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Deep survival: "When you stop moving, your body shuts down!"

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The quote is mine. 

"When you stop moving, your body shuts down." --- Tom Lane



I gave that advice to my older brother when I mnoticed he had put a stop to most activities. He reiterated my advice on a few occasions but didn't follow it. He died in his sleep at the age of 64.

My grand daughter, Courtney, was born with a fatal disease, Cystic Fibrosis. I was told by one of my clients, also afflicted with the dreaded disease, that girls often don't take the medications or do the other procedures to remain alive longer. Courtney followed that path somewhat - fighting back from near-death a couple of times - but not being proactive. In other words, she would go into "deep survival" mode when facing death, but wouldn't always take proactive measures to help herself.

I transmitted my quote to Courtney. She remembered it but didn't follow it. Courtney died at the age of 25, nine months after publication of the article. She had been refused a double-lung transplant by two prominent Boston hospitals. Courtney left behind her beloved 7-year-old son, Carson. Prior to her death she wrote an article which got a lot of attention.  Below is an excerpt from her article, followed by my response in the comment section. 

Courtney: "And I know many will read this and say "Don't worry so much you'll get those lungs and live a long life!" And as I said, I'm aware you'll say it out of support and love. But I also told you...... I'm a realist and the reality is, these months could be my last. So I plan to make them count

Tom, Courtney's grandfather: " Some folks think I am a pessimist, but in REALITY, I am a realist. Realize that the worst may happen, and have hope that the best occurs. Maybe that is where you get it from. People that think they can click their heels together and think nice thoughts - and those thoughts will come true - are in LA LA Land. That only happens in the Wizard of Oz, which last I knew - is a fantasy. From what I have studied, you seem to have that last-ditch-effort, survival mode which hits when you are on the way out. May I suggest (please note finger in the air) having your survival mode kick in somewhat earlier by being more pro-active. And if you write this well as a "lunatic", imagine what you can produce as an alert, rational young lady. Nicely done. "There's no place like home." I never had any Auntie Em. I could have used one."


Author's Note: The client afflicted with CF mentioned above was "Tyke" Crowley. He died at the age of 43 following two double-lung transplants and fighting very hard to remain alive. I always admired Tyke for his zest for life and what he did for others. His photo is below:







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