DAY 7
What realization have you had?... I think the realization that was the biggest and the one that stuck with me is the fact that is at 23 years old I wasn't invisible.. Anyone that age that says they don't feel immortal at that age is lying.. You never think you'll get a serious chronic illness, you don't think that you won't be able to run around with your kids for hours, you don't think you'll spend the best moments of your life sitting in the stands.. That I might not see my kids graduate highschool, go on their first date, get married... I've contiplated suicide a few times thinking maybe if I die while my kids are toddlers they won't remember me, they won't miss me... My realization is that I have to cherish and embrace every single moment, study how the ones I love look and smile, the sound of their voice and laugh, the feeling of their hands their hair.. You don't know what you had til its gone? No, you don't know what you have until it could be snatched away at any second..
Oh my heart goes out to you @Introvert73... as you say you wouldn't expect it to be like this at your age.... sounds really tough. And i'm sure you've gone through alot and it takes courage to get to the point where you can now enjoy the moments... and treasure those kids. Well done!
Day 6: If you could have told yourself something when you first remember these symptoms arising, what would you have said?
It's not a phase, and you need help. Get ready for one hell of a storm.
Day 1:
I'm Sarah and I've been diagnosed with Ehlders Danlos Syndrome in 2015. I also have intercystinal cystitis diagnosed in 2008, IBS diagnosed in 2011 and hypothyroidism in 2016.
(I've just accepted I will be late...) Day 7: What is the biggest realization you've had?
It's a tie.
(1) We really are just baby factories when it comes down to it.
(2) The more someone insists they care, understand, and/or want to help, the faster you should run from them.
Day 12
Explain to a healthy person what its like... Ok, well... You know how you feel after you run for 10 minutes? That feeling you get like you cant catch your breath for a minute, so you try to hunch over, lift your arms, etc?.. That is how I feel taking about 10-15 steps.. That feeling doesnt go away, no matter how hard I try I can NEVER catch my breath
Day 8: Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Still an equestrian working in veterinary medicine, hopefully.
DAY 13
Has your illness had ay effect on your mental health? Explain.
Yes my COPD has had a pretty big impact on my mental health.. I am Manic Depressive aka Bipolar. So I naturally have some pretty bad patches.. I was diagnosed after I had my kids, and that is the biggst thing for me. Its so hard to be really involved with my kids like running around, going to the park, etc. So when I am in a "down swing" with my bipolar I start thikning about how much my kids deserve a better mom, one who can be there more (my kids are 3 and 1 1/2) I start to feel worthless and lazy.. Then after the Dr told me that my COPD has progressed so quickly in such a short amount of time, and if I dont change some things then in 5-10 years it is a good possibility I will go into the hospital again, but this time I wont be coming back out... The thought of my kids growing up without their mom, me dying when my kids are still so young they wouldnt even remember me... There's just so much that is just so bad.. I am only 24 years old, I shouldn't even be thinking about stuff like this, I shouldn't have this disease yet.. All the Drs I've seen always tell me how I am the youngest person they've ever seen with this problem, that it usually doesnt happen until someones in their 40's at least.. So yes my depression has gotten much much worse.
Day 9: Have you ever tried any alternate therapies? If so, what? Did they work?
Professional counseling helped get the ball rolling, but the anti-depressants ended up being necessary. In addition to the meds, horsemanship does wonders for me.
As far as the Endometriosis, I take vitamins that help with the symptoms.
Day 10: What little things make your life easier?
Friends that are true friends and don't promise to be there only to disappear when the going gets rough. Equestrianism and martial arts help me so much physically and mentally.
Day 11: Why do you believe you have this illness? Bad luck, a higher power, or something else?
Genetics and trauma.
