People will often ask me, “How are you?” For a spoonie on the kidney transplant list, that’s a loaded question. How do I answer?
I could spew the whole unvarnished truth. “Well, you know, I’m exhausted. I’m short of breath, various parts hurt, I’m worried about how my health is impacting my marriage/kids/finances/career, I have to choose my wardrobe based on what the day’s symptoms are, the meds cause wild weight fluctuations, and sometimes the renal diet is a regular bummer. Potatoes, amirite? How are you?”
Yeah, no one wants to hear that.
The alternative is, “Fine, and you?” That’s not very truthful. I’m not fine.
I’m learning that as I get sicker and navigate what my new normal is, not being everyone else’s version of okay is really okay. Continue reading “I’m Okay, You’re Okay” →