This time last year I could not complete a sentence without crying. I couldn't look at anyone and only wanted to die so I wouldn't be a burden anymore. I was so scared and everything seemed HUGE. Every single problem seemed larger than life.I had just been terminated from a job I loved and had fought to hold on too for over 3 years. I was on the verge of giving up and scared how we would make it w/out my paycheck. I felt useless and ugly and thought my family would be so much better off w/out me.
I was too sick to have friends or go to church yet, was too sick not to try. Things changed after a visit w/ my PCP and the psychologist who did my neuropsych testing. I'm fortunate to have such caring and kind people in my life.
My PCP told me I had to calm down and find some "joy". He told me if I didn't accept this illness and respect it I would die. He was so right. Money and my job seemed so important but, not as important as losing my life.
I wondered what kind of "joy" he expected me to find and after looking back, I was so entrenched in my own "pity party", there was no way anyone else could attend!! He explained joy is all around and we have to open our hearts and allow it in. He encouraged me to seek counseling and spiritual guidance. I agreed to try both.
One day I mentally said that I was not in control over the situation. I acknowledged that it was bigger than I was and that God would have to handle it.
I'm not prone to allowing others to "care" for me or "be in control" and haven't had the best husband for that kind of stuff yet, somehow - it has worked out. I started trying to let go and believe that God would give me what I needed to survive.
I'm historically not the "best" Christian in the world and probably will never be but, I am trying to be the best Christian I can be!!
In February, my SSDI was approved and then my disability retirement was approved and my husband didn't leave and I didn't end my life.
I'm so far away from well yet, this year I feel different. I have days when I try to jump back in control and then I remember, it is out of my hands.
I don't really accomplish much, yet somehow, it is enough. I try to help those I can and concentrate on beating Lyme disease.
My lymie kid and my lymie husband needed to see that I'm not a quitter. They needed to know that I won't let this beat me.
We are all sick but, as I read on here about how others are suffering and listen to the news talking about war and weather and earthquakes, here in our small, tiny part of the world, we have so very much to be thankful for.
I so hated it last year when my people would say, "God doesn't give you more than you can handle". I kept thinking - they must be nuts. I'm way over my handling limit.
I think the key was, God expected me to ask for and accept his help in handling what I'd been given.
Mountainmomma - I can't begin to know what you are going through in your life. I can tell you I have cried until I had no tears left. I have scared my daughter and my husband and myself. I have felt and still do sometimes feel worthless.
Yet, to your 7 year old - you are probably the whole world. It's hard to keep trying - but, you must!! Be honest and willing to accept help from whomever or wherever it comes from. You may be surprised - I know I sure was.
The support I received from lymenet has helped me so much and hopefully, it will help you as well. I hope your immediate stuff evens out soon so that you will have a little less on your plate!! You just have to tackle the things you can and know even at your worst, you are very, very important to someone.
Take care and God bless you and your family,
Sherry
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