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[retention]

I was going to make a post about my Vons experience today. That'll come later.

Our friend Steve, pictured here with a semi-drunk Jason, has MELAS. Which prior to today I was calling "his disease", because the actual name for it is quite lengthy, and I could never remember the abbreviation. The full name for it (I believe) is "mitochondrial

Comments

[readysteadystop]

Please do not make the mistake that many people make... do not dwell on the disease. Make the most of your time with your friend and let him know that you appreciate him for who he is and that you are there for him when needed... but help him maintain normalcy.

When someone is diagnosed with a progressive and potentially/definitely fatal disease, it can be difficult to move past that and not allow the disease to define who you are - for both the person diagnosed and the people around them. As it progresses and affects your ability to lead a "normal" life, you begin to feel like a burden to others and that can be quite depressing. This is when friends & family are needed the most - because you need to be reminded that you are not a burden and that you can continue being strong and living life despite the adversity dealt to you. Do not see it as him being gone sooner rather than later. Keep up hope that things will get better or even out and make the most of the friendship you have with him.