It's no wonder the whole experience is so overwhelming. The chronic condition looms over every moment even occupying dreams at times, invading every crack and crevasse of life.
Chronic. It's a big word. Chronic means a state of being or having a long duration.
Wait. A state of being?
State of being implies the present, the past and the future with variations like am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been.
How does a word that big intersect with personal identity?
I am a woman. My gender is female. I was a little girl. I will be an older woman. Yes, those are all states of being and they are all true. I can also be excited, be successful, be content or happy. I can be a skydiver too. Those are all parts of my identity.
Not sure I can be chronic. In fact, I am certain that I cannot be chronic. I certainly hope I am long-lasting, but I cannot be chronic.
So this condition is a long-lasting issue with features that pervade daily life, but do I consider it a state of being? No. I don't.
It's a thing. It's a part of me, but it isn't the sum total of my being.
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