"Driving Miss Norma" became a Facebook sensation two years ago after Norma was diagnosed with uterine
cancer and told her doctor, "I'm hitting the road." Accompanied by her son, daughter-in-law and their dog, Ringo, Norma took off across the U.S. and posted stunning photos of herself enjoying life to the fullest. She's become the poster child for how people with chronic/terminal illness dare to live out the rest of their days feeling blessed. Indeed, Norma's smile never faded.
While medical care relies on scientific evidence, palliative care is better appreciated as an ideology or faith-based way of life. It's best to separate them into a left and right-brain approach. The two combined form integrative health. Like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups combine peanut butter and chocolate to wow the senses, integrative health satisfies the mind, body and
spirit.
While chronically ill patients need both medical and palliative care, few understand the benefits of palliative care, and their physicians are often at a loss as to how to explain this type of care. ("Psychosocial symptom management" sounds like gobble-de-gook to most
patients.)
Patients become vulnerable and stressed out when they're sick. Despite the best of intentions, physicians often contribute to patients' pain and suffering. Patients need to maintain control of their own medical decisions and final destinies if they want to achieve peace of mind. They need to
hope less and live more.
Here are five easy reminders to
"live a little" with chronic illness:
