Coping with the Chronic

Today is another day in the life of “me.” And you’re probably wondering what that means. We all have a way of getting through our day from work, kids, family, food, and the usual obligations that keep us busy every day. But when you have a chronic illness, condition, or disease that you face daily, your life looks and feels a little different from the ‘normal’ person. Sometimes, that view of normalcy can go straight to our hearts and our heads. And if we allow it, it can be smothering, deafening, and defeating all at the same time. So today, I thought I’d take a minute and talk about coping with the chronic day-to-day tasks, treatments, pills, and regiments that can keep us from feeling normal.

There are days when I stare down into my pill cup and wonder if it’s what’s keeping me alive or if it’s just a cup of poison. It’s a constant battle when you face over 50 pills a day to keep going. But it’s not just the pills; it’s the treatments, tube feeds, IVs, appointments, tests, and the list keeps going. Being ‘chronic’ means you’ve faced not just one day of medical issues but a lifetime of medical complexities. So, how do you get through those tough days? Because I’ll be honest, some days it’s not easy. Some days, it’s everything I can do to muster enough strength to clean the house and let the dog out. On other days, I have enough energy and strength to keep going and going, just like the Energizer Bunny. Most days, I do what needs to be done and crash hard when it’s over. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Coping Ideas

To help me cope with my chronic disease, I do several things. The first thing I do is find what brings joy to my heart and ensure I participate in it. So if I want to visit a friend, I find the time and the way to see my friend. Often, that happens over Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, or some other mode of technology. But I still make those connections happen. If I want to be creative, I am sure to find creative time in my week. You should get the idea. The second thing I do is name all my “big” devices. For example, my GTube has a name, and so does my feeding pump; my medport has a name, and so does my IV pump when I need it. It helps me to identify with my body, my functionality, and the physical device, allowing me to thrive. And I occasionally even decorate my devices. The third thing that I do is relax during treatment time. About 90% of the time, I read a book. The number of adventures I’ve had, the things I’ve learned, and the history I’ve read about are monumental. It’s so much better than the TV. Reading allows my brain to go on wild adventures, relive extraordinary historical events, and learn. I love it, and I would never forsake that time. Coping on the chronic parts of your life can be easy when you incorporate them in little bits over a week or month.

From the Word of God

Lastly, however, I take my lesson from Paul, who writes in 2 Cor. 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” There are days when I just don’t have energy or strength. But my illness is invisible, and I have been blessed with the ability to give it all to Jesus, work through it, and hide it all from the world… then go home and ‘go splat,’ so to speak. God has gifted me in so many ways, and I wouldn’t be the person that I am without Cystic Fibrosis. When we, like Paul before us, learn to see our chronic illness, or like Paul, the “thorn in our side (2 Cor. 12:7)” as something we can use for the Kingdom, we can learn to better cope with the trials that come our way.