Something to share
 

I have wanted to share something with everyone. It's actually just a personal experience but a very intresting one. Back in early November I had a family member who was ill, and it sent me into a bit of a shock. During the months of November & December I was focusing on helping this person & all my attention and energy was shifted towards them. I was not active on the forum due to all of this going on.

Health wise I felt very good with little discomfort. No anxiety, and good BP numbers. This lasted for nearly 2 months. Then as all of you remember the Ultram problem I had over Xmas. I was in more pain than ever and having panic attack after panic attack. I was afraid to go to sleep and my BP was high. I had convinced myself that the Ultram changed my brain chemistry.

Over the last 10 days I have had a family member staying with me and we have been shopping,talking,having tea everyday, and trying to enjoy the time we have together. Again my focus has shifted from my illness to enjoying the time with family. My anxiety went away,I have slept 10 consecutive nights with no help from xanax or antihistamines. I have felt serene... better and happier.

They left yesterday to go back home. Last night I was feeling a bit down and I could sense the anxiety coming back. I fought it off.

I have always disregarded the strength of our minds to help us conquer this illness, but now I am convinced that the illness may even be exaserbated by our minds.There is nothing worse than focusing on an illness 24/7 with no intermission.That would give any illness great strength over us. I think that it is almost like slow torture in many ways.

I am not saying that we shouldn't discuss our health nor am I saying that we shouldn't seek support. But I have to say that all the time I personally spend focusing on my illness and probably even obsessing over it probably caused my health to worsen. When I shift the focus and occupy my mind with something else besides my PN, my pain lessens, I am calmer, & happier.

How many of us choose to stay home all the time instead of calling a friend or family member and asking for some company or to go out for a while? How many of us spend countless hours on the net reading the same things over and over and over about PN?

My story ends here because although I have PN, I don't want it to have me anymore. I would just like those who are not aware of the mind/body connection like I wasn't aware, to consider it. Possibly even invest a little of their time that would be otherwise allocated to PN and PN related activities on having some fun,or spending some time with a relative they love. Doing something different to break the routine.

Anything...

Hugs to all:grouphug:

Cheers

This
 

Is great Aussie and i'm glad it works for you,I'm the same way.. My mom use
to say don't just sit there do something. Don't worry about cleaning
we will just mess up the house anyway,there is so many of us. See
I can make it next weekend,J ,K,C,D well you count us all up,i'll
bring the tator sal.yum yum. Thanks for the invite mate :D:D Sue

What you are alluding to is called distraction.

Distraction works quite well....no one should BE their disease.

Staying busy and goal orientated helps a lot...dwelling on your disease does not.

As with all things in life, balance is important.

Distraction is an excellent way to cope with pain, just don't ignore things such as broken bones, like I did...

Live life large....be who you aspire to be, who you want to be, regardless of what ails you...

No person is ever their disease....we are folks who for whatever reason, got this problem...it should never be our whole life.

That said, I am not going kiteskiing again....

but there are plenty of other things that beckon me still...I just have to make sure I stay realistically optimistic, and believe in myself. I haven't let myself down yet...what is a missing finger here and there, right?

You have some darn good weather downunder.....ever thought of a kite? If not, sounds like you are primed to buy one.:hug:

C is completely right about everything,incuding the broken legs,but i'm
all metal,,so we are on our way to the great weather . Come on
C. we can get are kite when we get there..And always remember
you go first.. Aussi how old are your children,I can't remember,but
I think there young.. You have been busy keep it up,you won't
have time to think of anything but a nice sleep.. Also your a very
sweet person with a big heart..I just looked up the area you
live in just lovely..Hugs Sue

Now you know why I go around the corner every summer evening, and sit on my 75 year old friend's porch, surrounded by her neighbors, the dogs, and we just sit and chat, and I bring a tin of my muffins, and the little kids come up on the porch and play with my keychains, and all just CHILL!!!

When someone sees me limping, or I'm in such pain and they go, "how are you", I always say "Hey, I'm just happy to wake up and kiss my husband". That always gets a laugh.

And sometimes, the pain goes away. For me, the pain is gone when it is 95 degrees outside and everybody is croaking and staring at me like I've lost my mind because I'm smiling from here to there.

