How to Survive a Health Crisis or Chronic Illness

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How to Survive a Health Crisis or Chronic Illness
When sickness enters a marriage remember your vows and support each other with communication and love.
By Sarì Harrar and Rita DeMaria, Ph.D.

Reevaluation
First comes the shock: emergency treatment for a heart attack or stroke, for example. Or the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Or test results that reveal the presence of a chronic medical condition that will be with you -- and your marriage -- for the rest of your life, such as diabetes, arthritis, failing kidneys, or chronic pain.

Next comes the long haul. When a health condition travels home with you from the hospital or the doctor's office, it takes up residence in your kitchen and bedroom, on your calendar and in your daily lives, in your hearts and in your minds. "Coping with this illness will be part of your marriage from now on," notes Wayne M. Sotile, Ph.D., director of psychological services for the Wake Forest University Healthy Exercise and Lifestyles Program. "There's nothing more important for living well with any chronic disease than a happy, loving marriage." ....Read All the three written pages ...

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