I have two dogs and both have had their fair share of medical issues. I’ve talked much more about my black lab Tashi who has suffered with recurrent infections due to MRSA. I’ve learned a lot about facing illness and creating a new normal from her. This past weekend my other dog, Bella, visited the vet because of a cyst in her ear.
As it turns out, Bella has a hematoma in her ear. It was drained and a cortisone injection to reduce the swelling was administered.
During the examination the doctor noticed Bella required dental work with the probability that a tooth would need to be pulled. If that weren’t enough, she has a cyst in the middle of her head that we decided is she’s going to be under anesthesia should probably be removed.
Bella was sent home with a bandage covering her ear. Unfortunately, she kept trying to remove it so we had to get one of those big radar dishes for her head. The poor thing was bumping into walls, tripping over things, and was generally a bit disoriented.
This morning I took Bella to the bet for her procedure. She was very good in the exam room, probably because she was scared. She began to shiver. Her anxiety was evident and trying to console her did little good. The vet was very good with her and he too tried to console her. So why am I talking about a 10-1/2 year old dog? Because dogs don’t understand their pain, the medical procedures they endure, or adjusting to medical devices for their own protection.
On the other hand, as humans we also don’t understand pain, medical procedures, or medical devices that become part of our every day lives. Too many of us try and make sense of our illnesses, but is that even possible?
When we enter the medical arena we often try and hide our fear and anxiety, but it still always comes through. Because illness is so disorienting how do we try and alleviate the panic? It’s important to have people in your life that will help you disperse the anxious energy. Talking, engaging in creative activities, finding a spiritual director, illness coach, or psychotherapist helps with those anxious moments.
What would happen if you really experienced the anxiety so you could disperse it into the universe? We expend so much energy trying to hide it or suppress it that we are continually exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had a clinical supervisor who said, “You can’t get out of something if you’re never in it”. It’s like dancing around the mouth of the volcano…sometimes you have to jump in so you can know what you’re getting out of, experientially.
My dogs are my examples for coping with illness. They seem fearless, truly a projection. They provide me with insights into the illness experience that I wouldn’t have made conscious any other way. It is because of that, that I am eternally grateful and I make sure any way I can be of service to them I will.
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 