N4L 106: "When There Is No Cure" by Craig K. Svensson

 SUMMARY In his book, When There Is No Cure: How to Thrive While Living with the Pain and Suffering of Chronic Illness, author Craig K. Svensson answers the crucial question: “How do you live well when the physical foundation of your life is crumbling?” This is the challenge for millions who live with diseases for which there is no cure. These incurable ailments produce a life of constant pain, fatigue, numbness, dizziness, and other debilitating symptoms that create chronic suffering. In When There Is No Cure, Dr. Svensson guides readers to a path of thriving when life’s journey includes an incurable ailment. Drawing on his expertise as a pharmacist-scientist, as well as a fellow sufferer with several incurable diseases, Svensson helps patients steer through the twists and turns of life with chronic illness. KEY POINTS Living well – even thriving- is possible and important. Some estimate that 10 percent of the population suffers from a disability or limitation that’s “invisible” (not obvious) to even the people closest to them. Before sharing your condition, ask yourself why someone would want to know and what would happen if they found out from another source. Instead of focusing on your level of pain, focus on how your condition affects your function and goals. Prepare a summary of your health condition--much like an elevator pitch. To avoid developing friction, everyone touched by the chronic illness must communicate openly. Pain specialists look at things holistically and help you understand what the pain is limiting in your life, direct you to resources that can help alleviate pain or compensate for challenges. Plan ahead to make inevitable shifts in recreational activities or professional pursuits. QUOTES FROM SVENSSON “I have a nice triad of diseases that impacts the way that I live life but also has taught me how you can thrive in the midst of living with a variety of chronic illnesses.” “Thriving gets down to the valued relationships that we have…as well as being able to enjoy the diversity of things in life that we can experience.” “We’re always faced in life with the things we can and cannot do, so we need to put these things in perspective.” “When you’re living with pain, it’s more than just physical; it moves into the relational.” “Hope is the seed from which victorious living can grow in the bed of affliction.” BUY When There Is No Cure: How to Thrive While Living with the Pain and Suffering of Chronic Illness  RECOMMENDATION With help from the Mayo Clinic, find a support group that works for you. Connect with us! Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Website Special thanks… Music Credit Sound Editing Credit