When the Doctor Says “No Cure”

I know it doesn't feel like it right now. But it won't always be like this meme - purple writing on pink backgroundWhich they do sometimes. They did to me. There is ‘no cure’ for several of my conditions.

In fact, there’s no real treatment either.

And I’ve had friends with the same “there is no cure” speech.

Some have been told that there’s nothing that can be done, some that they just need to go home and get used to it, others have been told worse.

If you are facing a life limiting illness or a long life with a lot of pain, it doesn’t disprove the fact that you are alive now and have power.

‘No cure’ doesn’t mean no hope.

It doesn’t mean no life.

There can be a lot of life after the big ‘no cure’, which is what most of my work will be dedicated to, so stick around and read on.

The illness may feel like it takes all your time and energy, but there is life, hope and healing that can be done.

First things first

Know that you are not alone. You are in good company.

A lot of wonderful people have been given the ‘no cure’ speech and many have gone on to live long and well.

I won’t pretend, no cure isn’t a picnic. It can be ‘an initiation into a lifetime of pain and hampered movement’.

I don’t move to pick up a book or reach for a glass of water without mentally assessing how I will make the movement and how I can alter it to minimise the pain I’m in. Some days it’s not worth it, and I’ll wait and ask someone to pass me the water later or just make a note on my hand instead of in the notebook just out of reach.

Mostly I make sure I have water and notepads always to hand.

We work around these things.

Life limits

For some of us, the no cure speech can be about a life limiting illness, and it’s terrifying, and unfair and you want to live. I know.

In this instance, connect – connect to your family, to your loved ones, to what will comfort you and to what your soul is insisting be done. Right now you get to react whatever way you choose to, but this might help if you don’t know how to move from this point.

Ok, I’ve been told no cure, now what?

I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I can give you some guidelines for your journey:

May I suggest beginning by untangling your emotions.

Putting together a healing team and doing something nice for yourself today.

Taking everything one breath at a time.

I’m reaching out a hand to you, it might not always be as bad as you think. We can get through this together, really, really.