Things to be grateful for

[kadi]

As part of a ministry training, I've been doing some reading about the elderly & it's really set me to thinking. There are times when I am very sad about the things IC has taken from me. Those are real losses and someday I hope that a cure will be found & no one else will suffer like we do.

Mainly, though, thinking about convalescent hospitals is making me aware of and grateful for how much I still have / can do:

Read, go to the library
Crafts
Privacy
Cook
Driving
Container gardening
Pets
Walks in the park
Watch DVD's
Buy my own clothes, toiletries, etc.

The seniors in hospital can't do or have any of those things. It's heartbreaking. And I take those things for granted every day.

One of the things I'm working on is: how to still be "me" even with IC. So, I can't travel like I used to. Ok, I can still rent foreign films, read in Spanish, watch Univisión. So, I can't hike 6 miles with the Sierra Club, but I can go to the park & watch the birds at the lake, can still take walks on the trail with my dad.

IC is very hard, it is lifechanging & not always in a good way, but it helps me somehow to realize that there are other people who suffer also and have lost even more than we do.

(I've had a crud of a flare for 3 days, but am staying positive & I think I'm feeling a little better!)

[miz_sunshine87]

IC had made me think a lot about what I'm grateful for too. IC is only one of the unfortunate things that have been going on in my life lately, and through it all I've learned a lot about my friends. There are those who choose to ignore my problems and don't ask how I am doing, there are those who don't ask, but show that they care by making me get out of my house and do something, and there are those who have gone out of thier way to listen to me whine and complain. I have one friend who stayed up with me until 6am on new years eve to listen to my fears and comfort me. My IC has taught me that there really are good people in this world, despite what we read in the newspapers and see on TV.

[Sarojini]

I also think about this issue from time to time, and I feel grateful that I have a great medical team that keeps me well enough to work and even keeps looking for ways to improve on what we already have.

I feel grateful that I can still do a lot of things, many of which you've already listed. Yes, I have bad flare days, but I've learned to take them in stride and know I will eventually feel better again.

A big one is that I've learned to ask for help -- this was a hard one for me as I hardly ever used to do that, and used to try to do absolutely everything myself. I'd also keep my problems inside at the same time, and these things combined would really wear me down. Now, I am able to ask my husband and co-workers for help, and I speak to a counselor about things that are bothering/hurting/upsetting me. I feel better all around now that I have learned that.... :)

[humpieumpumkin]

Im fairly new being diagnosed. Im having alot of anger, depression, and axiety. During this time, it has been very hard for me to greatful/thankful for anyting. I do however, realize how lucky I am to have the companionship of my Fiance Jake. If it wasn't for him, I would be a wreck. Thanks for the post about the geriactrics, it helped me open my eyes:smile tee

[Billsbaby]

i am thankful to have a wonderful and understanding husband who would do anything for me,having 2 healthy children(although sometimes bratty!!)i also can be pretty independant,and so many people can't do anything on their own.plus,hey, i'm still alive,right.i can watch my children grow up to be wonderful parents themselves.thank you god...