LymeNet Flash: New Poll; A positive spin on Lyme....What has Lyme taught you/given you?

This is topic New Poll; A positive spin on Lyme....What has Lyme taught you/given you? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by pippy (Member # 6005) on :

Hi everyone,
I was reading some inspirational stuff and I got the idea to ask others what they have learned and/or gained from going through the ordeal of lyme disease.

It gets so easy to be depressed over it...it helps to hear what other people have to say about this part of it....

I will have to think about my answer a little while...

Posted by Lymester (Member # 5848) on :

patience, strength, compassion, resolve, perserverance -- AND a great friendship with the local pharmacist, i always get 1st class service with a smile

Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on :

Cant think of one good thing earned as a result of being infected. I as well as probably everyone else could write pages and pages of the bad. I'll keep it to myself.........It sure would be nice however to hear some good from people.

Posted by Kaykay (Member # 6732) on :

I think we are all at a crossroads in our lives.

Do we treat for Lyme, or go the conventional route and treat individual problems.

Will we end up cured, or seriously ill and disabled?

I think this had forced us all to take a deep look and make decisions that may affect us and our families future.

We have banded together to find answers and companionship on this path.

Are we on the right path? Only time will tell, but I feel we are pioneers on this journey together.

Be strong.

Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :

I have learned a lot from being so sick for so long. And I do see a lot of it as being positive. I think I have become a stronger person because of it. I appreciate the little things more and I have a deep compassion for others who are dealing with illnesses, especially kids and teens because I was there. I have met so many wonderful people.

I can't know who I would be if I hadn't gotten sick. And I don't think it's worth the time and energy to wonder about it, because I am who I am now BECAUSE of being sick. And for the most part I'm happy with who I've become. I'm still changing and evolving, but I do know that the impact Lyme has had on my life will be with me forever and I'm sure my career will have a lot to do with what I've been through.

Peace and healing,
Annie

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Posted by hatsnscarfs (Member # 6562) on :

Great question Pippy-

Lyme has rearranged my priorities and made me come first. It has made my health my top priority and has made me stick to routines better than ever before. I've never followed a diet as well as the anti yeast diet or exercised as faithfully as now and I never miss a dose of anything.

It has made me grateful for good days and has made me very accepting and flexible. It has given me a great new style (today: hat, scarf, lavender gloves).

Getting Lyme has gotten me on treatment that is finally solving problems I have had my whole life. Pains and other symptoms I've had since way back are improving for the first time. Without my recent tick bite I would not have gotten this treatment. I didn't have a clue that I've probably had Lyme most of my life. My medical mysteries are finally being solved.

Lastly I've become acquainted with this most caring, knowledgeable dedicated group of people here on LymeNet!

Don't get me wrong, much has been awful with this disease but it has also triggered positive changes in me.

hatsnscarfs

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

Lyme taught me a few things: patience, how to slow down and lastly, how not to fear.

I've lived my life rushing through it, constantly. Since the ability to rush has been stripped from me, even on my very good days- I stop and take my time enjoying whats going on in THAT moment. Before lyme, I never would have

stopped to realize that my daughter was picking flowers and hiding them on my bed 5 seconds before I was to leave for work.

And I've feared, everything. I've feared my own life. If something was good, I feared making it better, just in case "better" didn't happen. If something was bad, I stayed in it

thinking that if I left or changed bad, I would get worse, and be stuck.

But through patience, slowing down and not fearing, I ended up with a he*l of a boyfriend who loves me for me , regardless of lyme.

Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :

This is soo cliche' but

I don't take anything for granted. And I try to enjoy as much as possible.

Heather

Posted by pattiecake (Member # 6424) on :

It has taught me the value of good health, not to take it for granted, and the value of loved ones. Yes we should all see the value of these things even when we are well but unfortunately life is so busy we many times forget. Now I NEVER forget.
pattiecake

Posted by brainless (Member # 6771) on :

Empathy, if I remember.

Posted by deb obrien (Member # 5239) on :

wow! this is a biggy!! first of all, i have to say that i was extremely lucky not to become severely disabled until i was in my mid 50's - i was able to fledge my chicks and see them established. i tell friends that one's biological job is to raise one kids and everything else is gravy - albeit my gravy is very, very lumpy!! am also very lucky not to endure the pain that so many of you do, lucky to own my own home (can't imagine being sick and homeless!) and have enough money to be able to try different treatments....so i continually count my blessings....i used to measure myself by what i accomplished, now i realize it's who i am that's important, not what i can do - the one thing i can control is my attitude (unless my misery index is way up!)...there is nothing to fear anymore, when i've felt really really awful, i've wanted to die, when i feel a bit better i want to live, but dying certainly holds no fear anymore....acceptance, no control, letting go of resentments - yes, i've changed, but am still the same me....would love to be healthy and do things with my family but i did have a good 55 years...
deb

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Posted by pippy (Member # 6005) on :

Wow! Thanks everyone...this is great to hear the good things and "gifts" that have come out of battling this disease...it is so hard to think of them sometimes through the pain and loss and heartbreak.

thanks for your stories and sharing what you have learned...they are all so valuable!
Keep 'em coming! ;-)

[This message has been edited by pippy (edited 21 July 2005).]

Posted by DolphinLady (Member # 6275) on :

Lyme has given me the opportunity to stop for the first time in my life. I feel like I've caught up with myself and come to terms with a lot of my past. Painful stuff I kept myself too busy to deal with.

I've learned to pace myself.

I've learned about alot of different subjects via books and tapes.

I've learned to eat really well.

