Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
I am basically unrecognizable from my prior self before Lyme hijacked my life.
The mention or sight of another human being sufferring impacts me greatly now.
I want to help. You might think you are not in the position to help because you, yourself, are so very ill. But a kind word goes a long way in making another feel better.
If you need help, please ask someone to help you. I can't tell you how many human Angels that have helped me. This makes them feel good by helping others.
On my good days, I pick up the phone and call loved ones and tell them how much I appreciate them.
Lyme made me find the love. While everything else Lyme related is HORRIBLE, love always WINS !
Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
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posted
My life isn't at all the same either since this lyme/morgellons fun began. I had a lot of empathy for people's suffering before getting sick, but my daily life is now a shadow of what it once was. Weekends in bed loaded up on painkillers and antibiotics is no life, but helping others navigate this mess brings me joy. Big hugs to you Bonnie.
Posts: 289 | From Montreal, Canada | Registered: Mar 2017
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posted
Yes. I became much more sensitive to others. To the point that I assist other disabled people from time to time.
Which is interesting sometimes, since I look able-bodied, so disabled people don't understand why I want to advocate for whatever's going on that they need help with. Up to me if I care to tell them anything about my disability.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
I'm not sure about myself... But my daughter was 2 when she got very ill with lyme.
She had already fought eczema, allergies since she was a baby...
I don't know if it's because of disease, but she always could not help seeing any creature suffer, be it a caterpillar, a cat, or another human being.
She would burst into uncontrollable tears, as though it was happening to her.
She felt their pain, and could not tolerate seeing them dying.
She would spot immediately, just by looking at a person's face, if the person was unhappy, or tired, and ask: Are you OK?
And that, since she started talking, about age 2. I could never hide the truth from her, even though I tried (after so many years with lyme, I tried to pretend ...)
Now she's 13, and she won't burst into tears when an insect dies any longer. She still is a cry girl, in movies, books, stories, when someone is sad, she gets sad too.
She's even taking some homeopathic 'medication' for that over sensitiveness.
the good thing is that she always has good friends.
She can have such a discipline that most adults can't have: with her strict diet, for example.
Some adults (even family) laugh of her, saying, 'why worry about gluten, about milk?' 'Why take so many minerals?' Etc.
Why why why?
She still will do what she needs, and never respond badly.
I keep wondering, what suffering does to small children...
I think in her case, it made her what she is today as she grew with ups and downs.
And it's not negative, in my feeling. It's more positive than negative, in the end.
Not only lyme, but suffering made what she is today.
I'm sure there are many other children like her.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
I will say a big no on this one. When untreated with antibiotics my Lyme/ and probably bartonella made me angry and abusive in stretches. It did not make me a nice person. It screws with your entire reality and affects your CNS. I would get irritated if people walked in a room. Now after treating lyme that all starts to go away
Posts: 173 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2015
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
hmm thats a hard one. I feel sorry for those with true illnesses but I have zero tolerance for those who sit down and demand others take care of them.
before you jump, I mean I know these people personally. they will bleed you dry and blame you.
I can't stand to see children or animals suffer.
for me, I'd say no. lyme has changed me but honestly I can't say it's made me a better person. maybe I never was in the first place.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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"There is no such thing as the right place, the right job, the right calling or ministry. I can be happy or unhappy in all situations. I am sure of it, because I have been.
I have felt distraught and joyful in situations of abundance as well as poverty, in situations of popularity and anonymity, in situations of success and failure. The difference was never based on the situation itself, but always on my state of mind and heart.
When I knew I was walking with God, I always felt happy and at peace. When I was entangled in my own complaints and emotional needs, I always felt restless and divided."
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
That's an interesting observation Christopher J
Maybe we weren't as nice as we could be because we were always sufferring with bone-breaking pain, extreme fatigue, multiple organ disfunctions, and everything in between.
But I find I'm more patient, quieter, and want to do good deeds for others, everyday.
I'm starting over. I'm not holding grudges. Spreading love.
Lymetutu,
Loved, loved, loved your post. Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
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posted
.. It was funny how it just showed up on my FB page so I shared it. Seemed to fit so well here.
Thanks... Too bad I'm not wise enough to have written it!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
I was always hyper sensitive to others' feelings/ill fates, and the like, etc.
while REALLY sick with lyme et al I was still aware of others but like someone said too messed up to do much or care as much as I had been. actually I
if I cared I would quickly forget!! haha
now that I am getting more "rock star me" (as someone put it) I am *finally* feeling more able to once again give a big hoot about others
and it feels good.
I did go through stages along the way, of course with one in particular being kind of nice-
when I had enough soul in me to think of others but too weak to do anything much to help and also a diminished
impatient/high expectation me....
now that I think about it, it did give me anxiety so maybe it wasn't so nice?
but compared to now- again feeling more 'normal' - I now get those
thoughtful feelings and feel like I can do more for others, but at the same time getting weller
has brought back the old stuff in me of not having any patience at all for a lot of things.
so I guess what im really trying to say is that it's nice to have the good feelings gotten bigger, but the bad feelings got bigger too and
I don't like having them much.
I hope I don't all together forget how this disease(s) changed my life and how all we need is love!
I have actually thanked God for letting me be sick enough to understand what being sick really means.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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