Hello all you wonderful people who chose to stop by today, it is always so good to see you again. It seems if the weeks are coming around a lot faster these days, or it is just me?!
Here in The United States we will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week. This time of year is my absolute favorite, the beautiful trees, the cooler (but not cold) weather which appeals to my being as I am able to spend more time out-of-doors.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I was wondering if you can think of one positive thing that has come as a result of your chronic illness?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it is such an honor for me to join in your discussions.
I am more in tune to take care of myself before I let myself get run down.
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This is a wonderful gift that you give yourself! Thank you so very much for taking time to stop by and comment, I really appreciate it. I hope all is well in your part of the world!
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I think the biggest thing has been meeting the wonderful chronic illness community online.
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YES! I completely agree with you……..so many wonderful people, like yourself, who are just down right precious! Thank you so very much for sharing!
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The one positive thing for me was when my doctor prescribed Duloxetine which is an antidepressant that works on the keeping the pain gates in our brains closed. This way we do not have to suffer from excruciating pains. I am so happy to be able to sleep all night with out much pain at all. Most of the slight pain I feel is from sleeping on my right side. I am waiting for surgery to repair some torn ligaments in my right shoulder. Plus, it helps very very much with my chronic pain. God was good that day when I asked for help before i went to see my doctor. I hope if you have not tried this medication ask your doctors about it. I heard it from my Pain Doctor who said it works wonders but he could not prescribe it. He also puts people to sleep before operations are performed an anesthesiologist. I had to look on line for the spelling lol Lots of love and success with chronic pain everyone !! Thanks for sharing Wendi !! Love you my good friend !!
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Thank you so very much James for sharing. I am thrilled that you have found something that works for you to reduce pain and you can sleep. Sleep is so very important to our health. Thank you so very much for sharing, I hope today is treating you well, many blessings.
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We make the time to be together more!
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I love that the both of you spend time together. The way you write about your love for each other is uplifting and refreshing……….sending up prayers for both of you this evening. Thank you so much for sharing…..
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Thank you Wendi! Blessings🙂
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Hi my dear Wendi!🤗 I truly believe my brokenness has drawn me closer to Jesus because I’ve realized my only strength comes from Him. Love you my friend!😍🌷
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Hey girl!!! It is good to see you again! I love that you have developed a deeply relationship with Christ……….I know that I could not go through all this mess without my faith in God. Thank you so very much for sharing………I hope today is being nice to you!
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Oh I know girl……it’s too hard!! God bless you always and thank you for everything!☺😚🙂😚
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my pleasure Vivian!
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😚
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After my last stroke (my 3rd one), I decided to devote more time to my writings, and it’s been a positive and satisfying direction for me Wendi… 😀💙🌏
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I love this Ivor! I love that you are now focusing on something that brings you peace and happiness and it shows!!! Thank you so very much for sharing Ivor, I really appreciate it. I hope today is being good to you.
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I’m looking forward to my day, I’ve a Zoom, link-up in couple of hours, with writers group in America, called Poetry of Gratitude.. Writing Circle.. and sounds like it’ll be good fun..
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sound wonderful!!! carpe diem!
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Yeah, I’ve just finished, it was absolutely fabulous.. 💙🌏
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YAY!
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😀😍💙🌏
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I think I listen better, am much more forgiving when someone can’t make it, or they end up having to leave early. Of course, it’s usually me who has to do those things!
I’m not afraid to advocate for myself.
Meeting so many lovely people who “get it”
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These are GREAT comments Wendy! I agree with you on every – single – one……..I am much for compassionate and understanding too and meeting awesome people just like you has been a HUGE win. I hope today is being nice to you……..you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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I do love your questions, dear Wendi!
I think God had many positive things in mind for me with my health issues. I know I was running blindly and blithely about, wherever I wanted, and doing / eating whatever I wanted, not paying any attention to how God created me, nor any attention to the fact that He wanted me to be a good steward. I had great health for many, many years (along with being overweight by very much). My issues began only about ten years ago, and I can look back and see that I was not a good steward of His gifts to me. I am reminded of the story of the shepherd and the lamb with the broken leg:
The good shepherd had a lamb he loved, a good and healthy lamb. But the lamb kept running off and getting into trouble. Again and again, the shepherd found his lost lamb (always in trouble) and brought him back to safety. The shepherd tried gently to discipline the lamb, to keep it safe; but the lamb would not learn. Finally, the shepherd had to break the lamb’s leg so that it could not run off. He had to do that, in love, to protect his lamb.
God “broke my leg,” so to speak, so that I would learn to abide in Him, and to love abiding in Him.
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Thank you so very much Kathy for your kind words, I always appreciate each one.
I love your story and how God has shown you the way of how you need to be treating your body. What a beautiful gift He has given you! Thank you also for sharing this as I am sure there are people who will read this that will find this very helpful! Many blessings and I hope today is being kind to you!
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Thank you for the words and blessings. Blessings also to you.
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Thank you!
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sorry, not qualified to respond 🙂
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🙂 thank you so very much for stopping by!!! we love friendly faces 🙂
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ah I qualify for that dear heart!
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🙂
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Losing function over many years gradually helped me to stop identifying with the notion that I am my body. Rather, my body is in me, the larger Me, surrendering to the God of my understanding.
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wow! these are very important and powerful words Judi and I love them! Thank you so very much for sharing this………I hope today is being kind to you!
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What a wonderful way to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday. Room for creativity is the gift illness has given me. And connecting with wonderful people like you.
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Thank you so very much for your kind words VJ! I love how you have more time for your creative endeavors……….you are so incredibly gifted in many, many areas it is impressive! And I feel the same way! Being able to interact with such awesome people (like you) has been my biggest gift!
