Life is too short: I am Finding out once again!

Updated = December 22, 2009

No, I am not dying, but going through rough times with additional health issues once again as many people do in this world. I am stepping outside my comfort zone and sharing some personal health issues with all. I have built my personal development website from past traumatic life events that I have survived and learned to THRIVE once again. This is still my mission to all!

Even though I have survived much worse, this health issue is bringing me down a bit with all the ‘down time’, but I am pulling through and making a healthy path for me. After this year’s back and hip issues in my life I finally received some answers this past week. I have been in ‘LimboLand” for many weeks now waiting for orthopedic appts and tests to find out why I have sooo much pain I have with my right hip and yes, my left one too. (Right is just much more worse)

I found out I have had arthritis in both hips for a while now, the left worse than the other. (Explains a lot - the gradual problems I have had) Which is why he was surprised that my right hip has a substantial hip labral tear that needs surgery repair. (This surgery time is months away –Yes, I have had more than one doctor/clinic opinion here and have a GREAT doctor) However, he had good news. I shouldn’t need hip replacement surgery for 10-15 years. Can you imagine my response?? “What?!??! I am only in my 40s.” I kept waiting for him to say he was just kidding. Yes, Yes, I know this isn’t what doctors would do, is to throw you curve balls and then take it back. However, it was just so unbelievable to me. I think I went numb that day. So many things ran through my mind….

I have had many substantial health issues in the past from surgeries I had that resulted in almost losing my life and many more health issues. But, I survived them – well I might add that I stumbled and fell, but I did my homework too! In addition, a couple years later I lost a significant other die from cancer. As anyone would experience, even if we did the best to heal these past issues, they get stirred up again and more happens. FYI: They have been stirred up again just a tad.

One of many silver linings is my company that I run from my home office, while finishing up my degree in Psychology. Each day is a day of exercising (I am a freak and have modified to adjust to this problem. (I must stay strong too) I hop a little around my home and office, while caring for me too. It seems so crazy now how my life has fallen into place and can continue my work, which is my true passion in life, through months of all this now.

My coaching skills and methods have worked with many clients over the years that I took on the enormous task to build a coach training program earlier this year and launched it later this year. It is starting off well and has attracted some very talented future coaches! I feel so lucky to have them enter my program and my company will stay at the forefront of growth during this process in my life. I am building an awesome Pocket of Pearls.com team! This is my promise to all of you! Go big or go home is what I always say. In addition, my services and The Coaches MasterMind Group will continue going strong! My health issues will not deter this mission to help people all over the world to thrive and heal. As fate would have it, I have been prepared well for me to take care of me, AND I have my laptop and love, love, love what I do. OK enough business talk…

I spend my days taking care of me, but it does get boring too. I have a limited time of walking and not hurting "too" badly. I have always had a high pain tolerance, but it gets old being ‘tested’ all the time. I have had Fibromyalgia for many years now (also, vestibular damage with some eye nerve damage) and living with pain is what I do. However, there is a limit! LOL :) I have great friends, male and female, who I have leaned on in the past couple weeks to vent a bit, and family too! I don’t know what I would do without them. They keep me feeling supported and I know I will be fine.

Yes, I know there are many people who have it worse, but remember this isn’t a statement to say to people. “I” am the one going through this right now and “I” have to live with it and deal with it and survive it well. We cannot brush off our lives as each event leaves their mark on our heart whether we choose to believe this or not. No, I am not saying the opposite either = a pity party either… Pleeeassee.. I am not that person. But, I am real and choose to show others ‘reality’ too. Even if it means self-disclosure to the thousands of people in my networks. (this is a little tough for me)

Why am I sharing this with you? Good question as I have always had a professional boundary and keeping personal issues simple. Yes, a private person when tough moments are happening. I had this knawing feeling to share as I could possibly touch one other person NOT to wither when times get tough. Where there is a will there is a way. I know now I have crossed back over from the dark side I walked on recently. I practice what I preach in caring for self from the inside out! However, remember this is important to walk there too to fully release what you are feeling, but keep moving so you come back to feeling good again.

Surgery may be months away and recovery time is 2-3 months. This is all I know for now… Moral here I have learned recently. Even in the middle of ‘Pain’ and resting, waiting, etc I am making the best out of it. It won’t stop me from movies and pizza either. I will just plan ahead!

Thanks for reading this far if you have. I will keep you posted!

Last statement - Bring it on! I will find my way through it and be just fine!

Hope & Peace,

Merna

Update = December 22, 2009

Hello all! Happiest Holidays'!

I wanted to update this blog entry with a short note about what I have recently learned about my health. I had another appointment with a sub-specialist in the Twin Cities, MN as he is the one to fix the tissue tear in my hip.

Yes, I have severe arthritis in both hips and the estimate of hip replacement was way off. It will be in the next few years, not 10-15. In addition, I have a tear that has started in my left hip now. The surgeries now are for pain relief to 'get me by' until hip replacement on both sides; first come first serve. However, I will live with the tough arthritis pain until replacement time....I will make it!

At this point, it is finally sinking in about the arthritis and it explains alot over the past few years. I am doing well! For those of you who know me I am no stranger to health issues. Not only will I survive this, but I will continue to THRIVE in my life. I won't let this get me down. I have my down days where the pain is pretty bad, but I know how to deal with it.

That is all for now! I just wanted to update everyone and wish you the Merriest of Seasons!

Merna