Coping with Chronic Illness: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome » Stress and Coping

Susan and the Snakes

Susan S. — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:29:00 +0000

I haven’t posted in quite a while. Life is difficult, but good! I made this video for ya’ll. Happy holidays to all, with a new year chock full of joy!!! Susan S.

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God’s Fire

Susan S. — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:57:37 +0000

It was this time last year that I had a life transforming experience while riding my recumbent trike. It stimulated my writing the following letter to friends and relatives in honor of the new season of autumn. I have chosen to reproduce it here to share my continuing joy for this new season with hopes [...]

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When The Answer is Clear: Stage I

Susan S. — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:10:00 +0000

The quest for an accurate diagnosis when riddled with atypical symptoms is emotionally painful and can test the emotional fortitude of even the most devout optimist. So many of us with mysterious ailments have blogged about desperate needs for an ICD-9-CM code, and the validity that comes along with it. Instead of finding explanations for [...]

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Celebrate the Day

Susan S. — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:35:00 +0000

I recently attended a local, outdoor event which included terrific community performers. The day was beautiful and the mercury peaked at about 90 degrees. My body’s inflammation level was low, so I was able to cycle from my home to the event and enjoy the performers in the comfort of my recumbent trike’s seat. Ahhhhhh. [...]

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How do you cope?

Susan S. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:46:00 +0000

Many people ask me how I am able to cope with my illness. The answer is simple: THERE IS NO ONE MAGICAL ANSWER. In general, I use whatever works, whenever it works. And when all else fails, I simply cry. Then I pick myself up and carry on with the next challenge. *** This video blog shares [...]

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How I Cope When All Is Bleak

Susan S. — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:37:00 +0000

I don’t always have the perfect attitude, but I try to keep in mind that things tend to get better when everything is really bad. Statisticians refer to this as the floor effect. This video shows what I look and sound like now that everything seems really lousy. Please ignore the fact that I’m overdue [...]

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Cycling Seasons

Susan S. — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:39:00 +0000

It has been suggested by more than one physician that I might not be alive today if I hadn’t grasped the sport of cycling into my life. Certainly, the quality of my life is greatly enhanced by this luxury. I offer a prayer of thanks every time I begin a new ride. Although I cycle [...]

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Autumn’s Chainsaw

Susan S. — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:54:00 +0000

I’m not sure who painted this mornings picture, but who ever did it, she is a very gifted artist!. It appears that autumn is finally here as the strong light of the early morning sun pointed all attention to emerging colors of orange and red amongst the rolling hills of green trees. This is the [...]

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Stepfather Part II

Susan S. — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:48:00 +0000

Having the gift of a loving father is a wonderful thing and I am sorry to no longer have my father with me in this world. When a stepfather steps in and chooses to fill that role of the missing father to an adult child, it is an incredibly altruistic gift in that the caring [...]

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Stepfather Part I

Susan S. — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:43:00 +0000

I know that the term “stepfather” has a negative connotation to it and we’re supposed to use better sounding words such as “bonus father”, but my mother’s husband has truly stepped in as my father. I have no problem referring to him as my stepfather because that is exactly who he is to me. I [...]

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