They are pouring bottles of water over their heads and looking at me and saying 'why the heck are you so happy, it's 95 degrees, aren't you melting?" and I respond. "Are you serious??" NOTHING IN MY BODY HURTS in this weather. I could live in the Sahara Desert (if I could afford it, I probably would".

So from about May till October, everybody sits outside or we all go on Vivian's porch and just chat about what we saw on tv, or what new outfit someone is wearing. But what they all love is when I go home, and bring over some new gadget I had just bought.

You should have seen all of them, when I took out my Vidalia Onion Shopper and I was chopping my veggies on Vivian's porch.

Now it's January. But by May, when I go on her porch, I'll bring my One touch Can opener, my Reynold's Handi-Vac, and my Pedegg, and my Tater Mitts, and I'll do informercials on her porch.

They'll laugh their heads off.

That's when I say "life is good".

melody

Aussie, like everyone else, I agree that distraction is a good device to employ for pain control. Unfortunately, while it can help us improve our quality of life, it is not a cure and will not make pain disappear. I have found that, while it works well at times, I do still get tired, as if the effort of pushing all that pain into the background takes some energy. Also, if my pain becomes too great, distraction becomes more difficult to accomplish. And.... at some point, there still comes a time when I have to rest, pull back, settle down.....and then the pain comes back. I find I can't be running around doing fun and fascinating things at every moment. I do find that my new walking cammpaign is helping, as do my art lessons and Yoga class. Anything that turns my thoughts outward. Now, if only cleaning the bathrooms would distract me....!!!!!

Susan:

You want something to help you clean your bathroom??

The Mr. Clean Magic Reach.
Also Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I use it to clean my ceramic tile floor. Takes off EVERYTHING.

You'll love these items.

You probably have them already.

The art of distraction is a balancing act for me. I would much rather go out and do something I enjoy, but I do continue to hurt at some level the entire time, and if I completely ignore my body and do too much, I'm gonna hurt twice as much the next day. But I am all in favor of doing whatever you can safely handle.

I can no longer do my most favorite things like traveling, hiking, dancing and big photographic expeditions, but I do manage some lower-key stuff from time to time. My most frequent distractions are watching comedy on tv (or DVD) and listening to music (right now "Air Force Ones" by Nelly is playing on my iTunes :D). Laughing out loud is very therapeutic, so I treat myself to that as much as possible. :wink:

And when I am too sick for the face to face social thang, I might try conversation via telephone, and if I can't even handle that, I might e-mail someone (works well for people with cognitive dysfunction because of the opportunity to edit before "speaking" :D). Melody, you reminded me of when I was at a reunion in Florida in October: everyone was complaining about the horrid humidity, but I was happy because my eyes weren't dry and felt better than they had in YEARS! :D One thing I find that really helps is to make an effort to really appreciate and be grateful for what is good; that sort of thinking can crowd out the being overwhelmed by the bad.

Do the best you can with whatever you've got to work with. That's my motto.

fanfaire
:cool:

In a book I read recently
 

it discussed one of the universal laws of physics. We all know about the law of gravity? Well essentially the law of gravity is an undisputed truth. There is another law called the law of attraction or "like attracts like". It's essentially stating that we as humans are both magnets and receivers of energy,particles,circumstances etc,etc.

Essentially doing things I enjoy and surrounding myself with family is a distraction,but also positive on the energy spectrum. Having a positive outlook and behaving positively according to this law, can change ones circumstances such as their health. If you practice thinking upwards and think good things and good thoughts you will feel good emotionally, and this can alter your pain,and may even alter the illness. The book also goes on to explain that we are on a frequency in this universe so a negative person who is frequently distressed and worries constantly will attract "like" things on the same frequency towards him". The same is true for a positive person.

We all say that emotional stress often exaserbates PN. So the law is, Like attracts like. Most of the time we go around in a moderate way or an emotional even keel. I am wondering what the course of PN would be on someone who spent there time being positive, not giving the illness fuel, and being happy?

Just think Aussie, in 20 years, how much wiser you will be than any of us.

