OT: Dealing with a Chronic Illness during the Holidays

Everyone has this image of a perfect image Christmas / Holiday. We all imagine that should be what happens year in and year out. Unfortunately, for anyone that has a Chronic Illness, that reality certainly does not match with experience.

So, I offer this insight into living through the Christmas season. Though our society has built up this "comsumer" oriented image of Christmas, it should be a season of anticipation and reflection, followed by a sense of renewal with the new year.

You might have less energy than in the past. You might find facing the hustle and bustle of Christmas overwhelming. Whatever the issue, remember to hold the spirit of Christmas close. Thank back on blessings you had. Think on the blessings you still have. And think of the blessings that will continue to fill your lives. Remember that Christmas is more about being with family and friends than it is about the trappings of decoration. In the future, the memory people will carry is your interaction with them, not the cute decorations throughout the house.

So, grab hold of the sense of anticipation. Reflect on the blessings you had, have and will have. Reflect on the joys we share with one another, and don't worry if you don't measure up to the "image" we carry about Christmas. What any of us can do is to wait, reflect and give thanks for the blessings we do have.

And for those that find this season unbearable, remember you are not alone. Many others care about you. You do not have to face your situation alone. Are there ever any easy answers? I sure haven't found any. I often hunt for the magic wand, to try to make life easier for myself or others. But being with friends and taking the time to rejoice together makes other issues just a touch more bearable.

So, when you face this season and remember only "I can not!", take the time to anticipate, reflect and rejoice and then remember "I can!". And what you can do, that is far more important that what you can no longer do.

This can be a season of blessing when you have a Chronic Illness. It can be a chance to discover deeper meanings. It can be a chance to strip away the "consumer" image only to find a deeper spiritual world. The chance to find meaning amidst the chaos of consumerism. The chance to anticipate, reflect and rejoice in our blessings.

May God's Grace and Peace fill you in all that you do.

Fantastic post, John. Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom.

I want to add another thought that has helped me tremendously, as another person trying to get through the holidays with a chronic illness.

It's easier to accept my limitations and ask for help. In years past, I was so stressed over Christmas present wrapping. It is so hard to do, but I did it anyway, letting it stress me and put me in a bad mood.

This year, I asked my children to help me wrap gifts, with my daugher wrapping about half of them. For the presents for my children, I told my husband flat out "I simply cannot do it this year" and he sat there with me, doing whatever I was unable to do. He dedicated a half day to make sure he helped me get it done.

It's painful to admit that I cannot do the things I used to do, but once I accepted it and asked for help, the stress of it was much lessened.

Happy Holidays everyone. I hope everyone has a safe and happy time.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful thoughts and words, John.

Beautifully expressed, as always.

Thank you.

Thank you, John! From my perspective, that is great a great reminder and I really appreciate you posting it! It is something I needed to hear!

Have a wonderful holiday with all that means!

JohnBFisher wrote: So, grab hold of the sense of anticipation. Reflect on the blessings you had, have and will have. Reflect on the joys we share with one another, and don't worry if you don't measure up to the "image" we carry about Christmas. What any of us can do is to wait, reflect and give thanks for the blessings we do have.
May God's Grace and Peace fill you in all that you do.

It has been a very blue Christmas for me.

Due to circumstances, my sister and her husband, had to move to Israel.
They have been gone for a month, on a job that will last 2yrs.
Everyone in both families are broken hearted.

Two weeks ago, I was informed that the Susan Komen 3Day event
for Denver, was cancelled due to economic conditions.
My disappointment has not been able to be expressed.

My wife and I decided that we just were not going to do Christmas this year.

What we have been doing is taking care of my parents in their new home,
where they are safe and cared for. We are doing anything they need to
help them feel more at home.
We went to the warehouse store and got some cases of food and
took it to the local Food Bank. We are going to do it again on Sunday.

Today on my bike ride, 4 strangers wished me Merry Christmas as I passed them.

John, I hear you.

All things for a reason.
I am discovering the exact Christmas you have described.
Incredible are the blessing of this season.

Thank you! for helping me see that I have amazing presents this year.

The meaning of Christmas was revealed in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Chronic illness is temporary; eternal life is forever.

Wonderful thoughts, John, and so true, regardless of what one's problem may be.

John, you are truly a wise man. Thank you for that post; it was a wonderful reminder of things that are so, so easy to forget...the really important things.

I wanted to post a reply both to thank you and to keep YOUR post from sliding down the page. It deserves to be read, again and again.

Best wishes,

Jeanette

Thanks John! While not facing challenges as serious as some here, my Christmas this yr is quite different than usual. I still have an awful cough and don't want to expose anyone else to what I've got, so I'm inside watching TV (TLC's Christmas Lights Over the Top) and sleeping & then washing my equipment in between naps. We cancelled today's midnight exchange of presents as we chose to invest those funds in other ways this yr. Tomorrow's typical standing rib roast dinner after getting our legally-blind diabetic friend was cancelled when I realized I was not getting better fast enough and she doesn't need to be exposed to this as she's already on supplemental oxygen at night. So, well have the kids across the street over for their presents...they've already been exposed (they might've been the source )...and maybe bake cookies they can decorate and take home while I supervise from a distance and not cough on the cookies . It's likely we'll have rain turning into sleet and then snow tomorrow afternoon -- that hasn't happened in Atlanta since sometime in the 1880s...that'll be fun and I can't expose anyone It'll be a cell phone visit holiday this yr!

Merry ho ho ho everyone!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to John and everyone at cpaptalk.com

Thanks John

Thank you John! We are truly blessed to have you as our friend here. I know He will watch over you!

Thank you John, as always for your words of wisdom and thanks to all the members of this forum for their information that has been so helpful.
Thank you again friends for these gifts of wisdom, but thanks be to God for the greatest gift of all.
Merry Christmas to all !

B.D.

Thanks John! Love and Blessings to you and your family on this special day - XMAS!

JohnBFisher wrote:This can be a season of blessing when you have a Chronic Illness. It can be a chance to discover deeper meanings. The chance to anticipate, reflect and rejoice in our blessings.

May God's Grace and Peace fill you in all that you do.

Our Xmas plans changed overnight. Husband is in hospital after an emergency leg bypass operation
and I am alone with our pet budgie.
To see and feel the love of the caring doctors and nursing staff is a blessing. They are angels.
André now suffers from atheroclerosis (hardening of the arteries) associated with Rhumatoid Arthritis.
When André is back home and walking again, we must change our lifestyle and make more time
for each other.

Muse-Inc wrote:I still have an awful cough

Muse-Inc - hope you get better soon.

Give your friends and family a hug and your pets a scratch behind the ear, merry Xmas to all