I had already decided on the subject of this month's editorial, "Don't Let The Disease Define Who You Are", when I interviewed Dr. Greco for the In The Spotlight Feature.  Dr. Greco is psychologist who specializes in using mind-body therapies such as biofeedback and meditation to help chronic disease and pain patients.  In response to the question, "Do you believe that issues such as acceptance of a chronic disease and outlook on life influence chronic pain?", she replied a definitive yes and added:

"Probably most important is - the person needs to keep in mind that they are more than their disease, and realize that there is always more that is right with them than wrong with them!"

I realized that she had stated exactly what I had planned on talking about in the Editorial.  It is so vitally important, yet at times so difficult, to rise above the disease we are battling and to not let it consume our identity.  There is an abundance of evidence that shows that attitude can have a strong positive effect on health and quality of life.

Shortly after I changed the title of this feature to its current form, I received this note as feedback on the website:

"I think mental attitude is very important. My anger is with myself because I can call myself a wimp and say get over it and stop thinking about the pain. It works. You would not believe my medical history since the surgery or my age when I had the surgery and I am at work now...tell them to hang in and keep a can do attitude."

Mental attitude is important.  It is easy to fall into despair and depression.  Everyday, I hear the pain and the desperation of people who are overwhelmed, and can feel their raw emotions even through email. 

Action is the best defense against despair.  I strongly encourage people to be as active as they possibly can.  When you're doing something, there's no time for the pain, or for thinking about what you've lost.  Believe me, I know that these diseases can take a lot.  They can take dreams.  They can take jobs. They can take relationships.  But, by being active, we can maintain an identity above the disease and defend our inner self. 

A strong mental attitude can arise from a strong sense of self.  I've often wondered why in postings or correspondence people sign their names with a list of their conditions and symptoms.  I don't mean to offend anyone, but I think this is a mistake.  It is in essence saying you are defined by your disease. 

It is important to accept these diseases as part of who we are, because many of us must manage them on a daily basis.  Yet it is even more important to not let them consume us, to not give in to despair, and to live a life beyond them.  To be a father, a mother, a spouse, a friend, a teacher, an artist, etc.  To be a person.

Everyone of us is something larger than a disease, we just need to remind ourselves of that sometimes.

- Rick Labuda