tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post6063782589017849025..comments2023-05-23T11:45:08.562-04:00Comments on Hope for the Journey: Medical Mondays: What Sick People Wish Healthy People KnewKimberly Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-61791592530510223372013-11-04T20:46:47.064-05:002013-11-04T20:46:47.064-05:00It's nice to have a place to read and know oth... It's nice to have a place to read and know others feel my same emotions and frustrations. And, yes, like others here, God heard plenty of my anger, but i too learned that He already knew how i felt and still loved me. Thanks for all of your authenticity. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-29123240899663061552013-07-22T16:22:23.602-04:002013-07-22T16:22:23.602-04:00Hello
My Name is Jim, I really thought my wife ( ...Hello <br />My Name is Jim, I really thought my wife ( Wendy ) would not be alive today and yet she is. <br />We had a journey that was like no ones I have every heard of. It spanned many years.<br />The education and lessons were immense and it took us all over the world in search of a<br />cure for her. I wrote it out finally after the journey came to an end so it was available for other to<br />read. If you have had a similar journey I would really like to hear about it. We have not met anybody so far. Here is where you can read about it. It is on my website http://www.thereesewellnesssystem.com.<br />I would really like to hear from other who have been here. <br />Thanks<br />James ReeseJames Reesehttp://www.thereesewellnesssystem.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-83926403545975021022013-05-30T04:37:17.391-04:002013-05-30T04:37:17.391-04:00Thank you for your kind words and your prayers!Thank you for your kind words and your prayers!Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-85366483808636919622013-05-30T01:56:06.202-04:002013-05-30T01:56:06.202-04:00You are all very brave. At 70 God has blessed me w...You are all very brave. At 70 God has blessed me with continued health and energy. I praise HIM daily for it because when one loses their health, nothing else can replace it! I pray for your continued strength!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-43720643408791954752013-04-24T13:07:46.288-04:002013-04-24T13:07:46.288-04:00Love that Lynne, and love the idea of putting it o...Love that Lynne, and love the idea of putting it on a t-shirt. I would just use that company online that does this kind of thing. lolAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13391196534212697503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-50969373761602847042013-04-24T13:05:56.181-04:002013-04-24T13:05:56.181-04:00That's the truth. It's probably a good th...That's the truth. It's probably a good thing for me to remember to use on others too. Sometimes you get the sense that they are giving you a standard answer and you don't want to push. But that question is a polite way of getting a second opinion. :)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13391196534212697503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-62219783829446833642013-04-24T10:33:51.216-04:002013-04-24T10:33:51.216-04:00Oh, I LOVE this! So, so true!!!Oh, I LOVE this! So, so true!!!Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-58573384499697558662013-04-24T10:12:25.617-04:002013-04-24T10:12:25.617-04:00I love all of these! I would add - please don'...I love all of these! I would add - please don't take my polite answer of 'Fine thanks' as gospel truth. I figure you don't want to hear the real answer all the time and quite frankly I don't want to wallow in it either. But every now and then, look me in the eye and ask 'How are you really?' Be prepared to listen to my honest answer. It does my spirit good.<br /><br />Lizzy https://www.blogger.com/profile/06473932416557982729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-71573960914811599472013-04-24T05:15:41.465-04:002013-04-24T05:15:41.465-04:00Thank you, Tina!Thank you, Tina!Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-1566834760247423912013-04-23T18:28:03.830-04:002013-04-23T18:28:03.830-04:00I so appreciate this and have written similar thin...I so appreciate this and have written similar things but not this comprehensive. I agree to each and every one and honestly I was THRILLED to see some of them. It means I'm not as pitiful as thought I was. I have said a number of times, that Facebook is my only connection OUT to people for the reasons you listed. I try to not feel resentful but I admit sometimes it creeps in when I read that friends, church family had some great party or outting that I wasn't invited to because "we knew you wouldn't come." It's a 50/50 thing, but I long to be given the invitation and pray for a good day.<br /><br />One thing I would add is something my oncologist told me. I am a breast cancer warrior, have chronic insomnia, I have diabetes, psoriasis and just today started the testing to see if I have psoriatic arthritis...I have a few issues, but his advice applies to everything.<br /><br />Here it is...simple. "There is no right way to do cancer. You DO it however you can get through it."