Friday, January 6, 2012

New respect for life.

 Some of us get up everyday and do the same thing. Some of us get up everyday and touch a life, change a mind, open a new door. Some of us get up everyday with a different respect for life. Myself I go to bed in hopes that when I get up in the morning it will be a great day pretty darn simple. I would like to change the world, make an impact and find a way to have world peace but for now I just hope that when I get up I can put my pants on...LOL. What would I give to not have arthritis.....what wouldn't I give to have arthritis. Although tough at times it has given me compassion, strength, knowledge, and has made me appreciate my life. I have a deeper respect for my body and those who suffer with any chronic illness. I appreciate the little things. I read an article about a girl who found her silver lining in her illness. It gave me motivation to write this blog this morning. I have also been reading alot on aging and arthritis. There have been a ton of studies done and what I took out of all those studies is that the people who stayed active, healthy, ate well and had the right attitude found it easier to deal with the pain and struggles of arthritis and or a chronic illness. The stress and coping strategies they tested allowed to see what would counter act the negative impact of a chronic illness. The following areas of study included socialization, knowledge, physical activity, friendship/support, acceptance and helping others. What is most apparent in the readings is that the people who had not accepted their disease were not as happy, active, healthy and required more medications. Also the people who had minimal support or were alone from the diagnoses also did not do as well. It was not until one of the studies was finished that these who did not do well in the test realized changing their beliefs, attitude, and thoughts would actually make them overall feel better. It is easy to get caught in the downhill spiral of disease, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and worry. It took me a very long time to find my silver lining. I now run, I try harder and like I said I don't take my great day for granted. I have people in my life that enhance it support me and are a constant positive support for me. I stay very up to date on the latest drugs, vitamins and anything that will help with my arthritis. I have yet to accept certain aspects of the disease but I have accepted that I have it. Knowing all this makes things a but easier for me.  One day a couple years ago I was trail walking/running in Deep cove. I was having a difficult day with my arthritis so I decided to go for a hike. I got stuck coming down the trail. My sciatic nerve seized up and my leg was not responding to what my brain was telling it to do. I ended up just standing there unsure of my next steps. I ended up sitting on a rock and the tears started to flow. I thought I would be stuck there, in the woods. I spent a good half an hour just sitting there thinking. I calmed myself down and slowly stood up. It took me another hour to get down the hill which would usually only take 20 minutes. How could this be my situation......what was I going to do about my frustration? I ended up turning that frustration into motivation which then led me down that trail that led to arthritis runs, donating time and being an advocate for the  cause. I in return have met the most amazing people, I have learned so much about my disease, and besides my injections my attitude is way better. I have found my silver lining. Although I have yet to figure out my path in life I know if I stay positive about it good things will come my way. "keep on Keeping on"
  I'd like to share these quotes,

"In order to change in a health outcome, patients must change their thoughts, attitude and belief's", James McKoy MD.

"Without my chronic illness I wouldn't have found my passion for life" Elizabeth Wertenberger.

I have said it before just like other have said it.........sometimes at our weakest moments we get the clarity we need to figure out the next step. It is when we are at our lowest points we truly see our true strength and willingness for better things. I choose to see that my disease has made me a better person. I did not know how strong I was or how determined I was until arthritis came knocking on my door.

4 comments:

  1. Erin,
    This is my favorite post of yours so far! You are going to be fine - better than fine actually. Life with a chronic illness gives us a very special perspective on life. It is a perspective that I am so glad I have and like you, share with others. There is so much good that we can find out of our struggles. Once we see that with clarity - there is an epic shift. I look forward to your next post - I'm so glad that AS brought us together.

    Keep on keeping on!

    Love,
    Jenna

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  2. Hi Erin~ I agree 100% with your comments: "people who stayed active, healthy, ate well and had the right attitude found it easier to deal with the pain and struggles of arthritis and or a chronic illness" & socialization, knowledge, physical activity, friendship/support, acceptance and helping others...."What is most apparent in the readings is that the people who had not accepted their disease were not as happy, active, healthy and required more medications"

    A message that I've been attempting to spread and you just so happen to capture it beautifully and so eloquently. Indeed a positive attitude will put you in the position to handle anything that AS brings your way. Thank you for sharing. Sending warm healing hugs!

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  3. nice to meet you, Erin. i have Ankylosing Spondylitis as well. thanks for sharing this post.

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