My yoga practice has deepened and is more like a moving prayer of gratitude. So much physical ability is gone and I am deeply thankful I can do the yoga.

My spirituality has increased in general.

I've learned to trust, ask for and accept help.

I've learned not to take things so seriously and laugh more. I've learned to take less for granted.

I have a wonderful service dog. He not only assists me but brings lots of joy.

I've learned to navigate the medical system more effectively and to communicate better with doctors.

I feel older and wiser and stronger in certain ways. I'm proud of the way I've handled myself with this illness. I feel that I'm a better person, more compassionate, patient and open and at the same time my boundaries are clearer and healthier.

I have a deeper appreciation for everything in general and derive more happiness from everyday experiences.

[This message has been edited by DolphinLady (edited 06 May 2005).]

Posted by ivebeentricked (Member # 6944) on :

One thing I learned for sure is just how very screwed up our medical system is. Man, I could go on forever with the negatives so I am going to just move on to some positive things having lyme has taught me.

Getting sick has really helped me get in touch with myself in a lot of ways that I had forgotten how. It's rare that I have the energy or feel well enough to do things that I don't enjoy at all, and because of that, its helped me realize how important it is in life to pursue things that we do love, or are curious in or passionate about. I have really wanted to learn to play the guitar since I was about 14, and last year at 21, I finally realized it doesn't matter if I will ever be able to play really well, just that its pleasing to do, and through picking up the guitar, I have realized how much more I love music of all types, and how interested I am in all instruments.

I have really realized how meaningless so many worldly things are. I am begining to understand how fragile life is, and how it really is possible to experience tragedy. Much worse than this even.

But as meaningless as I have come to find so much of day to day rountines and life, being sick has made me so much more passionate about wanting to experience life and so much that it has to offer. I don't go to church anymore and have not for a long time, but I remember reading in Ecl. about how everything is meaningless. The author keeps saying everything is meaningless life, work play... but then he goes on to say that man/woman should enjoy it anyway, and I really feel like I am begining to understand that.

Its made me more empathetic, less judgemental, more compassionate, its really made me realize how important family is, and real friends, and it has really broken my heart for people who do not have good families or support systems. It has really brought me a lot closer to so many people in my family, and helped me in a lot of ways to see who my realy friends are.

When I started this, I sat and thought for about 10 minutes about all of the negative things I could say without being outright negative, but now I am realizing I have been typing for a long time and could continue for a while longer about the positive things getting sick has taught me. I wish I could have learned them another way sometimes, but if I do get well someday, and that seems like a big if right now, its nice to think that it at least helped shape me into a better person. sorry this was so long.

Posted by shassler64 (Member # 3479) on :

Hi!
Ditto with Annie and Crime.Lyme has made me who I am today,a better person in many ways.
I take time to appreciate things such as watching my children grow whereas before my life was one big blur of stress.

I have learned patience through being a patient.

I have learned to value the things we take for granted,such as health.I never dreamed I would get sick.

I have learned what a good man my husband is.What a fantastic father he is,which I may not have fully realized without the sickness.Before getting sick I did everything for the kids.

It has taught me to enjoy the moment and that is what matters.I enjoy/sppreciate things so much more as I often think how close I was to not being here to see/experience them.

So many good things,made me look at so many things so differently.Taught me to take notice when others are sick etc.Real empathy.

Thankyou lyme for changing me in so many ways for the better.Now I am ready to get better but shall not revert to my old ways.

Sue from Downunder.

Every journey has a lesson!!

Posted by Glassfish (Member # 5693) on :

I have learned not to let "outside" things
determine who you are.

For the longest time I saw myself as an athelete, a student, an equestrian, and finally a lyme patient.

After some consideration I realized I am what I make of myself.

I'm no longer a lyme patient. I am a person
who has lyme.

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

when I used to hear the phrase "at least you have your health" I never thought about it as much as I do now. It actually means something.

Posted by DeniseBunty (Member # 6559) on :

What a great question , many people are blinded to the idea of having Lyme disease, I am grateful just to see our local newspaper in York, Pa reconizing that Lyme disease is a real threat in our area, when I tell people I have it , they look at me and wonder why I am not sick, I am but I have it in my joints, I had my painful days but I was determined this was not going to beat me, even before I really knew what is was, I am grateful, that My Lord Jesus has helped me along the way, carried me when I was not strong, and putting my church family to lift me up in pray, for me and my son who has went through a time of seizure activities and vomiting, it was scarcy until we found out that it was Lyme atleast we can understand it and knowing there are alot doctors in my area that do not know enough about it,I pray that it will just open up more to the public and realize it is an epidemic, I think of so many children that are diagnosis for the wrong things and are so many drugs, I just hope I can some how help parents realize it is real, most of them look at me and think I am nuts,and I really enjoy and learning more from the flash discussions. All of you have been a blessing to me, my doctor suggested to read and learn, that the website is my best reading, my doctor has Lyme , his wife ,the nurse and her husband have Lyme, they have been very helpful to me too. I truly feel as we read the Bible this is one of the plaques, and if I suffer it will never measure up to how Christ died on the cross for all of us, it tells us to we will suffer if we must try to live like Christ, thanks for letting me share.Some day when we are in heaven this shall all past, we will all be made new. Thank God for that!

Posted by ivebeentricked (Member # 6944) on :

if you are a christian then you don't believe that we will all be going to heaven right? Only other Christians. And I don't think that when the Bible says we will suffer if we try to live like Christ, that it was talking about suffering from diseases such as lyme. Christ healed people of such ailments in the Bible. He didn't spare people from suffering persecution and things of the sort though.