Use it while you’ve got it

August 11, 2011

You know how some days are so horrible that you can’t imagine having a good day?  And then a good day comes along?  Maybe it’s a day without pain or a day without fatigue or a day without nausea or simply a day where the symptoms are a bit less horrible than they usually are.  Those days are amazing.  I love those days.

Sometimes it’s easy to miss a good day when it’s simply a day with less-bad symptoms, but it’s worth watching for.  I may never ride a bicycle again, or get to jump out of a plane, or drink alcohol, but I know that I use the good days the best that I can.  I think that if I didn’t use those days, they’d feel like a waste.  I don’t have to do anything much on the good days, just know that they exist and appreciate them and feel happy about them.  Doing that is enough.  So that on the bad days, at least I know I made the most of the good ones.  I may have other regrets in life, but wasting the good days won’t be part of them.

Leave a Comment » | Expectations, Raves, Symptoms | Permalink
Posted by chronicrants

Your molehill is my mountain

August 3, 2011

I’m exhausted.  After a full day of work, I walked just over a half mile, while carrying stuff (purse, sweater, book, etc.).  I did errands, then walked more than a half mile back.  It wasn’t very hot, but it was a bit humid.  It was just over a mile, and I did it!

I know people who jog 3 miles for fun.  I know people who run marathons.  I know people who take a walk after dinner to relax and end up going more than 2 miles round trip.  That’s great for them.  But this is me.

Six years ago, I finally got the “something is better than nothing” message drilled into my head by one of my doctors, so I started small.  I spent about 10-15 minutes walking 1/4 mile twice a week.  That was the most I could manage then.  I gradually built up.  Now, some days I can walk a lot more and some days a lot less.  Some days, I can barely walk from my couch to my kitchen.  Other days, a mile feels like nothing.  So what does that make today?  It makes today better than some days and worse than others, and definitely a reason to celebrate.  It makes today a success. There may be a day when walking a mile is a completely unattainable goal.  Now, I’m going to live it up while I can.

A mile!  Yay me!

Leave a Comment » | Frustration, Limitations, Milestones, Rants, Raves, Symptoms | Permalink
Posted by chronicrants

A little consideration

August 2, 2011

It happens every day.  A slightly older woman got onto the T (the subway) and was clearly not completely steady on her feet.  She looked around for an empty seat.  She came over to one which was wet (I prefer not to consider the possible reasons for that.)  I wanted to help, but I was standing too.  Most people were either too wrapped up in their own books, phones, games, lives to notice, or else they pretended not to notice.  Like I said, it happens every day.  And then a woman looked right over, signaled to this lady, and offered her seat.  The lady declined, said she’d be fine.  The woman simply said “If you change your mind, let me know.”  She was kind, respectful, thoughtful.  The lady was clearly appreciative.  I was a bystander, but it warmed my heart all the same.

The next time you’re on a train or bus, look up.  If you see someone who needs a seat and you’re capable of standing, remember how lucky you are to have the option to stand, and offer your seat.  You’ll feel better and so will they.

Leave a Comment » | Educating, Kindness, Rants, Raves, Thoughtfulness | Permalink
Posted by chronicrants

Support makes all the difference

July 31, 2011

Sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by the little things.  Sometimes I think I need to find the right meds or change my diet.  Then I get reminded that while those things need to happen, it’s support that really matters.  Having supportive family and friends makes the bad stuff better and the good stuff fantastic.  Whether it’s a crazy idea, a bad mood, or just needing someone to talk to, that support structure always helps.  These people really do make the world a better place.  Let’s hope their support, sincerity, and love are contagious!

Leave a Comment » | Educating, Raves, Support | Permalink
Posted by chronicrants

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