Many of my friends are doing okay, but some have told me:
This sucks.
I have to cancel my birthday party.
Were really itching to do something soon.
Irina Kruglova/Adobe Stock
This staying in is hard for me because Im an extrovert.
And I hear them.
But I also think: This is what Ive been dealing with for 12 years of my life.
Not thecoronavirusoutbreak, of course, but a lot of the consequences that are coming with it.
And, yeah, it absolutely sucked.
It felt a little childish, a little selfish, crying small tears over my canceled event.
Seema Hoover, 36, is a cancer survivor and feels similarly during these times.
She underwent intensechemotherapyand immunotherapy for stages II and III Hodgkins lymphoma between 2015 and 2017.
(Immunotherapytries to help the immune system better fight cancer.)
Both treatments can leave people more susceptible to infection.
But I made do.
Laurens treatment included over three years of both immunotherapy and chemotherapy via I.V.
infusion followed by months of taking several kinds of chemotherapy pills.
Shes also endured multiple surgeries and radiation.
She is now on immunotherapy indefinitely.
As expected, the whole experience has pushed her to adapt her views on life.
With that jarring realization, though, came an upside of sorts, Lauren says.
I have already reached acceptance, Lauren says.
Ive learned to practice reacting to the way life approaches me instead [of the other way around].
So many of us have already been through each stage of grief over so many things that weve lost.
We are used to having to wait, very patiently, for things to get better.
Having seen a similar iteration of this reality already, we can lend our experience and expertise to newcomers.
Some advice from the chronically ill to everyone sheltering in place?
First, remember that physical isolation shouldnt automatically translate into emotional isolation.
Know that its temporary and that there are ways to connect, Hoover says.
Beyond that, give yourself some space to process.
Slow down as much as you could and take inventory of your daily life, like by journaling.
Keep record of whats happened, what you think is to come, and how you are feeling now.
As for dealing with the disappointment that comes from canceled plans?
After that, venture to reframe.
This is such an important part of my toolbox for dealing with chronic illness.
Sometimes theres really nothing to be done about the situation youre facing.
Finally, attempt to practice gratitude.
Of course, everyones situation is different.
If youre in good health, even more so.
It could always be worse, Hoover says.
