Photo credit: M@mad
One of my favorite bloggers, Vered with Mom Grind recently published Sleepless. Upon opening this post, you will see a beautiful photo of her daughter happily doing what kids do best. Vered then goes into her feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about the future. The post is real, heartfelt and familar in so many ways.
I had similar feelings about my own future just last night. When I turned 30 on December 1st, I was more hopeful than I ever have been in my life. I have a wonderful fiancé, stable job, growing business, and a lot to look forward to in general. This was after a life threatening marriage, divorce, financial difficulties, health problems, loss of a baby and so on over the past ten years. Things were now looking up.
My recent diagnosis changed those feelings a bit. Just a bit.
Though my life is not in danger literally and figurtively, I still wonder about the “what ifs” , “whats going to happen when…?” and “what will my life look like in 1…5…10+ years from now?”
Those fears were more alive last night as I was searching the bedroom for a quart size zip lock bag to pack away the sundries I want to carry on the plane with me later today. While patting my hand on a high shelf in one of my closets feeling for the plastic bags, I felt my legs “give out” again. (I still haven’t figured out what they call this phonomenom yet). I had enough time to carefully sit on the floor before my body totally gave out. This time the feeling extended to my arms. It only lasts for about ten seconds and I was able to slowly get up (with my new stylish cane) and keep packing.
While sitting on the chaise lounge in the living room later, I thought about if I would be able to have children. Technically, Multiple Sclerosis does not affect fertility or the ability to carry a healthy baby to term, but my concerns are more for the caring and raising of a child. Would I be able to come to the aid of a crying baby? Would I be able to run after a toddler? Play in the park? Would I have the energy to do any of these things let alone go through pregnancy in one piece? I thought about the later years in childhood: parent/teacher conferences, family vacations, birthday parties, first dates, any illness, crises, and major events that happens in the coure of a life. Would I still be walking? Will my kids have to care for me while they are still young? Steve is healthy and vibrant but still 21 years older. Will he have the energy later?
I stapped back into where I was right now: Tuesday night gazing out the window watching the half moon in the sky. I wondered how healthy is it to think about these things. Where should I draw the line? I know we have to plan for our future and give careful consideration to major decisions like having a child, but maybe its better for me to live right now. Silly as it may sound, I thought about the moon and how it doesnt have to worry about survival, it just does. I then got up and finished packing for the trip.
This was so beautiful!
I wish I could give you advice but obviously I can’t. You are young and intelligent and brave and resourceful. I know you’ll do what’s right for you and I totally agree that we feel best when we focus on the present rather than dwell on the past or worry about the future.
HUGS.
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Carla
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February 4th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Thanks Vered!
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what you mentioned at the end really resonated with me – sometimes you just have to survive – forget about how, you just have to do it. the only way to get through things is to just put one foot in front of the other and keep walking. i try to put this into practice when i start to “think” and worry too much about being able to have my own children (i’ve lost multiple pregnancies) and random other things that pop into my head. what else can you do?? it’s not easy though, and sometimes i feel like i can’t do it…but here i am!
thanks for sharing this part of your life with us
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Carla
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February 4th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
@Grechen – Thank you for sharing with me (us) as well. I’m so sorry to hear of your losses.
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The more I read here, the more I feel, that, while you’re speaking of you and where you’re at – it applies, so much, to all of us. And I find comfort from that. The future is unknown. For as much as we know today – our tomorrow’s are unknown. And, I love the way you’ve looked at the moon – as it just “doing”, or “being”. It just “is”. Not silly at all… Where am I at? How am I doing at just “being”? This one really rings home for me Carla…
Have a great trip – I hope it is a relaxing and enjoyable one for you…
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i think it’s normal to think about what the future will be when you have an illness. hopefully anxiety doesn’t consume you too much. my boss has MS and some days are more difficult than others, but she gets around.
have a safe trip.
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I think conquering our thoughts is the greatest challenge with MS. Our minds are capable of producing so much more fear than reality has even offered yet. We have to keep our minds focused on what is truly reality for us, in our individual cases, and then let the future come. If the worse happens, then we can deal with that then. My grandma used to always say “Honey, don’t live through your troubles twice.” That is great advice I think. I am a Christian, and for me, I know that the Bible says that nobody knows what tomorrow holds and so I just try to live today the most productive I can and the Lord will help me with my tomorrows when they come. By the way, the Lord already has helped me with fears that have already been realized and I am coping just fine. Hang in there girl. I will pray for you.
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