tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post1007951702731315061..comments2023-11-05T04:05:03.588-08:00Comments on A Chronic Dose | A blog about chronic illness, healthcare, and writing.: Fragmented (or, the post where I come clean...)Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10392908564921877962noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-46803643642030866502009-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:002009-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:00Good post. Got it through Grand Rounds.The Cockroa...Good post. Got it through Grand Rounds.<BR/><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://cockroachcatcher.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">The Cockroach Catcher</A>Cockroach Catcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440000294855006966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-29359345773168056712009-03-30T19:55:00.000-07:002009-03-30T19:55:00.000-07:00I completely relate. Spring is inevitable and I h...I completely relate. Spring is inevitable and I hope it helps.Katgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10218797793688253763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-17040206568136531582009-03-28T11:31:00.000-07:002009-03-28T11:31:00.000-07:00Hey Laurie! I'm sorry to hear about the constant i...Hey Laurie! I'm sorry to hear about the constant infections you've been fighting. I hope you'll get that chance to rest.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10659075984970784435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-16396316239045363142009-03-27T11:17:00.000-07:002009-03-27T11:17:00.000-07:00Hey - I'm fairly new to this struggle with chronic...Hey - I'm fairly new to this struggle with chronic illness, and this post resonated deeply with me. I've felt like you do many times - but until this year, I didn't know why I felt so fragmented. I just knew I was exhausted all the time, and I couldn't put a thought together, and that I was terrified about it. Knowledge is power, for me, knowing that it is my immune system screwing me up is at least a bit comforting. <BR/><BR/>Keep blogging - it's wonderful. And please come check out my new blog... I'm a celiac with psoriatic arthritis and lymphcytic colitis (and Raynauds of some form). I'm blogging to stay alive. <BR/><BR/>http://understanding-psa.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>JennySAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-27407378903143591482009-03-25T20:41:00.000-07:002009-03-25T20:41:00.000-07:00Hi Laurie,I totally understand the feeling of bbei...Hi Laurie,<BR/><BR/>I totally understand the feeling of bbeing fragmented, i am having to make big changes in my life to handle the effects my illness has had on me and my academic abilities. It is not easy to make those decisions, but I definitely agree that having a plan helps a lot.<BR/><BR/>And it touches me even more that you spent the time and energy to be so kind to me when I contacted you. And before I forget, you have permission to use anything you like from my blog, as long as you link back which I know you do, so I am not worried.<BR/><BR/>Please keep blogging, even if you can't write as much, or what you write doesn't seem exciting or positive to you, we all want to hear about what's going on in your life. Welove your writing and speaking from myself, I learn so much. I'm glad you blogged honestly about how hard things have been. If I can ever help, maybe message through Twitter or another messenger, or be a sounding board on email, please let me know.<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/><BR/><BR/>Nickie CAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-79921796432148132852009-03-25T05:11:00.000-07:002009-03-25T05:11:00.000-07:00Thanks for the feedback and concern/commiseration,...Thanks for the feedback and concern/commiseration, everyone. Spending weeks at a time not able to leave the house may be what the body demands at times, but it's not what's good for the spirit, so things are looking up with each inch closer to more normal activities.<BR/><BR/>(Mel--it was the shower I saw you at in Feb :)Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10392908564921877962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-51528286588697415292009-03-24T15:13:00.000-07:002009-03-24T15:13:00.000-07:00Hi sweetheart - I know you must not be feeling wel...Hi sweetheart - I know you must not be feeling well cause I havent even talked to you! What shower were you at? Meah said you were not at Michelles?<BR/>I do hope that you are feeling better - I would love to see you sometime soon!<BR/>Lots of Love!Melissa Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576192288846591203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-48840680328519610422009-03-24T09:41:00.000-07:002009-03-24T09:41:00.000-07:00Welcome back!Welcome back!Lyrehcahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14731508321420598343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-49322133285806478482009-03-24T07:59:00.000-07:002009-03-24T07:59:00.000-07:00Laurie:As a former well spouse, and now a serial w...Laurie:<BR/><BR/>As a former well spouse, and now a serial well spouse, I am quite familiar with the fact of life that my partner, most days, barely has the energy to get through the working day (if she's able to work) -- and consequently needs to veg out the rest of the day.