O is for Optimism

  O: Optimism 

I have found that when you are diagnosed with any illness it helps to be optimistic.  I clearly am not optimistic all the time.  It can be really tough and scary facing uncertainty.  If I were to allow myself to live my life in the fears, the “what ifs”, and the “are you freakin’ kidding me’s” I know that I would be miserable and completely undesirable to be around.  I have always been taught, from a very young age, that there is a reason to be optimistic.  That being said, it is not always easy to do so.  Especially when you have a disease that will never truly leave your body and you are living with a 2 year old that is trying to find his independence!  Some days I just want to sit in his time-out chair with him and just have a good ole “cry it out” session.  Luckily, most of the time he is pretty amazing and gives his mama a break.

I have often wondered…why me?  Why did I get so “lucky” to get this?  Then I sit back and realize that I am lucky to not have something worse, to still have this day to live, and have a possibility of remission.  I have recently realized that it is quite possible that I have this in order to help others along life’s journey.  Fellow autoimmune warriors and those with symptoms that seem similar. Maybe, just maybe, I can make a difference in someone’s life.

If you are reading this because you have DM/PM or because you are searching for possible answers know that you are not alone.  Try  to stay positive and you may even see your health improve a bit!