Happy..... in sickness and in health......

I lead a nice, happy life. I am happy.....I have a job that I enjoy and find very fulfilling. I work as an instrument technician in the operating room. I have become part of a beautiful clinic and a great working team. It was actually a dream of mine that I fulfilled as an adult. I started studying after I turned 30 and slowly I was fulfilling my goals. This is how my life works in many ways. I set long-term goals for myself, both in work, sports and personal life. When I decide to train for a marathon, I don't skip any training and I run at four in the morning with a headlamp on my head. I mean, not that there aren't also steps back, that's common, but when I fall, I humbly get up, dust off my knees and keep going.

Well, now, I guess about a year ago, my fall was a little bigger. Well, from my point of view. I got sick, kind of mysteriously life became very painful. For weeks, months I just lay there and moaned in pain. I wasn't able to live independently. I couldn't drive a car because my legs wouldn't listen to me. I wasn't able to clean my house, cook. It's only thanks to my family and the people around me that I've managed so far. My whole life so far has gone by the wayside. Work, sports, travel....all stopped and I had plenty of time to think. I hadn't even considered that I wasn't going to get better. I continued to plan for the next year. I even, and I'll admit this here for the first time, signed up for a few races next year, including a marathon. Believe and your faith will heal you....I thought....But now everything is completely different. I am still hopeful for healing though.

During all those long weeks of trying to find out more about my illness and treatment, I read  daily and still read dozens, hundreds of people's stories who are suffering from similar problems and the life stories and peripeties associated with them. They are very sad stories and I often tell myself that I am a happy  person and have no right to whine. If it were in my power, I would love to help everyone, but there is no way. 

Because I am somewhat averse to large doses of chemo, I am not a model patient who will swallow every pill anyone gives him. I try to take analgesics only in the worst pain, and I really refuse the antidepressants that are handed to us all in copious doses.I
have come up with my daily plan for a happy life and if it would help any of you, motivate you, I would be very happy to do so. 

Every day, at any hour of the day when I have a bright moment without much pain I will move. As much as possible, walking the dogs, treadmill, exercise, jump rope, lifting my own weight, or maybe dancing....anything that makes me happy. Today I walked on the treadmill for 30 min. No great feat, but I feel good.:-) And so I think it doesn't matter if you join in , you who also have health problems or you who are overweight or you who want to be in better shape.... or you who want to enjoy life.....:-)

So next time bye....

Helena