Monday, April 12, 2010

Reality Check....

Monday, April 12, 2010....

"Stuff" everyone has stuff in their life that is bothering them. Whether it is money issues, relationship issues, weight or just actual physical stuff they have to sort through, "Stuff" can spark a whole range of emotions.

For me, my "Stuff" is financial, employment, unfinished home projects, weight, physical stuff and relationships that I'm learning are just never going to be perfect. For the most part, I'm frustrated or angry on a given day when dealing with these things, but yesterday, was reminded how much my problems were just "stuff" when having an IM conversation with someone.

We were im'ing when she just blurted out on IM how she just returned from visiting a friend in the hospital who was going to have an operation to remove the lower portion of her body. Yes, you read right: remove her body from the hips down.

Due to complications of a lifestyle of being in a wheelchair, the operation is necessary to avoid infection and death.

This woman is not only dealing with losing 1/2 her body, but all her womanly parts and her parts where your bodily excrement comes out from.

I know this is a pretty somber post, but it has helped to shift some issues to being just a small annoyance and nothing more.

20 comments:

CiCi said...

I for one am glad you posted this today. I cannot imagine what that woman has had to deal with living in a wheel chair to the point that she has to have the lower half of her body removed. My heart goes out to her and I hope you let us know how the operation went if you hear about it later.

Shanel said...

OMG!!! Although the post is a sad one... it puts some things in perspective... our problems seem big until we hear of the problems that someone else is having... my heart truly and sincerely goes out to this women.

Adrienne said...

wow I can't imagine how horrible this is ...I am certain that now I am truly thankful I got up walked to make my coffee and rode my bike to work

Cole Walter Mellon said...

Good reminder that no matter how difficult what we're facing seems to be, there are always folks out their shouldering even more.

Melanie's Randomness said...

Oh geez, poor lady. I can't imagine what is going though her head. I am very thankful for what I have & this is a good reminder about issues. Well good that your friend went and visited her friend. She'll need all the support people can muster.

Muffy Willowbrook said...

You know....I should really stop bitching about not being able to lose these last 10 pounds.

Oy. Thanks for mentally slapping the sense into me. My problems are nothing compared to hers.

Brian Miller said...

well that definitely puts life into perspective...i can not imagine...

Spot said...

Thank you for shining the light of perspective into the darkness of my stuff. It's true that everyone has stuff and when it begins to weigh you down, you need to realize that it could always be so much worse. I used to think that my oldest son's autism was the worst thing ever. Granted, it's no picnic, but it is not the worst ever disorder, disease, ect. I would gladly pick it over childhood cancer, primordial dwarfism, or any other diseases that would shorten his lifespan or lessen the quality of his life.

Count your blessings peeps.
♥Spot

DSS said...

You are so right. Sometimes it takes hearing about someone else's trials to remind me how lucky I am. Thanks for sharing this. I will definitely be thinking of her...

J said...

My prayers go out to her.

That would have opened my eyes, too.

PattyAnn said...

thank you for this. i have been putting myself under tons of stress lately and this is a definitely a reality check. My heart goes out to her.

The Sorority said...

I really needed that today - thanks for posting!

Liz Mays said...

In light of what's happening, you couldn't have titled the post more appropriately.

J.J. in L.A. said...

Having been disabled all my life and a wheelchair user for almost 16 years, I can understand what that woman is dealing with. When you have physical problems, it consumes you. Every decision has to be based on your health. So when a woman (for example) complains that her shoes hurt, I think, "That's it?"

It's all about perspective.

Green-Eyed Momster said...

Thanks for the reality check. I needed that.
I'm wishing your friend's friend all the best. Oh gosh....

Hugs!!

Jaime said...

oh wow. there's "stuff" and there's important stuff... that really puts things into perspective!

Unknown said...

Oh wow... it never ceases to amaze me how people can survive so many difficulties in life. My thoughts are with this strong lady, I hope the operation goes well. Here is another reality check for you LMB... your friends (us included)think you are wonderful, so please don't waste time feeling frustrated with yourself. Keep writing!

Yankee Girl said...

Stories like this really help to put things into perspective. I will have to remember this every time the stuff seems to be taking over. Yes, I have financial burdens, but compared to this, my life is perfect.

Thanks for the post.

Sunshine Mama said...

That is a reality check. Thank you.

Luna said...

oh wow. thats terrible. that poor woman. its makes you think about your own problems and you realize that many of them are really no big deal. my issues right now are weight and money. i would rather deal with that any day.