Resolutions for the Chronically Ill

Source: Favim 

1. I will not limit what I do because of fear of pain or more illness. I will take more risks and stretch my body's limits and my soul because that will help me feel good.

2. I will not, however, ignore my aching self during the day and just keep pushing. I will remind myself that it’s not just important, it is critical to take more breaks at the computer, walk early, mid and late in the day, and do my physical therapy exercises as prescribed.

3. I will not use fatigue and pain as an excuse to be crabby with others. I will recognize that I’m really only angry at me for letting myself get to the point where I feel so badly.

4. I will not wait until I’m desperate to ask for help just because my illness is getting in the way again. I will ask for what I need WHEN I need it.

5. I will not become sad or frustrated by how bad it feels when I am sick, tired or in pain. I will work harder and smarter at what it takes to make me feel good.

6. I will not resent others who seem to complain about the small stuff, especially when it’s a health problem. I will do a better job of reminding myself that life really is a relative experience.

7. I will not become angry with the people whom I love when they don’t notice that I’m not feeling “well”. I will share what I need to share and remember that others can’t really walk in my shoes.

8. I will meditate each day, even for only 10 minutes, because it will make me a more joyful and calmer person.

9. I will not tense with fear when I see that I’m on a path where there is only black ice on the ground. I will practice staying aware so I don’t fall flat on my face.

10. And, finally, I will not forget to give myself a pat on the back at the end of each day. I will remember that if I am not my own best coach and cheerleader, who will be?

~ Rosalind Joffe

Resolutions for the Chronically Ill

Source: Favim 

1. I will not limit what I do because of fear of pain or more illness. I will take more risks and stretch my body's limits and my soul because that will help me feel good.

2. I will not, however, ignore my aching self during the day and just keep pushing. I will remind myself that it’s not just important, it is critical to take more breaks at the computer, walk early, mid and late in the day, and do my physical therapy exercises as prescribed.

3. I will not use fatigue and pain as an excuse to be crabby with others. I will recognize that I’m really only angry at me for letting myself get to the point where I feel so badly.

4. I will not wait until I’m desperate to ask for help just because my illness is getting in the way again. I will ask for what I need WHEN I need it.

5. I will not become sad or frustrated by how bad it feels when I am sick, tired or in pain. I will work harder and smarter at what it takes to make me feel good.

6. I will not resent others who seem to complain about the small stuff, especially when it’s a health problem. I will do a better job of reminding myself that life really is a relative experience.

7. I will not become angry with the people whom I love when they don’t notice that I’m not feeling “well”. I will share what I need to share and remember that others can’t really walk in my shoes.

8. I will meditate each day, even for only 10 minutes, because it will make me a more joyful and calmer person.

9. I will not tense with fear when I see that I’m on a path where there is only black ice on the ground. I will practice staying aware so I don’t fall flat on my face.

10. And, finally, I will not forget to give myself a pat on the back at the end of each day. I will remember that if I am not my own best coach and cheerleader, who will be?

~ Rosalind Joffe

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Source: Shutterstock

When the monster grabbed him up, tossed him back
into its mouth, we had been swimming along holding hands
and I didn't let go, flew up dripping and dropped beside him
into the dark and foreign place where there were others
dimly swimming for their lives and there were teeth that grazed
our skins now and then as we lay very still, our hope ballooning,
rising up into the sinuses of the creature intermingled
with our fear so that both rose equally and were, we prayed,
equally compelling, but the truth, we knew, was that the beast
was dumb and barely knew we were there.
Every day
it tested its spikes against our naked fragile bodies,
some days teasing us by tipping forward, almost letting
us roll out into the frothy sea, but most days we lay still,
read medical books, listened to the messages of friends
sending love and encouragement from far away places
where life went on in warm kitchens and the linens
were clean and dry.
Finally, the thing decided not to decide,
let us wash out with the tide. We are swimming again
and the ocean is very blue. But there is a fin moving
beside us on the horizon and though it disappears
from time to time in the bright sun
at dusk it is always there
circling.

~ Gail Rudd Entrekin

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Source: Shutterstock

When the monster grabbed him up, tossed him back
into its mouth, we had been swimming along holding hands
and I didn't let go, flew up dripping and dropped beside him
into the dark and foreign place where there were others
dimly swimming for their lives and there were teeth that grazed
our skins now and then as we lay very still, our hope ballooning,
rising up into the sinuses of the creature intermingled
with our fear so that both rose equally and were, we prayed,
equally compelling, but the truth, we knew, was that the beast
was dumb and barely knew we were there.
Every day
it tested its spikes against our naked fragile bodies,
some days teasing us by tipping forward, almost letting
us roll out into the frothy sea, but most days we lay still,
read medical books, listened to the messages of friends
sending love and encouragement from far away places
where life went on in warm kitchens and the linens
were clean and dry.
Finally, the thing decided not to decide,
let us wash out with the tide. We are swimming again
and the ocean is very blue. But there is a fin moving
beside us on the horizon and though it disappears
from time to time in the bright sun
at dusk it is always there
circling.

~ Gail Rudd Entrekin