Chasing the Sun

I love sunsets and chasing the sun. As a youth on hot, summer nights in August I remember trying to get those last few minutes out of the daylight as the sun was setting. I was desperately trying to cling to my last few moments of summer while chasing the sun. Watching the colors mix in the sky and seeing the ball of light seemingly fall down over the horizon. To me, this is a picture of the journey with my health. As far as we know, I am not dying. I remain grateful for that. And since I have no formal diagnosis, I know that people are suffering from real debilitating diseases. Yet, the correlation remains. My body is deteriorating. (Actually, everyone is deteriorating. I have yet to meet the person who lives forever!) And my symptoms are real and…

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Confronting my Chronic Pain

The very first symptom I had on this crazy journey was chronic pain.  Many of my friends have struggled with chronic pain for years, and I have a new appreciation not just for the physical complications that accompany a life of pain, but the toll it can take on you spiritually and emotionally, as well.     For me, the emotional aspect has been a game changer. While it is hard for people you love to watch you in pain; it is just as humbling to have to ask for help. It changes who you are to know you just physically cannot do things you are used to do (managing your household, keeping up with kids, working your job), but it is also very discouraging to have to put your passions and hobbies on the back burner because your body just…

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