Change of Plans — Again!

I don't talk much about my life with chronic pain. However, sometimes people ask questions, so I try to answer them. One aspect of chronic pain, that I often struggle with, is scheduling and commitments. 

I am a planner. I like to have things on the calendar, so that I can prepare and be ready for the events of any given day. Yet, there are days that my pain/headache do not take into consideration what is on my schedule. 

Today, was "one of those days". I had planned to fulfill a commitment (that had already had to be rescheduled from last week). Yet, this morning, I awoke with a severe headache. Worse than usual. I started the "headache routine" that involves, meds, essential oils, ice packs, trigger points. 

As I waited for the headache to lessen, I had to make a decision. Could I fulfill the commitment this morning? 

Yes, I could— BUT would it be the smart thing to do? I also have another commitment this afternoon, that can't be changed. Knowing that I have a unchangeable commitment this afternoon, I made the choice to reschedule (once again) this mornings plans. 

For me, that is so very frustrating. I hate not being able to do something I had planned. However, my body can only tolerate so much. So, I need to allow my body time to heal this morning, and lay low. 

Thankfully, the other people involved in my cancelation this morning, are fully understanding. They've been along side of my pain journey for most of the past 16 years. They get it. 

If you know someone who lives in chronic pain, or has an invisible illness (i.e. autoimmune disease, lyme, chronic headache, diabetes, etc) please be patient if they have to reschedule—even multiple times. It's not that they don't want to do an activity, it's just that their bodies won't allow it. Or they have to save their energy for an upcoming event that they simply can't miss. Please don't read anything into the cancelation of plans. Changing plans is not the desired thing! So, often we look forward to that event and doing something out of the norm. So, please be patient, understanding, and most of all encouraging! I'm so thankful that the people who have come along side of me are all of those. 

The key to living with a chronic illness/pain is flexibility. And realizing that things are beyond a person's control. It's about taking comfort knowing that even if things have to be rescheduled, it's OK! 

Why am I sharing this? So that others with chronic illness know that this is reality, and that it's ok. So that others without pain/illness learn why plans change. 

Today, is not what I had planned. However, my headache level is no surprise to God Almighty. He is fully aware of my pain and headache. Therefore, I take comfort in knowing that for whatever reason, God has allowed my plans to change today. It could be so that I write this post, to encourage someone, or it could be that God wanted to protect me from an accident, or it could be that God just me to take time to be still. 

So, if you know someone who lives with chronic pain/illness, please take time to understand a bit of their life. And take time to pray for them. 

If you have any questions, please ask. And remember, not all chronic illness/pain is the same. So, my answers may differ from one who suffers with a different illness.

Crutches = Better Parking

My apartment complex has a series of handicap parking spots. For years, there were only 3 places by the door I use (only entrance with no steps) and the rest of the spaces were at the front door (many steps). This past year, all the handicap parking was moved to the side door since it is the only door that is "handicap accessible". 

It didn't take long for each of us "handicapped" people to get to know each other. And we each had our "spots". Then new comers arrived and we soon found our regular spots filled. So we were playing "musical chairs" with our cars. We simply took an empty spot. 

One day as I was returning from my chiropractor, I met a few fellow Handicappers. It didn't take long for them to share their frustration that some of the newbies were parking in "my spot". My spot? I didn't know I had an assigned spot. However, they had decided since I use crutches that I should have the spot closest to the door. I thanked them for their thoughtfulness, and then kindly reminded them that we all have some difficulty walking.  
As we continued talking about INVISIBLE illnesses vs VISIBLE, we each realized that we find it easier to give aid and sympathy to people when there is a visible sign. We each went our separate ways deep in our own thoughts:

If we who suffer from illness and pain

aren't acceptable "our own kind",

how can we expect those

who are healthy and well to accept us?

My crutches are a physical sign something is wrong, and people react to that knowledge (see post: Tues Aug 31, 2010).  However, many people suffer from INVISIBLE illness. They don't use crutches, yet are suffering just the same. 

National Invisible Chronic 

Illness Awareness Week 

September 13-19, 2010 

is an annual event sponsored by Rest Ministries.  Visit www.invisibleillnessweek.com and learn more about invisible illnesses. If you have an invisible illness yourself, you will find hope and encouragement. If you want to know more about helping and encouraging your friends and family members, you will find helpful information as well.

Creating a positive day is possible whether you have an illness or not. Although creating a positive day is a personal choice, it's much easier when you have help and support.

You can find help and support
at www.Restminisitries.com.

Free Ebook of 263 Tips

Invisible Illness Week Team

Offers Free Ebook of 263 Tips

20 Experts share their best tips about living with a chronic illness, from coping with illness and relationship tips to travel and homeschooling.

San Diego, CA — (SBWIRE) — 09/01/2010 —

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week

is September 13-19, 2010.

 A free 80-page ebook is now available

for download to anyone who signs up

for daily updates from the website: www.invisibleillnessweek.com.

“Chronic Illness Tips: 263 Ways To Do More Than Just Get By” is by Invisible Illness Week founder, Lisa Copen and friends. Friends include chronic illness career specialist Rosalind Joffe, relationship expert and best-selling author Pam Farrel, advocacy authority Jennifer Jaff, and illness advocate Jenni Prokopy.

Over 20 contributors share their best tips to live successfully with chronic illness on a variety of topics.

