tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post8972621657682171003..comments2023-08-15T11:03:58.591-04:00Comments on Adventures in Sparkland: My Secret LifeSparkling Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-54250413169282581492011-09-14T11:21:07.528-04:002011-09-14T11:21:07.528-04:00Hope you have more energy now than when you posted...Hope you have more energy now than when you posted! My Mom has MS (and I just got back from an MS weekend event), so I know so many stories like yours of people living with chronic illness who don't <i>look</i> like they are sick. It might help to have some co-workers at least partially aware of your struggles so they can make you leave if it is a rough day. ;-) It sounds like with ME that even when you feel better those neurotransmitters are not back to normal so it is easier to react to a stress again? Keep taking care of yourself!Jenskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05368202166540468533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-68469891454336358972011-09-14T02:14:29.236-04:002011-09-14T02:14:29.236-04:00Ah Spark. I'm so so sorry you're going th...Ah Spark. I'm so so sorry you're going through this. What an awful thing. <br /><br />Of course, it's just like you to try to keep your chin, and your spirits, up so as not to worry people. But you don't need to do that here. Vent. This is your place. You are free here and we'll still love you and listen. *hugs* Of course you know I will pray. <br /><br />You know, it just occurred to me - the way you describe your feelings is much like how some people deal with things like PTSD and grief, depression, etc. Sometimes trying to put on the brave front can be kind of debilitating in and of itself. <br /><br />I wish I had that magic wand - I'd make it go away for you.DarcsFalconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01757804686134389853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-41304005510480782222011-09-12T11:36:57.540-04:002011-09-12T11:36:57.540-04:00Thanks Ron! I certainly will do that. Your sympa...Thanks Ron! I certainly will do that. Your sympathy means the world to me.<br /><br />Thanks Lynn. Keep those hugs coming - I need lots! :-)<br /><br />Thank you Joey. Things will definitely get better again. That's how this roller-coaster operates. I appreciate your prayers, and your acknowledgement, very much.<br /><br />Pixiebaby, thanks so much! It truly helps to have the support of someone who's been through this. It is SO frustrating when every little thing becomes a trigger. At my cousin's engagement party yesterday I could only manage to stand and converse for 15 minutes before I felt overwhelmed and had to take a seat. I guess that would seem like a long time to others who have it worse than me, but heavens! It sure doesn't seem like much when I'm used to being able to stand and walk for hours without a second though. Please "ramble on" as much as you like, because it helps.<br /><br />G: Yes, you're another one who speaks from experience. Thank you for your encouragement. It's tough to show my vulnerability, but sometimes I don't have much choice. It's good to remember that it gives people a chance to show their love and support.<br /><br />Granny Annie, thank you! I can use all the blessings I can get, especially my poor old heart, which is literally struggling to keep up these days.Sparkling Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-46308682594680748492011-09-12T07:09:45.384-04:002011-09-12T07:09:45.384-04:00Once again I say, "Bless your heart".Once again I say, "Bless your heart".Granny Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165058412950953296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-74047174149278100102011-09-12T06:40:03.366-04:002011-09-12T06:40:03.366-04:00It's tough living with a chronic illness. Ther...It's tough living with a chronic illness. There's only so much that you can do and sometimes, you just have to let the people closest to you know exactly what it is that you're going through so that you can get the help that you need when you need it.<br /><br />Speaking as someone who has a chronic/debilitating condition, there is no shame in asking for help. When people know what you got, they will help if you ask for it.G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-9579317369386018872011-09-11T21:08:19.597-04:002011-09-11T21:08:19.597-04:00Awww Spark, I can hear so much of myself in your w...Awww Spark, I can hear so much of myself in your words and I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. I can even understand that trying to hide it from others and just say that you are fine when you are anything but. I used to do this a lot more and still do sometimes because at times we want to present as normal a front as we can in the hope that if we pretend it enough maybe it will be true? Just know that you are not alone...there are a lot of people here and in your everyday life who care about you and are here for you. ME is a scary thing...I was first diagnosed at 23 years old and I am now 39 so I can relate. The cycles are so random and you never know what...if anything...is going to set it off. Best advice I can give (even though you didn't ask for it) is to be kind to yourself. Do not beat yourself up and feel as though you aren't good enough or strong enough. Nothing could be further from the truth, but sometimes it's easy to slide down into less than positive feelings about feeling badly or not being able to do something. Just keep doing the best you can and know in your heart that you are still the same wonderful you as before this hit. Sorry to ramble on so much! Just know that I am here if you need me ok? *HUGS*Tracy Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03960615884046852962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-68100716651766660992011-09-11T18:25:32.745-04:002011-09-11T18:25:32.745-04:00Oh this made me feel so sad to read Spark. I'm...Oh this made me feel so sad to read Spark. I'm so sorry that you are suffering like this. I will also pray for you. Just take each day as it comes and maybe next week things won't seem quite as bad as they are now. <br /><br />I admire the way you are fighting this damn illness the way you are. Don't give up the battle buddy.LL Cool Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13916666100971008775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-20910402536068835202011-09-11T17:40:45.083-04:002011-09-11T17:40:45.083-04:00This does sound like a scary time - I'm so sor...This does sound like a scary time - I'm so sorry this is happening to you, SR. (((HUG)))Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-68640774058544826152011-09-11T12:58:06.145-04:002011-09-11T12:58:06.145-04:00{HUGS} It's an illness and part of you, no mat...{HUGS} It's an illness and part of you, no matter how much we wish it wasn't, so let some of the burden of hiding this out here. We care and will lend what moral support we can.Warped Mind of Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15670039992710968421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-54917392561131617772011-09-11T12:50:04.976-04:002011-09-11T12:50:04.976-04:00DarcKnyt, Thank you more than I can express. Your...DarcKnyt, Thank you more than I can express. Your reply is the gift of a friend's love and understanding that is exactly what I need right now, and the whole "internet-only" business doesn't make any difference to its impact on me. Your message moved me to tears. Thanks for the reassurance that I'm doing alright in how I'm coping with all this. You are a great help and support. Sometimes I crave the simple recognition of people knowing how hard I'm trying, but I can't ask that of the people closest to me in my offline life because I'm trying to protect them from how bad I really feel: a catch-22. Maybe in this case "internet-only" is just what the doctor ordered.Sparkling Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-75612722697798972542011-09-11T12:01:53.924-04:002011-09-11T12:01:53.924-04:00I know it doesn't help much coming from an Int...I know it doesn't help much coming from an Internet-only acquaintance, but I'm going to say it anyway.<br /><br />I can't tell you how heartbreaking this is, Spark, but please know that we are here rooting for you, praying for you and loving you. This isn't an easy thing you're facing, and you're doing it as bravely as can be expected. I really admire your courage and the conviction you have to continue to live your life to the best of your ability.<br /><br />Debilitating diseases like this are absolutely stressors, and while I admire how well you hide your feelings, I have to confess as your friend I want to know what's really going on with you. I don't see you sharing this as a burden, I see a friend asking another to help her carry a load. If it were armfuls of groceries, you'd ask. If it were a huge rock on your foot, you'd ask. This weighs as much as anything can on you, and you bravely don't ask for help carrying it. But if you want help, I'm here and am willing to hear it all without making you feel like you're saddling anyone with your troubles (which wouldn't be true anyway).<br /><br />I will continue to offer my prayers for you and to support you any possible way I can. I think you're a fantastic and wonderful human being and if I could wish this away for you I would, in a heartbeat.<br /><br />Hang in there, trooper. You're doing a LOT better than I would in your circumstances.DarcKnythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07007911811157251252noreply@blogger.com