<BR/><BR/>So I don't really think of her as "not being herself." It just is what it is. My new wife, who has mild fibromyalgia and aftermath cognitive effects of a stroke, is one who is driven to set herself so many tasks and projects that they would be impossible for a totally healthy person to achieve; let alone her, with her limited energy. I know this, so every time I hear a pronouncement of "I'm going to do a,b,c and x,y,z today," I mentally tell myself -- yes, and pigs will fly, too! <BR/><BR/>To keep his perspective and emotional balance, the spousal caregiver has to make these mental adjustments, and plan joint activities with spouse accordingly.<BR/><BR/>So the moral is, from my point of view, yes you really are yourself all the time, but on good days you are even more yourself! I certainly feel that's true for myself, anyway, as I am inclined to make too many plans, and stay up too late trying to do things sometimes. -- Richard A. http://wellspouse.orgwellspousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15096969513372578979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-3036019080028331262009-03-24T07:20:00.000-07:002009-03-24T07:20:00.000-07:00I love a good plan, too. Fingers crossed that nin...I love a good plan, too. Fingers crossed that nine days free becomes a thing of the past. I am more than happy to join you in sick camp this weekend when I'm back in town-- the description was eerily similar to what back camp's been looking like.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-61995955934442577062009-03-24T06:48:00.000-07:002009-03-24T06:48:00.000-07:00Yep, balance is a hard thing to find these days. S...Yep, balance is a hard thing to find these days. Sending healing and happy vibes your way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-39488035140540878902009-03-24T05:45:00.000-07:002009-03-24T05:45:00.000-07:00Laurie,I totally get where you're coming from here...Laurie,<BR/>I totally get where you're coming from here. My last post was basically just one to let everyone know I was still breathing, but my usual gusto just wasn't there, either. It's interesting that you note that you've noticed this in people other than yourself, as well. Maybe it just is the fact that we are all over-commited. <BR/>LeslieLesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13910940045470516414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-51350908936293666542009-03-24T05:42:00.000-07:002009-03-24T05:42:00.000-07:00Katie, I totally agree with you re: "not yourself....Katie, I totally agree with you re: "not yourself." It's never worth it to try to appear a certain way for a certain set of expectations.<BR/><BR/>Audj, thanks for the note! I thought of you guys this weekend--looked like a great time. By the time you come back, things will be even better. I'll even be, you know, social :)Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10392908564921877962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-41651973742532920582009-03-24T04:57:00.000-07:002009-03-24T04:57:00.000-07:00Hi laurie. Glad to hear you're on your way back. ...Hi laurie. Glad to hear you're on your way back. Betsy and I thought of you this weekend. I wish i was closer. I'm glad you were able to post b/c I like being caught up with you. I hope you get all of the rest you need over the next few weeks and that spring treats you VERY well :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25073771.post-18912242605024297632009-03-24T00:03:00.000-07:002009-03-24T00:03:00.000-07:00I appreciate this post, quite a bit. Not only does...I appreciate this post, quite a bit. Not only does it bring fragmentation out in the open, but there is a cleansing to it. Focusing on the assurances. Spring is here. I can do this. <BR/>I never much liked the statement "you're not yourself".. In what way am I not myself right now? And too often, in times of such statements, I was feeling most honestly myself. And I was left feeling like it wasn't okay to *actually* be myself, even if myself was in pain, in a bad attitude, or a little loopy. <BR/>Since my diagnosis of FMS, I really don't like those kinds of statements, and try to steer clear of conversations that may include such things! In all the things I have to deal with, health-wise, and all the things I wish to accomplish, I don't have the mental, physical, or emotional energy to worry about being anything *but* my honest, true-to-the-moment self. I am as much "myself" as this moment can afford, and I'm not going to over-spend, just to save face. Save face - lose self. <BR/>Surrounding myself with people who understand that is helpful. But so is maintaining a (honestly) positive(ish) outlook.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com