Chronic Illness is a Thief — Don’t Let It Steal Your Joy!
(snippet from within my corner of the chronic illness world — updated February 2021)
When I read the above meme ‘Chronic Illness is a Thief’ (author unknown) the message resonated within me.
Every word seemed to ring true: being robbed of my body’s strength, energy, health, time with family and friends, my career, normal daily activities… life as I once knew it to be.
Lyme and other tick-borne diseases (Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma) — along with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), underlying gene mutations/ predispositions and autoimmune conditions — have taken charge over this body, stealing away the former healthy, strong, active me.
Like many on a similar journey, I definitely would not have chosen this path, nor anticipated chronic illness would completely absorb my life.
No one chooses to be sick, laid up in bed for weeks, months, years on end. Illness has a way of deciding for you.
[bctt tweet=”No one chooses to be sick, laid up in bed for weeks, months, years on end. Illness has a way of deciding for you. —tmm“]
This journey has been trying and long, at times fearing no positive end in sight.
It’s been 21-years since my present health/life detour began — physical, neurological, and emotional challenges continuing daily. Initial concerns surrounding my health started over 43-years ago, stemming from a tick bite — what we now understand to have been the beginning of this Lyme disease and chronic illness journey. (thank you Southwest Missouri deer ticks, and the fact there were no Lyme tests — reliable or otherwise — available in the mid-70’s.)
Sadly, Lyme and tick-borne disease testing remains grossly unreliable, creating a global pandemic of patients needlessly suffering with these debilitating, life-altering diseases.
Read more about these significant ongoing concerns: Why Lyme Disease Awareness is Important.
Fast forward from 1977’s tick encounter to September 2000. A major health relapse turned my world a bit upside down. I’ll spare the details in this post to share a Reader’s Digest-like version. (You can read my full story here.)
Frankly, I’d prefer to forget the struggles, pain, doctors, testing, emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and the raw, frightening reality that death was a close reality.
What often seem like insurmountable roadblocks, frustration, disappointment with physicians and our broken healthcare system — beginning with the Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — have at times been absolutely maddening to navigate. (Lyme disease/ chronic illness fighters understand such madness, all too well.)
Countless specialists, (mis)diagnoses, and an accumulation of treatments throughout the years (decades) have created a dusty trail behind me.
Mixed in with the debris: glorious (unfortunately brief) periods of improvements, offering a glimpse at what life could be like — if I were healthy again. Genuinely healthy.
Eventually, reality tends to make it’s presence known, and once more this body becomes overrun by symptoms — damage left behind by Lyme and “friends”. These diseases are nothing if not persistent, relentless, debilitating, destructive… and overwhelmingly depressive! (attention doubting physicians: very real; not psychosomatic!)
When blessed with less than miserable, relatively “good” days, this helps keep the prize of renewed health in center focus. More than likely God’s way of helping to maintain a minute sense of sanity!
Goodness knows I’ve cried my share of tears these past few decades. Hubby has picked me up off the floor, literally, more times than either of us care to remember. But… we keep pushing forward.
Ultimate positives and gratefulness accruing daily through this journey: my faith is stronger than ever; being blessed with a rock of a husband; surrounded by the love and support of family, friends, and amazing online community.
Forever grateful for my peeps. My tribe.
Most assuredly, whatever our journey, we are stronger together.
Looking ahead: there are days yet to be spent living life fully — not feeling miserably ill, housebound, bedridden.
And as the fight for improved health continues, I am Holding on to Hope, remaining steadfast… taking one day at a time; and however many days remain before me in this life, quite determined to live each and every one filled to the fullest. Even if this entails merely ‘looking through the glass’ — joy will lead the way.
So yes, Chronic Illness is a Thief; however, a newer-yet-older, weaker-but-stronger, (hopefully) improved me stands firm (okay, most likely ‘firmly’ sitting or laying down)… and fighting fiercely to rebuild what illness has “stolen” away.
I’m just under construction!
[bctt tweet=”Yes, Chronic Illness is a Thief; remember… a newer-yet-older, weaker-but-stronger, revised + improved ‘you’ remains— fighting fiercely to rebuild what illness has “stolen” away. —tmm” TerryMMayfield=””]
Until my next Reflection…
For anyone fighting illness, I hope you know you are stronger than you realize. Pull from those “muscles” deep down inside; and as you move forward through your healing journey, lean on your tribe; be kind and gentle with yourself, and please, please… hold on to hope. You too, lovelies, are under construction.
Chronic illness may indeed be a thief, and whatever has changed or been taken away…
don’t let illness steal your joy!
Blessings and positive vibes are with you — always.