“These experts are people who have the credentials,” says author Lisa Copen, “but more importantly, they have experienced illness themselves or health issues of someone close to them. Their tips come from the experience of living with the challenges illness gives us.”

The chapters include coping tools, relationship issues, career, faith, and practical tips, from traveling with an illness to homeschooling. There are also many tips on how to encourage someone who lives with a chronic illness.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is an annual event that features a free virtual conference online 9/13-17 with speakers each morning 10:30 – 12 USA Pacific time.

With nearly 1 in 2 people living with a chronic condition, about 96% of those people are suffering silently with invisible illnesses.

For more information visit http://InvisibleIllnessWeek.com.

If you or someone you know has an invisible illness or deals with a chronic condition or pain, I recommend that you visit this site. You will not only be encouraged, but will gain many insights to making each day positive no matter the situation. Creating a positive day is possible, if you have the right tools and encouragement. Take a moment to check out www.InvisibleIllnessweek.com and/or www.restministries.com.

Bump along the road and unexpected blessings

Yesterday, I had my post-op check up. The Doctor didn't like the look of the surgery site.....infection? So, I'm on antibiotics. I was able to get 2 more programs for my stim; making a total of 3. I can still use the stim if necessary while the surgery site continues to heal.

Yet, even with this new "bump" came some blessings! I was able to give away a few more of my Create a Positive Day! gifts (see the blog dated Thurs, Nov 12). It's great to see people smile.

When I went to get my meds, the price was lower than I thought....still quite high, but still lower than I thought. So, that was a nice blessing! I stopped at the local grocery store to pick up some needed food, and learned that a friend was paying the bill.....again a wonderful blessing!

So, even with a bump in the road.....God sends blessings so this new bump seems so minor. Just His way of continuing to remind me that He is in control and has a plan for me.

Remember the Bible story of Peter walking on water? He did fine walking on the water when he kept his eyes on Jesus. When he started looking at the storm and waves, that's when he started sinking. God knows that storms will come our way. Yet, God also provides the help we need to withstand those storms. The key....is keeping the focus on Him. Don't worry about what "might happen". Or allow others to change your focus to "how bad things are". You can choose what your focus will be and you determine if you want to walk ON the water, or sink. It's a choice of faith and trusting God.

I don't know what God has planned for me. Yet, I do know that NO matter what the plan includes, that God will continue to love me and provide me with what I need to accomplish His plan. My responsibility is to trust God and continue to do my best to glorify Him. 

Sometimes you get news or something happens which threatens your positive day. No matter what happens, there is a constant which is the basis for having a positive day....God. He never changes. His love is unconditional. The key to maintaining a positive day....is keeping your focus on God.

GREAT web seminars!

Do you or someone you know live with pain or an illness? Then you will want to visit http://invisibleillnessweek.com/. September 14-20 is Invisible Illness Awareness Week. The website has a list of web seminars which you can listen live or the taped version. Many topics full of helpful information!

If you know of someone living with an illness, please let them know of this great resource. There is information about insurance, relationships, applying for disability, and many other topics. Often people living with an illness or pain, think they are all alone. Invisible Illness Awareness Week lets them know that they are not alone and that there are many resources available!

Create a positive day by sharing information which may encourage someone else. It's free and takes just a few minutes to share the information!

Sept 14-20, 2009

96% of Illness is Invisible - Awareness Week Validates Those Who “look so good!” but Feel Awful

SAN DIEGO (2009) Nearly 1 in 2 Americans has a chronic condition, and 96% of them live with an illness that is invisible. These people do no use a cane or any assistive device and may look perfectly healthy. Sixty percent are between the ages of 18 and 64.

September 14-20, 2009 is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. The theme is “A Little Help Gives a Lot of Hope.” It is a major public awareness campaign sponsored by Rest Ministries, an organization that offers a supportive environment for those who live with chronic illness or pain. Sept 14-18 NICIAW features a free virtual conference with 4 seminars each day available to listen to live or download later.

Paul J. Donoghue and Mary Siegel, co-sponsors of the week and authors of Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living With Invisible Chronic Illness say, “Invisible chronic illnesses (ICI) have symptoms that are difficult to see and impossible to measure such as pain and fatigue. So those with ICI frequently encounter not compassion and support but impatience and skepticism from physicians and loved ones.”

“Living with an illness that is invisible to those around us can often have a more devastating affect on our emotional health than the physical pain,” explains Lisa Copen, 40, the founder of Rest Ministries who lives with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. She was recently awarded the Audience’s Choice Award for Women’s Health Hero of Our Bodies Ourselves out of nearly one hundred applicants. “Each day we must choose to thrive, to do something out of the ordinary, or make a new friend. It’s easy to get in the habit of living a life of survival.”

“A large part of our campaign is reminding people that just a little help to someone who is ill or hurting can give them a lot of hope.” says Copen. “Just because someone isn’t using a wheelchair doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have a disability. Friends and family of those with chronic illness care a great deal about what their loved ones are going through, but oftentimes the invisibility of the illness sets up an environment for misunderstandings and even doubt about the validity of the illness. We hope to increase awareness of how many people ‘look great’ but are hurting deeply.”

Outreach includes various events: the distribution of free literature such as cards with multiple ways to encourage a chronically ill friend. Other resources include You Look So Good: A Guide to Understanding and Encouraging People With Chronic, Debilitating Illness and Pain. Churches and organizations across the U.S. will be participating by in having people share their stories.

For a complete list of events and resources visit www.invisibleillness.com.