So Doc, I'm Goin' to Live?

These Fibro bodies, crazy silly things, we all wish they would work the way bodies are supposed to.  However, they don't, and I'm finding it is better to learn to live with it well, than to complain.  I am not saying that I never comment on my pain.  I just don't see any point in letting that be the focus of my life, except when it is so bad, I am reaching for the pain remedies and grabbing the heating pad.  So often, I smile and shrug my shoulders.  After all, what can a person do, when it is so hard to establish a schedule like everyone else's.  What can one do when one also has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, but smile and go on.  

Remember, if you have a chronic illness, it does not make you a weak person.  I am learning more every day about how strong people who have chronic illnesses are.  In fact, many of us probably lived with our illnesses for years before we thought it was anything more than a few aches and pains, pushing through, living life to the fullest.  I don't know about you, but I am so thankful for the years I had that I could live an athletic life, care for my family with ease, and be extremely active in my community.  I still hope to get to a point I can add some of those things back into my life, but I do not obsess about it; nor, do I grieve anymore.

If you are newly diagnosed or just realizing something is very wrong with your body, you need to know it is normal to grieve for the loss of physical things you were once able to do easily.  If you have an invisible illness, which means you look like you are well -- in fact, you may look fantastic, other people have a harder time adjusting to the fact you really are sick.  And some people have a hard time with it, because they look in the mirror, see themselves and ask themselves why they can't just snap out of it.  I know I have had those times of questioning myself, especially before I realized my depression was a result of being fatigued all the time and not knowing why.  For me, knowing was a kind of relief -- it wasn't in my head.  The proof was in my blood tests.

I did say hello to the doctor today.  It was a good visit, and my ears are hurting because of allergies.  When I get that cleared, I should quit having pain in my ears.  Actually, I like my doctor.  He's a very caring person and he doesn't mind me asking questions, nor did he mind the list I brought in.  If I didn't bring a list, I would never remember all the things I wanted to ask him -- at least, that is the way it was for me today.  

Image Courtesy of [David Castillo] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Speaking of Lists:  it is a good idea to make one before you visit your doctor.  There is nothing more aggravating than getting home and remembering the question you forgot to ask.  Also, this is part of being proactive about your health care.  Doctors are not mind readers, and they have many patients.  It's not that they don't care about you or they are too busy.  They have heavy patient loads to carry.  Can you imagine being responsible for the health of the people that are in that waiting room?  Have you ever seen all the charts filed in a doctor's office?  And then, they have all the regulations and insurance they have to know about.  Being a doctor in today's world must be a calling, because it certainly isn't easy.  And as much as they would like to heal every single person;  sometimes, all they can do is make us more comfortable.

P.S.   Two more days of FlyLady's 31 Beginning Babysteps have gone by.  I am on Day 22, which leaves eight more days for me.  I am so excited to be near completion of the babysteps.  

One of the things that have been emphasized in the FlyLady's 31 Beginning Babysteps is the Control Journal.  The control journal is not to control you:  it is your tool to being more organized.  I have had the purple control journal for several years, but I have not utilized it to it's fullest the last couple of years.  Therefore, I have decided it is time to reorganize.  I may even write my address book  in there and my Christmas list.  I will let you know how I like it as I develop my own organization.    I need to go and be Fly Busy for about 45 minutes.  Ya'll have a great day.