Far from shambolic, this was very moving to me. I used to take my good health for granted, but having gone through my own cancer journey this past year -- doing well now -- I know how all-absorbing and mentally taxing the sudden refocusing on one's health can feel. At any rate, wishing you refuah shlema and healing in 2024.
I’ve never experienced any major physical health challenges, but having one mental breakdown several years ago completely changed my world in a similar way. Knowing that your mind can just decide to go on strike and you can forget how or be unable to do all the things you used to take for granted is profoundly destabilizing, like knowing there’s an invisible tripwire somewhere in your house.
Always glad to have the personal and professional from you. Take good care!
Beautifully written as always but also, I’m so sorry you’re going through this.
Far from shambolic, this was very moving to me. I used to take my good health for granted, but having gone through my own cancer journey this past year -- doing well now -- I know how all-absorbing and mentally taxing the sudden refocusing on one's health can feel. At any rate, wishing you refuah shlema and healing in 2024.
I really wish you kindness and calm and grace in all this. Thank you very very much for writing! I thought you might like - you probably do already - this little essay: https://thenewcriterion1926.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/woolf-on-being-ill.pdf
Alcohol?
I’ve never experienced any major physical health challenges, but having one mental breakdown several years ago completely changed my world in a similar way. Knowing that your mind can just decide to go on strike and you can forget how or be unable to do all the things you used to take for granted is profoundly destabilizing, like knowing there’s an invisible tripwire somewhere in your house.