Tweet
I don't often share personal things, and this is one of those "not often" times. Please read carefully, it just might change your day.
There have been times in my life where I lost focus, and just like most of us, I wandered in directions that ended up taking me nowhere. I haven't always taken advantage of the time I had the ability to do just about anything I wanted to do, no matter what that was. We feel invincible in our youth, and sometimes I'm still convinced we - in some moments of our youth - actually are.
Age has a funny way of reminding us of our terminal status in this world. First the eyesight, then the flexibility, then other things. Some of those things are more serious than others, and require more attention than we really like to pay to them.
I was a scout for years, both as a youth and as an adult. I loved being able to get out of doors and enjoy the wilderness. I loved being out in the sun, on a boat, hiking trails, riding my motorcycle. Now that I cannot do those things, I look back on all the time I spent indoors complaining about how cold or hot it was, or how I had other things to accomplish and didn't have the time to "smell the roses" and get outside.
I'm here to tell those who still have the ability to be outside - do so. Enjoy it! Because I thought I always would be able to enjoy it, and now I cannot. You see, I have Lupus, a degenerative auto-immune disease that basically amounts to a healthy immune system attacking healthy cells around the body. This disease is nine times more common in women than men, and it can put a quick end to your outdoor adventures.
It manifests itself in attacking healthy organs to include the heart, liver, kidneys, and skin. My particular version of the disease attacks me every time I get out in the sun. It causes redness and swelling in the face, eye problems, fatigue, itchy rashes, and a very general tired (more sick and tired of it) feeling. Stress is also a major contributor.
Now before you start clickety clacking on the keyboard, read the following:
1. I am not doing this for sympathy. I'm trying to get people to realize that if they have a chance to enjoy being outdoors DO IT before something keeps you from it.
2. Lupus manifests itself differently in just about every person it affects. It is somewhat common in women, and it is rare in men. Leave it to me to find such a way to be rare. Sharing others' experience with the disease is appreciated, but remember - this is one of the most elusive diseases known so far as tracking how to treat it. Each person has different symptoms and different triggers. What worked for your aunt might not (and probably won't) work for me.
3. There is no cure, and very few treatments work. It is a very elusive condition to treat. Believe me, if I could wish it away I would - in a flash. Then I'd be out deep sea fishing.
I spent less than an hour in my driveway two weeks ago washing the mildew off of it, and I am now paying for it in itchy, swollen, red eyes, a rash on my face, fatigue, and two visits to the doctor to get antibiotics and steroid cream to treat the symptoms. I have Lupus, and it's not going away. My Lupus keeps me indoors, and that alone makes me miserable because there are so many things I would LOVE to do outdoors that I simply cannot do. Even sunscreen and a hat can only buy minutes in the sun. It sucks.
Don't be miserable later. Get out NOW.
There have been times in my life where I lost focus, and just like most of us, I wandered in directions that ended up taking me nowhere. I haven't always taken advantage of the time I had the ability to do just about anything I wanted to do, no matter what that was. We feel invincible in our youth, and sometimes I'm still convinced we - in some moments of our youth - actually are.
Age has a funny way of reminding us of our terminal status in this world. First the eyesight, then the flexibility, then other things. Some of those things are more serious than others, and require more attention than we really like to pay to them.
I was a scout for years, both as a youth and as an adult. I loved being able to get out of doors and enjoy the wilderness. I loved being out in the sun, on a boat, hiking trails, riding my motorcycle. Now that I cannot do those things, I look back on all the time I spent indoors complaining about how cold or hot it was, or how I had other things to accomplish and didn't have the time to "smell the roses" and get outside.
I'm here to tell those who still have the ability to be outside - do so. Enjoy it! Because I thought I always would be able to enjoy it, and now I cannot. You see, I have Lupus, a degenerative auto-immune disease that basically amounts to a healthy immune system attacking healthy cells around the body. This disease is nine times more common in women than men, and it can put a quick end to your outdoor adventures.
It manifests itself in attacking healthy organs to include the heart, liver, kidneys, and skin. My particular version of the disease attacks me every time I get out in the sun. It causes redness and swelling in the face, eye problems, fatigue, itchy rashes, and a very general tired (more sick and tired of it) feeling. Stress is also a major contributor.
Now before you start clickety clacking on the keyboard, read the following:
1. I am not doing this for sympathy. I'm trying to get people to realize that if they have a chance to enjoy being outdoors DO IT before something keeps you from it.
2. Lupus manifests itself differently in just about every person it affects. It is somewhat common in women, and it is rare in men. Leave it to me to find such a way to be rare. Sharing others' experience with the disease is appreciated, but remember - this is one of the most elusive diseases known so far as tracking how to treat it. Each person has different symptoms and different triggers. What worked for your aunt might not (and probably won't) work for me.
3. There is no cure, and very few treatments work. It is a very elusive condition to treat. Believe me, if I could wish it away I would - in a flash. Then I'd be out deep sea fishing.
I spent less than an hour in my driveway two weeks ago washing the mildew off of it, and I am now paying for it in itchy, swollen, red eyes, a rash on my face, fatigue, and two visits to the doctor to get antibiotics and steroid cream to treat the symptoms. I have Lupus, and it's not going away. My Lupus keeps me indoors, and that alone makes me miserable because there are so many things I would LOVE to do outdoors that I simply cannot do. Even sunscreen and a hat can only buy minutes in the sun. It sucks.
Don't be miserable later. Get out NOW.
if you ever head out to this way by all means stop by in San Fran.
Comment