Although I speak often about Lyme Disease here on the blog and share snippets of the journey on my instagram, there is a very real topic that has been close to my heart and part of an active conversations among my lymie friends... the emotional side of Lyme. I have alluded to a couple of things in this space but never really delved into this topic in full detail until now. I think just the writing on this topic took me a while to process through my thoughts and feelings but I do pray and hope that it is an encouragement to other lymies and their loved ones!
Lyme Disease is incredibly emotional for the one walking through the journey. There are many reasons for this but below I just wanted to share a snippet of a few. Friends, when you think of your friends with Lyme Disease would you pray for them about these things? Lymies, I know how hard this topic is so hopefully you can simply pass on these thoughts to ask for prayer on these subjects! Today I am going to be sharing things that make Lyme Disease emotional and next week will be sharing some tips on how to deal with the emotional side of Lyme! So here are the things that make Lyme Disease emotional...
(1) The Difficult Path to a Diagnosis. In the introduction of my "Praying through Lyme Disease" book I shared the following:
"The book that you hold in your hand has been written
from my heart. I found out I had Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease the day after
my 33rd birthday. For the previous six years prior to that day I had
experienced a myriad of intricate and confusing health symptoms that never made
sense to any doctor. I had spent hundreds of hours traveling across the United States
Unfortunately, for many their journey to a diagnosis is a MUCH more difficult path than even I experienced. Many spend years and decades going through hundreds of painful tests, countless misdiagnosis' and spend thousands of dollars trying to understand what is going on in their body. This process is extremely lonely, scary, frustrating, and demoralizing.
(2) After the diagnosis. I shared a little bit about my journey after the diagnosis of Lyme, but for many patients this time is a confusing time of trying to understand new lingo, new medical jargon, and make decisions that are best for their health. Many times patients start off going in one direction in their journey but complications and/or issues with co-infections cause a patient to make a turn in their treatment plan. This is often very confusing for outsiders to understand and many patients experience criticism or unhelpful/unwelcome/unsolicited advice from those who do not understand Lyme Disease. It can be incredibly difficult to be fighting for your health while dealing with all of these complications.
(3) The Long and Winding Road to Healing. Two weeks ago I shared about the long and winding road to healing that lymies experience.
The process is long, draining, and emotional. You can read more about it HERE. Unfortunately, many loved ones and friends have no concept of the time, energy, and determination it takes to beat Lyme. This unfortunately can lead to number 4...
(4) Loss of Friendships & Loved Ones. Whether it is due to the long road to healing, the lack of understanding about Lyme Disease, or just the general way our society wants things "instantly", it is an unfortunate and disappointing reality that many people walk away. I hate hearing about it among my lymie friends, but the sad truth is that I have experienced this myself. It is a painful experience and one that has to be brought before God often as you walk through it.
(5) Hurtful Comments. In this journey I can honestly say that there have been thousands of hurtful comments that occur. Many times these comments come from "well meaning" people who are trying to help but they are nonetheless hurtful. Just recently I received some unsolicited advice about how long my treatment was taking and how I had allocated funds on my "Go Fund Me Page". I was shocked, hurt, and honestly it brought me to tears. I am so thankful for beautiful friendships that have walked and prayed with me through these situations, but many people do not experience this sense of comfort. This can definitely create even more isolation for the patient.
(6) Lack of National Recognition. Lyme Disease (including Chronic Lyme) has been loosely accepted by some of the medical community since the early 1980's. Unfortunately at this point in time (practically 30 years later) not a whole lot has changed. Yes, it does depend on the state that you reside in, but many places, including the South, where I spend 1/2 of the year, does not recognize Chronic/Late Stage Lyme Disease as a "real thing". Case in Point: I went to my General Practioner here in the South just a little bit ago and was told, "you are still fighting that? Honey, those people are lying to you because it doesn't exist. What test did you get done again to prove you have Lyme? Are you sure it is reliable??" And honestly, she said it nicer than other ways I have heard it put. This lack of national recognition and acceptance makes this fight a doubly hard thing to deal with. Patients are not only trying to fight for care, but often have to explain exactly what Lyme Disease is to the people who are supposed to hold knowledge (doctors). This is incredibly emotional. One of the hardest things can be having nurses or doctors who are friends. I have several lymie friends that hear from friends "it really can't be Lyme". SO discouraging and emotional for the patient. To take things a step further... there are limited walks, limited events, limited fundraising, limited commercials, limited everything because there is a lack of national recognition for this disease.
