YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH:
Over 10 years ago, I would not have been able to make such a
bold statement. I lived a “normal” spontaneous and active lifestyle life, which
consisted of not giving too much deep thought into what it means to live with a
long term chronic health condition.
Overall, I maintained a good health, jogged, hiked and ate
the right foods. I was a vegetarian for 8 years due to being intolerant to a lot
of foods for a younger age. I was mainly
mindful of having a clean and healthier diet (as my body would automatically
reactively negatively).
The misconception is often that the only people who become ill,
or develop chronic illness were unhealthy to start off with. This is inaccurate.
My health changed when I became diagnosed with an Underactive Thyroid.
Although my Doctor informed me that I would not be able to lose weight or have
the same level of energy I previously had; I was still determined to fight and
push through. Prior to that I used to be a regular jogger.
When my Doctor advised,
me that I would not have certain abilities, I was determined to prove him wrong.
I jogged every single day nearly for a year. Even though I had succumbed to
taking medication for the rest of my life.
Then two years ago, my life
changed drastically again, when I was diagnosed with a Fibromyalgia.
Based on my weight and size, some people would assume that I
made poor decisions with my health management and wellbeing; which is quite the
contrary. In an ideal world, I be a size zero due to having a low appetite, food
intolerances and being cautious of food choices. Unfortunately, due to low
metabolism this is not the case. Since being diagnosed with an Underactive
Thyroid over 15 years ago, I have less energy and aged 20 years plus before my years.
Additionally, Fibromyalgia aged
me 40 years plus, before my years. Daily, I literally push my physical and metal
being into existence. I no longer possess spontaneous abilities of getting up
and interacting with daily activities without giving it a second thought.
Each move of my being is
calculated, like chase pieces. I must be calculative and mindful of my abilities,
to minimise the risk to crushing and being bedridden.
Moral of this Story:
I lived life knowing that I had certain habits to maintain such
as a healthier outlook and making the right food choices.
What I took for granted then was how fragile the body can be.
I didn’t really have to think about what it feels like to live without certain
abilities everyday such as the following:
- Low energy and not having the ability physically to walk up the stairs, to lift myself up some days from a low seating area
- Feeling musculoskeletal widespread pain throughout my body in the beginning this felt like hell (like someone purposefully was setting my body alight and intense pain would go on for hours)
- That I would lose my cognitive functional abilities and experience neurological problems. Memory issues, brain fog. Experience more than 10 episodes someday where my memory is completely erased. To the basic things of forgetting that something is in the oven, something is on the stove. To being remind either by noise that you were doing something previously.
- To losing the will to be proactive and spontaneous to interact in social engagements, as your body and mind tells you otherwise.
The lists of symptoms could go on …
All symptoms above I would have never deeply thought, as I
was caught up in living day to day. Either being fully engaged in 9-5pm work, house
work and social engagements. I never really had time to seat time to think
about what it would feel like to not lose with certain faculties, physical and
mental ability.
Why would I, have every thought about it?
You see the thing is that when we are fully well and in control
of our health, we never think about it. We never have to think about it
especially when you know you are going to recover from your ailment.
Your Health is Your Wealth
It helps to pay more attention, so that when you are healthy
you can do all you can to actualise your true potential. When you become limited
health wise, it becomes even harder to navigate through life.
If you are in the position where you are contemplating you
want to do something to change your current situation, which you are not happy
in. Always think about what small step can you take to make that change, because
you do have the power and control within you to make that change.
Always remember that tomorrow is not promised. You can go from feeling well one day, to waking
up one day to no longer feeling well again potentially for the rest of your
life.
Take advantage of your good health, in a good way. Start to
work slowly each day and in manageable ways to start achieving the goals you
want to in life. Now rather than later in life.
If someone had told me prior to being diagnosed with an
Underactive Thyroid and consequently with Fibromyalgia, that I needed to start
achieving more in life. I believe some part of me would have paid attention.
This does not mean that if you are not in good health, like
I am that you stop living. I recommend continuing living your life and achieving
the goals you dreamt about achieving. Some goals you may need to modify
according to your level of ability now.
For all of us regardless of whether
we are “healthy” or “not healthy,” our health should be our wealth. It pays to
continue being mindful and appreciating what we can do right now according to your
level of ability
Much Love Chiko
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