Re: /feeling old

[Guest guest]

, when I was young and naive, I would tell my Mom (who it turns

out had scleroderma and had every right to feel bad) that she was

only as old as she felt. She snapped back at me once " then I feel

like I'm 90, dammit " !

I quit telling her how she should feel at her age.....LOL!!!

Now, being 47 and having been told that chronologically speaking I

have the body of a woman in her 70's, I can understand what my Mom

was saying. I hurt someplace on my body every day.

It is so hard to live in a body that won't cooperate, turns

traitorous and then fails you when your mind feels young and is still

full of hopes and dreams. Ya know, they say that growing old ain't

for sissies, and I would like to add that having PF is also not for

sissies.

A big pat on the back to all of us for being on this board and

reaching out to each other in an effort to understand and hopefully,

to ultimately beat this disease.

You all inspire me greatly. I love the spunk and grit that is shown

by so many. Y'all keep fighting the good fight and know that I pray

for all of you!

Hugs and Hope...

Babs in Texas 47 YO

DX Nov. 1999 with PF due to Lupus/Scleroderma. Also RA, Raynauds,

Sjogrens, Fibro, DM, and possibly Crohn's.

>

> Joyce,

> I think this is the worst about this disease it makes us feel so

old. Even though logically, there are plenty of young people who

are ill and need walkers, oxygen, hospital beds, etc., and plenty of

90 year olds rushing around the mall without any of the " sickbed

paraphernalia. " I think we so associate young with well and sick

with old when really it has nothing to do with age. Now if I could

just " feel " logically instead of just think logically I would have

this whipped!

>

> Sarcoid/PF 3/2006 California

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, we like your spunk too. As one who knew you before you joined

here I knew you'd fit in so well. May be some truth to the " only as

old as you feel " but not as you meant it. Some days we feel much

older and in a way we are. I have days of feeling 75. But fortunately

I have days of feeling 25 (well at least in spirit). Sher has become

11 again with Rosebud. But with the disease we're going to feel old.

The fight is to still try to be an active 75 year old if thats what

we feel today. It's simply make the most of life we can at each stage

and on each day. But, by no means does it mean we can do what we'd be

able to if we were healthy. Even at my relatively new status with the

disease, as much as I enjoyed my trip this week, I had to nap late

each afternoon and when I got home and I rested most of yesterday. I

never napped before. But, if I'm out and about a few hours, I need to

recuperate. So, that was my balance for the week. Not capable of

going full speed the entire time. But I chose not to just sit around

at home either. I went and enjoyed myself within my limitations.

Huge pat on the back to you. I know you've got more issues to deal

with than I do, but I also know I'll get there. You are a fighter. I

hate boxing but for some reason I have to use the analogy of feeling

like a new young fighter in the ring, learning from the veterans like

you everyday.

> >

> > Joyce,

> > I think this is the worst about this disease it makes us feel

so

> old. Even though logically, there are plenty of young people who

> are ill and need walkers, oxygen, hospital beds, etc., and plenty

of

> 90 year olds rushing around the mall without any of the " sickbed

> paraphernalia. " I think we so associate young with well and sick

> with old when really it has nothing to do with age. Now if I could

> just " feel " logically instead of just think logically I would have

> this whipped!

> >

> > Sarcoid/PF 3/2006 California

> >

> >

>