💡 Finding a Community When You Have a Health Issue (Issue 122)
Seek people who will understand and support you
“Your coronary calcium score is zero, which is amazing. The test didn’t find any evidence of coronary artery calcification. But it did identify a small aortic aneurysm, so we’ll check it again next year. Bye!”
Wait, what??? What does that mean?!
But the person from my doctor’s office had already ended the call, leaving me with no answers and lots of questions. Gotta love the American medical system!
So, I researched aortic aneurysms and discovered they are a complex condition. I had to learn more about what I was dealing with.
Where is it?
What kind of aneurysm is it?
How big is it?
Do I have any other aneurysms?
What should I do to slow the growth?
What should I avoid doing?
When should I get surgery?
What are the symptoms of a dissection or rupture?
What is the mortality rate?
I messaged my doctor but received no answers for weeks. So, I finally asked for a referral to a cardiologist.
In the meantime, I joined two Facebook groups to learn from other people with aortic aneurysms. Talking with them helped me considerably. They shared tips and advice, questions to ask my cardiologist, recommended tests to learn more about my situation, research articles, additional resources, etc.
More importantly, they gave me support and reassurance, which helped me calm down. It helps to know you're not alone. It helps to talk with survivors who tell you everything will be okay.
Note that I don’t necessarily recommend Facebook for a support group (I’m definitely not a fan of Meta services), but it wasn’t a terrible place to start. It takes more work to find other communities, but they do exist.
No doctor or specialist is perfect. They’re busy professionals, and they are human beings. So, it helps to have other resources you can tap into for more information. It also helps to have moral support from others who understand what you’re going through.
If you’re dealing with health issues, I highly recommend finding a supportive community that can help you navigate it!
I’m Larry Cornett, a Freedom Coach who works with you to optimize your career, business, and life. My mission is to help you become a more "Invincible You" so you can live your life on your terms instead of being controlled by someone else's rules. My wife and I live in Northern California near Lake Tahoe.
