DEAR THYROID^TM

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference”

Though I don’t have an addiction issue, this passage resonates with me and seems applicable to the trials and tribulations of living with disease, regardless of condition.

Serenity to accept the things I cannot change: autoimmune disease and cancer. There is no cure for either.

Courage to change the things I can: We can choose our doctors, hopefully. We can forge good relationships with them, if we work hard at it. We can educate ourselves about our diseases. We can listen to our friends and family when they lament about how our condition impacts their lives, because it does.

Wisdom to know the difference: I’m fascinated by this, really. Wisdom to know the difference… this encapsulates a range of things, in my opinion. Knowing the difference between quality care and quality doctors requires education and being able to research our results for answers. Wisdom to know the difference between when our family and friends are bitching about how annoying our disease is and when they are sharing the indelible imprint its had on their lives. Wisdom to be able to say, talk to me. I want to hear what you have to say, even if it kills me, because I love you that much. Wisdom to know the difference between a good doctor and a doctor that isn’t a fit for us. Wisdom to advocate for ourselves. Wisdom to know the difference between berating ourselves and taking responsibility.

I could go on for days, but I think you get the gist of what I’m saying, and I think we’re on the same page.

Our diseases are exhausting, life sucking and draining. They gift us with unexpected surprises and spin us until we feel like we couldn’t possibly move another inch. That said, we have to fight. If we don’t fight and leverage this community for strength, we won’t heal. We won’t find our way back into our lives. Every time, you feel like giving up, remember; you’re not just fighting for yourself, you’re fighting for all of us. We need you as much as you need us.

This week, I want us to write and submit Dear Thyroid letters about how painful the fight is, whatever you’re fighting. Write it and submit it. Get it out of your body and know that you are NOT ALONE. You have all of us to catch you when you’re falling. I ask everyone to be there. Send love and support in comments. Share your fight. Just BE THERE, in the moment with each author, community member and friend.

As you were…

Katie

Tags: autoimmune disease, choosing good doctors, courage to change the things I can, disease's impact on family and friends, Fight or Flight, healing from disease, learning to heal with our family and friends, living with disease, managing disease, serenity to accept the things I cannot change, thyroid cancer, wisdom to know the difference

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