CFS Participation
February 15, 2007 by laura
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Quick! Tell me 3 things about living with or managing your illness that you are actually glad about. Anything at all that makes you feel a little bit better (or more than that). Something that you do on a regular or semi-regular basis. All I am asking is for 3 things. Surely that can’t be too difficult.
I will start.
In no particular order….here we go.
1. Spa day – I go once a month….and I feel really great afterwards. If you have never been to a day spa, I highly recommend that you get yourself there immediately. In case you are interested, I go here.
2. Playing with puppies (or grown up puppies). This one is one of my most favorites….but he gets tired easily. As luck would have it, so do I.
3. I know that I am in control of my life, and my illness isn’t. This helps me get through every single day.
Hi Laura,
Finding three things is a bit of a task, but here goes…
1. Not having to get up in the morning. Though I get up every day at nine am, I do it so I won’t have trouble sleeping next time round, not because I have to get up for work or anything equally demoralising as I used to, but for myself. Also, I know if I really have to stay in bed, I can, and no one will be let down.
2. Eating better. Gradually as I have tried different techniques for getting well, I have moved towards a much improved diet. through allergy tests, subsequent exclusion diets and copious reading and research I now eat mostly organic and entirely fresh food, no processed rubbish as I used to so often.
3. Having an understanding family. I was shocked to discover at the CFS group sessions I attend at my local hospital that this is not the norm, and for many, half the battle they have to contend with is disbelief in the reality of the condition and lack of trust from their loved ones. I am really blessed to have mine.
Thanks for your postings,
Abi.
1) The amazing creativity I can draw on during even my worst times
2) The amount of time I get to spend loving and caring for my two dogs and three cats
3) How having my illnesses has brought out my spiritual side and an interest in self-improvement using NLP and hypnosis.
1. the spiritual growth that has come from the experience
2. my relationship with my husband, which is stronger for being tested
3. the AMAZING people I have met, on and offline (present company included)
Abi,
First of all welcome to cfs squared. Its good to have you here. Those are 3 very important things that you listed. Having a regular routine is so important. Its probably the single most important thing I did, when I was beginning to get well. I hope it works for you, as much as it did for me.
The family (or really anykind) of support network is huge. I am really glad to hear that you have a great one:)
Thanks for sharing….and come back anytime!
Nathan,
I think that you and I approach this whole CFS thing the same way (sometimes, anyway). I love that!!!!
However, I had to google what NLP was, I will be reading up on this, in the next couple of days. It sounds very interesting.
Pet therapy is the best. I wish I could spend a whole lot more time with the animals, in my life.
I would love to know more about this creativity you talk about. Is it because you approach life differently now…or its more involved than that?
Let me know.
Jennie,
1. I agree about the spiritual aspect. Its done wonders for me. And its out there in many many forms, and within ourselves. Can do huge things for someone, once they feel connected (which they already are).
2. Great pick. Glad to hear that your relationship is solid. I know that one isn’t easy, on the best of terms. But you guys made it work…and thats fabulous. And I am just the teeniest bit envious.
3. Right back at ya
Hey laura,
I’ve had a long struggle to come to terms with my illnesses (CFS, Fibro & complications) and it is still something I have to work at every day. Coping with an insidious condition like CFS or Fibro is a grieving process, and the 5 (?) stages apply. Most of the time I feel I’ve reached “acceptance”, well worth it – even if it did take 10 years!
NLP isn’t magic – although it can sometimes seem like it – it’s just a collection of techniques and strategies. Our brains work on patterns and NLP gives us an easy to learn toolkit to change thinking patterns in ourselves and others. You can use it for anything you want very easily. I’ve used it in concert with hypnosis to change the way I think.
What I mean by creativity is the pain and fatigue I experience, plus of course the lovely brain fog, means my concious mind which can block creativity (the Inner Critic) is forced out of the way and my unconscious genius can come through. I can’t possibly count the number of amazing ideas I’ve had after struggling to get up out of a chair or to the toilet. Of course the way I think about my life, and I keep trying to think better, has increased my concious creative powers no end.
Basically accepting my limitations (and explicitly my capabilities), bringing love into my life and learning how to use and train my mind has helped me so much. I still need a lot of help, but I’m doing a heck of a lot better than I would’ve thought possible just a few months ago.
Being forced to slow down and look for strengths and activities that I may not have explored, like writing and blogging!
That’s easy:
1. Time to read the classics.
2. Time to watch World Cup tournaments in their entirety.
3. Time to sleep.
Nathan,
Your response is very inspirational. Thank you!
I am going to spend some time thinking about what you said.
Lilli,
Writing and blogging are excellent tools to deal with CFS. Especially when someone reads what you have written. I can definitely say that this blog has given me a whole lot of strength.
Good Picks!
Sylvia,
I loved your response its so cute.
I have reasons just like yours as well