Re: Introduction Mandy

[Guest guest]

I can not agree with you more Ellen and .

Mandy I was 21 or 22 when they dx me with RA and Stills. I am 25 right now. I

thought

my life was over because I was planning on going into the Police Academy and

working

towards becoming a Homicide Detective and knew I couldn't do that anymore.

But somebody told me that I shouldn't look at the negative side of things, that

things

happen for a reason. And I should apply myself toward another aspect of the job

i want.

When I was first dx I was so angry and at times I still get angry because I

didn't

understand why this was happening to me. I also lost friends that I thought were

friends

so I really figured out who were there to support me and who were just there. It

is funny

how life does things for us. Gives us twist and turns unexpectedly but please

just hang in

there. I know it is so depressing to watch our friends go out and party while we

have to sit

on the side lines but the true friends will sit on the side lines with you as

well, watch.

And this support group is great. If I didn't have them I would have gone into a

deep

depression a long time ago. So you keep on posting and let us know how you are

doing.

Take care.

Corpus Christi, Tx

>

>

> Well said Ellen!

>

> I always try to remind myself that with life comes surprises and we will all

> have our ups and downs. I try to remember that each day is a blessing and

> that regardless of how I feel and how much pain I am in, that I can find joy

> in the day with those around me. On days that I stay positive, I usually do

> enjoy my day and enjoy the little things I do around the house. On the days

> that I'll occasionally let the 'dragon' get under my skin and get me down, I

> bring myself down and those around me down. I especially liked what Ellen

> said about learning that some people aren't worth your Time and effort while

> others are. THere are some people that I'd go out on a limb for in a minute

> because I know that they would for me. These are the people that you learn

> to lean on in life and have around you during crisis. My husband is one

> person that is always there for me. I wouldn't have made it through the past

> 4 years without him. He might be my spouse, but he is also my best friend

> too. The sad part for him is that he wishes he could take this 'dragon' off

> of me and make me well. I'm not saying I haven't been down, I have been

> very down at times, people on this board have helped me get through it. In

> addition, just trying to take life one day at a time has also helped me.

>

> This weekend, my cousin who is 42 lost her husband (43). He passed away

> suddenly, very unexpectedly. These types of events really remind me of how

> each day really is a blessing and nothing in life is a guarantee. He got

> sick about a month ago and then was told that he needed a heart transplant,

> just like that, no warning. The virus damaged his heart and then he passed

> away after an angiogram. So young.

>

> Anyway, I shared this not to bring people down, but to remind us all how

> much life really is a blessing even though we struggle daily. Today I had

> Ice packs on my ankles, and wrist wraps on. But in the grand scheme of

> things, the pain of today is bearable and I enjoyed conversations with my

> friends, family and reading everyones email. I also enjoyed playing with

> our dogs. I rested a lot today, but that's ok, it's what my body needed -

> tomorrow may be the same, or I may not need as much rest, but I'll try to

> remember to be happy for each day that I'm given and when I'm struggling, I

> know that I can come to my friends on this board for support and love

>

> Hugs to all

>

>

>