{"id":1621,"date":"2015-04-13T01:06:39","date_gmt":"2015-04-13T01:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1621"},"modified":"2015-04-11T18:18:34","modified_gmt":"2015-04-11T18:18:34","slug":"climbing-back-slowly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2015\/04\/climbing-back-slowly.html","title":{"rendered":"Climbing Back, Slowly"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maureen<\/a>A few days before Easter, I caught a really bad bug. I’ll spare the details, but suffice to say, it was one of those things that we with chronic illness (especially if we’re taking immunosuppressive drugs) dread. Not only does it make us feel absolutely miserable, but it throws everything else in our carefully-orchestrated lives off. I had to stop the immunosuppressive drugs while ill, and most everything else had to be put on hold, too.<\/p>\n

Now, I’m feeling better, slowly. And resolved to climb back into “regular” life slowly, too – and much more cautiously. This, I think, is one of the most difficult aspects of recovering from an illness, especially if you have other chronic conditions that affect daily life, too. We’re happy we’re feeling better, and others are happy, too. We can’t wait to get back to the activities and people that make us smile, that give us enjoyment. At this time of year, well, we simply cannot wait to get out and about!<\/p>\n

But I know too well that the days right after a bug has been squashed are days to be held a little more closely than our happy hearts would like us to. \u00a0Energy will be lower, perhaps resistance to other bugs will be lower, too. Climbing back slowly will help build strength for healthier days to come.<\/p>\n

So, I’ll resist the urge to speed up too soon. And along the way at this slower pace, I’ll be able to appreciate the life and world that God has given – beautiful, bright, and comforting!<\/p>\n

Blessings and joy,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n

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

A few days before Easter, I caught a really bad bug. I’ll spare the details, but suffice to say, it was one of those things that we with chronic illness (especially if we’re taking immunosuppressive drugs) dread. 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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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