Doing it with Lupus

Doing it can be a real challenge when your joints look like this!

Not that kind of doing it, silly. Although, I suppose what I'm about to tell you could be applied to the bedroom as well. But what I mean is do it like in “Just Do It”. You may not think it's possible, in all instances. I'm here to tell you it is, with a few concessions, of course. To be honest, there are quite a few things that come under the I just can't description with Lupus. Still, I do and focus on what I can do in every situation, every day.

I can keep the house relatively sanitary. Although I may have to sit down much more frequently than someone without a chronic illness, I can still do things like laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, etc. And sure, there may come a day when I cannot. But as long as I can, I will keep it up. Because otherwise, I feel like I'm letting Lupus win and that just won't do.

It hurts when I type sometimes. I have severe Rheumatoid arthritis in my right hand, caused by Lupus. I have it all over, actually, but that hand is killer. I play a game called type a bit, massage hand, type some more, repeat. But folks, I love to write so I just keep plugging away at it.

I garden too. Conventional gardening is pretty much out now. Bending repeatedly is not in my Lupus repertoire. So, I have raised beds. I built them with my grand-daughter the second I realized that gardening conventionally was becoming a problem. I also do some bucket gardening.

Doing just about anything with Lupus and the other chronic issues that I have requires some changes, but that's OK. At least I can still function, albeit, a bit abnormally. Abnormally, after all, beats the hell out of giving up and waiting for death to take me.

Folks, if you have Lupus, or some other crappy, pain in the butt condition, don't give up on moving altogether. Don't give up on your hobbies, hopes and dreams. I know that you may not even be able to do what I can do. That's OK. Do whatever you can do. Even if, particularly on those bad days, it's just to wiggle your toes while you watch TV.

After all, just because you have a chronic illness, well, that doesn't mean you don't deserve a happy, productive, fulfilled life.

And thanks to your chronic illness, Lupus or otherwise, I'm betting you know just how precious life is!

The many faces of Lupus

Let's be honest for a second. Having Lupus sucks. Unless you're into having your good health turn into your worst nightmare. It hurts. It really, really hurts. I didn't cry when I gave birth to my children, people. With Lupus, I cry every day., privately, so as not to worry the people I love. 

Now you might be thinking, where is the good in that, Jaipi? Are you off your rocker? Well, yes I am, but it has nothing to do with Lupus. I've always been a bit wacky. There are, however, lots of good things about my Lupus journey. Yes, there is pain, but there is also healing.

I've learned to lay in bed longer, let other people help me and pamper myself.

I have no choice, of course. Still, these are things I have never experienced in my life. I've always been the responsible one, the meal maker, the trash taker and the lawn mower. For the first time in my life, I can relax and not feel guilty about it. The pain is no joke, of course. I still wish I was healthy again. But I've learned to put myself first. If you knew me, you'd know that's quite an accomplishment.

I get to NOT have a boss for the rest of my life.

That's something the independently wealthy and the chronically ill have in common. We're both on a permanent vacation. I'll admit, if I had a bit of money, and good health, it would be a much better vacation. Still, there's something to be said for not having to be anywhere unless you want to.

And as for that boss thing, well, I've never been much good at towing the line. Now I don't have to. Ever again. (This is where I visualize myself giving all my old bosses the finger and telling them to take their stupid jobs and shove them.)

I know who my real friends are now.

They have stuck by me through all of this nonsense. My partner is the best. He goes out and works his own job every day so I can heal. He helps me into the van when I'm having a bad day, just so I can spend time with him and forget about the pain. He puts up with my tossing and turning all night long without a word of complaint.

He's my rock in a sea of awful. My family helps me with whatever I can't handle myself whenever they can. Even my online friends cheer me up with their silliness and send me hugs and hearts on bad days. And guess what? Some of them are fighting their own chronic illness battles. They have their own pain to worry about.

I have great empathy now.

I know what it's like to have to crawl to the bathroom, or scream in pain just from lifting your arms up to get dressed. It's a humbling experience and one that makes you appreciate the struggles of those who aren't so lucky. What, Jaipi? You consider yourself lucky? Absolutely! I'm alive and breathing. I'm surrounded by people I love and cherish. I've found a whole new way of living. I'm eating right. I'm taking care of myself.

But most of all, I've learned to cherish every single minute of my life. I've learned to smile through the pain and heartache. I've learned to treat people better than they treat me. Who knows what they're going through? Plus, I may not have much time with them. Better make it count.

So, you see, Lupus is a big fat pain that's not going away. But it's also a blessing.

There is good in everything and everyone, if you know where to look. Enjoy your life, my friends. Don't waste it on things that don't matter. Tell your cranky boss goodbye, but don't give him the finger. Remember, you don't know what he's going through. Find a job you love. Do right by the people you love. But take care of yourself too. Let other people help you. Appreciate your loved ones. And by all means, stop to smell the roses. Life is short and health is fleeting, my friends. Live well!

Lupus relieves me of deadlines

You know, I've never been a big fan of schedules and such. I'm pretty much a go at your own pace kind of girl. I made good money in the past by writing for private clients. I don't regret it. I even liked it. But there was something about it that didn't suit me. It was the deadlines.

For some reason, things that I have to do, just don't jive with my personality. I'm a free spirited individual in every sense of the word. Oh, I can tow the line with the best of them. I'd just prefer not to. It's too constricting for me.

