Billye brought up, and Daniella and others agree, that sometimes we are on some sort of surreal merry-go-round what with the medical issues and problems, dealing with doctors who won't/can't coordinate our TOTAL care. Then us dealing with the side effects: Stress, progression of our condition[s], and the complicating side effects of treatments.

In all honesty I think we all could 'do' with a reading of the Chronic Pain forum here and at other sites/resources. Why? Because we are part of a larger community of pain sufferers, because we might just learn some 'tricks' on how to cope, and because we might just learn where to guide those who care for, or with us to learn how to cope as well.

Having constant, chronic pain, is well just that: A PAIN! Living with those who 'get it' or those who 'don't' is an additional pain as well.

There are no 'formulas' to deal with 'it all' easily. Being ill, with either a chronic, hereditary or acquired disorder requires the same efforts [WORK] to understand and deal as best possible with each problem or problems.

YES! it IS frustrating! It is frightening as well....the unknowns of our varied and often multiple medical issues are beyond scary. But, finding and using the tools...and there are many out there...to deal with these things.

What inspires me to write this, is that I have a friend who has been battling cancer for over 10 years...This person has particpated in more clinical trials for cancer therapies than all of us on this board [in any clinical trials that is].
This person recently fractured her pelvis and also a leg and is wheelchair bound due to that...the bones are more fragile than ours due to all the immune system blockers and other really toxic meds taken over the years...YET..YET, while now knowing they are on borrowed time...is still fighting in a way that embarasses me whenever I even think about my pains...As many here inspire me? This one individual HUMBLES me with the tenacity of mind over matter and the belief that these conditions can be beat!

This isn't to say that our own concerns and complaints aren't valid? They most certainly are! But, it's more like we need to keep them in perspective and use all the resources we have available to keep them just where they belong...IN PERSPECTIVE

As another dear friend who is also seriously ill with a neuro disease is that we must make 'Lemons into Lemonade'! Simply put? We have to!

Thanks for listening - hugs and hope to all - j

Dahlek - you are so right....

and after just spending some true time relaxing this AM for the first time after months of worry about a bunch of stuff, I watched my cat chase a ball around the room for about 15 minutes - thats all it took for him - ate, played, and now snoozing!

I guess its a balance eh?

K you are so right better then any pill,lol for both of you.

Me I watched,my Grandson's vidio's he's so funny laughs,and then sleeps.

J. did you ever get all those camera books read,took a 12 yr. old to show me.

Bob got to LV is a little richer and sleepy.

While you look at other forums,introduce yourself,I met a bunch of new
people the other day,a book helped someone,and a thankyou made my
day... Thanks J i agree Hugs to all Sue

To me, laughter is the best medicine. If anyone wanted to laugh, I hoped that at least one of you tuned into American Idol last night.

There was a guy who sang GO DOWN MOSES. He made Randy Jackson laugh so hard he had to hide his face. I couldn't get to sleep I was laughing so hard all night long.

I just made Alan watch the tape I made and he fell off the couch.

I do hope SOMEONE on these boards saw this guy on AI last night.

Melody

Just posted about the value of laughter and some other stuff on another thread, but I'll repeat a bit here. My laughter therapy lately is recording stuff off of Comedy Central or the HBO Comedy station and then watching it while eating lunch. I particularly like female comics from the 1980's.

Moderation is the key when coping with more concurrent ailments that a person can remember without a list. Even though I've got so many medical problems that it's a full time job just taking care of them all, I still make time each day to learn something new, to do something that makes me feel useful (even if it's just giving the dog his medication), and to do something I enjoy. Having a "routine" appropriate to my abilities helps keep me going.

I'm always amazed at the strength of others confronting their own mortality. When my mom was dying of cancer, she still managed to find humor in situations others found mortifying, like suddenly being bald. She decided she looked like Yoda and would say things like, "you know, I never realized I had such good looking ears!"

I try very hard to maintain perspective. I know my life could be much less complicated health-wise, but I also know it could be so much worse than it is. Like I said on the other thread, do the best you can with whatever you have to work with.

fanfaire

Mel

Did that comedy video get to you??? That baggage claim one I sent....my gosh he is funny!!! If not check your email..

To True Need Say No More !Liz M