|
This is a letter I sent to my family/friends several years ago when my pain began to worsen. There may be some parts of it that you can use. Thought this would be helpful for some! Dear Friends and Family, I look normal, I am not. Don't let my outward appearance fool you; I am in pain. I am not the same person I was two years ago or eight years ago for that matter. I look healthy, I am not. My condition changes from day to day, sometimes-even hour to hour. Today I may be able to go to work; tomorrow I may not be able to get out of bed. This week I feel horrible. Next week I may feel good. I want to do all the things I used to; go to the mall for the day, work in my yard, visit friends and family, keep my house in order, but I may not be capable of it. If I say “not today”, or “ I can't come”, please understand and accept this for what it is, which is not an excuse. It is a reason. I don't enjoy my limitations, I hate them. I may be able to do today what you want me to do, but I know without a doubt, that I will suffer an incredible amount of pain later ; therefore I must say no. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the things that have to be done around the house. I’m afraid to ask for help because I feel like you don’t think I “really” need it, that if I would "just get up and do it" things would get done. Lyme Disease don’t work that way. I am not lazy, I just hurt and am exhausted. I don't feel sorry for myself, why should I? Things don't always work out the way you'd like them to...this is one of those times. I can live with who I am now. I may not enjoy each day as much as I used to, but I still live for each day and embrace whatever I can get out of life. Pain is my companion, but pain is not me. The hard part is if you cannot accept me for who I am now, I am sorry for you. I won't waste time chasing after your approval, love or understanding. To preserve myself and state-of-mind, I have to be selfish. If you cannot accept that I may not call you everyday, go places with you, or visit you then do me a favor and let's part ways quietly with no ill feelings. My life is going in a new direction and for me that might not be a bad thing. If the changes I have gone through disturb you, hold your criticism. I don't need it. I don't want it. Life deals us all a bad hand occasionally. This is the hand I have been dealt and I intend to play it out. It happened...I accepted it...I hope you can too. If you're going through hell, keep going. ~Winston Churchill
|
Lyme Disease Support Forums
.