In a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FMS) Support Group that I ran for five years, we used to joke about a tongue-in-cheek doctor visit scenario:
The patient speaks up, "Doctor, I need your help. I need answers now. What is wrong with me?"
"Ma'am, it's a good news/ bad news situation. First the good news. You have (blank- fill in the name of either illness- either FMS or CFS). You're not going to die."
The woman smiles, but then worry lines appear on her face. "Okay, but what's the bad news?"
The doctor replies blandly, "You have (blank) and you're not going to die."
(The woman stares into space....)
No matter what, living with a chronic illness can be a tough row to hoe. Sometimes you may not die from an illness, but living with it is pure torture.
Humor helps to deflect the barbs of those rough times until the better ones come along. To those of us who have the lived the nightmare of these illnesses, neither Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a joke.
Yet... it's important to laugh at ourselves. Be sure to find some pleasure in your day and remember to keep a smile on your face.
:-) :-) :-)
Thanks, Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show