"At a recent Lyme Disease conference it was stated that "Lyme Disease is the growing epidemic and health crisis of the 21st century and that "in the fullness of time the mainstream handling of Chronic Lyme Disease will be viewed as one of the most shameful episodes in the history of medicine."
-Praying through Lyme Disease-
(7) Physical Side Effects. Call it "vanity" or whatever you would like but the physical side effects of fighting this disease can be emotionally difficult. For example some patients lose a ton of weight and become gaunt, while others gain a ton of weight. Some patients react to medicine with invisible side effects while others break out with extreme acne or have incredibly bad breath. Some medicines make your teeth turn yellow, some make you lose your hair (or it turns white). Your complexion is not the greatest, and your hair looses its "life". Some patients suffer from severe dry skin, while others struggle with oily skin. Yes, in the scheme of fighting for your life this is not a big deal, but as a woman these things do affect your emotional outlook.
(8) Loss of Job/Ability to Hold a Job/ Loss of Profession. Like myself, most Lyme Disease patients are not able to work. This causes a ton of stress but also emotionally affects patients differently as they fight to figure out their "place in the world". I will never forget one time when someone said to me, "I would love to be you and get to take naps all day and not have to work." It was probably one of the most hurtful things that I have ever heard. Let me speak for ALL Lyme patients when I say that (a) I don't know one who wouldn't love to be able to have the ability to have a job, (b) Many miss their former lives/jobs tremendously (myself included!), (c) many of us don't even watch TV due to not being able to handle it or, like myself, don't like it that much and (d) Many are fighting their hearts out to get back to "normal life". This is not a vacation. We are fighting for our lives.
(9) Financial Stress. In many of my Notes from the Porch update posts I have shared that one of the most humbling aspects of this journey has been asking for financial help from friends, loved ones, and strangers alike. Until you have had to do it you honestly have no idea how humbling it is. It is simply degrading. And yet, as I explain in my post, "What is Lyme Disease?" financial resources are extremely limited for the lymie:
"Money that most patients (like myself) did "OK" with for the first five or six years of wandering the long trail of finding correct answers. But after that time period (and for some it is a much shorter time frame) money is not something that just continues to "come in". It has been spent (wisely, I would like to clarify) on finding answers, traveling to doctors across the country, treating a mis-diagnosis, and on numerous treatments (most alternative so insurance does not cover it). ALL of these things add up to thousands and thousands of dollars. Like myself, most Lyme Disease patients are not able to work full time and those that have to struggle to survive day to day. Without a set source of income bank accounts, savings accounts, retirement funds, etc. are quickly depleted. I have been asked by hundreds of people- "didn't you save for a rainy day"? Or... "What about your savings account?". I am going to be incredibly honest here and share something very personal. I had a wonderful savings account (I was a Dave Ramsey's graduate *smiles*) that by year three of this "adventure" was being drained and then at years five and six was completely depleted. (Just to give you a slice of a picture I have spent in the last seven years approximately $54,000 on medical issues, supplies, supplements, travel to doctors, etc. desperately trying to get well!!) I, like most other Lyme Disease patients, are quickly loosing any "saved money", savings accounts, retirement accounts, etc in the desperate fight to get better. Many patients like myself have limited funds and to answer the questions that I am sometimes asked- no I do not know where the resources that I am going to need for today and the rest of this week let alone the months and years ahead (until I am able to work full time again) will come from. I am a christian who is madly in love with her savior and have learned to trust that He will always provide for me - each step of this journey. "
I shared this post last May so almost 10 months later that number of $54,000 has grown. Grown due to a thousand different reasons and I have spent in the last 10 months alone approximately $14,000 (plus the donations that have been given to my "Go Fund Me Page". Where does it go you might ask? For example this trip out to California for the necessary appointment will cost approximately $1200. Traveling to appointments are not cheap, appointments are not cheap, and everything is expensive.
This topic alone has caused me more stress then fighting the disease itself.
All of these items and more make up the emotional side of Lyme. Thank you so much for reading today friends! I am so excited to share next week with y'all some tips for dealing with this emotional side of Lyme! Keep fighting Lymies!
Happy Thursday!
