Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Rejection has never felt so good.

Is it the good news or the bad news? This past week and for the third time, I was turned down as a participant in a clinical trial. Getting into one of these trials as a volunteer/participant is tougher than I thought it would be. This time, however, being turned down was the good news.


This particular study was to see if exercise could improve the cognitive function of those of us living with MS. You needed to have a minimal level of physical ability and some evidence of loss of cognitive function. The doctor gave me a physical exam and then the Clinical Director administered a test of 60 questions to measure thinking skills and memory processing speed. The good news is that I answered 59 of the 60 questions correctly. A high score
.

The bad news was that because of my
score, I was not an eligible candidate for the study. Geez……..I may never get into one of these clinical trials.

More than half of the people living with MS will experience some level of cognitive dysfunction. Another fact is that over time, the great majority of us will experience some physical disability. Given a choice (which I am not), I would choose to have the physical disability over the
cognitive disability every time. Luckily for me, that is how the course of my MS seems to be going.

Acceptance seems to be one of the best ways to live with a chronic condition….really, to live life under any conditions. By acceptance I don’t mean complacency or resignation. I mean accepting what is true, what cannot be changed and making the most out of whatever abilities I do have.

According to the test, my cognitive function is great. Will it always be that way? I can only hope so and can take steps to maintain the status quo, both mentally and physically. But if it changes, I know exactly what will do. Make the most out of whatever abilities I do have.

Will I ever get into one of these studies? I can only hope not.

Participate. Make a difference. Live a life that matters.

5 comments:

  1. Wow you did great to be rejected!! Wonderful for you
    kim

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  2. You really are a bright guy-I always knew it!
    Michelle

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  3. سلام علیک
    نتقد لمحبي محمد رسول الله و آله صل الله علیه و علیهم بأسمی آیات التهاني و التبریکات بذکری المبعث النبوي الشریف في مثل هذا الیوم بدأت البعثة و انطلقت الرسالة فالمبعث النبوي الشریف هو مبعث النور و مولد الرسالة و القرآن الکریم و انطلاقة الحضارة الأسلامیة ،
    ابارک لکم و لکل مسلمین هذا العید شریف

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  4. Once again, I agree.

    One of my favorite movies is "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" that illustrates that idea. When the body is rendered totally helpless by the diving bell, it can still find happiness through the memories and imagination of the butterfly.

    You do make a difference, Michael, and it is appreciated.

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  5. Hang in there, my friend! Good things come to good people! Since that is true, you will have AWESOME things coming your way! Get ready to receive them!

    Be Well.
    Paul.
    www.AllAboutGratitude.com

    ReplyDelete