quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by chroniccosmic: This illness takes so much from us. It is such a void to add to all the other aspects of this disease. I'm also thinking it gives us something too but haven't quite figured out what. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm also realing trying to see what I am suppose to be learning here. What is this giving? What is the lesson?
so am i-as i do about everything in my life-good and bad. i wonder what is the lesson here...what am i supposed to be learning.
in the beginning i was happy it wasn't cancer and focused on awful things that happened to others that were worse-like losing children...
but as time goes on and the frustration builds up-not just docs now, but friends and family in denial---it's harder and harder for me to see the lesson...
i was always kinda hyper super-mom-super-worker kinda person...lyme sure has slowed me down and forced to to "smell the roses" as they say...i can't take very good care of them anymore-but i sure do appreciate a blossom here and there...
i always tended to put others first even tho i knew it was important to take care of myself---now I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF...i know i'm doing great compared to some because of my docs and supps and lymenet and all the little tricks we learn about how to survive this---but others see me as doing awful...
so what about everyone else...what has lyme given you?
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
kayak, I've only been in the healing part of this since July, so I'm sure there will be more revealed as time goes on.
For me now, though: I'm learning patience -- with myself, with healing, with other people.
The disease has definitely given me a a lot of empathy, as you said, for people in far worse situations than my own and caused me to quit jumping to conclusions about people and/or situations.
Because my health shifts so quickly, it's necessitated living in the moment. Literally. Making plans no longer works for me at all.
I've seen true love and generosity in people.
I definitely recognize the fact that I'm all-too-fallible and life has no guarantees.
I'm still learning to ask for (and receive) help.
I've got a new appreciation for some doctors (LLMDs) and less for others and for so-called medical duck experts. I'm also starting to understand how hard my body had to fight in the 9 years between infection and diagnosis. And how much I did when I was really very sick.
Andie
Posted by copperhalo (Member # 8494) on :
perspective. true love. knowing I can win this fight.The river in the morning. walking on fall leaves. my niece and nephew. building a house. running. love, hate, passion,. greed, envy,lust.morning mist. even doing laundry.....eye contact with a woman,sinking a nail in 2 swings.a new year....
Posted by Loribelle (Member # 6293) on :
quote:Originally posted by copperhalo: perspective. true love. knowing I can win this fight.The river in the morning. walking on fall leaves. my niece and nephew. building a house. running. love, hate, passion,. greed, envy,lust.morning mist. even doing laundry.....eye contact with a woman,sinking a nail in 2 swings.a new year....
wow........ how cool was that?
Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
Lyme has taught me to love myself more then anyonelse. I used to put eveyone first and now i cannot do that. Appreciation for life, and what i had when i was a normie, often complaining i was bored.
Its given me a tolerance for pain, and new methods to dealing with it.
Its forced me to learn to cook, and i might say i now make a very good zuchini pancake.
That my job does not define me in anyway...
I have a lot of friends who care and are waiting for me on the otherside, once i get better.
I now know right away the difference between a real dr and a duck.
The ability to swallow pills
that everything happens for a reason and one day I will see why i became sick.
But most of all lyme has given me lymenet where i can go when i am scared and hurting.
Posted by diana (Member # 7466) on :
I ask myself this question every day, often times looking for a profound answer which I do not have as of yet.
One thing is for sure, this disease has taught me how much I love and adore my husband for his constant encouragement and support.
He cooks, cleans, looks after the kids and all without complaining. He recognizes that often times I am too ill to participate in the simplest of activities and knows when I just need to be left alone to work through the pain. If I wasn't as ill as I have been, I may not have had a chance to see what kind of strength and character he has.
Diana
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
Hi,It has given me friends that are closer to me now than my own family.
New sisters,brothers,aunts and uncles,and a mom and dad or two.
All while my blood relation belives me to be a hypochondriact,and live in their own pain free world,clueless, with their head in the sand.
MADDOG
Posted by griswoldgirl (Member # 5365) on :
This may sound weird-- but I was relieved when I found out that my 16 years of suffering, being misdiagnosed with everything from MS, Lupus, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and not to mention being sent to the psychiatrist by docs all over the country so many times that I carried a copy of my MMPI results to let them know I was as sane as they were-- when diagnosed "IT" FINALLY HAD A NAME!!!!!!!!!!
I am learning, slowly mind you, how to balance my life. I have learned that it is okay to rest and I do not have to push myself to the max any more.
I was unfortunate enough to have to spend 6 months in bed. That taught me how to be with myself. I have always been a people person and was really uncomfortable to be alone too long. I have learned how to hang out with myself.
Cathy
Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :
Some great responses on here!! Here is what I have learned:
1. God is in control. He is on my side and I have had to let go of my battle in this disease by putting it in his hands. No easy feat at all, but I have to.
2. That my husband of 15 years truely is my sole mate. His support, understanding, love and compassion is overwhelming at times. I am very lucky indeed.
3. I no longer put dr's on the pedastal of godliness like I used to. I have to take control of my own health care. Some ducks need to be sent back to med school. If I have a problem with a duck, I report it from now on and take a stand.
4. My kids. OMG, my kids!! They are the 3 biggest reasons that I don't crawl into a hole and stay there forever!! They force me out of bed every day to move on with life. They support me and offer me hugs each and every time I need them, and even at times when I didn't think I did.
5. Most importantly. I am closer to God and Jesus. There have been times (suicidal times in the past couple years) when they were litteraly the only ones who could pull me through and save me.
Nancy
Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
I've learned to trust myself more because I am the only one who can say how I feel at any one time.
Patience with the pace of the recovery and where the disease has taken me.. at least most of the time I have patience.
Gratitude that I can work at a job which mostly pays the bills if I am very frugal.
Acceptance of the illness. I did not cause it, nor can I cure it by changing my attitude.
Thankfulness that their are others who understand because they are going through similar battles themselves.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
The disease gave me sofar that I know of.
Pain for 17 going on 18 years of pain 3 torn tendons 20/15 vision to 2.75 reading glasses bad cognitive abilities induced encephilitis -swelling around brain- torn cartilage left knee miniscis's and posteria crusia disconnectted shoulders popped in out of joints hips hurt lower back pain tingling fingers numb tip of nose aches ringing ears the skids then bound up roller coaster fevers slight to 105% ever year almost sever joint pain twitches seeing things in dim light that were not there lights hurt my eyes you name it mental anguish no stamina tired disrupted sleep to much sleep nightmares no dreams Just to name a few.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
wow........ how cool was that?