To clean or not to clean? That is a question I ask myself every time I pull out the cleaning products in hopes of putting some sort of dent in a house that appears to be over-run by dust bunnies, shower grunge and the science experiment in the toilet. I'm not a lazy person and I really don't mind house keeping chores, but my evil POTS nemesis doesn't seem to want to take on house keeping chores. My lungs seem to close up and the rest of my body becomes useless. It often takes a full day to make up for 30 minutes of cleaning the shower. Now many of you may be thinking maybe POTS has its advantages. Giving up house keeping doesn't sound like such a bad thing. But living in a dirty house is just gross! Who wants to bathe in shower grunge, collect dust bunnies on the bottom of your socks or barf in the science experiment growing in the toilet(ew!).
So yesterday as I was laying in bed surrounded by pillows, trying to recover from the POTS revolt over cleaning the grunge covered shower. I began trying to solve the cleaning issue. I visualize the cleaning products that have triggered all the problems and then I see the solution is simple, and has been staring at me from the bottle of my floor cleaner for years, "Mr. Clean"! I need to find me a real life "Mr. Clean"! So now the problem is finding "Mr. Clean". I guess the first place to look is on one of those dating sites with catchy names like Desperatesingles.com (fake name). I can just see the post "Looking for a man to clean the grunge in my shower, the science experiment growing in my toilet, loves to eradicate dust bunnies, is attracted to pasty white skin, purple feet, doctors visits, likes ER's, enjoys laying around watching TV and has a sense of humor! I can see the lines forming as I write.
Hmmmm.... maybe I need to come up with a second option. I could ask my adult children living at home. I just dislike asking them to become my own personal slaves, they do so much already. I could also start trying new cleaning products, hopefully something earth friendly.
I have to say part of the fun of writing my blog is finding pictures to go with my post. This week was truly entertaining. There were Mr. Clean imitations, altered Mr. Clean men, and even a few almost nude men with cleaning products strategically placed. There were a few pictures of gentlemen who looked like they would be a nice addition to my humble abode.
Inspired to giggle,
Michele
Since I'm in a cleaning mood;
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
In a funk
Been in a funk for the last two days and couldn't figure out what's causing it. I finally put my finger on the cause and realised that my funk is caused by the loss of a fellow POTSy friend. The reason I had such a hard time figuring it out was that we were not super close. We made occasional comments on each others facebook status's, we're both believers and both of us had many things in common. She was very close to many others in the POTSy community who had every right to mourn the loss of a very close friend, I have no right to share their deep loss. But still why the sadness, why the funk?
Then it hit me.... we shared a battle with POTS with a similar battle plan.
She was someone who tried to put a positive spin on POTS. She found humor in the struggles of having POTS when it shouldn't be funny at all. She always had something positive to say if someone was down. She found beauty when others couldn't. This amazing woman was sharing a part of herself on facebook one day and was gone the next. Her battle with POTS is over. The reality of how POTS can take someone so quickly was a shock to me. The grim reality that if this could happen to her then it could happen to me.
I know that I could die in a car crash tomorrow and worrying about my future with POTS is futile, but I need to remember that things happen in my life are there to mold me into the person I need to become. It's a reminder that life can be short and each minute is meant to be a gift not to be taken for granted. There will always be a special place in my heart for Kathleen, she's a shining light of the woman I'm inspired to become.
Inspired,
Michele
Matthew 6:25-34
25 For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lillies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin.
29 Yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.
30 But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?
31 Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?'
32 For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble.
Then it hit me.... we shared a battle with POTS with a similar battle plan.
She was someone who tried to put a positive spin on POTS. She found humor in the struggles of having POTS when it shouldn't be funny at all. She always had something positive to say if someone was down. She found beauty when others couldn't. This amazing woman was sharing a part of herself on facebook one day and was gone the next. Her battle with POTS is over. The reality of how POTS can take someone so quickly was a shock to me. The grim reality that if this could happen to her then it could happen to me.
I know that I could die in a car crash tomorrow and worrying about my future with POTS is futile, but I need to remember that things happen in my life are there to mold me into the person I need to become. It's a reminder that life can be short and each minute is meant to be a gift not to be taken for granted. There will always be a special place in my heart for Kathleen, she's a shining light of the woman I'm inspired to become.
Inspired,
Michele
Matthew 6:25-34
25 For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lillies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin.
29 Yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.
30 But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?
31 Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?'