Hi Cycleops,

Forgive me but I don't get the above statement:confused:

I do
 

very much like Fanfarie and when the day is good ,I see it as a good
day. But i'm not going to say everyday the smallest thing won't
hurt for days..Chronic illness is not sexy and the chronic ill person
is either afraid to speak out for so many reasons,job loss,insurance
loss. Now that i'm a old bag, I'm not so afriad,but I will not
be ignored by narcistic people who say I don't want to be like that.
Because some day they may be,but i've been lucky and have a strong
family,there not all living near me but I know they love me,are
proud of me as I am of them..We are who we are and someday
everyone has a struggel,but we make it the best we can. Some take
pain better then others and we all have pain in different ways.I
am going to have someone clean my house,I won't like it but This
mess bothers me..I could go on,no i'm tired but I'm proud of what
I can still do,I'm not giving up,I want life anyway I can get it. Sue
I take it back we are a sometimes worn out sexy,Look at Billye no
silver haired lady there very pretty,as Mel and many of us if we had
the guts and printed our picture,don't forget that pretty Roxie.good
night.

I think that is great that you are feeling better and in much less pain. Keep on doing what you are doing. Its great to hear success stories.

I keep busy and do what i can and am distracted at times but after a short while my feet insist on reminding me and i can feel the pain while im on them. I try not to let it stop me and i do push myself. Sometimes i hit a brick wall and thats it for that day and i have to ease off or take the day off, but im right back there as soon as i can. I think it really depends on what a person has and how far advanced it is and how much pain, as to what degree and length of time they can become distracted.

Keep up the good work and good luck.

I am glad you have found that you are feeling better by helping others and not focusing on yourself.

However,to imply that if I thought more positively, and associated with more positive people that my PN would go away and the quality of MY life improve is a hurtful comment.

You are 20 years younger than I, your experience with PN, as a diagnosis is limited.

It is not appropriate to lecture people on the other side of the mountain, as to which way the wind is blowing.


I wonder after all these years of having PN, that ONE OF US, didn't figure out all we had to do was think positive!

People get PN for many reasons.
Some get it due to cancer.
Some get it due to autoimmune diseases.
Some get it due to toxins.
Some get it from infectious diseases.

Some are BORN with it. I think the idiopathic PNers have the most difficult time, as they have NO idea how to treat the disease. They have no 'scar they can talk about' using the lyrics of a current rock song.

PN is a large net, with many manifestations. Getting a diagnosis of PN is the beginning, not the end of finding out what is causing to be unable to function. Some people with some forms of PN go on to develop life altering and life threatening condititions, regardless of how 'positive' they think.

Positive thinking has been a mainstay of every one on this board.

They have been kind, accepting and helpful to any one who even questions that they may have, or develop some kind of PN, regardless of the tactless form that many of these inquiries take. Many of the inquiries on here are inconsiderate.

If you have developed the level of wisdom you have, at this early time in your life, while exploring this disease as a possibility of your problems, then, you are far wiser than I, and far wiser than the entire group.

Just don't ever tell me, for one instant, that if I did not dwell on my loss of function, it would go away. Don't tell me for one instant that I have not spent my entire life in positive action or positive company and that I still do not do so.

I have spent a lifetime professionally as a registered nurse, caring for sick people. Almost as long as you have been alive.

I have had toxic chemo bags break and cleaned it up with bare hands....that is what we did 'way back then'.

I have spent a lifetime raising 8 children, 4 of them not my own, to adulthood.

I have spent almost 4 decades married to the same man. I have left behind many programs for public good AND I have challenged myself thru athletic activity, competed against able bodies competitors, to put myself out there as a role model to folks with traumatic injury and illness, and to show folks that indeed, there is a place for even the 'impaired' person to be part of something greater.

So tell me, how, how can I think and act more positively to stop my foot drop?

It is pretty hard not to dwell on it when I take each and every step. I have to think to walk, and when I think, it is hard not to remember that I have PN and it is doing this to me.

What YOU can do without thinking about, another person must thoroughly think thru every action in order to accomplish it. It takes a great deal of positive thought just to take a step or open a jar. I have seen very few people complain of how difficult life can be with functional impairment.

I am delighted that you are able to go forth and do good deeds, live life large. It is one less life altered by this condition, and that is what I hope to see.

Cycleops
 

When I started my thread it was based upon my personal experience. Then I discussed a book I was reading called "The Secret". I beleive it's a best seller.

