadan kareem, sis.
Native, I like that interest analogy! How’ve you been, hon? I’ve been more aware of my fortunes and blessings lately, and hence all the unnecessary anxiety. When they end, they end
September 13, 2008 at 11:00 pm
i’ve been readin’ ya blog 4 da last 3 weeks …waintin’ “”Ramadaan Kareem”…and you ain’t said ramadaan kareem 2 ya readers..umm!…i applogize if i crossed da red stripe…cuz it’s ma first tyme 2 leave a comment..!
September 16, 2008 at 3:06 pm
boxin’ ma shadow, welcome! Thanks for reading my blog and you’re always welcome to come around and comment whenever you want.
September 29, 2008 at 1:18 am
umm! 10x i’ll try but don’t forget 2 say eid mubaraak if u forgotten ramadan kareem….!