Chronic illness....how do you deal with it now?

For many JW's I know personally, who suffer from chronic illness, the hope of 'the new system' is what they look forward to. You know, being able to throw the cane away, lose the wheelchair, see again etc.

Now that you're out of the organisation, how do you deal with chronic illness? If you suffer with an affliction, disease, impairment, how has your hope changed? Do you now believe in dying and going to heaven? Or do you accept that everyone dies at some point? What comfort do you hold dear?

Anyone?

I have Rheamatoid Arth. Diabetus ,a resticted esophagus( spelt wrong)
I am in pain constantly....But I have improved SO much since the WT kicked me out.
I used to have casts on both wrists, legs wrapped to enable me to walk, ALL discarded
I sometimes use a cane ( rarely now) But I dont care what God does with me when I
kick the bucket,I know HE is with me NOW!!! I lay all at the foot of the cross.
& believe me ( even though I sometimes pick them up again)he does handle them in the end,

I do have to have patience though,something I am very lacking in. I do believe we ALL
have to die.. my hope is a heavenly one.

Thanks for sharing Mouthy :) So sorry you are in alot of pain :( But I am glad you are happy within yourself, have that contentment and hope for the life after so to speak :)

I accept the limits imposed on me by my illness, carefully choose to spend my time, energy on what is most important to me.

I tried to do this as a witness, it was a constant struggle between what others thought  I should be doing & I did.

Except for my closest friends & family , people don't know I have a chronic illness. There is not a judgement on me just because I don't do something. I am excepted for who I am, I don't need to make excuses.

I have a postive outlook about my illness now.

I realize there are many people who live their lives & never stop to choose what they want & just go with the flow.

My illness caused me to make choices earlier in life than I think I would have had I been full of good health.

I am healthier now because I take better care of myself. My mental health improved when I left the org. too.

BF

Some of the "chronic illnesses" which plague JW's are psychosomatic manifestations of depression - which they won't acknowledge or seek treatment for.

There is a huge pay-off for this...those who are ill get off the hook for having to waste their time.

The new system is a solution to a problem of its own making.  The world is NOT a terrible, wicked cold and empty place.  By enjoying life, many people build the character and attitude to deal with real solutions to real problems.  For some, making diet and exercise a priority - or at least dedicating large amounts of their time to adequate therapy and treatment - is all that is required.

I've experienced constant pain from herniated discs in the lower back and resulting nerve damage in the left leg since my mid 20's.  When outdoors I usually have to walk with a cane and scoot around on an office chair when spending a lot of time in the kitchen.  I refused to have the surgery, because I only had a 33% chance of coming out of it able to walk.  I can't use pain medications, because they make me mean.   Physical therapy doesn't work.

When faced with such a situation, you have to choose what's important in life and focus your energy there.  Then you have to decide not to put a gun in your mouth and be determined to tough it out.  You have to decide to live the best way possible.   Whether it's spite or pure willpower, I'm determined to live as long as I can and be happy doing it.  I don't know, and frankly don't care if there is a heaven or hell.  If I'm dead when I die, then so be it!  If I get to float around in heaven or reincarnate into another body, that's okay too.  It's all good!

Grace

...my hope is a heavenly one.

You have no idea how blessed I am to hear you say that.

What else can I say after you sat for ages teaching me LOL

((((((((((((((GRACE)))))))))))))))

Jamiebowers- I can't use pain medications, because they make me mean. 

Why were you so mean before you took the pain medication? Sometimes you were pure evil in your younger days. (You know I'm just kidding) I'm usually mean whether I take pain killers or not. One of the best aspects of my personality.

Jamiebowers- I can't use pain medications, because they make me mean.

Why were you so mean before you took the pain medication? Sometimes you were pure evil in your younger days. (You know I'm just kidding) I'm usually mean whether I take pain killers or not. One of the best aspects of my personality.

I guess it runs in the family!

Now that you're out of the organisation, how do you deal with chronic illness?

Pretty much the same way as I did when I was in the organization. I take care of myself the best that I can on a day to day basis. I have to; no one else will. If I'm in too much pain to clean the house then the house stays as it is. Who cares? At least I don't have anyone nagging me to "DO MORE!" now. No one to add guilt to my pain.

Regarding a "hope for the future", I try to be realistic. In 6,000 years of recorded history no one has been able to come up with any definitive, incontestable theology. I won't assume I can figure it out in the time I have left, and I won't bother trying. I'll take what comes.

W

Jamie, so sorry to hear about your situation.  I have some degenerative issues with my back as well which will get and has gotten worse over time. My doc told me to never let a doctor operate on your back, you have no guarantee that it will work and most of the time it only makes the situation worse. He said to only use it as a last resort when it cannot be controlled at all any more. Most people would say he's a quack but I have been going to him for over 20 years and people fight to get a spot to see him. He's a true gem and I would trust him with my life. Not really good news but I understand where you're coming from!

MM

Hi WTL,

Mark 16

¹⁷And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

 ¹⁹After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. ²⁰Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Here's more

Sadly, JWs a taught not to believe any of that and they suffer as silent lambs to the glory of the WT.

Find yourself a church that believes these things then ask them to pray for healing. As God made the universe then healing anyone or anything is a cinch.

All the best,

Stephen

Here is a song that guarantees a fix to any ailment or disease. Those from the UK take special note:

http://www.musicbabylon.com/artist/The_Kinks/Muswell_Hillbillies/152178-have_a_cuppa_tea-lyrics.htm

Jamie bowers- SSSHHHHH, I thought that family thing was supposed to be a SECRET? Don't you remember that inquiring, trolling, lurking minds want to know?

7 years ago my Father died of cancer. Less than two months ago I buried my Mother. My parents dealt with death in that they had progeny to represent them indefinately.

I dealt with it different in that I would see them again.

When I am dead it won't hurt any more. 

B S, that is a most definate reality that I look forward to for myself, Here's to pain relief