Happy Halloween! 👻🦹♀️🎃
I remember so many rainy, cold nights to Trick or Treat in my neighborhood, pillow cases full of candy, masks you could hardly breathe thru, walking on so many streets you had never been on before, and then, of course, sorting all of the candy on the floor at home. Good memories for sure!
I have over the years of moderating a support group, so many comments about members feeling they have lost themselves as they used to be, feel like they are a different person now since being diagnosed. They can hardly remember the before PBC.
For sure, our lives do change. Now we face blood work literally for the rest of our lives, doctor visits for the rest of our lives, scans and ultrasounds for the rest of our lives... and yes, the worry, even in it's in the back of our minds, will/when this disease progress for you. Now many of you have to endure itching every single day, or even at times, it can be consuming. I remember that all too well.
Many have fatigue so badly they can hardly get thru their days. They feel they can no longer be as active as they once were, or be as social as they once were. Cancelling social commitments can be so hard emotionally on us. We feel we are being left out of the world because of this disease.
I just want you to remember that "you" are still in there. You are still the same loving, caring, and thoughtful person you always were. Yes, some days you feel you aren't - or maybe more likely you don't want to be -( and that's ok) but those traits are still part of who you are. How many times on your worst of days do you still find it in you to reach out and give that word of support or that kind word? I have read those words and support a thousand times right here in these 2 supports groups that I have been privileged to moderate for the last 8 years.
Believe that, yes, we have a disease that offers us challenges all too often, but we are still who we are. AND we are not, nor ever will be, PBC. It does not define who we are.
Take the day, or that hour, to celebrate who you are once in awhile. Don't sell yourself short in any way. Don't think you have lost yourself along the way... the 'not so good days' will pass. We are always here to give you support and that kind word. We are here to say "yes, that is how I feel or how I am too". We are all here together in this world we have been thrown into thru no fault of our own.
Celebrate you in some small day today! I would for you to share with us... 🎃🧹
