I LOVE this whole taking care of myself thing!

You know, I spend alot of time complaining about being sick. But, I've decided that it's time to be more open to what this experience has to offer. And I'm kind of shocked.

Taking care of myself has provided me with so much more than I'd anticipated. I didn't realize it could be a sort of cathartic experience. I've never really been "nice" to myself before. I was always pushing myself to the limit and never really feeling satisfied about what I accomplish, even if it's huge.

The simple act of making myself a cup of tea and picking out one by one what I think I can give my body to help it cope is being nice! I'm supporting MYSELF! I eat healthy, I make an effort to smile, I tell myself I'm tough enough to get through anything and believe it, and I give myself breaks and treats.

Maybe everyone lives like this and I was just oblivious! If that's the case I've really been missing out! Even though I still feel really terrible physically and mentally most of the time, it's nice to have these little glimmers of light in the midst of the darkness these infections bring into your life.

I was always that way too, IHL - always pushing to do more, be more - then it all came crashing down around me. My kids have even noticed the changes in me now that I take care of me, and protect my health and they like it!! LOL! Of course hubby likes that I'm taking better care of myself now too!!

"Stopping to smell the roses" really means a lot more to me now - and it's nice to do nice things for ME!!!

I agree with P - give yourself a hug from her and one from me too!! You're doing awesome!!!

Yes trav, the roses sure do smell good! I probably would've never got around to taking care of me if it weren't for these infections. There is always a flip side, I'm glad I found a positive even if it's the only one! Hugs to you girl!!

Keep going, I def. need to learn that myself. As the caretaker, I'm so shot, mentally broken and physically destroyed. I don't know how to fix it and my other children are so not happy with me. I've given him everything I have and I still can't fix him. I have no idea what he's going to do going back to school a week from today and I think he's nervous, some of his tics are back and he's not so nice....

I'm really happy for you - it truly does not matter if we set the world on fire or do great things, or just get through a day. I know the most important thing is being happy and not bringing other down. You are doing so well. It will help you heal!

HUGS!

Yeah, lot of good lessons. I'd love not to crash the ship the guy above mentioned and explode into a million little pieces though. That'd be nice.

Sorry for being true to the character of a pessimist. People tell me I got a problem with that.