The Flexibility to Think Differently

One thing that chronic illness has blessed me with - the freedom and flexibility to look for solutions that fall outside of what's "normal".

It's really NOT fun when, early in a chronic illness, you have no choice but to find new solutions. Too tired to work 40 hours per week? Part time will have to do. Too tired and sore to take that rock-climbing vacation? A stay-cation is the only alternative on short notice. Can't bend down to pick up your child? Time to sit on the floor with them. No one likes having to make these choices, especially when we feel like our illness is forcing them on us.

However, with years of practice, I think this experience teaches us to constantly problem-solve. And to think "outside the box" (sometimes, just out of sheer desperation). And to bounce back after any kind of short-term failure (if solution A doesn't work as we hoped, we have to dig in and find solution B, C, D...) That's how I have wound up being the auntie who sits on the floor with toddlers (my arms can't pick them up), adding wide-angle side mirrors to my car, and only working 3 days per week (and no more than 6 hours per day). 

This mindset is helping me think through two major problems right now: getting pregnant (no luck so far), and trying to vacation the way my husband likes to (spending 12 to 16 hours per day sightseeing, mostly on foot). To solve the pregnancy problem, I could try somewhat standard solutions like IVF. Or I could adopt. But I've also considered slightly stranger options: using a surrogate or trying herbal medicine and acupuncture. To help my husband vacation without me slowing him down, I could get a motorized mobility scooter (it would help some), or better yet, we could start traveling with other friends or family as part of a group - so there's always someone ready to go pound the pavement with my husband (even if I am still in the hotel, sleeping). I would never have been as open to either of those solutions if illness had not been in my life, forcing me to try, try again. 

Comments

[Krutledge]

I just wanted to let you know that your post is very inspiring to me. I have dealt with well controlled chronic kidney disease for several years now but recently the treatments stopped working so they had to go looking for some other cause. I was diagnosed with primary Sjogren's syndrome. I have spent the last 3 months learning to deal with all the new doctors, medications and their side effects. Learning that this is the new "normal" is difficult but I am inspired to keep going. I am trying to live my life as "normally" as possible with a few adjustments for now. Luckly, all this has made me slow down & take a good look at the important things in life. Must stay positive.

Thanks, Kristina