A Life Changing Diagnosis

Two years ago, my life changed dramatically. Although I was diagnosed with a life-long neurological disorder for which there is no cure and no hope for a cure during my lifetime, my life is better than it was before the diagnosis. Of course, you are wondering HOW my life could be better. Let me explain… Before I was diagnosed, both myself and my husband were working long hours at very stressful jobs. We were making good money, but we weren’t happy. In my case, I was working at a job that I was good at but wasn’t happy. It wasn’t my dream job. It wasn’t a job that I really liked doing. My husband did like his job, but between the long commute, the long hours, and the stress – it was taking a toll on his health. When he was home, all he did was sleep. We were living together, but there was really nothing else. Our jobs were sucking the life out of us. Then I Got Sick. And we were forced to make some life-changing decisions. I couldn’t work anymore. I couldn’t drive. I was stuck at home each and every day, by myself. I had to rely on him to go anywhere. It was a juggling act between demands at home and work demands, adding to his stress. I’m not going to get better. This disorder will very slowly (over many years) decrease my mobility. Our Dream Come True We had always dreamed of full-time travel in our motor home, and seeing the country. We decided that it was now or never. We made plans. My husband gave in his resignation, with lots of notice (six months) because he decided to stay until the end of a project that he had started. The Date Was Set We had six months to sell off, give away, and donate most of our possessions. The “keepers” would go to family members to store until such time that we need them again. It wasn’t easy but we did it. Six months later, we left for our life adventure. Before we left, my husband was asked to stay on with the company, working from home. He agreed to continue to work with them on a part-time basis. It’s been a little over a year now, and we have visited friends and family; some that we hadn’t seen in many, many years. We’ve seen many places that we probably would never have seen. We are much more relaxed than we’ve ever been. And as a bonus, we found the area where we would like to retire to when we decide it is time to settle down again. We have made changes to our way of living as well as our way of eating – but that’s another story. Bottom line – we are living a much healthier life now than ever before. It has been quite an adjustment, but we have no regrets. As for me? I continue to have challenges however I decided right from the beginning of all this that I would not let these challenges ruin my life. I live one day at a time, making the most out of each day. And, I’ve discovered a few new passions on the way. Things that I truly enjoy doing. I’m actually living and enjoying my life for the first time. I have also realized that good mental health, regular exercise, and healthy eating makes a huge difference in the progression of illness and disability. The more positive you are and the more of an effort you put in to good health, the better you feel. My Wish? My wish is that everyone would be able to find the life that they really want to live, and to live that way before something bad happens that forces them into that decision. rnLife really is too short. Too many people think that they can put off enjoying a healthy and productive life until it’s too late. Life should be enjoyed, not endured. It’s time to make a life for yourself so that you don’t have any regrets.