Welcome to the "-itis" club

As people mature, some like to join a tennis club, others join a country club. Me, I’ve joined the “-itis” club.

Not familiar with the “-itis” club? Well, it’s not at all exclusive. Anyone can join. Yes, we have a strict membership policy, but we don’t exclude based on race, religion or financial status.

A few years ago, on a visit to my primary care physician, I mentioned an ache in my thumbs and hands. I figured it might be carpal tunnel syndrome. Nope. My doctor assured me that what I was feeling was the beginning of arthritis. This was my entry into the “-itis” club.

Last week, I further cemented my membership when I received the results of an MRI. You see, I’ve been having pain in my shoulder and my arm whenever I reach behind me or extend my arm fully. The diagnosis? Bursitis and tendonitis. Whoo hoo, lucky me! Two more status symbols for my “-itis” club membership.

Gee, if I’m really lucky, maybe I can swing dermatitis, colitis and phlebitis. I guess I should be thankful that so far I’ve managed to avoid tonsillitis and appendicitis. Both my young son and my niece contracted cellulitis of the eye, and were lucky to keep their vision. (See, we don’t discriminate by age either!) My friend’s dad (who’s also in the club) has suffered from pancreatitis, which is very painful, so I’m crossing my fingers against that one. Although, with the arthritis and all, that might not be such a good idea.

The suffix “-itis” is derived from a Greek suffix and can be traced back to the Greek noun “nostos”, which means disease. When an organ or body part becomes swollen or inflamed, the suffix “-itis” is added to the end. (I’m starting to sound like the father in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”. Maybe Windex could cure my bursitis).

I’m fairly sure my husband wouldn’t mind if I contracted a case of laryngitis, even if only for a day or so, but I doubt he’d be thrilled if I had hepatitis. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids (wow, the things you learn on the internet.) Prostatitis is something I’ll never have to worry about (though my husband better watch out). If I don’t bundle up, I could also catch bronchitis and sinusitis.

And who knows, now that I’m firmly entrenched in the “-itis” club, I might try for dual membership in the “-osis” club. (“-osis” is a suffix that refers to a process, condition or state, usually abnormal or diseased.) My father and mother-in-law both have spinal stenosis, and my son has mild scoliosis. If I drink too much, I could end up with cirrhosis. Cook that pork chop thoroughly, or I might end up with trichinosis. And hey, how ‘bout that two for one deal: Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis.

I guess the thing that bothers me most about being in the “-itis” club is that when I complained to my doctor about the arthritis, the bursitis and the tendonitis, her reply was, “Well, that’s what you can expect at this age”.

Ouch. I think that hurts more than all the “-itis” and “-osis” combined.

Last Night I Dreamed of Haiti

The other night, I dreamed I went to Haiti. My companions and I drove there, in a car loaded with food and medical supplies. In the dream, I slept for most of the drive, finally waking when we reached our destination. We stayed in a very large home, which at the time housed about 20 other people. The people were happy to see us, and welcomed us with friendly smiles and open arms. “Thank you for coming, “they said, “Although we’re actually doing quite well, now.”

You can tell this was a dream for two reasons. For one, it’s impossible to drive to Haiti (there’s an ocean in the way). And secondly, the people of Haiti will not be “quite well” for a very, very long time.

I believe this dream was prompted by the many ways I’ve witnessed people coming to the aid of a country that was struggling even before the devastating earthquake of last month. Just this weekend, I watched an interview with Julie Pearce, a Minnesota news anchor who quit her job to go help the people in Haiti. Pearce is also a certified nurse, and moved by the images of the earthquakes devastation, decided to put her career, family and life on hold to volunteer her services.
How many of us could actually make that sacrifice? And if we could, would we? I’m reminded of the book of Luke, which my bible class is studying this year. The disciples who dropped everything to follow Jesus amaze me. They just left their boats, fishing nets and families behind in order to follow a calling. I couldn’t imagine myself having the courage to do such a thing. I couldn’t imagine anyone today having that same strength of purpose.

And yet, look at these people who are called to Haiti.

For those of us who aren’t able to physically tend to those in need, it’s heartening to see the many ways we can still make a difference. In every store I visit, there is an opportunity to make a donation for Haitian relief. My sixth grader was encouraged to bring in a donation, with his teacher urging the class to bring in money that they themselves had earned. My son fretted about the fact that his donation wasn’t as large as some of his other classmates, but I reminded him that what was important wasn’t the amount but the fact that he emptied his wallet and gave every last cent he had to someone in need.

Kerline Tofuri, a Hanover resident, has long been an advocate for her native Haiti, founding the initiative Jou Nouvo, which brings assistance to the people of Bon-Repos. As of this writing, Kerline is in Haiti delivering much needed medical supplies, and her foundation continues to receive donations to help victims of the earthquake (for more information visit http://www.pidonline.org/ and click on Jou Nouvo.)

At church this past Sunday, two fifth grade girls asked if they could organize a fundraising effort, supported by the church, to raise money for Haiti. Local schools are doing “Hats for Haiti” and “Hearts for Haiti”, asking kids to donate a dollar in exchange for wearing a hat to school or purchasing a heart.
One of the more delicious ways I was able to assist Haiti was at a luncheon held by my good friend Jessie Williamson last week. A part-time caterer, Jessie is always whipping up some amazing soup, salad or other delight, which I’m always happy to sample after our Meals on Wheels run on Thursdays. Moved by the disaster in Haiti, she decided to open her home to her friends and host a luncheon with donations to be made to the relief effort. The food was delicious, the conversation entertaining, and at last count the donations totaled over $600 with more coming in.

What I’ve come to realize is that everyone is capable of making a difference in their own small way. Maybe you can write a large check…or just a small one.

Perhaps you can rally friends or neighbors to come together to help. Or dedicate a few inches of column space to the cause. It really doesn’t matter whether you’re a news anchor, a fifth-grader, a caterer or a columnist. Everyone can find some way to help those in need.

What will you choose?