Thankfully, Lupus makes it impossible for me to meet deadlines or keep a schedule. I know. For some people, that would be aggravating at best. But for me, since I'm just not that into doing things according to someone else's dictates, it's actually quite liberating.

So, thanks Lupus. For giving me my freedom! It's something I haven't had since, well, ever. In fact, I would jump for joy, but you know.... Lupus. It's a double edged sword.

Would you believe that my garden loves Lupus?

Plants are healthier when gardening with Lupus.

It's not even a stretch. Seriously. It's not. You know how I always tell you guys that with Lupus, I have to garden a certain way? Well, as it turns out, the way that I have to garden with Lupus is actually beneficial to my garden. Who knew?

Well, OK, I did. But it's all about making the connection so bear with me. LOL

Gardens love it when you water them early in the morning and/or late at night. And with Lupus, I have to do just that. I don't really have a choice. The sun and Lupus are not friends. So there you go, Lupus forces me to water at exactly the time that's beneficial for the garden. Ha!

Having Lupus also means that I cannot let the garden go at all. If I do, it would take way too much work to get it back. With chronic illnesses, it's all about one day at a time and not overdoing it. I just simply cannot overdo it. If I do, I will pay for it big time.

Of course, my garden responds well to my being so attentive. It doesn't know that I have to, but still, it's happier because of it. LOL

The garden especially likes that I keep up with pulling the weeds that choke plants or steal their nutrition. And I like it too because if I didn't, weeding would require a lot more strenuous work.

Lupus does not like chemicals. Boy, does it ever not. Exposure to anything unnatural brings on flares from Hades. Even some medications will have that effect. So, naturally, my garden is natural. That is to say that the food I produce is chemical free, thanks to Lupus. And that makes for happier future gardens too.

#NoHazardousRunoff

So, thanks, Lupus, for forcing me to garden the right way. And my garden thanks you too!

Lupus helps me fill the writing queue

Lupus fuels my thought train!

Obviously, this blog wouldn't exist without Lupus. So that's one thing. But it isn't just about this one blog. There's quite a few ways Lupus inspires me to write more and better.

I've mentioned time before in these posts. I don't have as much of it as some people. That means less time to write too. Which in turn means, I better get on it, don't you think? Lupus gives me a sense of urgency greater than most. Thank goodness too, because I'm becoming a bit of a procrastinator lately.

Late night pain and other symptoms could leave me up all night bellyaching, moaning and groaning. Or, I could use the times when I don't feel well to write. Like I'm doing right now. That's right, if it weren't for Lupus keeping me up with stomach issues, this post never would have happened.

Life's experiences have a way of becoming writing material, don't they? My experience with Lupus often prompts me to write. It engages my brain, which makes it more likely that an inspiring related thought will come my way.

It's not just related material that springs from having Lupus either. Thought trains have a way of traveling far from the station. So, a thought that begins with Lupus may inspire a blog or article on a whole other subject.

So, thanks, Lupus, for giving me something to write about, a sense of urgency, midnight brainstorming sessions and a runaway thought train fueled by Lupus inspired steam.

My Lupus journey brings hope to others

Sometimes the road is rocky and you grow from it.

That's the whole idea of life, isn't it? It's so hard, whether or not you have a chronic illness. That's why we have to lift each other up, share our positive experiences and just generally do our best to look on the bright side. It's also why I choose to share my Lupus journey with others.

But how does that give people hope? Well, by showing people that they can continue to live their dreams, even when they're ill, of course. Which I do. Which they can too. And of course, there are obstacles to face and work around. For instance, since I love gardening, but Lupus does not love the sun, I use an umbrella, work before the sun comes up or both.

And sure, it's not the same, once you have a chronic illness. It does totally suck sometimes, to put it mildly. But what I would like people to know is that you can't let it bring you down. You have to keep smiling and keep doing the things you love, even if you have to do them differently. It's OK. Because the alternative is making yourself miserable by dwelling on the bad stuff. And who wants to be miserable? Not me.

So, if you're sick like me, or even if you're not, I hope that by telling you all the positive things about having Lupus or another chronic illness, I'll help you to smile and laugh more, cry less and stay positive. Because staying positive is not just a catchy saying. It actually keeps you healthier and happier.

Thanks Lupus, for giving me the opportunity to help others through my story.

Lupus improves my diet

Lupus only lets me eat the best of foods!

Oh, Lupus, you are a clever girl. You even help me eat healthier. You make me pay dearly for falling off the wagon every time. To the point where I think twice before having that second helping or eating anything that contains empty calories. And if it's bad for me? Just forget it. To put it as gently as possible, putting anything bad in me is pointless because it just doesn't stay in.

I am rarely tempted to have soda pop any more. Lupus rejects it in the form of acid reflux. Yup, it's not staying in there, so why bother? Lupus also reminds me not to consume too much salt. If I do, my legs swell up like balloons and hurt like crazy. In fact, just about everything I do that's bad for me has instant bad results.

And that's important, right? Because most bad habits have eventual results. But with Lupus, I know right away that I have made a huge mistake. And since I feel the effects right away, I'm more likely to avoid them.

So, thanks, Lupus, for making it obvious what I should and shouldn't eat, in no uncertain terms. It keeps me on track!