32 For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Dizzy
Dizzy,
I'm so Dizzy, my head is spinning
Like a whirlpool, it never ends
And it's you POTS, making it spin
you're making me dizzy
These are lyrics to one of my favorite oldies that seems to be the theme song for my daily life with POTS. I'm dizzy all day long. Every time I change positions my world appears to sway like I'm on a ship on rough seas. Those who are "normal" have no idea how often they change positions in a day. They just walk through life with no idea that their body is doing it's job of regulating their body to do such simple tasks. It's not just sitting down, standing up or laying down. It's leaning over a student, tying a shoe, tilting my head to put a knife away, putting a pot or pan away or getting a roll of toilet paper from the cupboard. Just normal stuff that most people never think about. Because this has become my "normal", I tend to ignore the swaying ship feeling and keep on going. Most people would sit down and wait until the swaying stopped. Ignoring the swaying ship feeling can be a bad thing, today while putting a knife away my world began to sway and I missed the drawer and the knife came tumbling down on my foot "ouch". Luckily I only ended up with a small cut. Usually the swaying stops within a few seconds and I can continue on with what I'm doing. Sometimes the swaying ship takes a mini vacation in my head and doesn't go away, then I know I can't ignore it any longer and I have to accept defeat for the day.
When I was first diagnosed with POTS the swaying ship took its toll with sea sickness all day, every day. I battled with nausea for about two years before my body finally became use to being on a ship on rough seas. While I'm on the subject of ships, my family wants to go on an Alaskan cruise! Hmmm, not sure how my body is going to like that one, and I'm not sure if I even want to spend a large sum of money to become intimate with a strange toilet off the shores of Alaska. I'll have to pray about that one.
Welcome to the SS Michele, be prepared for a goofy ride and occasional rough seas ahead.
Inspired,
Michele
Psalms 107 23-32
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters;
24 They have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery.
27 They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses.
29 He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they were quiet; So He guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders
I'm so Dizzy, my head is spinning
Like a whirlpool, it never ends
And it's you POTS, making it spin
you're making me dizzy
These are lyrics to one of my favorite oldies that seems to be the theme song for my daily life with POTS. I'm dizzy all day long. Every time I change positions my world appears to sway like I'm on a ship on rough seas. Those who are "normal" have no idea how often they change positions in a day. They just walk through life with no idea that their body is doing it's job of regulating their body to do such simple tasks. It's not just sitting down, standing up or laying down. It's leaning over a student, tying a shoe, tilting my head to put a knife away, putting a pot or pan away or getting a roll of toilet paper from the cupboard. Just normal stuff that most people never think about. Because this has become my "normal", I tend to ignore the swaying ship feeling and keep on going. Most people would sit down and wait until the swaying stopped. Ignoring the swaying ship feeling can be a bad thing, today while putting a knife away my world began to sway and I missed the drawer and the knife came tumbling down on my foot "ouch". Luckily I only ended up with a small cut. Usually the swaying stops within a few seconds and I can continue on with what I'm doing. Sometimes the swaying ship takes a mini vacation in my head and doesn't go away, then I know I can't ignore it any longer and I have to accept defeat for the day.
When I was first diagnosed with POTS the swaying ship took its toll with sea sickness all day, every day. I battled with nausea for about two years before my body finally became use to being on a ship on rough seas. While I'm on the subject of ships, my family wants to go on an Alaskan cruise! Hmmm, not sure how my body is going to like that one, and I'm not sure if I even want to spend a large sum of money to become intimate with a strange toilet off the shores of Alaska. I'll have to pray about that one.
Welcome to the SS Michele, be prepared for a goofy ride and occasional rough seas ahead.
Inspired,
Michele
Psalms 107 23-32
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters;
24 They have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery.
27 They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses.
29 He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they were quiet; So He guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Unpredictable POTSy Presents
I LOVE surprises! The unexpected card in the mail. A sink full of dishes magically cleaned by the cleaning fairy (my amazing daughter). Or one of my favorites, a picture drawn by one of my students showing us eating chocolate cake together because she knows it's my favorite! Surprises are great from everyone with one exception, my evil arch nemesis POTS which seems to have a dark view of how I like to be surprised.
