This isn’t the post I promised to write today. I’ve been working on that one, but this is stuck at the tip of my tongue, so here it is…

A few weeks ago one of Daniel’s coworkers was diagnosed with Lupus. When he told me my heart ached for her. Although I have not had first-hand experience with Lupus, I have seen close family friends struggle with Lupus in their family. While living in Idaho one of our dear family friends lost a sibling to Lupus; seeing her struggle opened my eyes to just how brutal autoimmune diseases can be. (For a while my doctors thought I had Lupus. Luckily that diagnosis was eventually ruled out.)

Today the coworker of Daniel’s told him she was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Again my heart aches for her. Although neither diagnosis is as severe as Lupus, my heart aches a bit more now, than before, because I understand just what this means for her.

• I hope her doctors did all they could to make sure this is the correct diagnosis. (It seems that many people decide, or are told, they have fibromyalgia simply because no other diagnosis seems to fit. And then, the common fibro treatments do not help them and they continue to struggle. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.)
• I pray she is able to find a routine that works, a routine that she can stick with as she works toward recovery, a routine that challenges her to push her limits but allows her a chance to rest and recover when she should.
• I know a positive attitude will be her biggest ally. It is incredible how far a smile, optimism, and patience can get you. My heart is sad to see how many fibrofolks struggle to see the blessings that can come from struggling with chronic illness. (Crazy? No. Stick with me.) I am serious.
  • Because of my fight with fibromyalgia I know who I am and what I am capable of.
  • I know I can buck up and tough through pain.
  • I know when I am with my parents, or Daniel, or the Deschamps’, or the Grimm’s I can crash… I don’t need to pretend I feel no pain. They will never think less of me.
  • I know Daniel thinks I am the toughest woman alive, despite seeing me at my weakest (and having to carry me to bed on the nights when I just can’t do it).
  • I know my parents could not be more proud of me even though there are some things I just cannot do (And I know they grow more proud everyday).
  • I know my family and friends would do anything in their power to help me. And I know they know sometimes helping me may not always look like help. Sometimes helping me is challenging me, and pushing me to do just a little more than I think I can.
  • I know who loves and cares about me.
  • I know there are countless good people in this world who have big and sweet hearts.
  • I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and will continue to help me grow through, and learn from, this fight with fibromyalgia.
  • I know some doctors truly love their patients and would do anything within reason to comfort their patients.
  • I know that there are a lifetime lessons I have yet to learn.

Goodnight.

I suggest we all continue to strive to learn all we can from our fights with fibromyalgia, or Lupus, or whatever our personal battles may be. I bet doing so will make our lives more more fulfilling and therefore, more fun.

What do you think?