Hi! I’m Catherine. So nice to meet you! Let’s get to know each other, shall we? I’ll start…
When chronic illness came into my life I wasn’t sure how my life was supposed to carry on, and for a while it really didn’t. I was stuck. I felt like I had lost everything that made me who I was. I didn’t even feel like a whole person anymore, until one day I picked up a journal and started writing and couldn’t stop. Bit by bit I started to feel like a person again, a little less scared and a little more steady. That’s when I started this blog, and the rest of that story you will find here.
That’s pretty much the gist of it, but for those of you who are like me and like details, here are some more specifics.
I’m in my mid 20’s and I live on the west coast of Canada, just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia. I am completely hooked on crochet and I watch Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy and Friends too much. I like bears, hummingbirds, tulips, polka-dots, snail mail, lifesavers and of course yarn.
The whole reason I started writing and blogging in the first place is because I really struggle with my health. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a few of its friends so I live in a broken body. My biggest challenge is the gastroparesis and GI dysmotility and after trying to get by with a feeding tube for a while I now depend on TPN (IV nutrition) to keep me going. My collection of medical supplies is pretty impressive, if I do say so myself.
I am both realistic and optimistic.I believe in the healing power of humour. I believe in giving other people the benefit of the doubt because everyone is going through something. And I believe in gratitude. I’m grateful for the medicine that keeps me alive. I’m grateful for my family and friends and their incredible support. I’m grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve met through this medical mess.
Life isn’t perfect, but it’s not supposed to be and an imperfect life can still be a good life. So I’m just here living my imperfect life, laughing whenever I can, learning from it all and of course blogging along the way.
And I hope you’ll join me.
Not sure where to start? Want to get a better idea of what this is all about? Here are some of my favourite posts:
- Finding my miracle…and finding the name of this blog – the very first post
- The not worst year of my life
- You’re doing a good job – check out this one if you need a little encouragement
- Six years sick: I would rather have a dragon
- Dear new doctor – in response to a letter from a doctor to chronic illness patients
- Happy New Year tutu you
- Life, reality and fairy dust – my secret to staying positive
Catherine, first of all….your awesome! Thanks for saying out loud what I’m thinking in my head. I walk a very similar road as you and it sucks! But I don’t advertise it. I let people only see the good days, not the bad. So I don’t expect people to understand my predicament or even care. Until you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, you don’t understand. So mainly people dont. Today I finally met someone who does! Thank you Catherine for sharing, and stay strong girlfriend, remember to keep your faith. And because of you, I will keep mine! I’m gonna send you positive energy everyday from newark, delaware. Praying for you, diana
Thanks Diana! I’m always happy to hear that things I write resonate with other people. Even if you don’t ever let other people see the bad, know that you are never alone and there will always be people in the world who do understand. Sending some positive energy back at you 🙂
Hi It was tearful for me to read the news article as I have suffered for so long and everyone looks at me like I am ok when I am not. I do not use handicap as a guy yelled at me so I did not renew my pass. I have one new failing hip as the bones are not holding it up and needing now bilaterall hips. I struggle daily and fight this disease. I felt best in Vegas as to the weather it made a huge difference for me as I was feeling my best in a long time and was able to walk for miles and I cant do that at home. I own a Pet Store on Vancouver Island as I had to quit me regular job. Even Insurance has a problem understanding EDS so I said to hell with them and am running my store.
Added stress does not help! I dont know anyone else who suffers I would like to talk I feel alone with this. My mom passed and my best friend too and the word needs to reach people about this disease as it is so misunderstood.
Laurie Ann (Ann Gallant) Facebook
I’m so sorry it’s taken you so long to find someone else with EDS, but I hope with the links I sent you that I won’t be the last one you meet 🙂
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I’ll tell you something else you are: a good writer. By the way, 30 years ago I dated a woman with gastroparesis. She could eat small quantities of certain foods, but almost every time she ate she would then projectile-vomit small undigested bits. I tended to prefer restaurants where we sat side-by-side. Sitting across the table from her was like playing dodge-ball. — Mel
If I had been drinking milk, reading this comment would have made it come out of my nose. Lol thanks for a good laugh!
