What CFS Has Given Me (The Good Stuff)
October 15, 2007 by laura
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
It’s theme day at the Science and Health Channel of b5media (again!). Today’s theme is the top 10 list. Now, I have done lists in the past. Lists such as the best movies to watch when you are feeling not so great, or the reasons why you should make your bed everyday. But, today’s list is going to be a bit more personal. I am going to tell you 10 reasons why I am grateful for having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This list will be in random order – if you feel like it, you can attempt to put them in proper order – but you won’t win anything.
OK Here is the list….
- I have learned the word “no” – and I KNOW how to use it.
- I have a collection of pajamas that just about anyone would envy. I am to pajamas as Imelda Marcos is to shoes.
- Through experience, I have come to realize that medications do not necessarily bring about a better quality of life- there is always another answer – you just need to look a little harder.
- I always have an excuse to bail out of undesirable situations (if for some reason “no” doesn’t straight out work).
- The company I enjoy the most, is my own. I could not have reached that state, if CFS did not come into my life.
- When insomnia hits, I have a great collection of reading material (bookmarked websites included) and movies, to fill my time – which makes me way more interesting than all of my friends – because I am well versed in intelligent culture.
- My apartment is almost always clean, because I just don’ t rest well, when its in disarray.
- I have found new talents (such as blogging) – as my old standbys just weren’t working like they should.
- I am surrounded by just the best people possible (people who read this blog are included in that) – there is no room for unworthy friends – this is the first and best rule that I learned through the CFS journey.
- I know how to make a bed properly, something that I didn’t know how to do before CFS entered my life.
There are other reasons, but they weren’t as fun as these ones. Perhaps I will save them for another installment.
I would love it, if you would share the positive aspects of your own journey with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
picture source – flickr
1. I’ve been cured of both generalized/social anxiety and shyness. Funny how not having the energy to get scared shows you how little there is to be scared of.
((Still trying to get over the fear of dentists and new medical staff (have been trying to call a new ND for over a month….).))
2. Have figured out what’s REALLY important. Clue: not very much. I fell off the map for over a year, and nothing catastrophic happened!
3. Apparently I’m pretty flexible and multi-talented.
4. A whole bevy of online friends and interesting sites I’d never would have found.
5. A whole new set of skills. A wonderful new city. A chance to slow down and think about things.
This is a great list, and very inspiring. Thanks for sharing. :]
kk
- no room for unworthy friends -
Ain’t that the truth! I’ve learned the same thing.
Awesome post, Laura – it inspired mine
I love your list and I too have some great pajamas! My son LOVES my Spongebob Squarepants pajamas! They are the most comfortable set I have!
Jenna,
Great list!
Reason # 2 is particularly great.
As for the fear of the dentist….many people have it. I take it as an opportunity to meditate.
It’s probably THE most relaxed that I get throughout the year. I know – I am a freak!
Thanks Kristen.
That means a lot coming from a “lively woman”
Thanks Alicia,
I am off to read what I inspired….can’t wait!!!
Sandy,
you have spongebob pajamas????
you HAVE to tell me where you got them. My collection is not complete, until I have some.
My most comfortable pair are ones that look like they have been invited to a 1950’s cocktail party…lots of martinis and shakers and fancy dressed people all over them.
Well, I bit the bullet and called the new ND this morning – but had to leave a message. Let’s hope they call me back, or I’ll have to go through getting-up-my-courage all over again!
Let’s see…
-time to watch soccer tournaments on TV
-time to catch up on all the movies I was too cheap to see in the theatres
-an excuse to order groceries online
-the parking spots!
I’m sure there’s more. And I agree, it’s a great way to get out of certain social obligations.
“Sandy,
you have spongebob pajamas????
you HAVE to tell me where you got them. My collection is not complete, until I have some.”
Laura, you are a card! I believe I bought them at Kohl’s the other year around Christmas. They were meant to be a gift for my brother, but they looked so soft and comfy that I decided to keep them for myself! I ended up going back and buying him pajamas that said, “I Fart In Your Direction”.
Some things on there we could all do with learning – regardless of CFS or not. Good list Laura. I particularly agree there is “no time for unworthy friends”.
Jenna, great news on the cold call.
A follow up call should be easier, since you already did the hard part. I hope so anyway.
I too have a hard time with cold calling. I much prefer communication via email.
Hope it all works out for you.
sylvia,
good list.
I am going to have to try online grocery shopping…I have a weird thing about leaving groceries outside – when I am not home. I think my neighbors might get a little hungry.
But once I get over that kind of thinking, I will definitely try it out.
Sandy,
great story. I am definitely going to source some sponge bob jammies….think I will pass on the fart ones though – they sound a little too ummm “masculine” for my taste.
I will be working on my christmas list for Santa, really soon – pajamas are definitely on the list
Thanks Kathryn,
we can always make new friends, right???
therefore no need to keep around the ones that aren’t so fabulous.
Over here there is one store where you can order online and then pick the bags up at the store at the time of your choosing. That would solve the hungry neighbour problem!
perhaps.
but then that takes away the fun of impulse buying.
although i suppose internet grocery shopping will give me plenty of opportunities for those crazy impulse buys.
True, it does make it harder to spend your hard-earned cash on junk you don’t need… \:|
Not that you couldn’t get some last-minute items at the store–I’ve done that.
I guess that’s one way to eat healthier. And that is totally needed in my life.
I just did a total impulse shopping spree tonight…and spent $35 dollars on junk food.
I am completely out of groceries….and yet I bought stuff that I dont need – and now that I ate some of it – I dont even want it in my house anymore.
OK I am sold on internet grocery shopping – just need to make a delivery plan.
Some “friends” seem to suck the life out of you – definitely don’t need them around. And you’re right there are always new friends to be made and new fabulous people to find.
In regards to the dentist, I personally just started seeing a sedation dentist. I had avoided going to the dentist for about 10 years, and obviously had several cavities and such to be fixed.
I popped the two pills they gave me 1/2 hour before arriving, and the dentist placed another one under my tongue shortly after arrival.
My next recollection was asking them to stop for a second so I could swallow.
The next thing I remember, I’m waking up on the couch at home, with much nicer teeth! I was vaguely coherent through most of it, but didn’t have much of a care in the world, and didn’t even need the pain prescription they gave me.
I highly recommend it for anyone avoiding the dentist due to fear or loathing.
Oh, and insurance doesn’t cover the sedation part (at least, mine doesn’t) so it cost me an extra $85.
Considering I got 3 or 4 visits worth of work done at one time, and didn’t have to deal with the stress of it all, it was highly worth it!
love your blog. so glad I found it. M
EEJ,
I had no idea you could get sedated at the dentist….Once a oral surgeon gave me valium – but that was when my wisdom teeth were extracted.
Good to know that they do that for regular visits as well – I am sure that information is useful to a lot of people.
Thanks.