That's Normal

I have been sick this last week with sinus, cold, flu-like symptoms.  I don't know what it is officially, but I do know that there is a difference from the normal Fibromyalgia symptoms and having some type of virus.  Of course when you have Fibromyalgia, a simple virus is a catastrophy because it is like a second army attacking while you are still fighting the first one. 

What bothered me the other day was something that my poor husband said without thinking.  He called from work and asked how I was doing.  I told him I was sick, and he responded by saying, "That's normal".  I didn't have the strength to argue, and inside I knew how he felt.  It seems like it is always something, so when I say I'm sick it doesn't cause any alarms to go off. 

When a healthy person gets sick, they might go to bed for the day, they might get treated special with chicken soup in bed, etc.  But when you are already having constant problems, being sick is no different than any other day for those who live with you.  In fact, many times you feel like you have the flu, and you look it too.  So in a way, I'm expected to continue to do everything I can like I always do.  And when I don't, I get funny looks, like where's supper?  Or did you do ANYTHING today? 

My family is tired of me being sick.  My friends don't want to hear me complain.  My doctors just fill up the pill bottles and shut me out.  I suppose I could and should suffer in silence.  But I'm a truthful  person, and I never hold things in.   If I did'nt explain how I feel, no one would know why I am withdrawn, silent, not moving, angry, irritable, not answering phones, etc.  Either way, it's not a good situation. 

I've read about saints who suffered and even continued to labor while suffering, and never complained.  But I'm not a saint.  I want help and support.  I realize that no one can do anything, but sometimes a kind word, a gentle touch, a smile of understanding is all I need.  People who live with you get tired of doing things like that because it never ends.  And I don't blame them.  I'm not sure I could live with myself if I wasn't confined in my own body. 

But I did a good thing today for me.  I called a friend who does understand because she has something very similar to me.  And we leaned on each other for a while.  She built me up, and I made her feel better.  We know that God has given us to each other as friends for this very reason.  In fact, I found a description that fits our friendship that goes something like this, "True friendship is one soul in two bodies."  That's how I feel about my friend. 

So when you wear your family out, don't forget about your friend who has the other half of your soul.