Interesting. Follow me on @samanthaash1993
Hi. Feel free to follow me too. Add me on faceBook. ☺️
http://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/11/24/103382-great-martyr-catherine-of-alexandria
Catherine, funny I stumbled upon this sight while searching for Saint Catherine whose service we celebrate this week in the Orthodox Church.. I copied a ink about the amazing life and influence she has had for centuries…, Remember with God “All things are possible” and look for a visit to an Orthodox Monastery… There are many miracles to be found if you search and ask.. I’ve seen many..stay in prayer and fasting.. Be a beacon of hope and wellness..
Oh so interesting – I know a lot more about Catherine of Sienna and even did a project on her in grade four! But I don’t know much about Catherine of Alexandria. Perhaps I shall have to do some reading!
Hiya!
I was reading a couple of your posts and I just had to send you a message. Like you, I suffer from a chronic illness and for me, I guess, life isn’t really going the way I’d expected it to…but in some ways it’s better. I’ve been ill for 4 and 1/2 years now. I had to leave my (well-paid) job and put my family in a situation where finances are very tight. But I’m studying towards a degree with the Open University, I use my little energy to work a bit in a flexible job that I hope will contribute towards my recovery (or at least my sanity!) and in spite of my illness, I’m much happier in general than I was when I worked full time.
Made me laugh though…I’m a huge Gilmore Girls fan and you’re possibly the only person who will appreciate my overwhelming excitement at having met Sean Gunn last month at London Film Comic Con! I got hugged by Kirk!!!! Haha!
Anyway, keep up the good work. You’re doing a great job. :0)
Vikki
OH MAN! How exciting is that!?! Thank you for sharing! And you keep it up as well – sounds like you’re doing everything you can to make this life work for you 🙂
I just read your blog about “You’re Doing a Good Job,” and I posted a comment. Looking back on Facebook, I don’t see it. I want to make sure you got it. I am so impressed by your amazing attitude. If you didn’t get my comment, please let me know, as I’d like to tell you why I’m writing you. Robin Messing
Hi Robin – yes I just checked and it’s there! I’m going to head on over to FB and reply to you there.
Hi Catherine, my name is Cass. I’m 23 next month and am suffering from an invisible chronic illness myself. It’s been eight months now and I’m jobless… I also had to quit studying and don’t get out much. I’m blogging for the same reasons – I started a blog for sufferers and I guess to express myself.
I have read a few of your posts and applaud you for being so positive during your fight. I wish I was half as positive as you are! I will continue to read your posts and follow you on your journey xx
Hi Cass – I was reading through some of your posts and I’m really sorry for everything you’re going through. I’ve been at this for more than 5 years now so I’ve had some more time to adjust and get to a place where I can a little more of the positive. But even still, I have days and weeks where I lose sight of that, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Obviously I wish you nothing but good health, but more realistically I wish that all of this will slowly become a little easier for you to manage. Oh, and being undiagnosed is terribly frustrating and scary!! Sending spoons.
Oh wow! Five years seems like forever. I will have to take a further read at your blog to hear more about your journey.
It is early days for me. I hope the management of it comes soon!
Thanks honey xxx enjoy your day
Hi Catherine, I am your Mom’s cousin. Another cousin, Susan told me about your blog. Sharing your words about life with a chronic illness, is very compelling. You do have an amazing family along with the Haughian humour and strength. Carry on !
Hi Judy! I’m so glad you commented here 🙂 I definitely know Sue, and yes I definitely do have an amazing family – which it seems you are part of! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Careful Catherine! My name is Carl and I work with your sister Natasha. I saw her a while ago in the hall and new something was up so I asked how things were going. She told me about your situation and sent me this link to your blog so I thought I’d check it out.
I should let you know the reason Natasha told me about you, is that I know how a chronic illness like yours affects your life. Recently I lost both my wife and my mother, and I know that when you speak about being positive, and having amazing support, that these are the little miracles in your life. I was also very fortunate to have wonderful support from friends, family, and complete strangers! Makes you realize as you said in your blog that sometimes these little miracles are right in front of us.
Chin up Careful Catherine! I know you will, and I’ll say a few prayers for you as well. Your writing is fabulous by the way, keep it up!
Hi Carl! I love that you commented here – thanks for introducing yourself. I’m really sorry to hear about your mother and your wife and I’ll send some prayers back your way! I hope that you keep finding your own little miracles to get through this difficult time. Thanks for stopping by 🙂