Hi all,
Today's blog is about self-talk and the power of positive thinking. Dr. Tompkins told me she has been recommending my blog to some of her other patients. And it isn't because I am feeling super better or because the fibro has disappeared. It is because in light of ALL the insanity that my body goes through; I still get up every day with a smile on my face ready to tackle the world!!
So here is some positive news... the cardiologist couldn't find anything wrong with me. This turned out to be both good and bad news. Good news because, seriously, who wants to have a heart problem. TOO SCARY!! So my heart looks good, no obvious blockages, no growths, no enlargement. Bad news because I am still having some scary tachycardia arrhythmias that knock my socks off with no obvious reason as to why. If you don't know why, you can't fix them right? So, in early July I will be going for some more tests to try to put our finger on it and see if we can't fix it. But, my life is not in danger and I have pretty much been told to continue to live my life per usual. (But to still watch the caffeine intake... bah!!) But all in all, I'm feeling pretty good about that.
My pain levels are still pretty high, my energy levels are still pretty low but I keep progressing. And I keep talking to myself. YUP... self talk. If you continue to tell yourself you are sick, you are tired, you are useless, you are never going to get better then you are right. You won't. You have to talk positive. You have to talk to yourself about feeling better, about where you are heading, about how you are going to get better. You have to talk about the wonderfulness of the world. It is a beautiful place. You have to work as hard as you can to find the caring and the kindness. Read about the good things going on in the world; find the positive stories. Fill your life with smiles and positive people. And never give up!!
Sometimes, we have to go back to basics. That is what I have been doing. I am re-reading old suggestions from my fibro specialist and checking to see where I've been slipping. So I am back to making sure my bed is comfortable, making sure my diet is complete. Resting when I can, using my heating blanket when the pain is too high and getting my feet up. You can't give up!! And you HAVE to make positive changes.
You can't continue to keep doing the same things over and over again expecting to get better. Sometimes we resent these changes but they are necessary. It is your health, your quality of life, your future that is on the line. Do you really need lactose laden food in your diet? I find healthy, tasty alternatives all the time. Get tested for gluten sensitivities; increase the proteins in your diet. Change your bedroom around so you are getting enough oxygen; make it dark enough, cool enough, comfy enough so you are getting a good nights sleep. (I have posted about all this stuff in previous blogs so please go read them for more details.) Once you see how much better you feel by making these changes the only thing you are going to wonder is "Why didn't I do this sooner?"
So yes, it does seem for every step forward I take, I take two back. And yes, the last couple of years of my life have been full of additional challenges and struggles that a "normal" person would have trouble contending with, let alone a person with chronic pain. But it is a wonderful life! I have filled it full of good, supportive people; health professionals who really listen, friends and family that understand and do not put additional strain on my already taxed body and health and nutrition that are going to help this body thrive and get better. I am fighting the good fight, and NOTHING is going to make me back down! So keep your chin up!! I am here if you need help, guidance or support... but most importantly... NEVER GIVE UP!!