(4) Loss of Friendships & Loved Ones. Whether it is due to the long road to healing, the lack of understanding about Lyme Disease, or just the general way our society wants things "instantly", it is an unfortunate and disappointing reality that many people walk away. I hate hearing about it among my lymie friends, but the sad truth is that I have experienced this myself. It is a painful experience and one that has to be brought before God often as you walk through it.
(5) Hurtful Comments. In this journey I can honestly say that there have been thousands of hurtful comments that occur. Many times these comments come from "well meaning" people who are trying to help but they are nonetheless hurtful. Just recently I received some unsolicited advice about how long my treatment was taking and how I had allocated funds on my "Go Fund Me Page". I was shocked, hurt, and honestly it brought me to tears. I am so thankful for beautiful friendships that have walked and prayed with me through these situations, but many people do not experience this sense of comfort. This can definitely create even more isolation for the patient.
(6) Lack of National Recognition. Lyme Disease (including Chronic Lyme) has been loosely accepted by some of the medical community since the early 1980's. Unfortunately at this point in time (practically 30 years later) not a whole lot has changed. Yes, it does depend on the state that you reside in, but many places, including the South, where I spend 1/2 of the year, does not recognize Chronic/Late Stage Lyme Disease as a "real thing". Case in Point: I went to my General Practioner here in the South just a little bit ago and was told, "you are still fighting that? Honey, those people are lying to you because it doesn't exist. What test did you get done again to prove you have Lyme? Are you sure it is reliable??" And honestly, she said it nicer than other ways I have heard it put. This lack of national recognition and acceptance makes this fight a doubly hard thing to deal with. Patients are not only trying to fight for care, but often have to explain exactly what Lyme Disease is to the people who are supposed to hold knowledge (doctors). This is incredibly emotional. One of the hardest things can be having nurses or doctors who are friends. I have several lymie friends that hear from friends "it really can't be Lyme". SO discouraging and emotional for the patient. To take things a step further... there are limited walks, limited events, limited fundraising, limited commercials, limited everything because there is a lack of national recognition for this disease.
"At a recent Lyme Disease conference it was stated that "Lyme Disease is the growing epidemic and health crisis of the 21st century and that "in the fullness of time the mainstream handling of Chronic Lyme Disease will be viewed as one of the most shameful episodes in the history of medicine."
-Praying through Lyme Disease-
(7) Physical Side Effects. Call it "vanity" or whatever you would like but the physical side effects of fighting this disease can be emotionally difficult. For example some patients lose a ton of weight and become gaunt, while others gain a ton of weight. Some patients react to medicine with invisible side effects while others break out with extreme acne or have incredibly bad breath. Some medicines make your teeth turn yellow, some make you lose your hair (or it turns white). Your complexion is not the greatest, and your hair looses its "life". Some patients suffer from severe dry skin, while others struggle with oily skin. Yes, in the scheme of fighting for your life this is not a big deal, but as a woman these things do affect your emotional outlook.
(8) Loss of Job/Ability to Hold a Job/ Loss of Profession. Like myself, most Lyme Disease patients are not able to work. This causes a ton of stress but also emotionally affects patients differently as they fight to figure out their "place in the world". I will never forget one time when someone said to me, "I would love to be you and get to take naps all day and not have to work." It was probably one of the most hurtful things that I have ever heard. Let me speak for ALL Lyme patients when I say that (a) I don't know one who wouldn't love to be able to have the ability to have a job, (b) Many miss their former lives/jobs tremendously (myself included!), (c) many of us don't even watch TV due to not being able to handle it or, like myself, don't like it that much and (d) Many are fighting their hearts out to get back to "normal life". This is not a vacation. We are fighting for our lives.
