I took my husband to my long awaited specialist appointment as I was told this Doctor was the one to be able to tell me whether there would be any alternative treatments for me or would he be the one to point me down the route to disability. After speaking to me at length and doing some testing this is what he said. “You have been waiting to see me for 6 months and in 6 months you have had no improvement in your symptoms. In that case what makes you think you will ever be able to work again? You may be able to do things but it will take you a long time to be able to do them.” Just like that in 2 sentences my work life was gone ! POOF!
It took me a very long time to adjust to that information… Unable to go to work I felt very alone. There was a lot of self talk, anxiety, depression, stress, CBT therapy and mindfulness exercises. On suggestion from physio I started going to a psychotherapist and did some CBT therapy which did help. We found that after all this time I had to work on “Acceptance!” Accept the fact that I would not be working, Accept the fact that things were never going to be the same, Accept assistance and ask for it. Accept the love from the people that care for you as they are going to be going on this ride with you whether you want them to or not. Also, to ask for help. All of this was quite difficult for me as I was a very independent person. The sooner I did that the sooner things would get better. I hate to say it but it was true once I did all those things the stress levels went down a bit and so did the pain. Mindfulness turned out to be a thing I did daily and I didn’t care who was around when it was time to do it. I excused myself, took the time for mindfulness and turned on the app and off I went ! I learned how much of a big role mental health plays with your health!
It was during this time that my search for anything to calm my body and mind down began; I found that being around dogs was extremely helpful. Anyone who knows me knows that since I was a child I have had many bad experiences with dogs and was very much afraid of them. I didn’t want them anywhere near me; it didn’t matter the size. So when my son approached both my husband and I saying he was getting a dog, it was not met with any resistance. I honestly thought he was half joking but then he showed us pictures of him. It was ok, but knowing everything that I am going through with flare ups etc. I told my son that this dog needs to be well trained and I mean trained as he will be spending a lot of time with me at home. So began my journey with “Mr. D”. He did calm me down, he is well trained, and he still gets into trouble. Then my Daughter saw that I was ok with dogs and coping well so she got one too and “O” entered into my life. All of them a little bit different and yet the same highly active and wanting walks and belly rubs. But alas we needed one more to get the 3 musketeers! My son’s fiancé got “Lazy”, the most chill dog in the world. Playdates are crazy and I wouldn’t dream of ever trying to handle them all alone but they are like little kids when they disagree and provide lots of good entertainment and stress relief for all!
Photo Credits (Featured Photo): Live Conscious
My Everest... 
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