The book just just implies that our minds are very strong and can alter our perception of pain and illness and possibly change an outcome. There are examples of this such as the power of placebo,meditation,prayer,healing touch,laughter as therapy, the list goes on and on. Positive thinking is not a magic bullet, but I think it can be useful to certain people like myself.

I think that you often take things way to personally and its like you think it's ok to be hurtful to people who have done nothing to you? So I guess next time anyone has something to say it needs to be run by you for approval?? I think you tend to be too heavy handed with opinions and too ready to argue. If you analysed what I wrote, one post was my own experience and the other was about a book I was reading.

Cycleops, please don't reply back to me, I am not an argumentative person. I think this illness does enough damage without the likes of people like yourself tearing me down even further. And if you don't like a thread just ignore it for goodness sake!


Cheers

i'm
 

not sayin anything other then I kept my PN a secret for over 10 years,
what it did Aussi was just let it get worse.. my hubansd would beg something
is wrong please lets' see about it. I was a nurse ,I was,raising 3 children,
taking care of a sick husband and mother..I was busy,that old pain was
going away it had to ,had to much on my hands..PN is far more common then
we will ever know,because most people don't know what that burning,
tinging ect. is or even what Dr.to go to. I was a nurse my back hurts very common,but my feet hurt,well I never sit down,but then my hands started dropping things that just to dangerous for the patient,not to mention
sticking yoursef and not knowing it. Today you get more dieases,you can
you can also get more protection..When c.mentioned back when we
picked up bags of nasty stuff ,I was a register nurse,I would not be doing that now,I would be the old lady doing paper work..I got stuck by a needle
once that was throw in a waste paper basket,yes that use to be done.
Then in ER a nurse trying to put a IV stuck me and itslipped and stuck her.
We were quiet,she asked if I had aids,I said no do you. My husband said isn't she going to report that.my 11 yr. old saw a ton of blood a started screaming..I had to report it,we had a look like ignore it,but other paitients
mattered. If you book works good,honest I'm happy for you,didn't get to
know you well..But the price of stuff is expensive there. I can't think
of the name of a new book,it's the guy with MS who wrote BlindSide,his
wife was on the View for 9 years and took over for Katie on one of the
morning shows. People wrote him and said what about us,he could only
pick 5 i think after thousands. It took 2 yrs to write,oh he's legally blind,
and wanting to get it right he bend over close every night. He included
a man with Bi Polar,Mentally ill are more often forgotten then so many.

My legs and feet are very much like Bobby B. did you see his great pictures
the other day..his feet fall in mine fall out. He's great and strong and
very interesting as many on this forum..I'm a positive thinker but a
realistic thinker as well... Good luck Sue Don't care what your problem
with C is but she is brilliant as our Glen..They never ticked me all because
they are just ttat.

Aussie, I have always viewed you as a STRONG
 

person...just that your own equilibrium is more easily put off than some others. That, you are able to, and can put aside your own issues for the sake of another is testimony to your strength of mind and will. We all have to do what we MUST when we must.. then we can sort of 'collapse' afterwards?
I believe Cycleops was trying to say that you both are in concert in your approaches, tho coming from different directions to achieve the service or need to the end.

Dwelling on our pain isn't good, but you have to admit that that pain and it's consequences do rule what we do and how we do things to a far greater degree than others? No? Often, more than we would care to know or admit, even. I also find that 'doing' other things that I can do, which take my mind off of my own issues are, while exhausting at times, are very gratifying. They tell me that: I can be productive in society, especially for family and friends; and, that in turn-reinforces my own self that I CAN do things! More than I initially thought.

Aussie, YES! The mind IS one very powerful thing! Let us all try to see the commons in our power, no matter the sources or causes of our debilitations and just go forward to try to help others.. As I know you have always done.

