HOLIDAY SEASON AND CHRONIC ILLNESS

HOLIDAY SEASON AND CHRONIC ILLNESS

This time of year sees the malls and parking lots jammed full. Tempers flaring, anxiety growing, bank accounts emptying and stress higher than Santa's reindeer in full flight. 

For people with Chronic Illnesses, this time of year is a nightmare at best. The constant agony of trying to shop, carry bags (yeah right) and deal with the demands of family and friends is quite overwhelming.  In the seventeen days of December, I think I can count on one hand the non-flare up days. The closer it gets to Christmas, the worse it seems to be getting.

Yes, the added stress is certainly contributing and likely so is the wet damp weather (that is the West Coast). Of course, the bad news from the Specialist with regards to my Meniere's Disease and it's progression isn't really helping much either. 

The attempt has been made a couple of times to go out and do some shopping and other holiday related activities. Each time, the pain has been unbearable but I keep a 'brave' face on and keep going. 

Being someone who is a total 'foodie' and loves to cook and bake. This time of year is now extremely depressing. Gone are the days that I could bake and cook for hours on end and collapse around New Year's. Now, it's a struggle just to stand in one spot long enough to make a batch of cookies. I can no longer work dough with my hands because they cramp up too much. 

Wrapping presents is a challenge. I can remember sitting on the floor, surrounded by bows, wrapping paper and tags and spending the evening making sure every gift was wrapped in elegance. Now, I'm lucky if I can make sure the wrapping paper is cut straight.

Everything about the holiday season now is troublesome and problematic. There aren't enough medications on the planet to make me feel joyous this year. I'd be perfectly content to sleep my way into 2012. Alas, I don't sleep so even that idea blows. 

Any way you slice it, Chronic Illnesses impede your daily life. Even the holidays  can't fix that. 

Enjoy the holidays, the best you can in whatever means you can. Inner strength comes in waves but it is there. 

Maybe, we can luck out and Santa will bring us all cures!

Merry Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Channukah, Blessed Ramadan, Happy Unbirthday!