MCTD Support Group
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) or Sharp's syndrome is a human autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body. MCTD combines features of polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic scleroderma and is thus considered an overlap syndrome. MCTD commonly causes joint pain/swelling, Raynaud phenomenon, muscle inflammation, and scarring of...
Yes, we are ill, maybe overweight and some cannot work. But does that make us who we are?...I no longer think so. I honestly believe that each and every person on Earth has their own story. Over-eaters, dishonesty, lazy, shop-a-holics, work-a-holics, quilty of bad parenting, greedy, conceit, alcoholics, and this list goes on forever, as we all know. No-one is perfect, or even close to it. Point is that we don't know what their stories are, as the saying goes "You never know what goes on behind closed doors". Well, we don't know what goes on in others minds, or hearts, but some of us are so very quick to judge our own selves just because we have illnesses, as if we choose to be ill. If we could all just step back and realize that illness does not define us, and change the people we are. So, we could go thru the rest of our lives bashing ourselves or learn to accept and LOVE OURSELVES!!! Many, maybe all of us are warriors fighting a daily battle of pain, fatigue, and foggy brains, but we are Warriors just the same. I suggest that just for a week or so, to try to treat ourselves with the kindness, care, and compassion we would to another person who is ill. If we can feel the love for these other people, then why can we not show ourselves the same LOVE and care all the time?
I have a difficult time treating myself with love.
I am stressed, that is why. I've had so much happen in the past two years, I just want it to be in the past (not the MCTD, although i'd welcome a spontaneous remission :) ) .... so I have a problem relaxing, therefore treating myself well.
So a full week is a bit much for me, I have to start slower. Just coming to the boards is a start. :) I will also make an appointment for a massage @ Massage Envy... I have MANY unused sessions there. Why don't I go? Fatigue. Stress. Thinking I "should" be spending my time doing other things. As much as I KNOW I have the ability to love myself, or at least treat myself decent and have a little fun, I have a hard time doing it. I wish there was a switch!
But, I, carolhop, do promise to get a massage in the next week. :)
Is there a certain type to get?
Mary Ann
replyed to a mail circlated about moving computer eqip etc that I would not be able to do this due to my medical problems the response back was to ask a coleague for help .I just could not keep facing not just the embarrassment of having to keep explaining my medical condition and asking for help .Got really emotional when my boss more or less said i was wanting special treatment and not wanting tobe treated differently .Decided to be kind to me and go home not let them have me in tears at work
Dawn, that's horrible that your boss would treat you that way...some people will just never understand.
-Kate
MToennis & klwfroggy, I was a Massage Therapist before I couldn't do it anymore, (obvious reasons, LOL)...I would suggest that you request a "Very" light Swedish Massage. And speak up quickly, if the massage therapist is going to hard. Even if you have to say "lighter" over and over. It's your time, your money. Sometimes the benefit of a massage is just the overall feeling of well-being. That may last for a bit of time, or for a while. Just also knowing that you did this kind act for yourself of getting this special treatment is a bonus.
Dawn, Bravo to you for speaking up for yourself. Nothing wrong with a few tears either. As long as you got your point across, that you were unable to do something that would only end up hurting you physically. Obviously your boss might not understand, but that's fine too. Let him say what he needs to, and let it slide off, like "water off a ducks back", (one of the thousands of famous quotes my husband repeats over and over, LOL). It's hard to admit we can't do something, or need help. For instance, I have never asked for or admitted I needed help when I'm cooking a big meal. My husband can't barely boil water. But I now realize that I would actually enjoy the meal if I didn't push myself so hard, so I've been teaching dear ole' hubby how he can help. Now we both get to enjoy the Chicken Parm, (etc.) dinners together, instead of just him, with me worn out and in too much pain to even eat sometimes. It hurt me at first to allow "anyone" to help in "my" kitchen, but I got over that real quick...LOL.
I just want to add, that when I re-read my heading post, I think I may have sounded like everyone in the world has got a "negative" problem. There are truly wonderful people in this world, but I was just trying to pound home the point that we all are not perfect people.
Also, keep "Loving Yourselves" and give yourselves a "Big Hug" from me!!! Happy Weekend!
Thank you!!!!
Beautiful said.
God bless
Bee
The MCTD sucks, the depression (which is partly caused by it) is worse, and the self-loathing and feelings of being weak that come from the depression are, I think, hardest of all.
Feeling like you're not a good wife, a good husband, a real man because your emotions sometimes get the better of you. That's what I hate the most.