Hugs to all and have at least ONE pain free moment in the next couple of days? You mite not know it's there unless you are 'tuned' in....:hug::hug:'s - j

Hi Aussie, it's great to read any post were someone has found a way to help their PN and it's good idea to share positives in a forum like this as it could help someone else in a similar situation.
I know in my own personal experience with my small fibre damage, it was very clear to me that when i was not not in a relaxed state of mind, the symptoms would defiantly accelerate.
Thanks for sharing
Brian :)

Brian
 

I really understand the relaxed state,I use to having people around,I like
it ,Bob is off having so much fun,and i'm enjoying so much being alone
for awhile,I love to read so this is a perfect time.. J said it all in her
post,it said what,i have trying to in a very clumsy way.
I'm glad Brian you are being :cool: lol stay that way friend.:hug: Sue

Whilst I entirely agree with your first posting Aussie because this happens to me regularly, I have to say that in your posting about the book you most certainly did imply agreement with its message. You say that you have a positive outlook and imply that this can “change ones health”. I think that is an unfortunate overstatement.

Surrounding ourselves with our friends and distractions of any pleasant kind as you originally suggested is right on the ball, these things can certainly “help” to make us feel better. However I feel you were a little too enthusiastic and went a trite too far in your posting about the book.

I do hope you and cyclelops can bridge this gap and “make up”. I am sure you both mean well.

Tony

The man that knows the most about matter in this world and other worlds, is Stephen Hawking. If only he could will his hands to move by thought alone, as is the pleasure of those, who, at least for now, do not struggle with such simple acts.

I utterly agree that a positive attitude is needed to face chronic illness. Thank you for acknowledging that effort is not always rewarded with success. I appreciate that. Thank you also for recognizing that attitude is important when facing any obstacle, be it physical or psychological.

I also appreciate the enthusiasm of reading a new self help book and the resilience of youth. I was at one time wise myself.

I wish nothing more than to see some one, any one, conquer the disability, not just the pain that comes with neuromuscular disease. I would hold them in highest regard.

In the last couple of years - I’ve listened to hundreds of hours of (what I call) personal development ebooks. I took all of that very serious.

So serious that instead of making notes - I made over 6,000 pictures. They act as notes/reminders. They change every 60 seconds on two laptops that sit on my desk.

On this topic - “The Secret” comes to mind.

Over simplified - focus on what you want - not what you don’t want. That same messages is all over in all kinds of personal development - motivation but .....

While The Secret was a “nice” message - I really did not get it until I found 10 hours of their work shop. The redundancy of the message finally soaked in.

A few points from it:

- Pick the best thing about someone or something and use that as your focus. While thinking about the best feature/part you will come to realize other even better parts about the person/thing/situation.

- Instead of thinking about the bad - potential worse - negatives ...... view the entire situation with a hopeful positive outlook.

A guy named Eckhaart Tolle ...... made a very lasting point - in one of his ebooks.

Your life is now - right now - right this very moment. You can’t change anything about the past - that is not your life anymore.

(thinking about the past is often thinking about regrets - thinking about the future is often thinking in fear - we need to live in the now - the right now - this very minute now)

Sometimes when we are thinking about our problems - if we just shut our eyes and focus on that very minute - we may see that in that very minute - we don’t have the problem at all (in that moment - in our life - our life is RIGHT NOW.

Yes I firmly feel - we should not think about our problems all that much - including our health problems.

Aussie - I have mentioned it before - I died July 20th 1998. In November of that year the panic attacks started. I “learned” my way out of them. At first I visited panic/anxiety forums ......... then stopped that. Reading about people having panic attacks for 20 years or more was not helpful.

I also mentioned I had a TIA (or 10) over the last 40 days or so. Well that was stirring up the anxiety again. I had to look for ways to get that back under control. The panic/anxiety was for sure making anything (I was having or not having) worse.

One of the big big things that helped me (back in 1998) get past the panic was ........

A Dr at the ER said “I just hold my breath when I feel some anxiety coming on”.

Often hyperventilation comes with panic/anxiety. Holding your breath does the same thing as breathing in a paper bag. It slows the oxygen intake - giving time for it to convert to dioxide that carries it to the brain.

Learning to breathe 12 time a minute also helped me.

This time around I have turned this desk chair (Herman Miller Aeron) into a full body vibrator/heater and give myself a 15 minute relaxing “treatment” each day around noon.

I have not had any anxiety attacks for a few days - mostly because I have not had any TIA/stroke scares in several days now but - I hope I can hold my own if I do have another one. I am convinced the anxiety/panic makes everything worse.

I don’t even come here and read much anymore ....... I also think - thinking about our health problems (too much) decreases our quality of life.