<br /><br />I got all kinds of advice...eat blueberries, don't be afraid to show your bald head, and think positive or take those thoughts captive. In serious illnesses, we go through stages just like anything else. <br /><br />I was convinced I was going to die when I was told I had cancer. I had to work through my fears until I was ready to fight. It did not help me in the least to have people telling me to reject my fears, pray about it or listen to praise music. I was scared and MAD at God for not delivering me from the ordeal. The pressure put on me by friends and family was immense and nearly crippling to me. That's when my doctor shared his wisdom with me. I moved through it and adapted and in a few weeks I was ready to fight.<br /><br />So I don't care if it's cancer, Lupus, MS, Fibro, RA, PA, or any other...Just remember There's NO Right Way to do (insert disease). You do whatever it takes to get you through!<br /><br />P.S. I learned that my Father, Abba was not the least bit offended or phased by my anger at Him. "It was then that He carried me."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13391196534212697503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-16993702396456781872013-04-23T13:58:32.817-04:002013-04-23T13:58:32.817-04:00Susan, I am so sorry for your losses, and the stru...Susan, I am so sorry for your losses, and the struggles that you face everyday. Thank you for pointing out that helping others helps us get our minds off ourselves and our pain. God loves you so much!Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-12289845685357434702013-04-23T11:19:26.493-04:002013-04-23T11:19:26.493-04:00I have COPD and am on oxygen 24/7. I also have fi...I have COPD and am on oxygen 24/7. I also have fibromyalgia, bi-polar and anxiety attacks. To look at me, you wouldn't think I am sick, except for the oxygen canula on my face. But inside it's like there are tiny men with sledge hammers beating the crap out of my muscles. <br /><br />With the bi-polar, it is hard to concentrate, so I have to ask people to speak slower so that I can comprehend what they are saying. Because at the same time they are talking, my brain is going 100 mph! I am not crazy or a psychopath. Bi-polar means I have days when I have so much energy I could clean the house in 30 minutes. Or write 20 poems in an hour. Then there are the days that it's hard to even get out of bed, let alone take care of the house, the puppy or anything else. But I do it. I force myself. <br /><br />I also have moments when I burst into tears without warning. I should say that in the last 14 months, I lost my husband of 25 years to Agent Orange cancer on Jan. 19th, 2012, and my mother on Feb. 28th. Things like this only add to the stress that causes many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Bi-polar. <br /><br />Sometimes all it takes for me to feel good is someone to listen, to care, to help me put. I am lucky, I have children who do help. But I am also lonely and that adds to the depression. <br /><br />In spite of all this, I have faith that God has me on ths path for a reason. I am truly blessed and able to share those blessings gives my soul a spiritual high. So I try to pay it forward when I can.<br /><br />Thank you for having this site for us to share. Hopefully it will help others to undesrstand us better.<br /><br />Susan Maree Jeavonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16280007779074515993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-38375784078345851552013-04-22T21:22:51.907-04:002013-04-22T21:22:51.907-04:00You have totally given me an idea! T-shirts are a ...You have totally given me an idea! T-shirts are a pain to do, but I could do those tote bags for grocery shopping with fun sayings like this and use them as special giveaways or sell them when my Sick & Tired book launches. Fun!!! Now I'll have to do a blog post asking what sick people would love to have on their tote bags! =)Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-25430072253429308322013-04-22T19:25:02.510-04:002013-04-22T19:25:02.510-04:00Your words made me smile!!! Glad you're here. ...Your words made me smile!!! Glad you're here. =)Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-84152428065771683042013-04-22T17:27:37.413-04:002013-04-22T17:27:37.413-04:00My spirit wants to join in the conversation, but a...My spirit wants to join in the conversation, but after reading all the comments and getting excited that there is a bunch of people out there who truly "get it"...I'm worn out from empathy! I can't remember what I wanted to share! Oy!Carol Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485596162941272513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-50961062205655945632013-04-22T14:47:35.434-04:002013-04-22T14:47:35.434-04:00If you put it on a shirt I will TOTALLY buy it! Fu...If you put it on a shirt I will TOTALLY buy it! Funny and true!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04973610403689488582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-54850980785145394712013-04-22T14:47:11.815-04:002013-04-22T14:47:11.815-04:00Hi, Shannon. I am so thankful to live in the age o...Hi, Shannon. I am so thankful to live in the age of the internet. Though getting out and being around people in "real life" can get exhausting and is too much sometimes, I love that I can still connect with people via FB or e-mail and encourage and be encouraged, without even having to change out of my pjs! =)Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-1959388671808245922013-04-22T14:43:46.097-04:002013-04-22T14:43:46.097-04:00Welcome, Susan. It makes me feel better too! I'...Welcome, Susan. It makes me feel better too! I'm amazed at how I look around and assume everyone else is fine, then I find out so many people are going through the same thing!Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-32606971045687264662013-04-22T14:16:12.092-04:002013-04-22T14:16:12.092-04:00Erin,
