Some Thoughts to Mull Over

Grey’s Anatomy has surprised me. Someone told me my last few posts have seemed all negative. In truth, I love TV (probably watch way too much of it) and I really like Grey’s and Heroes. With Heroes, I just think if they can’t make it new and good, they should end it and give us all some closure. Grey’s, on the other hand, seems to be thriving. They have come out of any slump you may have thought they were on.

I say this because these past episodes and especially this weeks, have brought up a couple really thoughtful and important things. To start, Izzie has decided to get treatment even though the odds say she will go through it all for nothing. So it made me think. Would I go through with the chemo, the surgeries, the loss of dignity for the mere shadow of hope, or live the rest of my time as I please. It’s easy to sit back on your sofa and answer, but if you REALLY think about it- what would you do? As humans, we have an innate instinct for survival. We are naturally inclined to do whatever we can even for the slim chance that it may give us another month or however long. But is that what’s best for you? For your family? Does it hurt them more to see your suffering prolonged? People say “oh but you can beat the odds.” If there’s a 1 in 2 million chance chemotherapy will give you another year, would you take it? Chemotherapy takes a lot out of life, so it leaves you with a lot to consider.

I realize this is morbid and maybe a bit depressing, but it just made me think, “Wow. That is an incredibly hard decision. And I thought deciding my classes for next semester was impossible.” So thinking about this may help you put things in a new light. A more appreciative light, perhaps?

The other point that Grey’s brought up in this episode was with Dr. Hunt and his suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It had been in earlier episodes, but this time it became a much bigger problem. *For those who did not see- His girlfriend Christina woke up to him choking her. He was not doing it consciously and she was able to scramble away after a while to the bathroom. It was hard enough to leave marks she had to cover.

So I applaud Grey’s Anatomy for bringing such an important topic to our TV screens. They used it to increase the drama on their show, but I think it’s informative too. PTSD is a real problem that many people suffer from, not just soldiers. However, since there is a war going on, PTSD has been in the news more recently in reference to those soldiers returning home. Unfortunately seeking help for it when you return is still seen as a weakness to some of these men and women. PTSD is probably more of a normal response than coming home and jumping right back into your husband/father or wife/aunt role. Think about it: many of those over seas are in combat and fearing for their lives every second. There is never a moment at ease for some and often, you must take another person’s life to save your own. It’s a daunting thought for me, to imagine having to kill another person. What if it were a kid? PTSD is nothing to be ashamed of. Here is a link for more information if you’re interested. It also offers information for the family and friends of those suffering from it. Even if you don’t know anyone with PTSD, it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. Awareness kills ignorance.

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/information/


With caring thoughts,
Pearl