Faith non Christian

katinar · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:53 pm Post subject: Faith non Christian

I have been diagnosed with SLE for 28 years although much more likely had first flare at 19 so more like 40 years. I am in awe when I read stories of people on this and other boards. Both in awe of all the pain and suffering we have all gone through and also the amazing strength and perseverance I hear through the writing. Every day is a gift and a challenge. I have made peace with the disease(as have many others) and don't spend energy uselessly fighting it, as energy is the precious resource I guard zealously. I want to thank whatever powers there are in the universe for all that I have in my life. While I wouldn't have chosen this disease (I always think maybe hemorrhoids HA!) I know I would not spiritually and emotionally be where I am today without it. In faith and fellowship whatever one's faith may be
katinar

Saysusie · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Katinar Laughing

I think that many of us will agree with you wholeheartedly. Although we would not ask for the disease, it has taught us how to be grateful for the many small miracles that surround us every day, it has taught us to take notice of the wonders and beauty that abound and it has taught us to be thankful for all that is good in our lives.
See my motto below.........................

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

hatlady · Tiger Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 809 Location: Illinois

Hi Katinar and welcome to our group!

I agree, while I'd never have chosen lupus, this condition has given me many gifts - the gift of understanding when a friend says "My FMS is so bad today, I could cry..." or of how some days are good, some bad. I've learned to just sit and watch the roses grow on days when leaning over to smell them would be too hard. I'm blessed that my home computer office has a window out to a wonderful yard filled with birds, squirrels and trees. I'm blessed to have friends that care, that help me when I need it. And who laugh with me often.

Cdn Grl · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:38 am Post subject: Faith, Acceptance & Gratitude

Katinar....what you wrote is so very true.
But in my case, I have always been very conflicted over acceptance of the disease and denying it outright.
Like yourself, my symptons started around that age, maybe a bit earlier.
I was in University. By my third year, I could barely read, the words were just swirling off the page. I was sooo tired. And confused...and an emotional basket-case. I was tested for Mono....negative. I was tested for Epstein Barr...positive. By then I had to drop out of school. Just couldn't study anymore. I rested but by then my immune system was toast. Next came the allergies that were uncontrollable, sinus infections that required surgery to clear. Swelling that made it difficult to walk. Finally after must testing...Lupus was the culprit.
10 years ago I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and 7 weeks ago I had to have a Hysterectomy. I wonder if it is all related. If the ravages of Lupus have ruined my body and now I'm a candidate for everything else????
You never know what will happen next, but god always gives me the strength to recover. Faith is sometimes all that you have. I have to cling to it.
But in spite of everything, Lupus has taught me a few things:
1. Try to simplify your life as much as you can (we moved into a very small bungalow-no stairs)
2. To be grateful for the people who love and care for you (take their help when they offer it)
3. Stuff is just stuff. The more stuff you buy...the more you have to put away and dust!. Walk lightly on the earth.
*I know my post is a little long-winded and this not a post on symptoms but I just needed to get all this out. Thanks for listening Very Happy

_________________
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Kelly

KathyW1958 · Bear Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 688

Hi Katinar,
I agree with you a lot. I have had Lupus they believe since the age of 5 years old, however I did not get diagnosed until I was 36 years old. It is a hard illness to live with, but I look at it this way, I did not ask for this disease, but since I have to have it, I will try to do the best that I can to live as comfortable as possible. I just try to enjoy my life. I may have Lupus, but the Lupus does not define who I am as a person. I believe very much in God and I believe that what comes after this life is beautiful where nobody is sick. I always try to help people as much as I can and I try to listen to others even the folks that don't have Lupus, but have other illnesses that afflict them. I don't know what else to say.

Hugs,
Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.