What People Do Not Tell You Often
No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow
A month ago, I lost someone close to the complications of Wilson’s disease. She was 27 and her life was just starting [or so we thought]. She was the only daughter of her parents, had just launched a makeup line, and completed her nursing degree. There were a lot of big plans. Her burial was yesterday.
According to Healthline, Wilson’s disease is a rare genetic disorder that causes copper poisoning in the body. It affects about 1 in 30,000 people worldwide. The liver cannot remove extra copper properly. This extra copper builds up in organs such as the brain, liver, and eyes.
Now, if diagnosed early enough, the disease can be stopped from making progress. Treatment usually involves taking medication or getting a liver transplant. Delaying or not receiving treatment can cause liver failure, brain damage, or other life-threatening conditions. Specialists diagnose most people between years 5 and 35. This lady had her diagnosis at 27.
How did her symptoms start and play out?
If I remember clearly, her symptoms started with leg swelling. Then later, it was abdominal swelling. When she went to the hospital, they noticed her liver enzymes were out of range but weren’t sure what was responsible. At first, at weekly intervals, they drained excess fluid from her body.
After a couple of months, a specialist clinched the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease. She then started her treatment. Unfortunately, she reacted badly to the treatment and ended up in the ICU, hanging to life. After about 2–3 weeks in the ICU, they transferred her to the wards. They believed the worst was over. Discussions about liver transplants had begun. All that was needed was the lady’s consent and for her to stabilize.
In the early hours of one morning, she started vomiting blood. It wouldn’t stop and eventually, she passed from hypovolemic shock. I suspect the dysfunctional liver contributed to that bleeding. The liver has a major role to play in controlling bleeding from anywhere, and if it goes wacko, that function goes Jacko.
The thoughts that follow
Ill health and Death always put life into perspective. When someone close is very ill or dies, you see things differently. Your priorities change. Some things that seem so important lose their importance and vice versa. Many times, death is like a long advertisement while watching a really long movie, and in this case, life.
Since my dad passed, I have learned to prioritize. My friend’s death is a fresh reminder. I invest time in relationships, in the care of my soul, and in making sure I am happy. The rat race and money chasing are not as drastically important as we make them out to be. They have their role and should play those roles. That’s it. They should not replace the things that really matter.
I also invest in my health. After all, Jim Rohn reminds us to “take care of your [our] body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
Some other things that have crossed my mind…
Her diagnosis came at 27. It could have come earlier. So basically, providence delayed the discovery of her disease. There was time to influence her siblings, her parents, and her friends. If only they knew she didn’t have all the time, they would have spent more time bonding. I remember on the day she died, her father wouldn’t stop crying. He wouldn’t speak, he wouldn’t eat or drink. I felt deeply sorry.
She tried to enjoy herself. I hope she really did. So that the 27 years would have been worthwhile. There are those who do not have that much time. This is my 41st year, and that realization keeps growing. If you have the realization, then make every moment count.
Thanks, Jason Edmunds.
“No one here gets out alive” — Jim Morrison