Prompt: 5 Challenges. 5 Small Victories. Make a list of the 5 most difficult parts of your health focus. Make another top 5 list for the little, good things (small victories) that keep you going.

Five Challenges of Being Chronically Ill

1. I can’t be there physically for my daughters like I want to be. Even though we’ve been to counseling as a family and individually, I still get twinges of guilt when I’m unable to attend a school function, or take care of my daughter when she’s sick.
2. Because of the multiple chronic illnesses and the side effects of the medications that I take, I’m unable to work. Before the diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, I had one full time job and two part time jobs. I love working! It was part of how I defined myself.
3. Not knowing if a simple cold will land me in the hospital. I fear sickness and can go overboard with the slightest inkling that I might have a virus or cold. My doctors would say otherwise. They would tell you that I’m noncompliant because I don’t call or make an appointment right away.
4. It’s awful having to take a lot of prescribed pills every day. I’m not really sure why this bothers me so much, but sometimes I get to the point where I purposely forget to take a bunch.
5. I miss a lot of things I could do before I got sick. Most of them are physical, like dancing (didn’t matter what I looked like dancing, I’d dance for hours), running, skipping, walking for a long time (indoors and outdoors), sitting in the sun (even with sunscreen on, that’s a no-no), going to the beach for the day (I can last a few hours sometimes if there’s shade and I can get in the water), and just picking up and going out. It’s harder for me to retain things that I learn. I’m scattered and forgetful.

Five Victories of Being Chronically Ill

1. My empathy has grown a great deal, even for strangers who are suffering or going through a difficult time. Having chronic pain, going through a difficult surgery and being sick so much has opened my heart to others.
2. I’ve learned the importance of listening and not giving advice. When others do that for me, it’s one of the best gifts I can get.
3. Forgiveness is easier. I don’t hold grudges like I used to. Life is too short. It’s easier to be on good terms with someone than to feel hatred towards them. I’d rather use my energy for positive things
4. I take better care of my health by eating healthy foods, by moving around as much as I can (my exercise is stretching and walking around the house), and by using relaxation and deep breathing. I want to live as long as I can and not get any other illnesses that can be prevented.
5. Saying I love you is simple and something I do every day. I want to be sure that my family and friends know how much they mean to me. I cherish them.

Image source for stone steps – http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1249882
Image source for winning runner – http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1241543