I've felt low this evening, no painkillers. Just an Epsom salt bath, & hope. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a quote. But I've been scouring through Pinterest for some inspiration and I came across this beautiful piece.
It hasn't taken my pain, or made me feel any better than I did a few seconds ago but it has had an impact on me. I guess you find out who your real friends are in time of need, as mine have disappeared, my family are in crisis with each other, & my boyfriend works long hours & I confide in him almost everyday. But after reading this quote it feels like someone out there had a piece of me.. written almost about my life as I know it. & it's helped. I'm not the only one suffering but it is a lonely place sometimes. I don't like asking for help and maybe that's the Leo in me, the stiff necked pride, but sometimes it's nice to talk & get things off your chest. I don't speak to anyone really, mostly my diary but the diary doesn't speak back, it's tough because no one in my entire family have what I have, & this beautiful place has gave me such comfort. A community of lovely people some suffering in the dark & some walking into the light. I'm in between but I'm thankful. I'm grateful for the replies & the helpful advice & support. I feel as if I'm a burden to my family, & im trying to help them when they need me which is almost everyday, but when I'm curled up in bed crying out no one has any time. I've always put others first but since the possible GPA vasculitis occurred I've had to change, try & at least put myself first sometimes. I do get called selfish, stupid & lazy for having a rest day, & as all sisters & brothers have some sort of rivalry my brothers & I have never bonded. & they make it extremely difficult to have any time at my parents. Today they said out loud " here comes the Leper" I laughed it off but it hurt, a lot. Sat and ate dinner & my younger brother of 23 said " id rather not sit by it, as I could catch that disgusting disease.." she's a freak" "look at those legs" " who'd want to sit by you with all those scars & spots" " join a circus sis you fit right in" I couldn't stomach my food, my dad is the inbetweener, he's a great support to me of late, but my brothers will always be the apples of his eye. I guess you can say they are ignorant, to vasculitis or any other illness & I think it's cruel to mock a pain you've never endured. I'm sorry it's been a bad day, & I'm in pain without any relief & sometimes it just hits home, sometimes it hurts, & it's ok because every body hurts & sometimes Quotes heal pieces of me that I didn't realise were broken beyond repair.
P.s I'm not depressed just needed to get this off my chest. X
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LauraMk30
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Hi laura I'm so sorry you're having such a bad time. I just wanted to let you know I went for counselling three times when I was first diagnosed to help me come to terms with things as I didn't want to keep talking to my friends & family. It may help or be worth a try? I asked to be referred by my GP and through my occupational health team at work. Or ringing the Vasculitis helpline could help too as Suzy suggests. I still have bad days but it's got better for me x
Thank you Katie18, I think the pain got to me last night 😩 counselling sounds good. I wouldn't know where to start and I'd prob ball my eyes out but it helps to talk doesn't it. I'm really glad things have got better for you, it's a lot to process I guess x
Thanks ever so much for your sincerely genuine reply.
The bit that touched me the most was " we all need a soft place to land" that bought a tear to my eye, because your very right.
For some reason that quote will live with me forever. & I love that. I love those words!
I guess it's hard for family & friends to understand why I am like I am. It's also difficult for me to adjust too. Yes I've been unwell on and off but this seems to be never ending. I have been researching the way I have been feeling...
To be honest for me it felt/feels like I'm grieving for my formal self who I was before all this took over & I read so many things & I found this site with this written infinite loss- grieving for someone/oneself who is still alive & feels like that "old you" has died/ gone....
After reading it I understand myself more. As I felt like this chronic illness has stripped me to the bones & I don't know who I am.
My brothers & I have never connected. I've tried countless time to bond & have a relationship/friendship. But we're strangers. I don't know why but I feel like I'm adopted as we have nothing between us. The lads are 24 & 29 I'm the oldest at 30.. well I'm 31 next month.
I've had a tough time I guess, the friends who've I've classed as besties have vanished.
I can't do what I used to do so I'm not needed anymore.
But that's ok, because even though this illness has literally taken over my body it will never take my soul. I'm still me, I'm just a different shade of the rainbow. I have many colours now. And I guess you find out who your true friends are.. in times of need.
I don't blame anyone, or hate anyone. I don't judge or hold a grudge. I look at life differently now & I guess I'm slowly learning to expect that it's ok to be different, it's ok to cry, it's ok to feel sad & happy all at once, it's ok to be scared it's ok if I'm not ok..
I'm only human..
I guess I have become a stranger to myself, I wrote this post because I was so lost, I was afraid of the outcome & fearful of being weary.
I lost my faith along this winding road, I stopped going to church, I couldn't enjoy the things I once loved & adored. It's like the life I had was gone & over night I was given a new one, one I didn't ask or pray for. I was grateful for the old one. I was angry and bitter because I didn't think I'd wake up one day and never get better. I became a shadow & was literally alone.
I had to talk, I had to tell someone how I was feeling. I'm very honest, & the quote I put up with the post helped me. I know I'm not the only one suffering in the dark, there are many others, but I've come to the conclusion.. we will find each other in the dark, we're not alone we're all in this together.
Velveteen Rabbit - "Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'
'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit.
'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.' 'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,' he asked, 'or bit by bit?' 'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time.
That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.
But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
# # #
Laura - People can be brutal, even those who are supposed to love you and care what happens to you. I used to rage against them for being so cruel, but I am starting to realize that they are terrified of the possibility that what is happening to you might happen to them.
Please know that the crazy path you are on, as unfair as it is, also makes you much stronger than them. They cringe away from the power and strength that is growing in you because you have been tested so much.
If you can, when you are feeling sick and weak and vulnerable, reach down way inside and grasp the shining sword, the diamond armor, the titanium shield you have forged from everything existence has thrown at you, and take it up and wear it proudly for all the universe to see.
I read the Velveteen Rabbit every time I start to feel overwhelmed by my disease - and it brings tears to my eyes every single time. I'm glad it helped.
And the other... I have felt so powerless so often with all this, and so not understood, that I had to come up with something to visualize when I needed to stand up and fight for myself even though I felt so sick and nobody believed me and everybody wanted me to shut up and just act normal already.
It is true that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You just have to give yourself permission to let that strength shine through and not be startled by it. It is a gift special to those who have fought impossible fights against giants and still continue on to fight again tomorrow.
Embrace your specialness whenever you can, and school those who try to tear your strength from you with a withering glance while you hold your head up high. Damn bullies.
It's really nice to connect with someone who know how it really feels mentally & emotionally as well physically. The velveteen rabbit story is now my once upon time.
I can relate to how that feels about others wanting you to just "be normal"
It's a slow process but I'm learning to live & love the skin I'm in.
One more sleep & I'll be travelling on a train " phobic" but at the end of the tunnel I'll finally step foot in a wonderful hospital where there is help for me.
I think I'm full of mixed emotions today, quite tearful but I know tomorrow is gunna be a good day.. it's the start line & I'm more ready than I ever have been. To get to the finish line with my head held high. Diamond sword n all.
I am so happy at last you are getting the help you so need. But don't be afraid to ask questions and say no if something doesn't feel right, or you feel they aren't telling you things. I have found that even the best hospital have aspects that are little disfunctional and you have to navigate around or through them sometimes to get to the treasure.
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