How the diagnosis rheumatism, that feels like a “slap in the face”, can be the the beginning of a new – and quite positive – life.

I really do not wish for anyone to receive the diagnosis rheumatism as I did.

It was after an odyssey from doctor to doctor, after months or even years of being transferred from A to B and all the way through to Z and in which I had to turn away almost violently more unnecessary X-ray examinations and always just met shaking heads.

So one day I sat in the doctors office, barely in my twenties and full of expectation and hope for a solution for my years of pain.

The doctor had all the results on his desk in front of him and spoke of evaluations, I could not understand without having a medical background. When I asked him to please tell me what was wrong with me he looked at me indignantly and plainly said:
“Well rheumatism, what else?!“

You can imagine how stunned I was. It felt like a slap in the face.
I gulped and sat up straight. A single question was forming in my head and I voiced it:
“And what can I do now? I mean, what can I do myself to improve my situation? ”

Whether you believe it or not, the doctor looked at me even more indignantly. Obviously annoyed by my incomprehension. And this is what he said:
„There is nothing you can do! It will only get worse and eventually you can not move anymore. You better get used to this!”

In this moment I felt as if the floor was being pulled away from under my feet.

I could retain my dignity just long enough to be able to get out of this office and shut the car door behind me. I really thought my life was over.

And in some ways that is true.

I think you know what I am saying. The life that you knew so far, is no longer there. It just disappeared. You and your former lighthearted self have vanished, never to return.

But here it comes: Once the first shock is over and you get yourself accustomed to the diagnosis rheumatism, you will find yourself a much stronger person. One, that no longer takes life for granted. One that suddenly realizes how precious life is.

Perhaps you are not yet aware of this change, but it is definitely happening.

This is part of why you are reading this post. – Because you know that you can do and achieve a lot, if you just want to.

Today I can almost laugh at what my doctor said back then. Had I known then what I knew now, I would have replied: „Such a nonsense!!!”

Because what the doctor did say is simply not true. Not if we do not allow it. Not if we simply do not allow that a chronic disease determines our lives negatively. Not if we decide to live a full and happy life despite being restricted in a way. Do not believe someone who tells you that you will suffer and there is nothing you can do! Never. Because you can!

If I really would have believed in what this doctor did tell me, my life would now – almost 15 years after the diagnosis – probably be very bleak.

Believe me, I’m sooo glad that I did not accept uncritically what he said. And I want that you too do realize that you can do much for your health yourself.

Much of this takes time. Perseverance is the key here. But it is so worth it.

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