After three years of having POTS I'm still surprised by the unpredictability of POTS. I've learned what kinds of things trigger Mr. POTS and try to avoid them like the plague. Over the years I've become better at adjusting my activities to avoid a POTSy crash. It's the times when I've done absolutely nothing and become symptomatic that take me by surprise. For example; I'm on my computer and all of a sudden my heart is racing, I'm short of breath and dizzy. If you're thinking "hmmmm..... what web site is she looking at?", no I'm just reading posts on Facebook. This week it happened during a staff meeting at work. The principal had given us some reading on educational practices. All of us were reading quietly when my heart began racing, I became short of breath, dizzy and the words became blurred and unreadable. All I wanted to do was curl up in a back corner of the room. I didn't have my purse with me and needed to get some salt in me ASAP, but there was no way I could walk to my classroom without ending up on the ground somewhere on campus. Luckily I was sitting next to a close friend who went to my classroom for my purse. My inspiration for writing this blog is the fact that right now I should be sitting in church with my church family enjoying a good sermon but my heart rate is 160 and bp is 90/75. I'm in no condition to drive or sit for long periods of time. As I write I've taken several breaks because sitting for too long makes me worse. Seriously POTS your timing sucks!
Another unpredictable part of POTS is the knowledge that it can take a turn for the worse which could leave you hospitalized or even lead to death. One day your sharing "normal" POTSy posts with your friends, the next day you hear that they are in the hospital and you pray for a quick recovery for your friend and a couple days later they have died from complications. This month complications from POTS has taken two very young woman. My prayers are with their families and friends who have lost a precious part of their lives. Death is a reminder to love those closest to you. To be thankful for what we DO have. To appreciate what we CAN do and to live every moment to it's fullest.
Inspired to dance in the storms of life,
Michele
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Lord, give me the wisdom to know how to spend the precious time you have given me.
Amen
After three years of having POTS I'm still surprised by the unpredictability of POTS. I've learned what kinds of things trigger Mr. POTS and try to avoid them like the plague. Over the years I've become better at adjusting my activities to avoid a POTSy crash. It's the times when I've done absolutely nothing and become symptomatic that take me by surprise. For example; I'm on my computer and all of a sudden my heart is racing, I'm short of breath and dizzy. If you're thinking "hmmmm..... what web site is she looking at?", no I'm just reading posts on Facebook. This week it happened during a staff meeting at work. The principal had given us some reading on educational practices. All of us were reading quietly when my heart began racing, I became short of breath, dizzy and the words became blurred and unreadable. All I wanted to do was curl up in a back corner of the room. I didn't have my purse with me and needed to get some salt in me ASAP, but there was no way I could walk to my classroom without ending up on the ground somewhere on campus. Luckily I was sitting next to a close friend who went to my classroom for my purse. My inspiration for writing this blog is the fact that right now I should be sitting in church with my church family enjoying a good sermon but my heart rate is 160 and bp is 90/75. I'm in no condition to drive or sit for long periods of time. As I write I've taken several breaks because sitting for too long makes me worse. Seriously POTS your timing sucks!
Another unpredictable part of POTS is the knowledge that it can take a turn for the worse which could leave you hospitalized or even lead to death. One day your sharing "normal" POTSy posts with your friends, the next day you hear that they are in the hospital and you pray for a quick recovery for your friend and a couple days later they have died from complications. This month complications from POTS has taken two very young woman. My prayers are with their families and friends who have lost a precious part of their lives. Death is a reminder to love those closest to you. To be thankful for what we DO have. To appreciate what we CAN do and to live every moment to it's fullest.
Inspired to dance in the storms of life,
Michele
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Lord, give me the wisdom to know how to spend the precious time you have given me.
Amen
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Dysautonomia Normal is normal
When I first wrote this blog I began writing because my "normal" life had changed so drastically. I began writing because I was scared, angry, shocked, and frustrated with a disease that took me a couple of weeks just to learn how to pronounce it and doctors who didn't know how to treat it. The changes to my reality of who I was and who I was becoming where overwhelming and polar opposites to each other. I went from an energizer bunny to a couch potato. I was someone who rarely took an aspirin to a person dependant on medication just to stand up. I rarely went to a doctor to someone who needed a calendar app to keep up with the many doctor appointments and tests. I use to take off on a whim and now I have to carefully plan around the weather and my health. It also seemed like I would just start to get a grip on how to deal with my illness when a new symptom would pop up.
There are so many difficult adjustments to make with dysautonomia. Adjusting became my normal. Adjusting to the heat, adjusting to the nausea, adjusting to the fatigue and constant pain, and adjusting to silly things like compression stockings. I had to adjust from feeling pretty good one day to crashing for no reason the next. Adjusting to medications that cause side effects that are sometimes more difficult than the illness itself and I often had to choose being able to stand up over the desire to jump in front of a car for no reason except the meds seemed to think it was a good idea. For a control freak all this adjusting was quite an emotional roller coaster.