(9) Financial Stress. In many of my Notes from the Porch update posts I have shared that one of the most humbling aspects of this journey has been asking for financial help from friends, loved ones, and strangers alike. Until you have had to do it you honestly have no idea how humbling it is. It is simply degrading. And yet, as I explain in my post, "What is Lyme Disease?" financial resources are extremely limited for the lymie:
"Money that most patients (like myself) did "OK" with for the first five or six years of wandering the long trail of finding correct answers. But after that time period (and for some it is a much shorter time frame) money is not something that just continues to "come in". It has been spent (wisely, I would like to clarify) on finding answers, traveling to doctors across the country, treating a mis-diagnosis, and on numerous treatments (most alternative so insurance does not cover it). ALL of these things add up to thousands and thousands of dollars. Like myself, most Lyme Disease patients are not able to work full time and those that have to struggle to survive day to day. Without a set source of income bank accounts, savings accounts, retirement funds, etc. are quickly depleted. I have been asked by hundreds of people- "didn't you save for a rainy day"? Or... "What about your savings account?". I am going to be incredibly honest here and share something very personal. I had a wonderful savings account (I was a Dave Ramsey's graduate *smiles*) that by year three of this "adventure" was being drained and then at years five and six was completely depleted. (Just to give you a slice of a picture I have spent in the last seven years approximately $54,000 on medical issues, supplies, supplements, travel to doctors, etc. desperately trying to get well!!) I, like most other Lyme Disease patients, are quickly loosing any "saved money", savings accounts, retirement accounts, etc in the desperate fight to get better. Many patients like myself have limited funds and to answer the questions that I am sometimes asked- no I do not know where the resources that I am going to need for today and the rest of this week let alone the months and years ahead (until I am able to work full time again) will come from. I am a christian who is madly in love with her savior and have learned to trust that He will always provide for me - each step of this journey. "
I shared this post last May so almost 10 months later that number of $54,000 has grown. Grown due to a thousand different reasons and I have spent in the last 10 months alone approximately $14,000 (plus the donations that have been given to my "Go Fund Me Page". Where does it go you might ask? For example this trip out to California for the necessary appointment will cost approximately $1200. Traveling to appointments are not cheap, appointments are not cheap, and everything is expensive.
This topic alone has caused me more stress then fighting the disease itself.
All of these items and more make up the emotional side of Lyme. Thank you so much for reading today friends! I am so excited to share next week with y'all some tips for dealing with this emotional side of Lyme! Keep fighting Lymies!
Happy Thursday!
First, there is no need to wear hot neon pink (with sparkles) to important events... like I did my freshmen year of high school. *sigh* I would like to blame this on the "era" but I don't think I can! hahaha! SO awkward.
Second, we ladies love to dress up. Going as a prom chaperon gives you an excellent excuse to do so and gives you the perfectly acceptable opportunity to wear a crown (outside of becoming a princess).
Third, prom is the perfect excuse to examine (as a teacher) what students are your favorites and to choose to laugh in the midst of fear. Case in point: one of the proms that I was a chaperon at was held at a facility with tons of windows and no basement. Unfortunately in the midst of the romantic endeavor a tornado hit our area. It was overwhelming to think of protecting over 200 students and yet (after the danger had passed) all of us had some great laughs and memories! {I was just kidding about the favorite students part... sort of...}
Fourth, knowing how to dance is very important.
And if your students don't know the moves to a song (aka. Cotton Eye Joe) it is very important to teach them. {Yes, this did take place in room 214 one day.}
Fifth, being told that you look beautiful and receiving a hug are some of the greatest gifts in the world.
Sixth, even as an adult you will long to "be asked to prom", "to be asked out for something special", etc. and you truly will thank the good Lord that you didn't get your wish of going with "that" boy you had your heart set on back in high school.
Seventh, Coco was right: a little black dress that you love is important to own.
Eighth,When your hair doesn't turn out right for your junior year prom your dad is truly your hero for calling a new hairstylist to do a completely new hair do just so you feel beautiful. Whoever said the little things are not important in a father-daughter relationship was completely wrong.
Ninth,It is ok to break the "dress code" rules. {At one prom I chaperoned for I was asked to dress like a "flight attendant" ?!? Do not ask me why I didn't ignore this "rule" and dress in a cute dress (like all of the other chaperone's did). Lesson learned.}
Tenth, Thankfully fashion does get better with each generation... sorry mom!*smiles*
What about y'all? Did you go to prom? Any fun lessons you learned?
Fifth, being told that you look beautiful and receiving a hug are some of the greatest gifts in the world.
Ninth,It is ok to break the "dress code" rules. {At one prom I chaperoned for I was asked to dress like a "flight attendant" ?!? Do not ask me why I didn't ignore this "rule" and dress in a cute dress (like all of the other chaperone's did). Lesson learned.}
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
-James 1:five-
Thank you so much to all of you who have been praying since I posted my last Notes from the Porch update. I am so grateful that you have covered me (and some of my family members who were also in the hospital) in prayer. Thank you so much!!
