The Warrior Path
Photo by Saruwine, Flickr
I got an email today from an acquaintance who was just diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints and other organs in the body and is considered progressive and degenerative.
I’m really excited for her.
I know this sounds counter intuitive, even cruel, but let me explain. Pity and sympathy only make sense for those operating within the paradigm of western medicine. Because for those people (the majority of the U.S. population, especially doctors) so-called “degenerative” diseases only have one course, and that’s downhill. That’s why when I read articles about people with MS, I always see the writers use words like “stricken”. She was stricken with MS. In other words, the future is dim.
Ah, but outside the brainwashing of the western medicine paradigm, a diagnosis like my acquaintance just received – like I received when I was told I had MS – is the beginning of a beautiful journey into health (if you want it to be). It’s an opening, not a closing. A reason for hope, not despair.
The trenches
Now before you start firing off your emails telling me about how much it sucks to have MS and that I’m crazy, let me remind you that I know. I have been living with MS for thirteen years. I have been stuck in the muddy trenches many times, as recently as two months ago, and have not forgotten the stench down there.
A chronic illness is a challenging, intense, painful, frustrating, hair-pulling-make-it-stop journey. Those are the monsters on the path, and I won’t dare underestimate them or gloss over their powers. But you’ll also encounter magical helpers and guides on this path as well (what I very humbly strive to be to you with this blog). And they may save your life. You will learn things that will enrich your life in ways that would not have been possible without the gift of your illness. And, dare I say it, you may even get healthier than you were when this whole thing started.
So when I hear about someone’s diagnosis and they express to me a desire to be on this warrior’s path (that most don’t dare step upon), it excites me like nothing else. Because for the person who wants it, who is willing to implement real changes in their life and who has the discipline to stick with it, I can offer them a vision of hope, of better health than they have now, of something more, something unavailable to their doctors, who cannot see through the walls of their double-blind studies.
If you read this blog, chances are it’s because you’re on the journey too. And together, let’s remind ourselves today that we are not stricken with MS (or whatever chronic illness you are challenged with), we are given it, because it is a gift. But only for those with the warrior courage and the warrior heart open wide enough to receive it.
I want to thank all of you who have been reaching out to me via email. It is very deeply appreciated. If in the future you feel moved to connect with me, which I hope you do, please write a comment on the post that inspires your message instead, so that the community we’re building together here can share in and benefit from what you have to say. Thank you!
Want more inspiration? Read Limitless or go to the main page to Get Inspired.
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Interesting and great website.
Karen, as always, you’ve put into words so eloquently what I have learned since my MS diagnosis……I am still healing, but have learned so much about taking care of myself, emotionally as well physically.
Thank you for your newsletter….it always seems to come when I most need it.
thank you so much deb and rosanna!
love and light to both of you.
thanks very much for inspiring “warrior” post!!!Timing was perfect!
I have been fighting like a madman and in 4 short years have watched myself deteriorate like I could never imagine. Being an athlete my whole life fortunately I share the Warrior Spirit with you. From Exercise to Liberation I have done just about everything including the in between, the outrageous, the un heard of and the just plain weird. As the Kamikaze says “I would crawl up a fat man’s ass if it would help me,” Things that most “normal” people would never even think about.
Today as I was leaning on my walker in the garage trying to hoist myself into the truck, which takes about every fiber of my being, I soon realized how much it means to me to go to work. Unfortunately my truck’s battery was dead and a million thoughts ran through my head. How am I going to pull this one off. I reversed the entire process of getting in the truck and poured myself back out. For what would take most 5 minutes I fought the battle of battery jumping for the next hour with one of these Black n Decker jumper boxes using my walker as a prop and a seat. Batteries do not show any bias or prejudice as to whom they die on, illness or not. Long story short I never got the damn thing to turn over and with the support of my wife was able to get to work. I cried for about 10 minutes in the parking lot of work as I realized the battle that I went through, a mere simple task to most, but then I broke in laughter about how difficult and daunting the entire task was and just how much it hurt my body! I mean my low back was just screaming and the spasticity was at new levels!
Grieving or mourning the life I should be having is one thing, but believing it or letting it ruin the rest of the day is another. I have learned to accept a lot of things in the last 4 years, especially with regards to activities I have missed that my 4 kids have participated in, however I have learned that I am working on finishing first in the race against this beast and negativity and self loathing is going to land me in second or third. I am looking forward to what will happen in the long run and how I will walk again and be present at all the kids functions. Its like having a broken arm and giving it time to heal. Would you try to play tennis with the cast on that next day? Definitely not, got to give it time to heal.
When the negative thoughts come I let them in, grieve for a little, then I waive them goodbye as there is nothing good they can provide me. I have gone off all medicines, see an intuitive holistic chiro three days a week, eat like a champ, and want you to know that you can count on me to join you and anyone else who has enough balls to take the “Warrior Path.” Please include my photo on your “Warrior Board.” Let it be known I am not going down without on mean ass fight.
george – you’re an inspiration. thank you so much for sharing. i don’t have a warrior board but i may just have to get one now!
Wow, George! Thank you for your amazing spirit, your courage to propel forward even when the pain and frustration of what you’re moving through kicks you in the shins!
I am humbled and honored to have read a slice of your life.
Karen,
It’s been six months since my diagnosis of MS. At the beginning, I did feel “stricken” and hopeless, but your blog has changed my life. It’s exposed me to people and information that I searched for many weeks and couldn’t find anywhere. You provided me with exposure to resources I could not find anywhere else. I made the decision not to go on any meds for the time being and take the road less traveled. I’ve changed my diet, I lost a lot of weight, I exercise all the time, I meditate and I feel great. I’ve stumbled across wonderful teachers and mentors on my path to healing, I even started my own site to share what I’ve learned along the way. I discovered a whole different world out there and life is just…different. The mind is such a powerful thing.
The biggest lesson I learned was to stay away from negative people. Pessimism and negativity is poison and must be avoided. You can choose to be happy, no matter what. Thank you Karen.
christina – nothing makes me happier than reading what you’ve just written. i am so thrilled that the resources you found through my blog have helped you!!! thank you so much for writing and sharing your story. please stay in touch!
warmly,
karen
Dear Karen,
Thank you so much for this inspiring post. I’ve been a massage therapist for 18 years and I wound up in the hospital in September with intense pain and major difficulty breathing. After two days in the hospital, the doctor’s told me that I had a degenerative problem – spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis in my cervical and thoracic spine. A degenerative disc disease problem and their best advice to me was to stop working, take steroids and painkillers. After a week of doing that, I was pretty much going insane. I looked into the mirror and found my warrior spirit and said F@&# THIS!!!! I will find my way and I will be able to continue my path. Once I made this decision, doors opened and through Divine Grace, people came into my life that were qualified to guide me through my pain and help change my life. This was a truly miraculous thing that happened. I am now back at the top of my game. I’ve been vigilant about my treatments and they are working. As I make more changes, more opportunities and people come into my life. I have found a way to be nicer to myself. I have found a way to move my spine. I have found a way to eat better, sleep better, exercise better, Love better. Miracles continue and I’m happy to tell you that everything you wrote is true. I now can tell my patients that pain is a gift and that it helps you bring your attention back to yourself. The healing journey allows you to know yourself better in ways you could never know without it. Today I am a grateful warrior. Love and Gratitude, Lizabeth
lizabeth – thank you *so much* for sharing your beautiful and inspiring story. you are indeed a warrior. every story like this that i hear affirms my own resolve, and i know it does the same for others, so you’ve done a great thing by sharing your journey here. thank you thank you thank you!