I have to say dysautonomia has given me some really great life lessons. I've learned to appreciate my health because even though I may be feeling really bad, there is always someone out there who is feeling worse. I've learned to appreciate being able to work at a job I love because I never know when I will no longer be able to work. I've learned to appreciate everything I can do because even being able to do chores is missed and it's not always easy to ask someone else to do it for you. I've also met some amazing woman with dysautonomia on my journey who have helped me feel that I wasn't alone. And I've learned to laugh and smile because every moment is precious and sometimes it's easier to laugh at the difficult moments than it is to whine and complain about them.
For now dysautonomia seems to be taking a back seat in my life. I've learned how to adjust to the oddities of this illness and appreciate what I have now because it might be taken away.
Inspired,
Michele
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
My favorite verses.
There are so many difficult adjustments to make with dysautonomia. Adjusting became my normal. Adjusting to the heat, adjusting to the nausea, adjusting to the fatigue and constant pain, and adjusting to silly things like compression stockings. I had to adjust from feeling pretty good one day to crashing for no reason the next. Adjusting to medications that cause side effects that are sometimes more difficult than the illness itself and I often had to choose being able to stand up over the desire to jump in front of a car for no reason except the meds seemed to think it was a good idea. For a control freak all this adjusting was quite an emotional roller coaster.
I have to say dysautonomia has given me some really great life lessons. I've learned to appreciate my health because even though I may be feeling really bad, there is always someone out there who is feeling worse. I've learned to appreciate being able to work at a job I love because I never know when I will no longer be able to work. I've learned to appreciate everything I can do because even being able to do chores is missed and it's not always easy to ask someone else to do it for you. I've also met some amazing woman with dysautonomia on my journey who have helped me feel that I wasn't alone. And I've learned to laugh and smile because every moment is precious and sometimes it's easier to laugh at the difficult moments than it is to whine and complain about them.
For now dysautonomia seems to be taking a back seat in my life. I've learned how to adjust to the oddities of this illness and appreciate what I have now because it might be taken away.
Inspired,
Michele
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
My favorite verses.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
I'm Melting!
It's that time of the year again. Time to write my blog on heat and dysautonomia. Thankfully Southern California has been behind the times for hot Summer weather. Every day I said a prayer of thanks for the unseasonably cool Summer and dreading the day when the temperature would rise above 80 degrees. That dreaded day has finally come, and it's brought along a friend named humidity just to rub it in.
Heat has become one of my biggest enemies. When the temperatures go up my POTS symptoms soar right along with it. Hello increased heart rate, dropping bp, head aches, fatigue, shortness of breath, the increase chance of fainting, and that all so wonderful polly juice experience of my blood feeling like it's bubbling just below my skin. At times I feel like the witch from The Wizard of Oz, screaming "I'm melting!". Just my face whispering from a puddle that once was my body.
I do have a few weapons to help me fight the heat. I love my Artic Heat ice vest, a bit ugly but very cool. I just pull it out of the freezer when I need to take short trips outdoors or when I can't seem to cool my house down (I don't have central AC so I depend on two room AC's). I drink lots of water, so much that if you poke a few holes in me I convert to a watering can. I take extra salt tablets because I'd have to eat 5 bags of potato chips to get the salt I need. I stay indoors like a hermit and shut my house up like a bat cave. If it gets really bad I take a cool shower imagining I'm taking a swim at a luxury hotel with a cabana boy waiting to hand me my towel, a girl can dream! The heat is also a good excuse to load up on chocolate ice cream and mango smoothies. And most important,I say a prayer that God keeps me safe on these difficult days. Preparing for a hot day is much like preparing for a trip abroad, if you forget one important detail ( a passport or salt tablets) and your day or your trip can go very wrong.
Inspired,
Michele
Isaiah 25:4-5
For Thou has been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, for the breath of the ruthless is like a rain storm against a wall. Like heat in drought. Thou dost subdue the uproar of aliens; Like heat by the shadow of a cloud, the song of the ruthless is silenced.
Heat has become one of my biggest enemies. When the temperatures go up my POTS symptoms soar right along with it. Hello increased heart rate, dropping bp, head aches, fatigue, shortness of breath, the increase chance of fainting, and that all so wonderful polly juice experience of my blood feeling like it's bubbling just below my skin. At times I feel like the witch from The Wizard of Oz, screaming "I'm melting!". Just my face whispering from a puddle that once was my body.
