The need for "yard sticks" to compare suffering is one of the more ridiculous, yet seemingly necessary need to express the experience of illness.

Most serious illnesss leaves us isolated and mute, so we try to articulate what we are going through. And yet the comparisons are so idiosyncratic that they often increase the frustration. Since they are so subjective, they are also wrong

. I have lymphedema with cellulitis. I have a severe mood distorder. Which is worse?

I don't know.

Patients in my psychotherapy practice who were suffering from cancer and also had been wrestling severe breast cancer, sometimes "confesssed" that they would take cancer over relentless depression.

We don't know the depth and horror of another's suffering and using a yardstick is an illusion . Imagine all those visits to the doctor or ER. Rate your pain from 1-10. I want to slug them.

We wish that we can understand. We dont. The best we can do is try with humillity

I wish I could write Here's How I Paid Last Months Mortgage by Wring About my Pussy....But Im too Fat to See it!