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Friday, March 12, 2010

In response. . .

I read this blog post from another CFer who is currently waiting for new lungs. She poses some very intriguing questions and thoughts. She has invited her readers to respond and so I am jumping on such a great opportunity to share my point of view on this subject along with contributing to the discussion. You can read her blog post if you click HERE.

. . . . "I guess this all got me thinking, because is one person's positive thinking another person's denial? Or is my realism your negativity?" . . .

So my thoughts,

I think I understand the post. . . I think. I feel like people are frankly a little of both at different times in life. It can be based on what is happening in our lives. I think generally I am positive. I keep a positive optimistic outlook. However, there are times when I feel the realism of my life. I agree that some people can seem like they have a false sense of positivity which could easily be some degree of denial. I would say I lived my life with a healthy level of denial.

I think this question is directly linked to the realization of the HONEST truth of what CF "IS" going to do to the body. There really was no way I was going to outrun the disease. . . but this is where the healthy denial HAS to come into play. I admit that before I got sick, I had a very positive and determined outlook about my health. I felt like I was invinsible and I could stop my disease from destroying my lungs. . . . when I got sick and there was nothing I could do to keep if from progessing, that was when I had to be honest with myself. Oxygen, pain, hospitalizations, and being told you are dying are all things that even a positive personality has to face the reality and truth of what is ahead of them.

Just as I was positive and determined before I got sick, had a transplant and recovered. . . I now am just as positive and slightly more 'realistic'.

We all develope ways to cope with life, CF or not, so is it fair to try to figure out if one is "truly positive"? Is anyone truly positive all the time? Maybe publicly, but I can guarantee that life can be overwhelming and some may only break down in private. That is thier coping mechanism

That is my jibber jabber on that topic. I do not claim to be "always" positive. . . but I am usually a true optimistic. Optimism can be confused with denial and stating the reality of a situation can seem negative. Niether one is necessarily right or wrong. I feel like we can experience all of those things throughout our lifetime.

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2 comments:

Marlenejo said...

In my opinion you just about summed it up, Yes. CFer waiting for lungs in SA.

Leah said...

love this post. i agree, our circumstances effect how positive we are sometimes...
different coping mechanisms for different people, very true!

Where to start to learn about my transplant!

Thank You for taking the time to read my blog. I am hoping that through this blog and my experiences that I can bring hope, faith and strength to all that may be living with Cystic Fibrosis, CF with Cepacia and Lung Transplant recipients. Information and blog entrees start Nov. 07. My Double Lung Transplant was on Dec. 10th 2007. Please feel free to read about my experience and ask me any questions! My email address is jamiebug77@gmail.com

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My Testimony

It's hard to put into words how I feel toward my Heavenly Father and the Savior. I have so many reasons to be thankful for what I have gone through & endured. Because of my trials in life I have gained a strong testimony of Faith. I have always had Faith in the Lord and in Prayer. As I faced the decision to get a double lung transplant I had to rely on faith to make the choice.....By listening to the spirit, I was guided to Pittsburgh where my life was saved. I believe prayers are answered. I have always tried to follow the philosophy of this: If I do what the Lord expects of me, he will give me what I want & need. That has always worked for me. I Believe in MIRACLES..........My life on this earth is a miracle- I prayed on my knees for years to be healed from my lung disease. I knew that through a priesthood blessing (if it was God's will) I could be healed. So many times I thought he would heal me instantly...my faith was tested as I continued to get sick and no cure was in my future. I turned to prayer....I talked to my Heavenly Father, I cried to him and he heard me and he healed me by guiding me to Pittsburgh and guiding the surgeons hands. I learned humility, and thankfulness. I realized that we need others to lean on and we are supposed to strengthen each others testimonies. I learned that the hardest things we'll do are usually the greatest blessings in our life. I was able to experience a lot of things during surgery and I know I had comforting angels in my ICU room. THe Lord knows each of us by name and he will never leave our side. We need to remember to stay close to him and have Faith that he is watching over us. I know this for a fact! I know that following the gospel will bring us true happiness- the world will tell us otherwise, but I know I am truely happy & living the gospel has brought me that. Amen