Cortisol is my new best friend. I woke up this morning at 4AM wide awake -- and not the wide awake where you just can't fall back to sleep but don't have enough energy to get up and accomplish anything -- truly wide awake (with PMS). It's a miracle! I felt odd about being up so early, so I watched a rerun of the new Millionare Matchmaker in my bed, forgetting that in a few hours I would be meeting with the senator of NJ.
I wanted to talk to you briefly about labels as they pertain to those of us with multiple illnesses. I have been diagnosed with RSD/CRPS, Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease, and Fibromyalgia, but I do not let these labels run my life nor do I wear them as badges of honor. I've rarely mentioned the final two illnesses because I believe they all come from the same source. If I treat one, I will treat them all, and I don't plan on waiting for traditional medicine to find the cure. These immune related illnesses often have a cascading effect -- once you have one, several follow. Remember, the label doesn't change the symptoms, and labeling is mainly useful for insurance and research funding purposes. The symptoms that have always existed, with and without the label, are signs of a larger problem at work in the body. This larger problem is where we need to put our focus, while treating the symptoms in the meantime, especially if the symptom is debilitating pain. There is no clear thinking with traumatic pain.
Remember, you are more than a bunch of symptoms and a label. You are a beautiful, unique YOU!
Off to get ready to meet with the senator!
Two exciting developments:
1. I have been asked by the amazing team at crazysexylife to write another guest blog post on my experience meeting with the senator. I am always honored!!! THANK YOU, CSL! If you haven't joined, run!
2. I have been asked by the professor of a graduate class to be a guest speaker on chronic pain! This will be at the end of April, so I have time to prepare for a long lecture :-)
Happy Healing!
8 comments:
The holistic health community is so fortunate to have you as an advocate. Good luck with the senator today--I'm sure you'll wow him!
How beautiful! Congrats on everything, it seems like you are just shining these days! Can't wait to read about it all, good luck!!
P.S. I technically have crohn's/colitis, but I just say crohn's. I feel the same way, fix one, fix them all!
Good luck with the senator- you'll do great!
"Remember, you are more than a bunch of symptoms and a label. You are a beautiful, unique YOU!" Well put- we are so much more than what defines us, both the good and the bad. Thanks for the beautiful words!
thank you for reminding us about labels. i have been trying to move away from that as well. you can't let labels define you.
i appreciated your comment on my recent post and i wanted to say I learned a lot of it from you! it is really encouraging to know there is someone else out there with pain and is doing ok.
congrats on doing a talk and writing the guest post. you have so much to share and i am so happy even more people will benefit!
Great post!! You will be amazing with the Senator! Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Tough Cookie!!!!!!!!!!!!
such an awesome blog, love it! Can't wait to read your CSL post!
Stay green,
deb
You are so glowing. I feel ashamed now for lamenting my situation when you are enduring yours (far more serious) with such character. I feel ashamed at my lack of character in my journey. That is not me.
Yay for marathon-reality-TV specials. Your achievements are so amazing Maria.
Hi Maria,
Great post (again!). I look forward to reading what you have to say each day and really appreciate the time and thought you put into your blog entries. Good luck with your meeting today! Can i make a little comment?
Regarding labels: while i completely agree that a label shouldn't define or limit us (nor your hopes), in my personal experience (and i understand that this may not apply to others), I have found one benefit of being given a label/diagnosis is the resulting explanation for some very strange and scary symptoms. This helped me to accept and come to terms with my condition, reducing my anxiety/confusion, allowing me to understand what was happening with my body better and therefore what steps i could take to help myself.
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