Healing, It Hurts

When someone with a chronic illness glimpses remission, It's sort of like what most people would expect- a super joyous, exciting and wonderful feeling that, for an instant, washes away any terrifying thought of what it had been like to be sick and waiting for such a day. Some sickies wait years for this feeling, stuck beneath the rest of the world, and I myself am no stranger to it. But what's it like when you're actually in the thick of healing? When you hit the layer of dirt jusssst beneath where the sun shines on the surface? 

Some unlucky and very brave individuals know that there's a roller coaster jammed into that layer. And a tilt-a-whirl. And I can't tell you how many other suspiciously, unsafe-looking pieces of crap machinery there are, meant to confuse the fuck out of anyone on their way back up. 

Fortunately, there are ways to cope with this ridiculously bogus and unfair part of healing. But, it still hurts. You find yourself again when you're body is better, but what no one tells you, is that if you've been sick for an extended period of time, that person you've been waiting to meet again quite possibly may have never ditched his or her unsavory character flaws or deep-seeded issues. Fighting the good [sick] fight turns any wimp into a stallion, but if there were things in there like emotional or psychological issues that were never addressed, the person in the mirror looks less like your old self, and much more like a rhinoceros. I'm not sure why I used rhinoceros there, another part of healing is growing back into your brain's comfy cognition. Never mind the slough of issues that had developed while you were sick. So, what's the best way to heal with your bad self while navigating through your new and exciting life?

Let's start with a basic How-To:

[Unfortunately for you, I never tire of these]

Be Up Front

When you can't remember making plans with friends, or even to be in contact with them, or that you were supposed to keep someone's pregnancy a secret, or you forgot your Goddaughter's birthday, or you went ahead and cried into your pizza for no good reason in front of a bunch of townies at a favorite dive bar and totally freaked out your dude, or that you know you'll DEFINITELY not be participating in any of these online challenges, SAMANTHA, be honest with the people around you regarding why. Staying home and crying to your Puffins cereal is VERY okay. Just make sure you're getting the point across that you care. And you know, write things down once in a while. 

Know When to Call It

Think you might be too emotional about seeing people that you used to, or attending a party similar to those before you were sick, or that you're just not feeling a snug sesh with your ladyfriend or fella? Say so. If these people are worth their salt, they'll attempt to practice understanding, and you won't end up in a ball on the floor three hours later, regretting you left your house.

Apologize for Hiding

Remission means an ebb and flow to how comfortable you are around others. Some days, I just can't do much more than lay around and reflect on how different my life has become in the last year, since reaching remission. Yes, I'm sob/laughing and having full-blown conversations with my dog/ pain management specialist. For me, sometimes that's just necessary to getting through those moments. 

Apologize to [and forgive] Yourself

This is your own. 

But I choose Kung Fu and those orange gummies with the terrible sugary coating. 

When You Need Help, GET HELP 

Save us the time here and just do it, please. It'll be spotty, and you'll blow it off because remembering is painful. But the only way through it, is THROUGH it. Personally, I've been exploring what it's like to have never been diagnosed with a fierce case of ADD. Turns out all of those "attempts" at things make a whole lot more sense, and I'll be better for even trying to understand why. Countless apologies and my incessant thoughts of unwished happiness for wonderful occasions, unfinished collaborations, and never-done favors are something that I'd like to extend to so many people that I care about. 

I sometimes want to tell people who I know are sick, that the journey is so much more than reaching the point that I've gotten to. I understand that communicating something like this should, and does, come with such deep feeling for every individual's experience here. Crohn's Disease both ruined, and saved parts of me. I couldn't be the woman I am right now if I never got sick. I don't regret or hold bitterness for my body. Letting go of that has made this journey much lighter, but I am, and will be continuing uphill for probably longer than I'm anticipating or giving credit for. I can't give much more advice on how to move faster or lessen the load, as I'm still figuring it out. I just want anyone else in the same place on the trail to know that they're not alone. 