I think it is perfectly reasonable
 

for people to vary in opinion. I think it's perfectly reasonable to offer a different point of view. I am not saying that the book is right against all other opinions as it is a point of view. I may today agree with the book and tomorrow think it's rubbish.

What I have a problem with is personal attacks, belittling,and essentially launching a personal insult against someone.

Who cares if the book may be full of rubbish. It made me feel better reading it so I guess it got it's point across, and since it's a Best Seller.. I reckon I am not the only person it helped. I try to keep an open mind.

If I read such a post and did not agree for whatever reason, I would say to myself "that poor girl wasted good money on a silly book", and I would go on with my life.

Live and let live.
This is only a forum. It is not a court trial nor is it the Bible.

Lastly, the book never claimed that positive thinking will halt organic disease. The book discussed pain & perception of illness. The book also explained that medicine is an ever evolving field of study and the brain still an enigma. There is more we don't know about the power of the brain than what we do. We as humans only use a fraction of the minds capability.

I am not agreeing with everything the book states, but I am agreeing with much of it in my case. My illness never has been just PN. It's aways been PN and fear of PN (anxiety). My perception of the illness has almost handicapped me. I needed to change. I needed to be more positive. I needed to add a bit of joy and laughter back into my life. The book was well worth the $25 I spent on it. If what I wrote can help just one person on this forum, than that is more than enough for me.

And if anyone thinks the book is full of %#@*... that's ok to.

What else can I say except that in this life their is much suffering and pain. If we see a chance to find some peace and happiness,by all means grab it weather it came from a silly book or a song or wherever. Hope... never give up and reach for the stars..........

Akutamata
"No worries"...for the rest of your days.

Nice to hear that you are feeling better Ron. I am glad to hear that the panic anxiety is under control. That in itself can be far worse than the illness.

Wanted to pop in and vouch for the effectiveness of focusing on one's breathing during times of stress. I must admit I do not suffer from anxiety, but I have found that certain medical procedures are more physically painful if I do not distract myself by making sure I am breathing slowly and deeply. By relaxing myself in this way, I no longer pass out after a blood draw, I can endure a nasty EMG, and I do not feel claustrophobic while getting a brain MRI.

No cure, certainly, but a worthwhile form of distraction.

fanfaire
:cool:

Hi Ron good to hear from you,I have used breathing for just anything
that upsets me..The only thing I have had to learn to do,is please ask
others don't keep asking if i'm ok,it disrupts what i'm trying to do,and
that's not go into a panic attack...

Mybe it's my age,althrough i've heard younger people say you can't
live in the past,not much can be done about it now.Alot of people
spend alot of time living in the future,that's ok,but you got to
get there. So as.so wisely said live for today,the right now.
I think that's so true,and wise to remember.. Thanks for your
post.

I don't want a fuss about anything,but Aussie,this not to hurt you
are your feelings. There are a lot of best sellers out there,that are awful
but many people will read anything...I'm never been much on
self help books. That's me,and if it helped you that's great.Just
like I do a lot of my reading at the library,it saves money,in case,I
don't think in my own mind it's a best seller..And I don't mind waiting,
your name can be put on a list,.the wait has never been that bad.
besides right now,u bills,gas bills and such are necessary..Amaon
is another way to save if you don't mind used books,and i've gotton
soom best sellers in the hospital and Drs. office for free..We are
all different in our way of thinking..But like you,I do like a good book,
if i like it I will mention it to others.

Hugs to all and good to hear from you Tony,hope your feeling a wee bit
better..Sue

Ron:

I must say, I did like what you said about thinking in the present. We can't focus on the past, nor can we focus on the future (that brings fear). And thinking about the past (which we can't change), well there goes the regret stuff going on.

I only wish I could explain to my son how all his negativity is hurting him and our family. My son is the most negative person I have ever met in my life.

He only speaks in the minus column (so to speak), never the plus column.
He once told me "the difference between you and me mom, is that I see the glass as half empty and you see the glass as half full"

I said "is there anything you can do to change your perception of life, to find people that you can relate to??, to find some happiness in your world?" and he just said:'

"No, I want to do what I want to do, I don't want anyone controlling me, or telling me what I have to do, I'm not a team player". Other stuff also.

