From time to time, life surprises us with something reorienting. Last quarter, I teased a plot twist, and today I share it.
In healthcare circles, there’s a saying, “When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” It’s a metaphor learned in Western medical school to steer physicians towards the common and predictable, because doing so is a scalable form of care. “Horses” are the typical explanations for what ails us, generally with straightforward solutions. Unfortunately, occasionally, the hoofbeats aren’t a horse, but that of a “zebra”—something rare and/or unexpected.
As for me, after a four-year odyssey of ambiguity, my stripes were revealed. As I shared in the author’s note of The Fun Habit, since mid-2020, I’ve been living under the impression that I was wrestling with the aftereffects of COVID-19, a so-called “Long Hauler.” But in a recent unexpected turn of events, it was discovered I’ve been battling something called Morvan syndrome, a rare neurological condition (the initial COVID infection being the suspected trigger). I’m sharing this in part because I feel compelled to publicly amend what I wrote in the author’s note with updated facts.
Also, in part, I’m sharing because as I navigate this new revelation and share the news with friends, I’ve come to understand that most of us seemingly face in some form, medical or otherwise, our own unique zebra. In my situation, one might think such news would be jarring. And, indeed, it was. Yet, paradoxically, I also found a measure of liberation. A reminder that life is rarely a string of finite answers, but a persistent exploration. And within that exploration, within that uncertainty, is a subtle fuel to continue seeking, learning, and fighting, all of which are made much more palatable when we choose to have fun, where we can, while we’re here. This morning, on the seventh anniversary of my brother’s passing, as I sit here staring at the picture of him and me getting ready for the Kingda Ka, I’m grateful I can still go out and enjoy the gift of today.
The world, as ever, is full of wonder. Yet there’s also no escaping fighting demons once in a while. For those of you currently going through it, please know you’re seen. For my fellow medical zebras, my thought leader interviews this quarter are specifically for us, and they’re good—you should check them out. For those not interested, skip the interview section this quarter. There’s still a bit to share about fun down below. I promise to return us to our regularly scheduled program next quarter. 🙌
Dr. Michelle Zook is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician at Twin Health, a precision treatment program focused on reversing and preventing chronic metabolic diseases. She received her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and has been in practice for 15-plus years. Dr. Zook has additional training in functional medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine and has taken courses on longevity and wellness through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Our conversation about being a medical zebra from the practitioner’s perspective can be found here.
Nisha Trivedi is a patient advocate for the rare disease community, notably via the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases. She formerly served as a Board Director of the Shanti Project, providing input on the organization’s strategy and development. Nisha was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare genetic disorder causing fragile skin and recurrent blistering. As a passionate advocate for rare diseases, she has shared her story with Congress to influence policy that supports patients like her. Our conversation about being a medical zebra from the patient’s perspective can be found here.
Life experience this quarter was quite the mosaic. A mix of adventure (e.g., swimming with pigs at Big Major Cay, concern (e.g., a week stay at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota), and service (e.g., speaking to “The Bridge” at Langley Air Force Base [pictured]). But one of the best parts was connecting with so many of you on the various stops of the book tour—getting to see you all was great for the soul!
My contribution this quarter was directed toward Patients Rising, Russell Rescue, The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, Friends of AfroChicano Press, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
- Many exciting things have happened since the release of The Fun Habit. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw the book put Judy (the fun-filled dental hygienist) on People magazine’s radar, and she got a half-page spread celebrating the positive impact she makes by approaching her work joyfully.
- Mark Sutherland’s Abby’s List: A Dogumentary (a “Hall of Fun” feature in the book) is now on the film festival circuit. Even with its limited run, it’s already the recipient of several prestigious awards—a testament to the healing power of fun, especially when the fun is shared with a companion.
- It was recently announced that Will Novak’s extraordinary tale of accepting spontaneity’s invitation, and having a ton of fun in the process—the story that kicks off the first chapter of The Fun Habit—is now being made into a feature-length film!
- And, finally, Psyche has just released a “Psyche Guide” based on The Fun Habit. You can access the guide for free by clicking here.
Wishing you and yours an amazing summer, one full of whatever you find fun!
Sincerely,
Mike Rucker, Ph.D.
P.S. If you’re someone who found The Fun Habit helpful, I would be grateful if you could help make it even more impactful. To do this, please share your thoughts about the book by leaving an Amazon review. Your review will help others decide if the book is right for them, and potentially help them start their own journey of inviting more fun into their lives. My gratitude to any and all that can find the time to help in this way. 🙏