Finding a purpose when you battle a chronic illness

I loved my grand mother very much. She was to be an example of a strong self-sufficient women. Widowed at the age of 35, she went back to school and became an RN. She has to knee surgeries , in order to be able to continue to walk and fulfill her job duties as a head nurse of obstetrics at a large local hospital. She had to be forced to retire at age 72, not because of her inability to stand on her own two feet, but because of her age. She continue to find things in life to give her a purpose, until she found herself in a wheel chair. All of a sudden life for her had no purpose, and no one could convince her other wise. She gave up on life, and wasted away.

My mother, also had a purpose until she found herself in a wheel chair. All of a sudden she viewed herself as a burden to her family, and took her own life.

I have walked a painful journey with battle Crohn’s disease, Gastroparesis, and Fibromyalgia. And to be truthful, there was a time in my life that I could not see beyond the moment of pain and misery that I was experiencing in order to find some purpose for my life. I could not see beyond the reality that I am slowly losing the ability to walk on my own two legs. I have not be able to work out side the home for over 20 years. My main objective each day, is basically focused on trying to get enough food down into my slow and rebellious stomach , to keep my body functioning. I am very aware of the fact that my 6 year old granddaughter eats more than I do on a daily bases. I am aware of the fact that my doctor feels I need a feeder tube put in, and yet with out insurance that is not an option for me.

I could make a choice in the middle of all the realities of living within the boundary laid out by my illness, crawl into a hole and wait to die. But somewhere between contemplating suicide as a way of dealing with my pain, I found a purpose. I came to realize that despite my limitations, I still had a mind. I am certainly not illiterate. So I stepped forward and began to take responsibility for education my grandchildren. As I began to take on this responsibility, I found that finding Social Studies worksheets was impossible. So I took my love of History and began to create my own. I soon realized as my grandchildren began to use these worksheets that I had enough to create my own CD.
They can know be found online…

I also came to realize just how many people in the world , face chronic illness with out realizing that despite their illness , their life does have a purpose. They simple have to look with themselves to find it.

There two simple truth about learning to live with a chronic illness and pain. You can either set and feel sorry for yourself. You can live in a lonely world that consisted of believing that you can not have a full and happy life unless you can find a cure for your illness. Or you can step out with faith in yourself, and grab a full and happy life despite your pain and misery. In end, the choice is all yours to make!

You are welcome to Join my Digestive System Support group
http://digestivesystemdisorder.ning.com/