Photo by Sylwia Forysińska on Unsplash
The New Year is a time of reflection and also a time to think about the future.
Reflection
I’ve mostly been thinking back on the last three years and my illness. It all started on January 1st 2016 when I ended up in hospital for two weeks. A year later I was finally diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome plus PERM.
I had to learn to walk again which was difficult, and I had to learn to cope with a completely different life. I was independent and strong, but now I’m dependant and weak. People say I’ve come a long way since I was first sick, but they are just being polite. Yes, I can walk a little, but I know I’ve not really made that much improvement. You learn to live with the pain and discomfort and just get on with it.
I’ve tried to keep going, keep life as normal as possible especially for the kids. We’ve had holidays and days out and lots of fun together. We have made lots and lots of memories.
The past year I’ve found out how intolerant people can be of someone chronically ill. I’ve had personal attacks and people just cut themselves out of my life. Talking to other sufferers, it appears to be a thing. It’s not nice. It hurts. But for whatever reason that finally made them do it I have to forgive them and move on with my life.
The Future
Three years ago I had big hopes of being in a better place by now. I think that has been playing on my mind over the past few weeks and bringing me down. But now I have to keep looking forward and keep on fighting.
I have some exciting adventures planned for this year and may even go abroad for the first time. I want the kids to experience so much more before they grow up..and boy do they grow up quick. My illness is progressive, but I can still fight it. I’ve been looking at other treatments rather than medicine. I think my IVIG is working better which is great, but I have cut down and even cut out some of my other medications.
The future doesn’t have to be bleak, even with a chronic illness.
I don’t do New Year resolutions, but if I had one this year it would be to enjoy life as much as possible.
Do you make New Years Resolutions?
Thanks to all my readers and supporters over the last year, I really appreciate you all.
I would love for more people to join me on fridays for my Word of the Week linky. It’s a simple link up where we all share our weekly round up and sum it up in a word or phrase. Do come along and join us if you can. Look out for my tweets on Friday.
Other linkies you might like to join in with
Wishing you a happier and healthier new year. I’m sorry with what you’ve experienced from some people. Shocking and unnecessary. 🙁
Anne . I don’t know how you do it but you above anyone else I know makes the most of every situation and I know 2019 will be a great year for you with the holidays planned and optimism.
Do let a minority get you down x
Thanks Tina, I know who my real friends are. Happy New Year x
Anne. You are an inspiration and I really admire your positive attitude. I hope that 2019 is an amazing year for you and your family
Thank you Gillian, Happy New Year x
It sounds to me like you have come very far, learning to cope with pain and people and so many challenges. You are a strong, capable woman and I wish you the best in 2019.
Happy New Year my friend.
Thank you Jeanna, Happy New Year x
You keep on keeping on. That in inspirational in itself and you talk yourself down too much. I hope you get that overseas trip – great for giving a new perspective on life always. Happy New Year to you and yours! No resolutions here but a plan to accept myself warts and all far more and give up on that strive for perfection nonsense which is always doomed to fail anyway. Good enough is good enough! #BlogCrush
You are such a positive person Anne. It is rubbish that you are ill but you really don’t let it hold you back! I hope you do get to go abroad for the first time. x
You are an inspiration and such a positive attitude, I don’t make resolutions but yes after my ill health in 2018 yes I’m going to enjoy life more thanks for linking to #thatfridaylinky
Hi, I’d never heard of Stiff Person Syndrome. But have now looked it up. Seems to me you’ve come a long way.
You certainly find out who your real friends are when you experience such a dramatic life change. Have fun with enjoying the moment, taking the kids abroard and creating great family experiences x #blogcrush
Oh I had no idea your condition had appeared so abruptly – that must be very difficult to come to terms with.
Having had a chronic illness (which I was told would be permanent but was lucky to only have for 6yrs after using a trial treatment which worked miracles!), I really relate to what you right here. It is hard to keep positive, especially when people you thought cared seem to disappear at the time in your life when you need them the most.
But you have the right attitude – keep fighting, keep enjoying the moments that you can, and push for more, keep trying new medications and options and don’t settle (if I’d have become cynical and given up trying, I’d still be ill right now) – you never know when you might hit a breakthrough that eases the pain #blogcrush
I hope you will recover in some future. Thanks for sharing.