PRESIDENT’S PAGE
James I. Stealey, President
The WV State Bar

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

"Wealth can't buy health, but health can buy wealth" - Henry David Thoreau
Thus far, the new millennium (or the last year of the old millennium, depending upon your perspective) has not been all that kind to me from the standpoint of my health. Early in the year, I somehow contracted mononucleosis, and had it for several weeks and maybe even months before it was diagnosed. Of course, my wife, Kitty, was curious as to how I got mono, since it is known as the "kissing disease". At first, I assured her that I must have picked it up from a water fountain somewhere. As it turns out, my whole family ended up being diagnosed with mono, so naturally, I took the opportunity to blame my illness on the kids! In any event, it took me a good month or more to get over it, even after I became aware that I had it, and it cost me a great deal of time and productivity.
Next in line was a disease of the left eye known as "central serous retinopathy", which literally translated, means something like "your left eye is all screwed up." Actually, without getting too technical, a fluid blister developed between the two layers of the retina, where visual images are focused, and was causing blurriness and a round spot in the middle of my central vision that was quite aggravating and scary. Then came the good news that unless the condition worsened, in which case the doctor could perform laser surgery, which would result in a permanent blind spot, there is no known treatment for the condition. The disease has no known cause, but seems to affect mostly middle aged men who are engaged in stressful occupations. I just can't figure out how I fit that description! In any event, fortunately, the problem seems to have stabilized, for now.
Now for the next interesting development. I went on vacation with my family to the Outer Banks in mid-August. We had a great time. It was very relaxing, and with the kids being a little older now, we didn't have to walk them around on a leash, so there was some time for a few afternoon naps, some walks along the beach, and a few rounds of golf. Nevertheless, after I returned on Sunday from the beach, I hadn't been home more than a few hours when I developed a fever and became chilled to the bone, even though it was 85 degrees outside, and not much cooler in my bedroom. One thing led to another, and by Wednesday, when my temperature reached almost 104 degrees, I realized something wasn't quite right. So, I visited my doctor, and it turns out I had a rather serious case of pneumonia. How I got pneumonia in the summer time and while on vacation I have no earthly idea. All I know is that it cost me nearly another two weeks of work, and as I write this article, I'm still not completely over it.
In the meantime, I've been reviewing the medical literature here at the office to see what I'm likely to contract next. I just hope it's not the heartbreak of psoriasis. Now that would be devastating. I'll keep you posted, any of you who are really interested, that is.
I bring these matters to your attention not seeking your sympathy for my problems, or to make light of being sick, but to make a point. I guess I've been feeling unlucky and somewhat sorry for myself for the past several months because I've had to put up with all these maladies, one after the other, and the inconveniences they have caused. Yet, every day, I am reminded of a good friend or colleague suffering with everything from cancer to heart disease to multiple sclerosis - serious medical problems that have changed their lives and the lives of their families and others around them. One good friend, younger than me by three or four years, with whom I played basketball on a regular basis for a long time, actually dropped dead of a heart attack earlier this year, leaving behind his wife and young children, one of whom is physically handicapped and confined to a wheelchair. Two days before he died, we were sitting on the sidelines together at our weekly basketball game, and he was complaining that we had too many people there that night, and that he didn't feel like he was getting enough exercise. I think about him often and realize that it could just as easily have been me.
So, relatively speaking, my problems are obviously minor by comparison to many of my friends and colleagues. I should really be thankful and more appreciative of my good health and good fortune, and certainly more aware of the needs of others for support, encouragement and friendship during difficult times. As busy as we are, we sometimes take our own good health for granted and ignore it. Only after we've driven ourselves into the ground with work and stress do we see the error of our ways. We also tend to forget that remembrances and words of encouragement mean a lot to someone who is ill or who has suffered a loss, long after the illness is diagnosed or the loss has occurred.
I have vowed to take more time out of my schedule to drop a line now and then to my friends who aren't well and who might appreciate hearing from me. I think we should all pause every day, if only for a few fleeting moments, to give thanks for our blessings, to remind ourselves of our friends who are going through difficult times, and perhaps even to call, or to write a short note just to let them know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. The world might just be a little better place if we did.
So, to all my friends and colleagues out there who have gone through some rough times lately, I send you my greetings and best wishes, and pray for God's peace to be with you. Please know that you are on my mind, and that I think of you often, even though it may have been awhile since I have written or called. Take care, and get well soon. And to those of you who, like me, are fortunate to be in relatively good health, I encourage you to take time to appreciate it, to strive hard to preserve it, and to remember those who are not as fortunate.