When I made the choice to start writing a column about ITP for Rare Disease Advisor, I was SO excited! If you've been following my journey, you know I'm HUGE on raising and creating awareness about ITP (and a number of other things as well). BUT what better way to do that than through a company that solely focuses on rare diseases?! Perfect, right?!
What I didn't take into account when I made this choice, was all the emotions that would come with it. As I sat to write my latest column, it was a huge reminder. A reminder of how my entire world was flipped upside down when I was diagnosed. A reminder of how scary it was. A reminder of what my body went through. A reminder of what my mind went through. And a reminder of the countless hours of worry, confusion and stress. SO many hours. As I dredged up all these feelings, I was reminded how much feelings can SUCK! And how having ITP creates many feelings.
However, it also reminded me of something else... how far I’ve come. Getting ITP did change my life but it didn’t end my life. It reminded me that I CAN do hard things. It reminded me that I’m stronger than I give myself credit for. It reminded me that I AM an ITP warrior.
When you look up ‘warrior’ in the dictionary it states; “a brave or experienced soldier or fighter”. A word could not be more true. All of my ITP friends are warriors. Many of them fight this disease daily. They are brave and strong and so amazing to endure all of the things that come along with having such a rare blood disease.
I’m not big on the whole feelings thing but I do know that sometimes you need to feel it to heal it; so perhaps me writing these columns is all part of the healing journey I’m on. The Universe usually puts us exactly where we are suppose to be.
In my most recent column I compare my ITP diagnosis to the stages of grief. They are very similar. Both are hard. Both are heavy. Yet… here we are, still standing. Whether you’re living with ITP or you’ve experienced grief; you’re a warrior in my book.
You can read my latest column on Rare Disease Advisor here:
Comments