| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/3/2009 4:14:05 AM | I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is a progressive disease which can be managed with the use of anti-inflammatory and other medications. I am finding that there are days when I can't function as well as others especially this time of year with the weather changing. Unfortunately this is another non-curable disease.
As a Registered Nurse, I know there are all forms of chronic illness out there. Are you living with one? | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/3/2009 4:27:45 AM | | At this point in life I am without a major health concern. For this reason I do everything i can for a friend that has a chronic health issue. Some days are better than other days. Some days the friend benefits from the help of friends. Something to consider if you can help people in need of consideration , help and a kind word . | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/3/2009 7:33:11 AM | | I have also recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, adding that to other chronic illnesses trys to get the upper hand, but to all out there find that place in your brain, bio feedback it helps along with maintaining a positive attitude & a firm support system | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/3/2009 8:18:22 AM | My parents both suffered from emphazema and copd. It really helps if family and friends give alot of mental support. After years of battling the illnesses depression tends to set in and they really need the mental support to keep them in good spirits.
I challenge everyone who knows someone who suffers from a chronic illness to be more supportive mentally and give that person/persons a call today if you haven't talked to them in awhile. It does help keep them in good spirits just by letting them know you care.
~Toni~ | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/4/2009 9:50:46 AM | Toni thanks for the hug! In the case of these autoimmune diseases, there are no outward signs that everyone can see. It is very difficult to explain to people that this illness can be managed with medications, etc. but there are good days and bad days along the way. I'm very thankful that I have supportive friends who help me out on the bad days, and enjoy the fun we have on the good days! | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/4/2009 3:30:31 PM | | I see how Rosie suffers on the bad days and try to make her laugh! Everyone needs someone to talk to, especially those who chronically suffer from a debilitating disease. There may be no outward signs, but please know that the person is still hurting. Cut them some slack, share some humor and most of all, be patient with them! | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/5/2009 4:05:20 AM | Terry, It's a good thing you're so close to Rosie because her hearty laugh is something that needs to be preserved, heard, and enjoyed.
I miss you guys | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/5/2009 7:30:24 AM | I am really looking forward to next spring so I can go camping again! Ellie, we will have to find some places closer than 3 hours away! | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/5/2009 4:18:24 PM | I have Crohn's disease. I've had it for at least 26 years. The "normals" have no idea how hard it can be to live with a chronic illness.
I've been fortunate to have good friends that are there for me when I'm really sick.
I also am involved with an online support group for people with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. That website saved my life and my sanity. The people there are like my family.
For anyone with any sort of chronic illness, find a support group. Whether it's in person or online, it makes such a huge difference talking with people who "get it".
to all. | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/5/2009 7:14:27 PM | I was diagnosed with UC in 1988 and had surgery to remove the "affected area". Then in 2003 had the remaining colon removed. I was very active for years with the C & C foundation.
I am now in the process of trying to start a "support team" for RA sufferers.
Thanks so much for your input. Hope you are doing well! | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/5/2009 8:54:40 PM | Hi gdnrs! I hope your UC is doing well now. C & C is great. If you’d like, you should check out IBDSucks. That’s my regular hang out. Tons of info and lots of nice people there. People from this site started the IBD Quilt Project. Also, the Get Your Guts in Gear bike ride to raise money for IBD issues. There are people on this site that also suffer from RA. It’s the whole autoimmune issue yanno.
Didn’t mention it before, but aside from the Crohn’s, I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Aren’t I a lucky lady??? Hahaha I do believe the IBS has been giving me more grief than the IBD lately. But it could be worse, and has been much worse. I’m grateful to just have bad days here and there rather than all the time! | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/7/2009 6:19:00 AM | Brn eyed ... gdnrs ... and all the others with chronic illnesses ... my heart goes out
to you ... I know many people with chronic illnesses and have taken care of some ...
while this is a difficult task for me (I get too emotionally involved and frustrated
because it SEEMS there is NOT TOO MUCH I can do to help), Lord knows, YOU
are the ones with the GIFT of strength ... GOD BLESS YOU and may you pass on
some of your strength on to me in the days when I need it, please!
While I would not consider myself one of the ones that walks without some sort
of physical or mental illness (my dearest friends say I am mentally ill or at least
act it!  who isn't!), bless you for the courage to talk about it and join support
groups! People you don't even know admire your strength! Crok. | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/7/2009 11:06:46 AM | Thanks Croc! I was diagnosed the same year I met you in Put-in-Bay. I think we are all a little off center... it just depends on how you deal with it!!! I deal with everything with humor. Laughing makes it all feel a little better for a while. Thank God for endorphins (also known as "dolphins" according to one of my little 86 year old ladies!!!!). | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/7/2009 11:51:15 AM | gdnrs ... we emailed back and forth about me trying to get there,
but I chickened out because I did not know any one ... I have a
little anxiety thing going on ... well, I never did make it to put-and-bay
that year, but some of my friends were there with you and had a blast!
I vaguely remember something about a golf cart ride!  take care. Crok. | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/8/2009 7:16:03 PM | Crok, thank you so much for your kind words. Since you know and have taken care of people that have chronic illness, you have an idea of what life is like for us. I don't know you, but my guess is that you have a huge heart and a kind soul. 
Have a fantastic week! | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/11/2009 7:13:45 PM | | I have suffered from fibromyalgia all of my life. It has become progressively worse as I age. By the age of 21 I was getting severe headaches that would take me out of work for multiple days. Yes, I suffer from pain every day and I have hypersensitivities to sounds, smells and things that touch my skin but I have rarely ever let it stop me. I have good days and bad days, thankfully more good than bad still... and I have a boyfriend that understands and does everything he can to help me out when I'm at higher pain level (like massaging my legs to help relieve the pain). Most people have no idea how much I push through because I don't want sympathy or to appear weak. :) | |
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| Living with chronic illness
Posted: 11/11/2009 7:43:48 PM | That is the main problem with dating and having a disability. On bad days I have to pretend that all is right in my world, or I appear weak and undatable. And believe me, there are more bad than good days as I get older. I just turned down a surgery that would help with pain, but had many possibilities of my muscles becoming weaker than they already are. If that happened, I would have just become more undatable than ever.
But that's ok, I can now do the things that I wanted to try that the surgery would have knocked out of my life forever. I am going to try to ski this winter, since I moved to Mansfield and there is a resort nearby.
I think that people look at my outside and see imperfection and doesn't take the time to discover the inside of my heart. They see someone that they may have to take care of in the future, but don't think that, that day may come for them before me. They don't see the things that I have or will accomplish in my lifetime.But that is their loss and my gain on keeping my sanity and not dealing with idiots. Having dealt with idiots in the past I have become a pro at weeding out the bad men very quickly. Unfortunately there is not so many good guys out in the world these days.
Maybe there is someone out there for me, but in my experience every one is looking for Mr. or Miss Perfect. And I don't believe that such a person even exists. I am beginning to think that the old saying that "There is someone out there in the world for everyone," is not true. I have never found the right person to mesh with me. But that's ok, I have learned to live and enjoy life alone. | |
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