I am a pretty positive person. I still work....Erin,<br />I am a pretty positive person. I still work. I still volunteer. I still do my hobbies, but there is a price to pay if I overdo it. No matter how many times I stare into a mirror and tell myself I am getting better, it's not going to make my body suddenly start producing the antibodies that it was never able to make in the first place (I have an immune disorder similar to what the "Boy in the Bubble" had). It's not going to make my hearing return from autoimmune damage. It's not going to make my permanent lung damage go away from repeated infections or cure my Celiac disease or make the electrical connections in my heart work properly. In spite of all the illnesses I have, I am still more active than most with my primary immune deficiency (and even more than some normal people) and that is likely due to shear will to not give into the illnesses (I've almost died from them more than once), but that cannot be mistaken for healing. The illnesses themselves are no less severe. The symptoms no less severe. I have limitations now that I didn't before all the damage was done and completely ignoring those limitations would be risking my life. You cannot wish away chronic illnesses and putting the blame on the person that has to deal with them is hurtful and very wrong.Rebecca Zook Fine Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220193852535637262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-63584607636244675722013-04-22T13:09:13.229-04:002013-04-22T13:09:13.229-04:00Thank you so much for posting it. Ironically I was...Thank you so much for posting it. Ironically I was going to write a very similar post on my own blog but just have no energy today. I too keep a positive attitude and reassure myself every day that I am getting better. I savor the moments that I can actually have a semi normal day of leaving the house or even getting some work done. I have to say that I am incredibly grateful for the people I have met through this journey. They may all be on facebook and forums, but they are some of the best friends I've ever had. Loving, supportive, and compassionate. Some days a "hi I hope you're ok" message in the morning is exactly what I need to keep me going on a dismal day. These are better friends than I had before! I also want to add something that shiuld have been on the list- <br />"To healthy people: please don't whine to us about your headache or your common cold. Calling me up because you're stuck in bed with the sniffles for a couple of days does not give you the right to whine at me. If you were in my shoes you'd be running to the ER every other day. Suck it up and push through it, you know you'll be fine in a few days. "<br />I get so frustrated with these people who only call me when they need medical advice or to complain about some ache or pain. I have no problem helping out friends but to me if that's the only time you're going to call me it just adds insult to injury.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02814644920257497973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-25484865548368930172013-04-22T12:36:21.650-04:002013-04-22T12:36:21.650-04:00I love that quote. I want to put it on a t-shirt!!...I love that quote. I want to put it on a t-shirt!!! =)Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-40717477186057151032013-04-22T10:57:19.593-04:002013-04-22T10:57:19.593-04:00Thank you so much for putting these in writing!! ...Thank you so much for putting these in writing!! I'm going to make a copy of it to hand out. It makes me feel better just to know others feel the same way that I do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-87487283585450033872013-04-22T10:37:58.275-04:002013-04-22T10:37:58.275-04:00My daughter often says, "I just want a witnes...My daughter often says, "I just want a witness to my suffering." She is not looking for answers, just recognition as a valuable person. She also wants to wear a sign, "I will listen to your medical advice for $5, because then at least I can buy cookies."Lynne Hartkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315916350511870657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-46338479859706318302013-04-22T10:31:11.283-04:002013-04-22T10:31:11.283-04:00Hahaha I hear you, Angie! I'm so blessed that ...Hahaha I hear you, Angie! I'm so blessed that my kids are getting old enough for me to pay them to clean. =) I think I asked for a cleaning lady to come for my birthday present last year. I'd take that over a fancy candle or wall hanging any day! =)Kimberly Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648393867226454489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569491202860661943.post-12648101533253892042013-04-22T10:14:49.014-04:002013-04-22T10:14:49.014-04:00Yes to all of these, Kimberly. You've read my ...Yes to all of these, Kimberly. You've read my mind with the exception of part of #8. I'm so ashamed of my housekeeping, I'd be mortified if anyone would come over to help. So grateful that hubby puts up with it.<br /><br />Thanks for putting it all down in words.<br /><br />AngieAngie A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13487012722258208047noreply@blogger.com