Re:Making it through Christmas

[Guest guest]

Josie,

Sorry to hear you feel so bad and too bad you have no relatives around for

holidays anymore. Any local Lyme support groups were you can make friends? I

am also suck at home with neuro Lyme. I was pretty bad at times literally

falling around constantly twitching shaking, stuttering at times. I am a

little more coordinated these days, but I still forget what I am doing

constantly, like making coffee without water one day, without grounds the next

day and

forgetting to turn it on the third etc. I joined American Greetings.com for

cool E-cards to send, but often cannot get myself in the spirit to send them.

Got to get with the program. i still have young children at home, plus

grown ones coming back for holidays, so I had to do all kind of online shopping

since I cannot get out of the house much. Sometimes I wish I did have the

courage get one of those motorized wheelchairs and start going out alone, but I

am soooo afraid to fall out or have something else bad happen, i rather stay

home and mope. So i can really relate to you sitting home for the holidays.

We really just have to find ways to socialize more, i think it is good to

keep your spirits up. Have a wonderful Holiday. Hope you feel better soon.

Dagmar

[Guest guest]

I wish all of you peace and happiness thru the holidays. Wish I was

close by to all of you as it would be great for me to visit and help

out as I do get out some and try to interact with some parents from my

girls school but no-one understands. Because they see me out at times

and " I look healthy " they feel I sould do more for the school and

programs at school - I try to explain my illness and they (I feel) roll

eyes at me. We just do the best we can when we can -

Please know that I am praying for all of you during the holidays - wish

I was closer by - anyone in the WI area?

Bless you all!!

Diane

[Guest guest]

Because they see me out at times and " I look healthy " they feel I

sould do more for the school and programs at school - I try to

explain my illness and they (I feel) roll eyes at me. We just do the

best we can when we can -

Diane,

Boy do I know what you mean! My stepmother said to me recently

(though she's very understanding and supportive), " You sure look

happy to me most of the time. " She understood when I explained, " It's

not always possible to act normal for 30 minutes or an hour, and when

I can't I stay home! " I don't know about anyone else but when my

attitude suffers because of pain or limitations, I try very hard not

to show it to the outside world.

Here in Oregon our snowfall is just starting. We're all prepared for

a few days of staying home and comfort food. Hope you all are warm

and cozy, too.

[Guest guest]

It is a huge problem to " look good " when you feel so bad.  I work really hard to

stand up straight and smile because it helps me get through the day. Because I

" look good " , have good posture (except on the worst days!) and smile, people

can't believe I am really sick. But, it sure beats whining all day and

complaining about pain. Friends and family get tired of negativity really fast.

However, I do have my whiney days and my family receives the brunt of it.

[Guest guest]

It is a challenge to " look good " when you feel " so bad " physically.  I too work

really hard to stand up straight and smile because it too helps me get through

the day.  Those who know me say I look healthy and yet surprised to hear how

hard it is sometimes for me to make it through one day.  My mom always told me

" you can only do what you can do " and this phrase has helped get me through the

roughest of days.  Sometimes I wonder how people would react if I truly looked

badly.  I have learned that even though I cannot do the things I used to, I try

to focus on what I can do.  It doesn't matter where I am, when I feel exhausted

or if my symptoms increase, I take a break.  It has been hard for me to keep up

with Christmas cards and presents this year but I am looking forward to calling

family and friends on Chrismas day. 

________________________________

From: <catherinej6@...>

Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:42:18 AM

Subject: [ ] Re:Making it through Christmas

It is a huge problem to " look good " when you feel so bad.  I work really hard to

stand up straight and smile because it helps me get through the day. Because I

" look good " , have good posture (except on the worst days!) and smile, people

can't believe I am really sick. But, it sure beats whining all day and

complaining about pain. Friends and family get tired of negativity really fast.

However, I do have my whiney days and my family receives the brunt of it.