Jude,
I just joined this group about a month or two ago and I already am extremely
pleased I finally found someone to talk w/ about TM. I use to go to a Cauda
Equina Site, but TM is much worse, especially what it has physically done to
me. I never thought in all the world my legs would be gone from me to use. I
always told my husband the one thing I would think worse to be would be
"paralyzed" yet here I am, but taking life one stride at a time as I always
did. I'm stronger because of it, I will be honest. My husband and I are
closer because I had to lean on him some and never before did that happen. I
was always so extremely independent. I do miss getting outside for many days
in a row til we can fix the ramp and the threshold; so I can at least get out
w/ the dog. But once again "that's what life has dealt me I think" and one
must be patient for pieces to fall in place in our lives to get better for us.
Regards, Natalie
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think most of us who have been with the TMIC
for a long time -- at least those who have participated -- I know there are
many who just read and don't write in -- have "laid it all out there" about our
particular symptoms and issues at some time or another, but don't necessarily
bring it up every week. I'm more than happy, though, to share those things when
a particular subject comes up or someone asks a question that I think my
experience might be helpful in relating.
Something I have found, too, is that the more I think about the symptoms I
struggle with -- the worse they are, the more magnified they are. Going on and
thinking about something else and doing other things takes my mind off of them
and thereby relives them just a little.
Maybe some are reluctant to share because they are used to others not really
understanding -- but that is what so many of us have discovered about the
beauty of the TMIC -- that there are people who DO understand.
I don't know, but I don't think there are many, if any, who don't share their
particulars pains or issues because of pride.
Barbara H.
http://barbarah.wordpress.com/
In a message dated 5/26/2007 4:37:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL
PROTECTED] writes:
This is a subject that I have not seen debated in the five years I have
been a member of this exclusive club of amazing, diverse people brought
together by a common problem...TM.
I recently received an email from someone who has been on the list quite a
while. This person has troubles just like the rest of us and we help one
another when we can, but I only tonight found out that they are in extreme pain
and at times can only sit for a few seconds at a time. Yet, they take any
amount of time they can handle to use their knowledge to educate us and promote
dialogue between us, in spite of being racked by pain.
This person is one of the "walking wounded" and was, I thought, in pretty
good condition. Tonight, I learned that conception has not been true...and I
find myself amazed to find the depth of their disability.
Now, I am wondering how important it is for us to put on a happy face and
keep our infirmities to ourselves rather than getting honest and sharing our
limitations with the possibility of connecting with someone else, especially
new members in need of knowing that they are not crazy and other people have
the same problems that they do?
I believe that it is possible to maintain a positive attitude while humbling
ourselves enough to show others on the List the true person we are. There are
ways to share our pain, frustration, loss, etc. without sounding like a whining
baby.
Who believes that it is important to put our honest personage out there?
Does it help others? Does it help ourselves to talk about things? Or does it
serve others better to be stoic about our disease? I'd really like to know...
I love you all,
Jude T3 to T8, Complete para with no b or b control,
and not a lot of hope of ever walking again.
"Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they
produce for us an immeasurably great Glory that will last forever"
2 Corinthians 4:17
NLT
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