The View From Here

Last week, I got sick. Not the kind of chronically sick that I've written about in the past, but a small flu-like infection. This sort of thing isn't an afterthought for a healthy person. Which is how I initially approached the situation- as a healthy person. Because I am now, right? Wronnnng. I've been feeling so great for so long, that I had totally forgotten that the body of a person with an autoimmune disease can take much longer to heal than one without. This isn't to say that every little cold would turn into a three-month infection- I don't want to scare any sickies here- but prolonged fighting for those of us with chronic illnesses isn't uncommon at all. 

I took some doses of Sudafed and drank copious amounts of juice, but when things didn't get better in a hurry I, for the life of me, couldn't understand why.

I guess I've been busy since I went into Crohn's remission last July. I started school this year. I have multiple jobs now, and still do freelance design. I see friends often and hang out with my dog in the park. This is the year I turn 30, and I want to cram in so much of what I simply couldn't in the last few. It seems though, that I'm always running from one thing to the next. When you've got the kind of disease that comes and goes without warning, you take advantage of your healthier time as best you can. You just do. Unfortunately, attempting to make up for the moments you may have lost could turn into your becoming reckless about your body in it's current state and just bring your ass right back to the hospital that you spent countless hours planning your escape from.

I haven't written a Stale Cabbage post in four months. Recognizing a serious health issue is easy when it's your number one job, every single day, for years. When I was sick, I wanted to share my experiences with people who were lonely and scared, who wanted to know more about their sick partners or friends ailing bodies but were too afraid to do it in person. I wanted to create a network of support for sillies who just didn't want to believe that their lives were different. 

And then I got better.

I didn't want to pay any more attention to the thing that stole my life. But as I sit here again, laughing and crying, feeling the pull back to what my situation really is- uncertain, enraging, impossible to map out- I feel it's only necessary to keep myself from turning it away. There's a constant haunting in me to keep in mind that at any moment, I could lose everything all over again. Balancing that fear along with the idea that experience, responsibility for myself that not everyone can understand, and the happiness that brings will lead to healing, is exhausting, and excruciating. Because I'll never really know how long I have until it's time to put the armor back on. 

My reasons for going into detail about how difficult this part is are the same as they've been for every other post I've given. If you are trying to balance a normal life with the fear and actual loathing of a chronic illness, I applaud you. Your fearlessness in continuing to live with each heavy thought is brilliant. Remission is a wonderful, and absolutely beautiful thing. But it is also a heart-wrenching and brutal part of our diseases. Please remember to breathe. Remember to stop beating yourself up about what you can't do yet, and start raising your glass for the things you can [Even when that glass is fulla Pedialyte].Take your time, knowing with full faith that you'll not only be able to regain your self when the storm is over, but you'll become something truly unstoppable in being mindful of the beast you now know. Because your time isn't limited- it's just on a different kind of clock.

So sit the fuck down and relax. You've earned it.

When Recovery is a Bad Word

You know that last post I wrote about refraining from apologies? I suppose it's not so easy to skirt feelings of guilt for being sick for an extended period of time, after all. Keep finding reasons to praise yourself for your most healing moments though, even when you feel you're defending them.

There are always those around you who assume that because you announce your experiences with online friends, that the inside scoop is shared. That your "whole truth" is exposed.

It isn't. Sometimes, in extreme cases- if you're VERY good with a camera- you may even be able to pass these tougher times on as lovely, when they hurt more than the holes in your colon. 

I believe that during two periods in the cycle that is a flare of a chronic illness, you learn who the closest ones to you really are. This isn't to say that people who aren't wiping your ass don't care-- they just may not have the capacity to understand just how many times [or why] you can't stop shitting* your pants. Here are some pointers for those who are recovering from long-term illness and can't stop wondering when they'll feel normal again in all kinds relationships, and how to enjoy getting there.

*Shit being every tiny emotional, financial, spiritual, crisis, among too many others to list here.

Even SPECIALISTS struggle with this. Stumbling upon a strong community of sick or healing people is one of the most valuable things that can come about in the life of someone with a chronic illness.

Finding solid friends with fiercely relentless appetites for understanding can safe your life. Have you had eyes rolled at you, been hurt by it, and then realized that the eye-roller hadn't had more than a ten minute conversation with you in the last year? Me too. This is one of those pieces of advice that I'll highlight, italicize, AND place in bold: Don't apologize for doing things that make you happy after spending ANY amount of time thinking you were dying. 

