a new symptom & another opportunity to be humbled

a new symptom has developed in the past week plus. (a hard "lump" - I shall refrain from sharing the details). resulted in a trip to the doctor yesterday - and some mild mental angst on my part. at present, the doctor seems unconcerned, and has instructed me with regards to a couple remedies, followed by a double-check in a few weeks. if the situation has not improved by then, we proceed to a more invasive test or two.

needless to say, it would be oh-so-nice to learn that ALL my health issues were tied to just One Thing, and oh, this is it, and it can be fixed by this or that simple procedure, and ta-da we're all better. however, this does not seem to be the direction we're heading.

in the mean time, I find this is proving to be an exercise in learning when to speak and when not to speak.....to others who regularly ask "How are you?" and to even my doctor and my own family. I am trying to find a balance between conveying brutal honesty (which is often self-serving - seeking sympathy?) and a flippant disregard for the ongoing struggles (which...can also be very self-serving - seeking distraction?).

instead, how can I speak - even about my weaknesses? -

in such a way as to EDIFY others?