As you can see from the title post of this blog I would appreciate prayers for wisdom. I am traveling out to California this weekend and have a very important appointment with my doctor on Monday morning. This appointment will include the plan for the next several months and what we are going to do next. We will be discussing the plan for the coming months in regards to a PICC line and additional oral meds. Honestly, as time grows closer this is (obviously) on my heart and mind constantly and I am a little apprehensive and anxious to hear what the next plan will include. I so appreciate your prayers for this and for my little heart.
Another thing that I will ask for prayer for is my travels. After being so sick a couple of weeks ago (and still recovering) I am a little apprehensive about the trip across the country by myself. I am so glad that we have a God who is always with us.
Finally, as I mentioned on instagram yesterday, I would covet prayers for additional financial resources for this trip and the coming trips that will be needed for medical treatment. Some of you have asked what the easiest way to donate is and it is through the "Go Fund Me Page" that you can find below or on the left hand side of the page!
I am so grateful for the generous donation by the Warren's. Thank you so much Warren Family. I was amazed by your generous donation. It came at the perfect timing. Truly this was a gift from the Lord.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support y'all! You are a blessing!
With Lots of Love,
Ever since I was a little girl I have had a love affair with mini-albums and mini-journals. One of my favorite Christmas presents for my sister was a mini-album (shown above and below) of 25 wishes I "wished" for her. I loved spending the time thinking and praying through different wishes and prayers and loved adding in precious pictures that brought back many special memories and laughter.
One of my favorite things about mini-albums are that they are so personal and can be easily displayed and carried with you.
I have also found that mini albums can be a sweet present to someone going through a difficult time.
One of my favorite mini-albums that I ever created was a "mini teapot album" for a friend who was going through a particularly difficult time this summer.
When I was teaching I loved to create mini albums or mini books for the girls Bible Class that I taught as a special little gift. Often these books looked different depending on the class but I loved to try and give a little mini-gift that they could take with them.
Mini-albums are so adorable and can be created for a ton of different occasions.
If y'all have been around the blog for a little bit then you know that two of my favorite shop items are two Christmas mini-albums. Both the "Merry and Bright" and the "Homegrown Christmas" mini-albums have been best sellers in the shop and they are always a favorite of mine to make!
Last year it was so fun to create two engagement mini-albums for two of my sweet friends.
And two years ago it was so fun to create mini-albums as swag gifts for a blogger meet up! Have y'all created any mini-albums before? Have they been for a trip or a special occasion? Would love to hear about them!
Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday friends!
Happy Thursday friends! Last week in my Thursday Health Thoughts post I shared about the long winding road to healing with Lyme Disease.To be honest it was one of the most difficult posts to write just because it is hard to come to terms with how long of a journey that this is. At the same time I received numerous emails from Lymies asking how to emotionally handle the journey. I don't have any "wonderful" advice, as I have shared numerous times on here and on instagram how difficult this journey truly is, but I have learned a few tips that I wanted to share today. One of the biggest pieces advice that I give to anyone who has been diagnosed with a chronic or serious illness it to take one day at a time. Here are some thoughts on how to handle the rough days and how to take the long winding journey to healing day by day.
- Be upfront and clear with your limitations – no matter the response. This was definitely one of the hardest lessons for me to learn because at the beginning I wasn't even sure what was completely going on with my body let alone trying to explain it to others. In addition when I first started expressing what my limitations were to those outside of my family I did not receive the support that I was looking for. I won't lie. There have definitely been tears behind the scenes. I remember last summer when I had really wanted to see some friends and knew that their visit would coincide with a dentist treatment that would sideline me for a couple of weeks. I tried my hardest to express this but it wasn't understood. The day after the dentist treatment (when I was very sick) I received a text message stating, "we would love to see you - just to say a quick hello and give a hug". I replied back it wasn't possible and reminded them of what I had stated before but the text message I got back was anything but supportive. In fact it turned the tables on me that we hadn't been able to see each other in a while despite the fact that I tried to set up times before this appointment. I share this story simply to say that I do get it. It can be difficult when there is a lack of understanding.
- Accept help.
- Find specific things that your family and friends can do to help you. The difficult thing with a chronic or long term illness is that many people do not know how to specifically help you. A friend of mine who struggles with extreme back pain due to a surgery that went wrong finally took her friend up on her offer to do her laundry. She realized that this allowed her friend a way to help while also helping her accomplish a task that caused her pain to flare up and could literally put her in bed for days. Personally, I have been so grateful for my dads help in taking care of Scamper with his litter. There is no way that I could change the heavy litter and this has been a blessing to me!