I do have a few weapons to help me fight the heat. I love my Artic Heat ice vest, a bit ugly but very cool. I just pull it out of the freezer when I need to take short trips outdoors or when I can't seem to cool my house down (I don't have central AC so I depend on two room AC's). I drink lots of water, so much that if you poke a few holes in me I convert to a watering can. I take extra salt tablets because I'd have to eat 5 bags of potato chips to get the salt I need. I stay indoors like a hermit and shut my house up like a bat cave. If it gets really bad I take a cool shower imagining I'm taking a swim at a luxury hotel with a cabana boy waiting to hand me my towel, a girl can dream! The heat is also a good excuse to load up on chocolate ice cream and mango smoothies. And most important,I say a prayer that God keeps me safe on these difficult days. Preparing for a hot day is much like preparing for a trip abroad, if you forget one important detail ( a passport or salt tablets) and your day or your trip can go very wrong.
Inspired,
Michele
Isaiah 25:4-5
For Thou has been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, for the breath of the ruthless is like a rain storm against a wall. Like heat in drought. Thou dost subdue the uproar of aliens; Like heat by the shadow of a cloud, the song of the ruthless is silenced.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The Elephant in the House
Some time in my teen hood I realized I was not like all those other teens striving to fit in. I wasn't normal nor was there anything about me that seemed to fit societies picture of "normal". I lived in a home where a giant white elephant tromped around my house (alcoholism). Everyone around me tip toed around the house trying their best not to disturb the elephant and acting as if the elephant didn't exist. Thinking I was the only person in the world living with a white elephant I put myself in the "abnormal" category and I saw everyone around me as "normal". It kind of gave me the freedom to allow myself to be different, to dress different and free of having to meet the social expectations of everyone around me. It wasn't until I was much older that I realized that pretty much everyone has some version of an elephant living in their home and that "normal" is shaped by our perception.
I know living with a white elephant has prepared me for my journey with POTS. Growing up never knowing what to expect from one moment to the next has definitely prepared me for the varying symptoms of POTS. Feeling barfy one day then not barfy the next but experiencing heart rates in the 150's all day instead. Growing up feeling like no one could ever understand what it's like to live with a white elephant is similar to having POTS where most doctors don't understand what I have so how can I expect those around me to get it either (though it does help to communicate and educate those around me). Living in a home where things were pretty bad most of the time I learned to find joy in the little things around me. Seeing a beautiful flower on the way to school turned a really tough morning into a very special one. Being able to find joy in the most unusual places has helped me cope with those difficult POTSy days. Maybe being a POTSy mom is my children's white elephant. I can only pray that it does change their character. That it shapes them into caring empathetic adults. I hope they can appreciate every moment and look for the rainbow at the end of a storm.
I have a great teaching job, a nice home, a decent car, a son and a daughter who are working and attending college, two dogs and a cat. From the outside I don't look sick and seem to fit in societies idea of "normal". I don't believe I was born to be normal or ordinary. POTS isn't normal or ordinary either. So Michele and POTS seem to be a perfect match.
Inspired to be extraordinary.
Michele
Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider God has made the one as well as the other so that man may not discover anything that will be after him.
I know living with a white elephant has prepared me for my journey with POTS. Growing up never knowing what to expect from one moment to the next has definitely prepared me for the varying symptoms of POTS. Feeling barfy one day then not barfy the next but experiencing heart rates in the 150's all day instead. Growing up feeling like no one could ever understand what it's like to live with a white elephant is similar to having POTS where most doctors don't understand what I have so how can I expect those around me to get it either (though it does help to communicate and educate those around me). Living in a home where things were pretty bad most of the time I learned to find joy in the little things around me. Seeing a beautiful flower on the way to school turned a really tough morning into a very special one. Being able to find joy in the most unusual places has helped me cope with those difficult POTSy days. Maybe being a POTSy mom is my children's white elephant. I can only pray that it does change their character. That it shapes them into caring empathetic adults. I hope they can appreciate every moment and look for the rainbow at the end of a storm.
I have a great teaching job, a nice home, a decent car, a son and a daughter who are working and attending college, two dogs and a cat. From the outside I don't look sick and seem to fit in societies idea of "normal". I don't believe I was born to be normal or ordinary. POTS isn't normal or ordinary either. So Michele and POTS seem to be a perfect match.
Inspired to be extraordinary.
Michele
Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider God has made the one as well as the other so that man may not discover anything that will be after him.
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