Rediscovering Me

My daughter-in-law copes with a more severe form of Ulcerative Colitis. It’s been so severe that we feared for her life. I may not remember the exact words of what she once said, but I will never forget the gist of them. “This disease might be something I have to live with, however, I will never let this disease take over my life."

My heart goes out to her for all that she goes through, yet she always asks how we are doing. Anyone who copes with a chronic illness knows what a struggle it can be. If a person does not have a chronic illness, they don’t really know what that person goes through.

Tips for rediscovering yourself

I do have some tips for rediscovering yourself when times are tough.

• Quit smoking if you smoke. Avoid places where others smoke, where they burn wood, as well as places where chemicals are used.
• Practice good nutrition for you. For some, this might mean 4-6 smaller meals with more calories. Then there are those who need to lose weight and they'll likely need fresh fruits and vegetables and perhaps fewer meals each day.
• Take your medications as prescribed. This includes oxygen and don't forget that over-the-counter meds should be approved by your doctor as well. Be mindful of the temperature requirements for each medication.
• Exercise. Have you heard how important that this is? You will hear that over and over, as this needs to have such a big focus! Exercise can help slow the progression of your COPD. It helps to strengthen your chest wall, legs, lungs, and heart. I think of it as pumping life throughout your body. Life! The best word ever.
• See your doctors as scheduled. Take the tests at the appointed times. This way you know if your medications are working for you, how your bloodwork looks, etc.

Sharing the happier me

COPD and all the other diseases aren’t taking my life either. I am! Can I go dancing? Sure, my hubby is good at singing while we do a bit of dancing. Can I go to a movie theater? No, but we can always find a newer movie and watch it at home with popcorn and water. We can even pick up a giant pickle and movie theater candy! Now it's date night for us and our pups.

Why do I talk about rediscovering myself? I could just accept my COPD as the end of my life, whether I’m stage 1 or stage 4, or I could choose to celebrate that I’m alive. I’m going to do that! I love to celebrate and to share the happier me with everyone.

Through times of happiness, times of learning, times of meeting new people, times of rethinking things, and times of getting to know me, every time there is a change. From the times when things are hard, to the times when I want to sing “I Have Joy In My Heart”. I am rediscovering me!