- As hard as it is be vulnerable with your tribe and the people in your code. This prevents lots of awkward issues from occurring down the road. A "funny" story that one of my friends shares is that when she went to meet her boyfriend's family for the first time she was embarrassed to share with them (ahead of time) her food allergies. She asked her boyfriend not to also. Due to this when she arrived she then was embarrassed to have to share that the meal that his mother had spent a day making included all of the foods she couldn't eat. My friend had this happen a number of years ago and is happily married to this man and loves her MIL but as she says, "it would have saved me a lot of embarrassment if I had just been vulnerable at the beginning instead of after I arrived". No matter what it is that causes you to feel vulnerable whether it is sharing about food allergies or whatever take the risk and know that those who love you will support you throughout this journey.
- Be the best friend and family member that you can be while understanding that you are not the same person that you were before illness changed you. Send birthday cards, connect with people on facebook and other social media connections, and make phone calls when you are able. Stay connected to your tribe as best as you can. I get it. I really do. There are so many birthdays and anniversary's and special occasions that I miss because in "crazy sick world" time elapses and morphs. Do the best you can. Those that love you will accept that you are still you.
- Understand that this is just a season. So many people that I meet who are chronically ill or are going through a health crisis used to be the people that were the ones that were coming to the rescue and able to do things for their friends. Unfortunately illness can change that but coming to terms with your illness, adjusting and adapting to a new way of living, and finding a new path will only be a season. Take one day at a time realizing that this is not forever.
- Be patient and Choose Your Timing Wisely. Understand that your true friends and family do want to understand the health lingo even though often they have no idea what words means. Give them a chance to understand. Sometimes you have to explain things a thousand times but remember these people really do care and want to understand. (Side Note: Pick times that are appropriate to try and talk about serious health things. You might want to talk about it the moment that your hubby gets in the door from work, but it might be best to wait a few moments. *smiles* In our day of "instant technology" it can be easy to just start sharing everything over a text message. Sometimes, this really is not the best way to share things. *smiles* You get my point. Be patient and choose your timing wisely.)
8. Acceptance. For every person this is going to mean something different but Amy Charmichael was right:"In Acceptance lies peace".
9. Let friends go who are not willing to walk this road with you. It is a sad reality but as I have shared before on the blog, it is a reality in "sick world". Sometimes people just can not handle sickness. I remember at the beginning of the journey (about a month after I had been diagnosed with Cancer) I had a guy (who I had been a friend for over ten years) tell me that he "just couldn't handle it". Sometimes it is less dramatic than that with people who just stop calling, stop returning messages, or just "drop off the planet". Friends, it is okay. Yes, it does hurt, but if we focus on that alone we can miss the immense blessings of others and the unexpected blessing of illness. Wish them well, let go of bitterness and walk the road in front of you with dignity. Stick to the Code. {Yes, I did feel like I was talking about a Pirates of the Caribbean movie right then. *smiles*}
10. Do the best you can to attend and be present for important events. Even if you don't look or feel the best people love you not what you look like. I remember attending a dear friends wedding a couple of years ago. I looked anything but "good". Imagine my surprise at learning that people love you and really don't care. In our society we often think that we have to "look a certain way" to enjoy events or people will pity us. Your true friends and loved ones are going to be glad to see you, wheelchair or walker and all. Do the best you can to attend important events. People love you and want to see you.
11. Choosing to be Happy is a form of Courage. In one of my most read posts I addressed the topic of answering the "but you don't ACT sick" statement. Throughout this journey I have learned a very important lesson. Choosing to be happy and to find the joy in everyday is a form of courage. To me it is a way of saying, "take that Lyme Disease and Cancer". To me it is choosing to live.
Do you have any tips for taking "one day at a time" when fighting a chronic or serious illness? Please share them in the comments! I would love to read them!
