New Normal?

[fauxgypsy]

I just wanted to perhaps give hope to those who are undergoing treatment. A little over three years since my diagnosis, and all the stuff that followed I really feel that I am very close to my old normal. I know that many of you have gone through so much more than I have but I still hope this gives you some encouragement. I may be a little tireder but I am also a little older. My arm still bothers me if I overdo some activities. I have gone from being self employed as a faux finisher and sometime muralist to using my degree to teach biology at a community college, I garden, I paint when I have time. I may not be the energizer bunny that I once was but I feel much closer to being there than I ever thought I would.
What I have found that works for me, is to move forward. I do miss my business, I am enjoying teaching, although I may go back at some point to being self-employed. If I had listened to some of the advice I had gotten about about what I should or shouldn't do I would not be where I am. Listen to your body. Do what you can do and with any luck, you can start to do more and more. I still hurt. I still have problems with my arm, although it is so much better now. My hips hurt. But I try to remember what a friend who deals with a chronic disease told me. She said that she finally decided to do what she could because she was going to hurt wherever she was.
I have found that staying busy and involved keeps me from focusing so much on what is wrong. What I wish for all of you is to be able to move forward and focus on what is positive even while you deal with all the negative. I know that we all have a place in the back of our mind where all the "what if's" live. But we can't stay there or we will lose the life we have now.

[Diane H]

I enjoyed your post and took away some of the wisdom for myself! You have a great outlook that I want too.
Thanks,
Diane

[caya]

Hi fauxgypsy,

I am nearly 4 years out, and I feel exactly the same way you do. I do what I can, when I can, and have learned to say "NO' alot more than I used to.
It's my life, it is what it is. I have fibromyalgia on top of the aches and pains from Femara, but you know what? I take my Meloxicam (anti-inflammatory) and Tylenol for Arthritis when I need to, soak in epsom salts, and just pace myself.
I am grateful for what I have, I am here, have seen one daughter graduate with 2 university degrees, my younger graduate from high school, (and plan on seeing her graduate from university next June).
It's the new me- and that is okay.

all the best
caya

[schoolteacher]

Glad to hear from you. You are an inspiration.

Amelia

[ElaineM]

Thanks for the update. It sounds like you are doing well. That is good news. Drop by once in awhile and let us know how things are with you. Take good care of yourself.

[sassy]

Good to hear from you and glad that life is looking good.

Life always looks better when the glass is half full rather than half empty doesn't it!!