April 13, 2009  

When we experience catastrophic illnesses it usually takes all the resources at our disposal in order to recover. These resources are sometimes compromised.
     We may not get better because our lives are controlled by memes, myths and practices that get in the way of our main objective – getting better and living longer.
    Most obvious of these is the smoker with lung cancer – but that really isn't a good example because, most often, cancer has already taken its toll. Cigarette smoking then can only provide some relief from the anxiety. It does, however, provide a good example for others to quit smoking when they see television ads extolling the qualities of portable oxygen tanks or you see someone toting one on a bus.
    Increasingly common, at least in North America, is the overweight person who continues to overeat. Solving their obesity problem is a matter of changing their practices. In effect, they have only themselves to blame for their situation. Of course, if they are children they can only eat what is put in front of them. If it isn't healthy it should be considered child abuse. This one may take another 100 years before it ever sees a courtroom.
    Many pray. They pray for themselves or others. When their prayers are combined with good medical assistance and correct pharmaceuticals, many of the afflicted get better. They may thank their god instead of their doctor or their medications. I would suggest that they never try to survive a serious malady on a desert island without a doctor and a drugstore.
    Over my 70 years I have observed many members of my family, their friends and mine, suffer. Many of them died. Often, more than memes, myths and practices stopped them from getting better.

Their recovery was compromised by stress
    In addition to their body having to cope with whatever malady bothered them, their minds were plagued with stress.
    Would they lose their job?
    Would the family survive without them or their paycheck?
    Would they enjoy life like they used to?
    Would they still be able to read a book, eat their favourite foods, love, listen, go fishing, play golf, have a the garden, drive a car, travel, etc.

And, in some countries, “How am I going to pay for the treatment?”
    “If I lose my job I will lose my health coverage.”
    “How can I afford to send my kids to college if this health problem eats up all our savings?”
    This last one – citizens worrying how they will pay for health services – helps identify nations that worship wealth above health. A truly great nation takes care of its people. Ignorant, arrogant and self-important nations need to be taken care of by their people.
    Perhaps the reasons US America does not have socialized medicine can be traced to its own memes, myths and practices.
    “Good Americans are successful Americans who can pay their way!”
    “God answers prayers!”
    “Heaven is a desirable destination so why fight it? You are going to a better place.”
    And most damning of all, “Socialized medicine is Communism!” (It appears that socialism is only a problem when it helps the little guys.)
    The fact that I am writing this posting is because socialized medicine had a lot to do with my survival – both physical and mental. My stroke and cancers were survivable because they were properly treated. Having access to these treatments was never a question because, in Canada, we have a universal health care program. Because of this program my mental survival was also helped. I never had to worry about paying for the treatments because I had already paid for them with my taxes.
    As I get “tested” again in a couple of weeks, my only thoughts are that my health care professionals will do the best that can be done. I can't do anything about the cancer. But I think that not having a troubled mind will contribute to the healing process – just as it has done so many times in the past. And if I lose this time, I figure I got more kicks at the can than lots of other people because I know how to live!
     I don't think prayer will do any good because I have learned to live . . . without gods!  

                            Anton Kozlik
   

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        *Terms and            Definitions
My articles may contain words or phrases that may infer different meanings to different readers, or the reader may be unfamiliar with the term or its definition. I feel it is important to know what the writer meant when he used a word or term.

cognitive dissonance —
Filtering out information that conflicts with what one already believes, in an effort to ignore that information and reinforce one’s beliefs.

Editors note: I will be repeating the “cognitive dissonance” definition for quite a while since it is practiced by so many — known by so few!