Life Over the Edge

There are some days when you just can’t manage with your chronic illness.  You are tired of it, frustrated by the way it effects  your every day life, and you’re just plain exhausted and don’t know how to go on.  You might even feel like crying.  What do you do when you feel like crying?

I’m going through one such episode right now in my life.  The past few weeks (the last two months) have been very challenging for me on all levels.  I had to see my doctor about an allergy/asthma attack back at the beginning of this period.  During our visit, he told me that I would have to stay in the house for three weeks–with no going out at all!  My doctor told me this because I wasn’t able to get my flu shot, and he was worried I would catch the flu that was epidemic in the Czech Republic at that time.  UGH!  So, I dutifully stayed home and kept busy with some goals I set to work on during this time.  Actually those three weeks flew by!  When this time of salubrious solitude was finished, I was ready to get back out and see friends, etc!  However, my husband had been sick with what we thought was a cold just the week or so before my salubrious solitude was to end.  Low and behold, that cold turned into a chest cold.  I took care of my husband and tried so hard to keep from getting sick.  We both tried to be very careful.  Well, in the end, the virus was the winner!  I caught it and am currently sick, but this chest cold has turned into bronchitis for me!

Bronchitis and asthma don’t go together very well!  My doctors have both said it is a viral infection, and that it will take weeks to recover. Just the news I wanted to here! I’m stuck in the house again, and am trying to get well.  This virus is taking it’s dear sweet time at leaving!  I’m exhausted from this stuff, and am tired of being stuck in the house–having no contact with friends, and not even able to get out for a walk!  Talk about wanting to cry!  I surely feel like crying about now!  

You know, it’s really OK to cry when you’re feeling like this.  In fact, crying can be a great way to release tension and feelings of all kinds! So, crying can be a very healthy exercise.  It’s OK to cry from the stress and frustration you experience with a chronic illness.  So, go ahead and let it out!  But once you’ve let it out, then it’s time to pick yourself up and get on with your life.  Even if you don’t know what to do next, look around and find something that you can do at that moment, even if it’s only taking a nap.  Do it.  After that activity, do the next thing that needs to be done, and so on.  Keep putting one foot in front of the other, so to speak.  Also, try to find some activity that will lift your spirits–whether it’s reading an inspiring book or holy scriptures, like the Bible, or call a loved one or friend, write an email…whatever it is that will help to lift your spirits.  Maybe play some upbeat music that helps you to feel happy!  Just find some activity that is good for you and do it!

How am I dealing with my feelings?  Well, right now, I’m writing this blog and that’s a very therapeutic activity!  I’m releasing my feelings here, but I’m also hoping that maybe it will help someone else who’s going through a time they feel exhausted and would like to cry!  I’m also talking to my family back home in the States…that’s helping a lot, too!  I’m taking my own advice to heart, though I have not cried.  Crying right now would probably make my bronchitis and asthma worse!  So, in this instance, just reaching out to others is a wonderful therapy for me!  I sure hope you will be helped by what I’ve shared here.  Know my prayers go out to you, wherever you are and whatever your situation.  Know, too, that sometimes I do cry…and then I move on!

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