DO be honest with the people you've let in about what's important to you, and try your best to vocalize the confusion you're feeling about countless lost opportunities, about spacing out on important things like meetings or social do's & don't's, or how to go about managing things that you haven't in a very long time... like money or time management. These are things that most people don't have to think about twice in their day-to-day routine. 
It's very okay that you do. 

Work.
Ugh, am I right? Some sickies with full-time jobs struggle with absences and tardiness pretty regularly. If you've gotten involved with the type of employer that doesn't listen to your needs, get your booty to your local SSA office as fast as you can, and make an appointment with a representative to talk about your rights as a sick person. 

Romantic Relationships.
I'm still working this one out. Let's dog ear this part, shall we? Just be as honest as possible, and go to therapy while you're sick so you don't fuck it up any worse than your sickness will. Your partner might not be able to handle things, and leave.

Friendships.
Ooh, you could make a bestie with a family member who's got the same illness you do, that's worked out pretty wonderfully for me. And where would you be able to find someone like that?? In your disease support community!! <3 This next part is going to sting, and I've gone here before if you've ever read any previous posts, but: It is probable that you will lose a large number of people close to you when you get sick. Think of it this way- if a pal became VERY involved with training for say... a marathon, and you just couldn't grasp what was so special about missing out on parties, ditching regular nights out with the gang, or waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to train for something [they felt] they neeeeeeded to, would you be right there with them in the snow? No. So don't be hurt by your chums not jumping on board with your mandatory marathon. 

I'm tired. I think this post is done.
[Because I'm late now. I can't manage my time well. Read up on what else medical PTSD will keep you foggy about- and don't apologize for needing to]. #sorrynotsorry.

When To Stop Fighting

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who fell ill and ultimately lost everything. 

Over three years, the girl slowly regained the strength and mental clarity it took to give her life another healthy chance. What she didn't expect was an uphill, and often times negative battle more terrifying than knowing and learning to respect illness. And she became addicted to that battle. 

Unfortunately, fighting for a career and well being and the perfect romantic relationship is different from reasons behind fighting just to fight. It can be hard for the ones healing to keep this in mind.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO TRUCK THROUGH?! WHAT DOES REMISSION EVEN MEAN?? MAYBE I SHOULD START KICKING PUPPIES AND BABIES AND EVERYONE I LOVE  

because I don't remember how else to be and I CAN'T STOP TELLING MYSELF THAT EVERYTHING STILL HURTS."

This is one typical string of thoughts that people who used to be sick and aren't anymore have, even when they're feeling better physically. My body feels great, but the lists and lists of stressful things that normal, healthy people figure out how to balance out as they grow into fantastic, hysterical and wonderful adults feel more and more foreign to me with every cool story from healthy, well-adjusted friends. 

HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HELPING.

GOOD FRIENDS

[The kind that you don't mind letting sleep over after a night of too much wine.]


GOD DAMN THERAPY
Just go. Even if you've never been sick.

FUN.

I don't care if you get your jollies by flashing your neighbors... unless your my neighbor. In which case, bring it on. Just do things that are silly and amusing before letting yourself blow up or break down-- and don't worry about how you look whilst doing so. Here's the honest truth, baby: NO ONE wants to deal with roller coaster emotions, but if you MOVE YOUR ASS and don't look in the mirror before you do it, it may help. Really. If you feel like poop on a stick, you probably look like poop on a stick. Who wants to psych themselves up for awesomeness if they get all self-conscious and blah blah blah?? In fact, put your mirrors in storage. Life is about enjoying yourself- not what you look like when doing it. Something else? The happy people are the attractive ones.

GET YOUR ASS INSPIRED

[Gili, do you know about this bad bitch??]

EAT WELL

Please? 

DON'T JUST SIT THERE--

Go exercise. Jerk. Do you know how many people wish they could move their bodies, you sunnava bitch??!

DON'T WASTE TIME AROUND PEOPLE THAT DO ANYTHING BUT LIFT YOU UP.

I'm serious. Fuck that noise.

BE ONE WITH NATURE.

Run. Dance in the sun. Hike your face off. Screw staying inside. It will kill your spirit.

