Wednesday, May 11, 2016

9 Year Floxiversary

Note: I wrote and published this post on February 26th, 2016 on my Facebook page; Betsy's Message. I debated whether or not to publish it here and decided I should include it.

It’s my 9 year floxiversary today (9 yrs ago that I took the antibiotic that caused my chronic illness) and I’m here to say that I’m healed. Emotionally that is. Physically my body is still a work in progress. But I’m at peace with what’s happened to me, I’m happy, and I’m living again. I’ve stopped looking back at what my life was before and mourning the loss of what I thought my future would be. I’ve chosen instead to live in the present and trust that I am exactly where I was meant to be. In doing so I’ve become content with my life and I’m enjoying it. I’ve taken up new activities that accommodate my physical limitations. I’m not saying that I’ve given up on healing my body. On the contrary I’m working harder than ever. “Never give up” is still my motto, and I have hope that I can and will continue to improve my health. The interesting thing is that as I’ve become a happier person I find that I feel better overall and those around me are happier too. I’m not saying that I don’t have pain and that some days are worse than others but I’m refusing to let it define me. If I’m having a bad day then I do less physically and I go easy on myself. If I’m having a good day I take advantage of it and try to tackle something that I wouldn’t otherwise.
My message is a simple one. Take this journey one day at a time. Treat yourself and your body with the reverence and care that you deserve and remember to enjoy each and every day. On the bad days it’s important to find joy in the simpler things; whether it’s that yesterday was a good day, a loved one or friend said or did something thoughtful, or that the sun is shining. Whatever it is that makes you smile think of that when you’re struggling. If you need help to find something to be thankful for then reach to a support group for help. The kindness and compassion of others in support groups got me through some of my darkest days. Remember always that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. It might be difficult to get to sometimes but you can reach it and like me find joy in life again.
Yours in health, Betsy

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