And he's only 26 and has no major physical ailments. I can only imagine, (if he keeps up with this way of thinking), that when he hits 40, and he has no friends, never made friends, continues to be alone, and god forbid he gets some ailment, that he'll have no positive way of dealing with life. That is what support systems are in place for. Support groups, therapy..etc. Whatever it takes!! I really believe this.

People who are continually negative (and who never let in the light), well they live in darkness. This has absolutely nothing to do with god, religion or anything.

I have my very bad pain days. I'm just happy when I don't get up crooked.

Like the other day, I got the results from my mammogram. All was normal. 20 years ago, when I got my first mammo, they found a tumor. So ever since then, well, you know what we women think, ... well, they found one, they'll probably find another one. I've had tumors in other parts of my body also.

But when I got those results the other day, I walked over to Alan and said "I love my breasts!!" Alan laughed and said "well, I love them too". I laughed and said 'no, you dont' understand, I got the results, they are normal".

He said 'wow, that's great".

I only wish the rest of my life could be so great, but since I can't control the future, I just live my life one day at a time, and keep out negative stuff.

That includes people, and things.

Not too happy a thing to have to distance oneself from one's own child, but hey, it's survival going on here.

So let's all get together and sing 'KUMBAYA!!!! LOL

Melody

Interesting Thread
 

I'm finding this thread very interesting - it really shows how we all are so different - and find out own coping mechanisms to get thru the day - no matter what the actual problem is...... pain, nausea, financial matters, family issues, etc.... we are certainly all in a different place and all have our own demons to stuggle with every day.... and if one can find a book or saying or exercise - anything that strikes a cord to help us deal - its awesome.... what works for one may not work for another - but that doesnt matter - if it works for the individual....

I know personally I spend a lot of time right now planning for the future not only healthwise but housing, etc. - because I have too - its an overwhemling priority and if I ignore it - I'll be in very serious trouble.... again, for each of us it is different.... and we have to find that balance of giving ourselves a break during the day to strengthen our bodies in any way we can...... I appreciate hearing how each of you deal with the stressors - because yes, this is it, we're here right now, and we dont want to waste any time!

So thanks to all you folks, if it works - love to hear about it!:)

I am quoting.....

"I am wondering what the course of PN would be on someone who spent there time being positive, not giving the illness fuel, and being happy?"



Does my advanced PN imply that I did not spend my time in the above specified manner?

Again Cycleops you are missing the forest for the trees. Lets' s just assume my post did not agree with you at all. That does not give you the right to insult me nor carry on in this matter. I at times have disagreed with things you have posted, as well as other members but I have to keep perspective, this is an open forum and I am not a dictator.

It's over...move on.

I agree you are much older and you were also in the healthcare indusrty but it doesn't appear that it has afforded you much compassion nor tolerance for others. I finally admit I am wrong and you are right. OK? You win.

Let it go it's over.

Please do not post anymore on this thread.

ITS OVER!!!

Anymore posting... and I am now feeling you are harrassing me.

I would hope not and know you live a fuller life then many C.
K i know that what your going through you have to think of
the future. When I get overwhelmed ,I must admit I igrnore
the very thing I need to do...I have to ask my brother not to tell
me how many are losing there homes in Mi. why it's heart breaking,
I lived there for years..In the 80's it happened in Mi.It's so hard as
you know K. What helps us oh shoot my heart goes out to you
I remember putting my hands

over my eyes a said no,no,I cried
and I wasn't sick ,you are,I wasn't in a wheelchair,you are,I
could eat you have ensure...But I had a neighborhood going
through it..Were we working on what to do,no we talked,cried,
and most had to sell our houses for very little or loose them. Is
this helping you no,and I don't know how any of this can. I finally
had to move,oh gezzz I wish there was a magic button..I did it cause
of kids.

Now I sit here thinking why didn't I move last year,but at least
I have a roof over my head,I own it,but it's to big..My problems
are nothing compared to you..I was thinking today how much
ensure costs a week,how much you take..Why Bob takes it in between
meals,and he was wondering if the store brand was as good as
ensure,by the time i read all that,I know he will be far down to another
place because he wants me to deal with it. ha So yes there are
times we have to think of the future. And I know you enough to
know you would feed you cat before you. I wish you better K.
:hug::hug::hug: Sue