What inspired me to start this blog? Well that’s simple, I feel that many of us look for someone with relatable experiences. I like to think I might be able to provide those.
A little back story about me. A little less than a year ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. My body has an over active immune system and basically attacks it self. About eighteen months ago, this got real bad. I could barely walk, I had marks that looked like vacuum cleaner hickies all over my body. I couldn’t concentrate and the little memory I had was slipping away faster than snow in an avalanche. I was at the doctors, specialists, urgent care almost daily. Pumping me full of medications and unable to figure out what was really wrong with me.
Little did I know my symptoms started over 25 years ago. I never thought anything of it, but as a child I was “allergic” to the sun, any kind of UV rays would cause my skin to react, similar to blisters. At sixteen, my hair started to fall out, and again no reason could be found. Dozens of doctors and specialists chalked it up to female pattern baldness. At eighteen I was diagnosed with endometriosis and depression and started getting migraines. We didn’t think much of this either because my family has a strong history of migraines. At twenty one, I got shingles, yeah that was fun. I got married and was trying to have a baby (I now see how young that was). I struggled to get pregnant and went into labor at twenty six weeks, had it stopped and then delivered via emergency C-section at thirty four weeks. I had a similar repeat performances at twenty six and thirty with my next two children.
Over the following years I was catching every thing under the sun. I thought I just had a low immune system. My migraines started increasing, my memory began to fade, I would go through bouts of chronic pain and my depression got worse than ever. My health, both mental and physical made it hard for me to hold down a job, after all I was always sick.
I never realized how everything was connected until my forties when I got my autoimmune diagnosis. I also never realized how all this affected my family.
At least not until a few days ago when my eldest daughter called me. She explained to me what it was like watching this as a child, how she felt responsible to care for me and the other kids when I couldn’t. How it affected her, not wanting to add extra pressure on me, and hiding her own ailments. We shared a lot of tears that night, but I’m so grateful she had the courage to talk to me. No one is perfect, and that’s okay. Although as parents we have to do our best. After this conversation, I decided I wanted to share my experiences. Maybe I can help one other person that struggles.
For several years I’ve been working on the power of positivity and with the law of attraction. I’d have had up and down periods until recently. Now I have jumped in head first, why because it makes me feel better. Having a positive attitude can change your entire day and out look on life. Showing gratitude for what you have can increase happiness at a cellular level.
So now with all this positive thinking and manifestation am I still sick. You bet I am, I have good days, I have bad days (physically), but I always try to approach each day with the best attitude, be there for my family and believe that tomorrow is another day and another chance to feel better.
I’m happier then I have ever been, I’m getting treatment for illnesses that like to have a party inside my body and I try everyday. I think about all the things I have to be grateful for. I have the medication and medical services I need to treat my disease (I’m actually writing this in the waiting room of my doctor’s office). I have an amazing husband and as mentioned above, children that help me every day. It might be my son making me a coffee or doing dishes, my husband going to work everyday to provide for our family. I’m grateful that I don’t have to work through this, I can do self care while he provides for us. I’m grateful for Netflix, I have watched a lot of Netflix when I can’t move. Most of all, I am grateful to be alive, to wake up everyday and watch my children succeed in life. We so often take the little things for granted. Being optimistic and grateful helps me to live my best life.
So no matter what struggles you face, try and do it with a smile and the belief that it will all work out.
I believe we can get through this together and hopefully make the world a better place on our journey.
Xoxo
Charlotte
My Best Life 