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You are always kind Wendi – I hope you derive pleasure from that – that bright light that you are for others.
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awwww……….what an absolutely beautiful thing to write and I am so honored you wrote it about me, thank you. I know what it is like to receive unkindness so being kind is something I try hard to do.
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It shines through everything you do.
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thank you so much VJ, you have no idea how much your comments have encouraged my spirit. 🙂
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Illness has taught me to appreciate good health. It is the most important lesson I’ve learned. When I have pain, I am grateful for the days I am passing free. After my knee replacement, I am grateful daily for the blessings of the technology and means to get it done.
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This is such a great lesson Sadje! Thank you so very much sharing your “one thing.” I love that you always find blessings in the trials. I hope today is treating you well.
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Thanks Wendi. I am doing good. I hope you’re too?
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I am so happy to read you are doing well!!!
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🙏🙏👍
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It has taught me to have compassion on others going through chronic sinus problems.
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this is beautiful Renee………when you live with illness it is so much easier to understand others’ trials. Thank you so very much for sharing Renee and thank you for always being to kind.
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Positive thing? I’ve learn to ‘see’ with more than my eyes, looking deep into
myself and others too! Is this beneficial? It has its moments.
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I LOVE this Eddie……..that you have learned to see with your senses……this is a huge gift to all of those that you interact with………and for us, it allows us to “see” those who may not be worthy of our time. Thank you so much for sharing Eddie…….I always appreciate your visits. 🙂
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Great question, Wendi. My answer …. Wisdom. I’ve learned how to connect to God directly bypassing man altogether. What a Gift! Yes I AM so grateful!! xo
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wow! that is an absolutely beautiful gift and bypassing man is such an important step (in my humble opinion!) Thank you so very much for sharing………you have such beautifully helpful insight……….
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Well, I’d have a pretty long list. One is it had made me more empathetic towards others who are suffering. Another is the realization that we can always serve God, even with limitations, even if it’s different from what we’re used to. Another is the value of rest. Right after TM, I had to pace myself and plan rest times or I’d just crash. Another is more dependence on God. Another is realizing the value of what I do. When I couldn’t do anything, and all my usual tasks fell on my family, mainly my husband, I saw the extra burden and stress it put on them. Doing dishes and laundry may not seem that important, but it’s a help to be able to do them again.
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What a beautiful list Barbara and I appreciate you taking time to write them out here. I believe that the vast majority of those of us who live chronically ill have all become more compassionate………..we know how hard life can be and we have also been on the side of not receiving compassion or understanding. And yes! it is amazing how we can still serve God, even if it is from our beds………..thank you again for sharing……..I hope today is treating you well!
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it was my son that had cancer, but it still impacted me, it made me thankful for what goes into nursing and how they are able to put their personal lives aside to encourage the patient.
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Oh my goodness, I am so very sorry to read about your son……..is he ok? As a parent this must have been heartbreaking to watch your son be ill. I love that you were able to see some goodness in those who took good care of your son……….caring health care professionals are angels!
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Yes! my son is well and healed…thanks be to God and those angels you mentioned. As far as heartbreaking, I have to admit, I had a peace that passed my understanding. I believed that God would heal him, so it was just a process we had to go through. It was during that time I developed there will be no pity party. Wendi, I really appreciate you and your heart.
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I love that God granted you peace…….and Praise be to God that your son is healed!!!! WOOHOO!!!
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Yes Indeed!!!!
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I am glad you are enjoying autumn, Wendi, I also like it before it gets really cold. I agree this year has flown past. Both my sons suffer from chronic ailments and when I used to sit in the hospital for hours and hours, I was always grateful that my boys weren’t that bad. They are very treatable. Some of the children had conditions for which there is limited medical help available and that is much worse than my problems.
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so thankful that your sons are able to receive proper treatment! prayers sent up for both of your boys this evening………….
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Thank you for sharing!!.. the positive thought here on the path is, illness or no illness, keep and open mind, follow one’s heart and live life!… “Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow remains a mystery, today is a new adventure. Greet it with open arms, a open heart, a open mind and a smile. Enjoy it because it won’t come again.” (Larry “Dutch“ Woller )… 🙂
Hope all is well in your part of the universe and until we meet again..
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
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Thank you so very much for always having awesome quotes and positive things to write. I always appreciate your comments……..many blessings to you!
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I definitely slowed down. I learned to ask for help which I had been unable to do. After realizing that there was not a medical cure, I grew infinitely closer to God.
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thank you so very much for sharing Elizabeth! Learning to ask for help is a very hard thing to do for most of us as we so want to be as independent as possible………and I know when there is no cure we must look outside ourselves for a greater purpose and I love that your medical journey has brought you closer to God. I hope today is treating you well!
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The sun is out, the leaves are picked up, all is good today.
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YAY! I hope today is being just as kind……..
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Reading this was just lovely 🙂
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thank you!
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Even during challenging times, I can generally find lots of little things to be grateful for (warm, cozy home; plenty of food, etc.)
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Gratitude is such a beautiful feeling……..and a blessing to ourselves and those around us. Thank you so very much for sharing Sheryl.
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I don’t know if this counts, but having an incurable STI has proved to be quite a good judge of character when I bring it up with potential partners. Some people I feel are “unsafe” to bring it up with, like I don’t trust them, and that shows to me who makes me feel safe and who doesn’t. Its gifted me better discernment. xxx
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having an incurable anything is horrible and i am so very sorry you are having to deal with this. I am happy to read that it has given you the ability to tell who you feel more comfortable sharing this with and who you don’t. Being able to judge another’s character is a huge gift. Thank you so very much for your willingness to share…….
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