{"id":1087,"date":"2014-03-18T03:50:06","date_gmt":"2014-03-18T03:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1087"},"modified":"2014-03-15T18:10:13","modified_gmt":"2014-03-15T18:10:13","slug":"bumps-in-the-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2014\/03\/bumps-in-the-road.html","title":{"rendered":"Bumps in the Road?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maureen<\/a>Go to the pharmacy for a 3-month supply of meds. Return home, look in bag, discover a 1-month supply. Phone Pharmacy. Go back to pharmacy for 2-month supply. Sigh!<\/p>\n

In a life with chronic illness and pain, there will inevitably be “bumps in the road.” These can be as “minor” as a forgotten doctor’s appointment or as “major” as a misdiagnosis. We’ve all (or we will all) experienced more than one of these glitches and setbacks. And, no doubt, there will be more as time and life move on. Much of this is because we’re human and we’re working with and dealing with other humans. Only God is unfailing and infallible!<\/p>\n

So, it’s not so much that “stuff” happens as it is how we handle it when it does. \u00a0For example, if we are driving and go over a gentle bump, our first reaction will be to slow down, then note where the bump is for future reference. If we are unfortunate enough to fall victim to a sinkhole, we have to take care of the business of repairing or replacing our vehicle and then absolutely avoiding the offending abyss completely in the future.<\/p>\n

Of course, in some ways, it’s easier to deal with the inconvenience of cars and bumps and holes and such than it is to deal with problems involving our lives and our health. We probably don’t take speed bumps personally, but we sure take our health personally, and for good reason.<\/p>\n

But much the same approach as with vehicles and other things in life can be helpful. For example, we learn over time to make lists, keep accurate calendars, and centralize our robust healthcare files. We try to educate ourselves as much as possible, and work with our doctors on ongoing care as well as during the diagnosis process. We make every attempt to communicate clearly and specifically. We understand our strengths and weaknesses – and communicate those, too. And we use our stress-relieving tools abundantly so that the bumps, large and small, don’t get us down.<\/p>\n

Easy to say, hard to do? Well, yes. But, as we know, with God and a sense of humor, all things are possible!<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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