According to Wikipedia ….

A monster is any of a large number of legendary creatures which usually appear in mythology, legend, and horror fiction. The word originates from the ancient Latin monstrum, meaning “omen”, from the root of monere (“to warn”) and also meaning “prodigy” or “miracle”.

The term “monster” refers to a being that is a gross exception to the norms of some ecosystem. Usually characterized by an ability to destroy human life or humanity, more than an example of “survival of the fittest”, natural law, or innate evil. A person referred to as a monster is taken as exceptionally evil, grotesque, unreasonably strict and uncaring, sociopathic, and/or sadistic. The word monster connotes something wrong/evil; e.g.: a monstrous being is: very morally objectionable, physically or psychologically hideous, or a biological sport (a distinct sense of the word), i.e a freak of nature.

Early this evening Irene declared that “There’s a monster in my stomach that needs to be fed.”  She was referring to the EXTREME and intense nausea that haunts her 24/7 and has to be managed by eating more frequent and smaller meals.  Today was particularly debilitating.  At dialysis this morning her blood pressure dropped significantly again;  she took an extended nap after returning home.

We believe that the term amyloid nausea “monster” accurately reflects the “gross reflection of the norm”.  It is definitely a freak of nature.  I am not aware of too many people, similar to Irene, who have been challenged with chronic nausea for over one year, 24/7, and have responded with such grace.

Only Irene’s faith allows her to overcome the monster.

Caminando con Fé

Dave