In my birthday post from two years ago and in last years birthday post, I shared that while I know some people reflect on the past year during New Years I have always looked back on my "new years" in two different ways: (1) at the start of a new school year and (2) on my birthday. As I am about to turn thirty-five tomorrow I look back on thirty-four with so much thankfulness and gratitude from the past year. While I could list hundreds of blessings from this past year I wanted to share thirty-four moments of extreme gratitude that stand out to my heart from this past year (in no particular order).
one: the amazing generosity and kindness of so many people that have walked this journey with me and continue to stand by my side. Truly I am incredibly blessed.
two: learning the beautiful lesson of the hope that is found in history
four: Finding the courage to write about Lyme Disease. While I had shared that I was diagnosed with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease and things from "Notes on the Porch" I had never sat down and written a whole post on what Lyme Disease actually is. I was so blessed by the support that I received.
five: My mom making the amazing decision and sacrifice to resign from her job to take care of me.
six: The absolute blessing of finding an amazing medical team to help me beat this disease.
eight: Gorgeous sunsets that spoke to my little heart.
nine: Learning the beautiful gift of delighting in the beauty of the ordinary
ten: for precious friends who have walked this long journey with me and continue to pour out their love each and every day
eleven: delightful days and evenings spent on the lake
twelve: the beauty that comes with forgiveness and making peace with the fact that while some friendships change, shift, and end due to illness there are the friendships that grow so deep that you could never have imagined life without them.
thirteen: learning to show up in hope each day
one: the amazing generosity and kindness of so many people that have walked this journey with me and continue to stand by my side. Truly I am incredibly blessed.
two: learning the beautiful lesson of the hope that is found in history
three: grateful that my medical team is in such a beautiful place- near the San Francisco Bridge
six: The absolute blessing of finding an amazing medical team to help me beat this disease.
seven: Having the opportunity to spend an extended amount of time at my favorite place on earth.
nine: Learning the beautiful gift of delighting in the beauty of the ordinary
ten: for precious friends who have walked this long journey with me and continue to pour out their love each and every day
twelve: the beauty that comes with forgiveness and making peace with the fact that while some friendships change, shift, and end due to illness there are the friendships that grow so deep that you could never have imagined life without them.
thirteen: learning to show up in hope each day
fourteen: for the beautiful answered prayer of SEEN Gathering
fifteen: finding gratitude
sixteen: grace for starting the third fall
seventeen: for scripture that only has grown more precious.
eighteen: a beautiful day and a beautiful evening
nineteen: for the beautiful reminder that healing is always possible as I celebrated nine years.
twenty: for the constant sacrifice that my parents have made to not only help me get better but for the ability to bring joy and laughter to each difficult day.
twenty-one: for a sister who loves me so much and runs half-marathons for me.
twenty-two: for the release of my FIRST book, "Praying through Lyme Disease"
twenty-three: for the the precious lesson that adventure is right where you are at
twenty-four: writing on this little space for two years (!!) It has been so lovely to connect with so many people, develop deep and lasting friendships, and to grow in this community
twenty-five: a grandmother who prays and prays and prays... and prays... and prays....
twenty-six: having the courage to answer the "but you don't act sick statements"
twenty-seven: for a family who is incredibly precious beyond words.
twenty-eight: Discovering the "Hurricane Chapter" of the Adirondack Mountains
twenty-nine: stepping out... taking risks and learning to live fearlessly and with valor.
thirty: learning to live with courage in the waiting
thirty-one: for the release of my SECOND book, "Prayers for the Single Journey"
thirty-two: learning personally the truth of the Lord giving strength for each day...for every battle... and for this fight for my health.
thirty-three: for financial donations to my "Go Fund Me" Page that come in at the exact right timing and help provide for necessary medical treatment
thirty-four: learning that the Lord has a plan beyond my own little imagination.
Thank you so much to all of you who have made this past year such a blessing! I am so thankful for each of you in my life! Thank you again!
Throughout this journey I have cried many tears behind the scenes as I long to be back in the classroom. But in the last month the Lord has given me a sweet gift that is so precious to my little heart. In the last couple of weeks I have heard from ten of my former students (from all different schools) that are going into the classroom in this coming year. Their words and their sweet decision to contact me has been a blessing that brings me to tears. But I was stopped short in humility when all of them asked me for advice on how to be a good teacher. I don't have lots of wisdom on the subject. I think back to how many times I failed as a teacher ... but today I wanted to share ten tips I have for new teachers. May you be blessed in this endeavor sweet friends that you have undertaken! (p.s. These pictures are just a snippet from the wonderful years of teaching... so many precious people have been left out (and ASCS there are no pictures of y'all but I LOVE y'all soo much!))
(1) Pray often.
I don't think that I can emphasize enough the power of prayer and the important role it plays in a teachers life. I encourage spending time praying for yourself, your students, your co-workers, your students parents, your room, and the school year. Cover yourself in prayer each day and take time throughout the day to pray. As a high school teacher (in a Christian school) I would take time at the start of each class to pray. I found that taking time to pause, pray, and ask for the Lord's help in each class was a necessary thing. I have several friends who teach at public schools and legally can not take the time to pray out loud before each class but do take the time still pray as they start their classes. Find ways to stop and pray throughout the day.
