2Cor.12:9
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I'll be turning 65 this year and have had CFS since I was 36. I've found that aging with CFS has brought about many unique challenges. Just the natural aging process itself mixed with an already weak and deconditioned body has caused me to reevaluate new limitations and increase my pacing.
Other life challenges, such as when my parents were alive and I was responsible for overseeing their care and finances, brought a whole new set of physical and emotional challenges. I often felt guilty that I couldn't do more than I did to help them, but looking back I'm amazed that I was able to do as much as I did. I often felt guilty because I was measuring my performance according to how some of my healthy friends were managing their aging parents. When I had to place my mom in assisted living because I could not care for her myself, a hurtful remark was made, "We believe in taking care of our own, and would never do that." These kinds of things caused much grief at the time, but I know better now and am at peace with the way things played out.
I've also been experiencing a significant relapse for over 12 months that doesn't want to abate despite all the efforts my doctor and I have made. Over the years I've tried many therapies, medications, treatments, supplements, just like we all have. For me, nothing has really made that much of a difference. A little maybe here and there, but there seems to have been no real rhyme or reason for why I've had better seasons of life with CFS than others. Sure things like stress, diet, medications might change the way the wind blows for awhile, but by and large this disease has had a mind of its own .
I've gotten to a point where I don't get too excited about the latest findings, tests, and treatments. I've jumped on pretty much every bandwagon and am tired of doing so. My latest medication try was with LDN. It seemed to help with some things but in the end made me feel worse and I am glad to be off it. I know it works wonders for some, especially those with MS and other illnesses. But not for me.
I have found the most relief in calm acceptance of my condition and life. I am happiest when I roll with the punches, count my blessings, and enjoy focusing on what I can do - even if it's just closing my eyes and listening to the birds singing outside. Or enjoying simple pleasures like watching my grandchildren play. I can't do all the fun things with them that their other grandmothers do, but I can talk with them, read to them, and color.
My grandfather was born in 1890 and lived trough 2 World Wars and lost everything in the Great Depression. By the time he died at 95 he'd seen more trouble than anyone I had known. And yet he was always content. He often quoted these words to me from the Bible.
“ I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13
I recently stumbled upon the following 2007 article from The CFS Chronicle on CFS and Aging and I sure could have used it a few years ago. Just knowing that my challenges are so common is encouraging. Maybe it will encourage someone here.
Blessings.
http://solvecfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cfsaging.pdf
Other life challenges, such as when my parents were alive and I was responsible for overseeing their care and finances, brought a whole new set of physical and emotional challenges. I often felt guilty that I couldn't do more than I did to help them, but looking back I'm amazed that I was able to do as much as I did. I often felt guilty because I was measuring my performance according to how some of my healthy friends were managing their aging parents. When I had to place my mom in assisted living because I could not care for her myself, a hurtful remark was made, "We believe in taking care of our own, and would never do that." These kinds of things caused much grief at the time, but I know better now and am at peace with the way things played out.
I've also been experiencing a significant relapse for over 12 months that doesn't want to abate despite all the efforts my doctor and I have made. Over the years I've tried many therapies, medications, treatments, supplements, just like we all have. For me, nothing has really made that much of a difference. A little maybe here and there, but there seems to have been no real rhyme or reason for why I've had better seasons of life with CFS than others. Sure things like stress, diet, medications might change the way the wind blows for awhile, but by and large this disease has had a mind of its own .
I've gotten to a point where I don't get too excited about the latest findings, tests, and treatments. I've jumped on pretty much every bandwagon and am tired of doing so. My latest medication try was with LDN. It seemed to help with some things but in the end made me feel worse and I am glad to be off it. I know it works wonders for some, especially those with MS and other illnesses. But not for me.
I have found the most relief in calm acceptance of my condition and life. I am happiest when I roll with the punches, count my blessings, and enjoy focusing on what I can do - even if it's just closing my eyes and listening to the birds singing outside. Or enjoying simple pleasures like watching my grandchildren play. I can't do all the fun things with them that their other grandmothers do, but I can talk with them, read to them, and color.
My grandfather was born in 1890 and lived trough 2 World Wars and lost everything in the Great Depression. By the time he died at 95 he'd seen more trouble than anyone I had known. And yet he was always content. He often quoted these words to me from the Bible.
“ I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13
I recently stumbled upon the following 2007 article from The CFS Chronicle on CFS and Aging and I sure could have used it a few years ago. Just knowing that my challenges are so common is encouraging. Maybe it will encourage someone here.
Blessings.
http://solvecfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cfsaging.pdf
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