Being ready to make your life better takes commitment that you've probably never had to give before. You'll be your worst enemy. Not every day will be happy. People will piss you off, make you jealous, and test your newly found, happy and centered patience. You'll resent your friends, your family, your dog... and anyone who seems happier than you do. You'll learn more about yourself trying to change for the better than at any other point in your life. And you'll be one of those people who never shuts up about it.

I'm not quite there yet, but once I am...I hope I never do.

Long Time No Squeak

I've grown away from this blog. I'm not proud of it, but lately it just seems depressing to me to post anything that could be Crohn's-related. The truth is, I've been focusing so much attention on trying to work, that I've been straight up ignoring my body.

Stupid. I started writing Stale Cabbage to have something to look back on in times of weakness. To remind myself how hard I've worked to accomplish not only finding peace with my disease, but finding peace within myself. So here's the deal, Alicia. listen up.

Just because you have more energy than you did a month ago, doesn't mean that you're any closer to remission. You know damn well that when a flare comes, it starts to brew long before there are any tell tale signs. Are you seriously thinking that ignoring the teeny red flags of your irresponsible dietary actions will keep your sickness at bay? Come on. You also don't want to realize that taking it easy isn't just something that most people wish that they could do- it's imperative for you. Man up. Take responsibility for that little body, because you haven't gotten it back to one hundred percent yet. That doesn't mean that it's okay for you to sit on your ass, either. I want you churning out more drawings than you know what to do with, making connections left and right, and organizing what to sell, how to sell it, and closing every deal that you can.
Then, I want you to blog about it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When you're scared of something, you tend to want to ignore it. People put things off all the time because they're afraid the outcome will be different from what they expect. I guess showing courage in situations that you don't want to recognize is something that few people are actually able to do. I also suppose that when faced with that very dilemma, I've been a mouse. You know, you're either a man or a mouse, right? But let me tell you a little something about mice. They're smart. They may run into a wall the first couple of times they try to find their way out of some shit-- but when they know what they're doing, they show up again with a greater strength. And an army to back them up.

I think that I am ready to spend more time thinking about what I need to do to make things right with my bod. I've started to resent it for everything that I've been through, and recently- I've been feeling not so great. I've been taking that out on the people that are closest to me, and I feel retched. For that, I am so, SO deeply apologetic.

So pals, mind doing me a solid? Tell me when you think I'm being an idiot when it comes to food, rest, and alcohol. I may squeak like hell for a bit, but I promise I'll share the good cheese with you... you know, when I can truly stomach it again.

It's Okay Not To Be Okay

To Whom It May Concern:


It's come to my attention that I am unbearably, and undeniably, unhappy. There have been few things lately that make me feel as though I have something to be proud of myself for. After spending so much time wondering what things would be like if I'd ever come out of so many terrifying Crohn's flare moments, it's almost gotten old for me to try for it.  Pieces of me sort of don't even care anymore. Small things that made me so happy seem so difficult to do. Objects are heavy. My body doesn't work like it used to. People are at such faster paces than I am. I don't speak when I'd like to. I resent anyone and everyone for what their abilities are that mine don't- and won't- hold a candle to. I think that I've actually started to hate things. 


I'm writing about this because I should. Because when you're this down, but you still have hundreds of reasons to be happy, you should let your feelings out in words that will prove to benefit you when you decide to read them back to yourself. To say to that sad, weak you, 'So you started over and it was a hell of a lot harder than you thought it was going to be. What are you crying about? You're alive'. I've learned a great deal about myself by exercising this method of therapy. Though I still harbor ill feelings about a lot of people, things, and situations -most of which, do not deserve my shitty judgement. 

I know how hard building my life is going to be. I get small tastes of it everyday. There really is no greater struggle than a struggle within yourself. I'm incredibly angry about what's happened to me. I want to find someone to blame. I want to blame everyone. I'm finally ready for my body to start feeling better, but I forgot how much it used to do. I can't even ride a bike yet. It will take me, I don't know how long, to even get up a hill. I guess I know one thing- after all the peddling I'm about to do, the breeze at the top better feel fucking amazing.


Rant over.


Will someone come over with cookies now?