(2) Spend time with the Lord every single day.
As teachers it can be easy to think about all of the things that need to get done. Don't let Satan convince you that this is more important than spending time with the Lord. Make it a priority to spend time reading God's word, memorizing it, and meditating on scripture.
(3) Create Boundary Lines immediately.
Set the boundary lines and class rules up immediately and stick to them. As a high school teacher I have seen to many teachers who want to be "liked" and desire this more than creating a respectful atmosphere from the beginning. Look, the reality is that if you are in this profession to be "popular or liked" you are in the wrong profession. Students need teachers who know who they are in Christ and teachers that will show what it is like to be a Christian man or woman at a whatever age you are at. You are not there to be liked or to be a friend. You are there to show the love of the Lord to your students through your subject matter. Don't get caught up in the "hollywood idea" that teachers don't know anything or have nothing to offer. You have everything to offer.
(4) Create healthy relationships.
Find ways to reach out and connect with your students. There are some students who need a listening ear, some that would appreciate seeing you at a sporting event, and some that will appreciate the after-school tutoring session that you will offer. Create healthy relationships with your students and look to find ways to connect with them outside of your classroom. Sometimes this can simply be by taking the time to say "hello" as you pass them in the hallway!
(5) Laugh often.
The reality is that you can find a WHOLE lot of things to be frustrated about every single day... the child who is disrespectful, the noise, the child that forgot their homework (again!), the parent that sends you the nasty email, the co-worker that didn't support you, etc. BUT don't allow those things to rob you of the joy of teaching. Find the humor in each day. Your students will be grateful and you will enjoy your job immensely.
(6) "Get on the boat. Do your job. Get back home again."
This quote was in the movie "Breach" but was actually one of the first things that my first boss, long before the movie came out, said to me. (We lived in a Navy town so the symbolism was there. *smiles*) The point is... go to work. Do your job to the best of your ability. Get back home again. So many teachers grow tired and burned out at their jobs because they make their teaching job their entire life. The reality is that to be a great teacher - it shouldn't be your entire life. Spend time with the Lord, spend time with your family and friends, and spend time developing interests that you love. Over the years of teaching (especially as a single teacher) this was a hard lesson for me to learn but my first boss' words ring true and I have never forgotten them.
(7) Remember time is short.
The school year passes quickly. Don't waste a moment. Treasure the moments because as you look back they will grow increasingly precious to you.
(8) Apologize when you are wrong.
My second year of teaching I was told by a veteran teacher, "don't ever apologize for anything." This was honestly the worst piece of advice that I have ever heard but I know a lot of teachers who live by that rule. That is so silly. A child only had to spend about 10 seconds in my classroom before they realized that I was only human. *smiles* There are going to be times that you just need to apologize. Take the time to do it. (My first senior class... I am still so sorry that you had to sit through that session on Oprah on domestic violence. Worst teaching moment ever. *smiles*)
(9) Realize that each school has its own "culture".
I have taught in three different schools in three different states so far and each one of them has been different in so many ways. My first school was a beautiful place filled with amazing people and I still treasure my memories from that school. But the culture there was different than my second school where I fell deeply in love with the community and even different again at the third school that was incredibly sweet. I will never forget leaving the 2nd school that I taught at and arriving at the 3rd school I taught at. OH MY WORD. What a learning experience! For example- at my 2nd school there was a HUGE dancing community and parents, teachers, and students alike would have fun dancing after basketball games and even had socials for dances. It was so fun. Imagine my embarrassment when at my 3rd school I was informed (kindly) by the headmaster that it was inappropriate for me to be dancing at a homecoming event. I was mortified. All of that to say... it is always a learning experience. But if you embrace the opportunity you will grow in a million different ways. I always say that I grew up at the first school I taught at, I was embraced into a family at my second school, and arrived at my third school as a brokenhearted young woman only to leave prepared for the biggest fight of my life (my health). Embrace the culture and community and you will look back with gratefulness for each place that you teach at.
(10) Learn from your students.
At the end of the day I really don't think that I had an impact at all but I do know that my students had an impact on me. Be humble and learn from your students, because they will be your greatest teachers!
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