—Terry xx
[bctt tweet=”Chronic illness may be a thief, and whatever has changed or been taken away… don’t let illness steal your joy! —tmm” username=”TerryMMayfield”]
* Updated Jan 2019, August 2020, February 2021
#Lyme #Lymedisease #Babesia #Bartonella #Mycoplasma #MTHFR #MCAS #MECFS #Chronicillness #ChronicIllnessIsAThief #HealthierDaysAreComing #UnderConstruction #DontLetillnessStealYourJoy #TurnPainIntoPurpose #ReflectionswithTerry
Terry Mayfield
Over here reflecting about life, illness + healing. Offering encouragement + empathy + support. Sharing smatterings of sarcasm + sass. Oozing with opinion. Speaking my truth. —tmm
22 Comments
Momma Ellie
Love your blog! Keep your hope alive! Someone, some day, will discover the answer!
terrymmayfield@aol.com
Always keeping the faith! ? love you!?
Genevieve
One thing that took me awhile to realize is that I am STILL the same person inside. I don’t always feel like it and I still pine for the “old me”, the body I had that never hurt and even just to have the ability to leave my house or walk…but I am still old me. Those endless days will happen. Never ever lose hope.
Terry Mayfield, The Blathering Lymie
Hello Genevieve. Such a lovely assessment. We are still the same people. 🙂 Living with the challenges of decades of chronic illness does alter our lives. Not allowing the illness to steal our happiness and joy is the key, at least for me. Thank you for your encouraging words. I will never lose hope, and I am a fighter! Hoping you are finding your way to improved health. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.???
Abigail @ipickuppennies
Next January, I’ll hit the halfway mark: 19 years before the illness and 19 since. So it’s hard to say how much of the old me remains. She had some issues to be sure, so there were a few (very dim) silver linings that came from it, like therapy. But I’ve built this life in the past 19 years, so other than missing days where I could get by well on 6 hours sleep and be out and about for more than 3 hours without difficulty… This is who I am. It has been. I’ve spent the 13ish years (finally) learning to work within this new reality and figure out who I am amid the limits. So I don’t know that my illness stole who I was. I think it just reshaped what was already there, hardening and softening various aspects — for better or worse.
Terry Mayfield, The Blathering Lymie
Well said Abigail! Coping with illness for so many years changes the who we once were, but shapes the who we are today. As Genevieve commented, we are still the same people – deep down inside. Finding balance and acceptance of the person illness has helped me become is part of my personal journey. Stay strong in your fight. Wishing you pain free and healthier days ahead. ???
Kelly
Thank you for articulating the struggles of a long-time lymie. It’s daunting to have to deal with this disease, day in and day out, year after year. It robs us of so much, and yet, we have so much to keep fighting for. Much love to all those in the trenches.
Terry Mayfield, The Blathering Lymie
Kelly, thank you for your kind thoughts and comments. The challenges we face are truly daunting and overwhelming at times for certain. As we persevere and continue to fight, our strength will one day overpower our illness(es). Thank you for reading my post, and I hope you will continue to follow along with my journey – our journey in this Lyme disease battle. Thank you for sharing your love with others. Wishing you improved health. ???
Valerie Brock
Thank you so much for this! I was diagnosed in March of this year with Late Stage Lyme, but I have been sick for over 18 years. This post touched my heart. I can identify with all of it. Wishing you good health and happiness in the near future! Valerie
Terry Mayfield, The Blathering Lymie
Valerie – Thank you for your kind words and well wishes. I am truly grateful my blog post touched you, but I am sorry to learn you have been struggling and suffering for so many years. Lyme disease and coinfections are such debilitated diseases – something I wish no one had to endure. We can only hope that research and improvements in treatment will continue to gain momentum. Thank you for reading my post. I greatly appreciate making the connection to a fellow Lyme Warrior!? Please feel free to reach anytime! Wishing you improved health and much happiness. ??? – Terry
Barb Thibodeau
Thank you Terri ,,
I have had LYME since 70’s as well ..Your story was like you were writing my Life..
Let us all PRAY for changes soon.. xoxox
Terry Mayfield, The Blathering Lymie
Thank you, Barb, for taking the time to read my Chronic Illness is a Thief post. I am truly sorry to learn you too have been suffering for decades with this destructive and debilitating disease. Hoping you are finding your way to improved health. Sending healing hugs your way.??? -Terry
Jaime
Thanks always for all your inspiration Terry! Love the pics with quotes esp the ones with sunflowers! My fav!
Terry Mayfield
Thank you, Jamie!☺️
kmitchellauthor
It absolutely is a thief! Thank you for sharing.
Terry Mayfield
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Sending healing wishes!🦋🌸
Eli D Bebout
Terry, Have been reading your Chronic Illness is a Thief. So true!! Luckily I have not had to deal with Lyme’s disease. I have had my share of illness with 2 bouts of Cancer and COVID. Faith, Love and support of family and friends have helped me thru the dark and long nights. For years I have hoped to meet you, but understand the situation. Truly enjoy and consider your husband a close friend. A great guy!!
Thinking and praying for you daily.
Hang in there and let me know how I might be able to help.’
A cancer survivor,
Eli
Terry Mayfield
Thank you, Eli! I am in awe of you and your journey. Continue to lift you up in healing prayer. Looking forward to indeed meeting you in person, hopefully one day soon. MM and I are both grateful for your friendship. Many Blessings — always.
—Terry xx
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