http://lentaing.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/liveweak/ Living with Acute Mylogenous Leukemia Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:58:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://lentaing.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/liveweak/#comment-77 lentaing Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:32:25 +0000 http://lentaing.wordpress.com/?p=49#comment-77 you're totally right brock--cancer and depression are a twin disease that i'd like to rename suckage. i've had several bouts of depression in the past--and each time, i thought i "beat it" by fighting it. for example, i would exercise like a mad man to try to get my serotonin levels up; eat certain protein rich foods to get my testosterone levels higher; even shift my sleeping hours to maximize REM sleep. yeah, a little knowledge about the brain, in the wrong hands, can do a lot of harm :). but this time around, i've been so focused on my cancer, that i've given up on "fighting" my depression. which is to say, that instead of focusing on how bad things are, i try to think about the simple opportunities that each day presents. somedays, there aren't any. but i've surprised myself. and even without running 5 miles to get my endorphin fix, i'm coping with my depression--all w/o the "fight". you’re totally right brock–cancer and depression are a twin disease that i’d like to rename suckage. i’ve had several bouts of depression in the past–and each time, i thought i “beat it” by fighting it. for example, i would exercise like a mad man to try to get my serotonin levels up; eat certain protein rich foods to get my testosterone levels higher; even shift my sleeping hours to maximize REM sleep. yeah, a little knowledge about the brain, in the wrong hands, can do a lot of harm . but this time around, i’ve been so focused on my cancer, that i’ve given up on “fighting” my depression. which is to say, that instead of focusing on how bad things are, i try to think about the simple opportunities that each day presents. somedays, there aren’t any. but i’ve surprised myself. and even without running 5 miles to get my endorphin fix, i’m coping with my depression–all w/o the “fight”.

]]> http://lentaing.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/liveweak/#comment-76 brockkirwan Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:03:27 +0000 http://lentaing.wordpress.com/?p=49#comment-76 Amazing post. It strikes me that the War metaphor is also sometimes applied to mental illness (particularly depression). I think that you're perspective of living with the disease could be helpful in that case as well. And you know Len, if anyone can make me rethink my assumptions, it's you :) Amazing post. It strikes me that the War metaphor is also sometimes applied to mental illness (particularly depression). I think that you’re perspective of living with the disease could be helpful in that case as well. And you know Len, if anyone can make me rethink my assumptions, it’s you

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