I'm having one of those days. One of those weeks, one of those months

SO, right now, I am so grateful for my two kids. I have really been blessed with them. They teach me so much, and I'm so proud of them. For being so young (5 and 4), they are so thoughtful, and I believe that's because of my illness, they are always drawing me pictures to help me to feel better, or little things like that, just so sweet.

And it snowed here overnight, LOTS of snow, it's so beautiful out there. School was cancelled, and we're going to have a carpet picnic for dinner!

I'm also grateful for some of the friends I have made online. I don't have much support in my 3D life, many of us don't, it's hard to understand this disease, there are so many levels of severity, and it effects each of us so differently, my worst symptom is pain and fatigue, but you'd NEVER guess it by looking at me. I push thru it, I have to I feel I have NO choice. Who would take care of the kids? I need to step up to the plate, I'm not always a happy person, and that shows when I'm having really bad days, but nobody can understand the pain I'm in unless they lived it. It's not like a broken leg, or cancer , or even AIDS that have been talked about , this is more abstract to people, so to meet others who "get it" because they "got it", is nice to have people who understand. And I have made some real wonderful friendships because of this aweful disease that brought us together.

and I am grateful for my faith, that has grown stronger in the past year. I know there's a reason I have suffered, it's made me a stronger person, I've been able to reach out and help people, and I really know in my heart "i will get double for my former trouble" IN THIS LIFE. meaning, I WILL GET WELL.

ok, whose next?

I am thankful for great parents who are helping me get the treatment I choose and for helping me find the resources I need and I am thankful for all of you!

I have leaned on you guys more than I can my friends in my '3D life' - like Jaime said. I think it helps to vent to each other. Sometimes if we 'vent' to others that don't know what we are going through - it appears as if we are complaining.

Jaime, I'm like you. I've hurt for sooo long and no one knew it. I have said very little to my friends over the years - they had no idea. Some think that since my diagnosis I've been feeling worse because I know what's wrong with me - like it's all in my head. Uh.. no! Now I don't feel like a weak idiot who felt lazy and depressed all the time. I don't have to hide it when I have a bad day - I can just say "Not well today- Leave me Alone" and not have to suck it up.

Thanks to all of you!

I have so much to be grateful for it would take me all night to post it. I have a mother who is dying (I'm her caregiver) and she gives me my strenght each day when I see her...

I have a husband who (on his days off) has my bath running for me and a glass of wine sitting on the tub. He rubs my neck and feet until his hands hurt. He holds me when I'm crying from the pain (from lyme) and at times has cried with me.

I have two sisters who are wonderful, they try and understand but they also are dealing with hard things in there life...(one has shingles, the other a son that is not doing so well) but still they take the time at least twice a week to make sure I'm OK...

When I'm having a bad day, I walk to the lake and sit and pray, I look out at the lake and thank god I'm still alive. I know someday he will hear my prayers and I will be well once again...

Julie

Clayton, I totally understand how you feel, we are so much in the same boat. It's hard when people don't understand it at all. I do have one friend who is so dear to me here in 3D, she's a fashion desinger and she has made me outfit after outfit, meal after meal.... the stuff I cook for the family I don't eat, not much of a meat eater, and she and I are tofu veggies, etc, so we take turns cooking yummo stuff for eachother.

It's so nice to have people here all over the world who KNOW what you are experienceing, and sometimes that's even hard because lyme varies so much in people....some people are hardly affected, others like us suffer relentlesly.

If anyone is interested, there is this female minister, her name is Joyce Meyer, she is hilarious, down to earth and real. I've never been religious, and she hates that word, she says we need a relationship with God, religion is made by man... but a dear friend turned me on to her and so glad she did, it's like I get it now, and it's given me so much strength, you can go to www.joycemeyer.org and check out past broadcasts, I can tell you now, you'll love her.

We are linked by similar experiences with this disastrous disease. I do have an amazing husband that I am sooooo grateful to have as my biggest fan. My Mom and Dad are amazing, too. On the other hand, My brothers and sister and sister-in-laws never ask how I am doing. We've never talked about my disease at all. It's really weird. I love my bros and sisters, I guess I just put on that happy face and they "forget" that I've been sick. It's really weird. On the other hand, my husband's sister is beyond amazing. She remembers when I go to the doctor and always calls to get the report. She lives in Augusta, Ga. When she comes to visit, she brings tons of food for my freezer. She helps with my kids in a BIG way. I am so grateful to her.

I am grateful to God. I know He hears our prayers. I believe I was "led" to my doc in Georgia. I believe God wants us all to be well, and He knew I would spread the message of my amazing recovery. I totally agree with Jaime regarding God's timing. I think (probably too much)why did I suffer for so long? How could I be so stupid and not take my symptoms seriously? Why didn't my docs take me seriously after being diagnosed with FM? It really doesn't matter. I think it helps me to connect with all of you. That's just the road I had to take to find my way to recovery.

Thanks for the Joyce Meyer website info. I will definitely check that out.

I am grateful for my doctor in Atlanta who has taken a different path than most MDs. It's definitely not the easier path. I'm glad he knows how to help us.

I'm also grateful for my children. On the worst of days, they always managed to make me smile. If it wasn't for them, I'm not sure I could have seen this blank disease to the end.

I'm grateful for this website. I want to help other people find their way through the "maze of Lyme." I am continuing to learn about this crazy disease through all of you.

I relied on my 'faith' during the worst of times. I read a lot of verses from The Bible.

This was one of my favorites:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV

So, there is a positive, productive side to suffering.

Peace to all,

Connie