Life before and after chronic illness. Don't take for granted that you'll always be able to do the things you've always done. It can be taken away in a heartbeat.
That was the first thing that came to mind too--it took me in my 40's. I had always had it, but didn't feel it until then. It's crazy the difference from one year to the next.
Same here AJ. Before and after my ileostomy. But thy can also be framed as before I was deathly ill and no quality of Life, and after. Feel good! Crohns blows!
Hugs to your son Phgirl. Thanks Bored Soccer Mom. Knock on wood, no surgeries yet but I came very very close last year. Such as scary thing. Good luck to you. Feel good too !
Lots of life events. Lots of befores and afters. Some good. Some not so good. All leading me to where i am now which is quite content thanks. (philosophical)
Christ, rape and molestation sorry for both of you. Susan dont know where you moved from to Florida but it doesn't matter Florida is different by a lot.
Yep, before my father exposed my mothers molestation by her own father as a way to get back at everyone....it wasn't his story to tell but he did anyway and it changed how I viewed my own family forever....
But I forgave him....I want to be clear abot that because it opened up the most wonderful, open dialogue between myself and my mother and for thati am eternally grateful...
A couple of events, yes. Childhood in one state and childhood/adulthood in the current one. Before a certain ex and after. Before a diagnosis and after.
Our big turning point as a couple was the birth of our second child - born unexpectedly gravely ill, given <5% chance of living. He lived, survives, and thrives, and our marriage was ultimately stronger for the test. Like we were forged in fire. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy, having an ill child, and I can only begin to imagine what it feels like to lose a child. But we were ultimately blessed by the experience. (And I NEVER say "blessed" - you know I mean it!)
Fru - V jr 3 was an extreme prem. Every. Single. Day I am reminded when I look at her just how blessed we are. A truly horrible but ultimately life affirming experience. So glad to hear Fru jr is doing so well now.
Mine is before my mother died and afterwards. I was 42, and the worst thing that had happened to me before that was mcgovern not getting elected president, so you can see i had led a pretty happy life. Her being ill and dying of melanoma( i mention only to spur naysayers to use sunscreen)- disrupted my life hugely. Hugely. And it wasnt like she didnt drive me nuts or she sat around knitting me sweaters. She was a real person with faults and wonderful qualities. After she passed, everything became different and people said I did too. I no longer enjoyed the holidays for one thing. I mean, i go thru the motions, but id be happy to go to bed dec24 and wake up Dec26. And I hate that thats so. Anyway, thats mine.
AuntLiddy I lost my mom to cancer 6 years ago when I was 28. I've had my share of heartbreak along with trials & tribulations but watching & caring for my dying mother changed me too.
I've survived being molested and live with crohns everyday but losing my biggest supporter just broke me. I'll never be the same but I know it's all made me stronger.
The day of my moms funeral, my father told me it's ok to grieve but don't stop living your life because she's gone. She'd want you to be happy in life.
AuntLiddy I know it's so very hard but remember that. I have my bad days too but I think she'd want me to be happy and I deserve to smile.
Hugs to you. I know it's a hole that never gets filled.
Yes, before my near death experience (my blood want septic) that resulted in me requiring the replacement of my mitral valve. Very healthy prior to that and took a while for me to recover. Now must take anticoagulants for the rest of my life. Grateful to still be with the living!!
After WORK!!! That is ovah forevah! Never ever again will i have to deal with that level of corruption, incompetence and outright crazy. That last stint really put me over the edge. But I bought my freedom and they can suck it now!
Yes, several, mom's suicide when I was eight...everything changed. Widowed at age 20, with a four month old daughter. I had to learn a lot in a big hurry. Now married 26 years to the most wonderful man ever, happy healthy, smart daughter, it's all good.
My life has been sectioned into before I became a parent, after the first born---but before the second one came along 16 years later--after the second birth to her leaving home--to my freedom. All of those sections have had their ups and downs, good times, and bad--but ultimately I am here where I am supposed to be.
I've spoken about my exrience with date rape/ molestation before. It is why I won't let my son be alone with anyone. You never know. There are too many victims out there too afraid to say anything. I figured it would be more painful if I came forward about my rape. Having to tell the story over and over, ultimately to people who may not believe me wasn't really worth the pain. I chose not to tell, just like countless others. My life REALLY changed dramatically when my father's secret double life was exposed and all went very public in a big way. I fell into a hole and it took me most of my 20s to dig out.
Sigh - I think this question was always going to be one that brought sad responses, as well as some lovely ones. Good thoughts and Internet hugs to the people dealing with terrible things.
Maybe it's too my detriment, but I tend to try and just leave the not good things in my wake - not think about them. Happy things, those I try to keep. It's all a tapestry though.
((((((((((((((Boni Chak))))))))))))))) No words...
SO much love to you, Boni Chak, and to all of you CDANers.
I have 2. My husband had a nervous breakdown and left me for someone else right around 9/11. Blew up my life completely. So that was a double whammy/nightmare. But thankfully, he came back, we rebuilt it better than it was before (better, stronger, faster...), and next week, we celebrate our 20 year anniversary. Number 2, my mother overdosed and died at age 67 in 2009. It ended a tragic, and painful life. In a way, I feel that God was showing her great mercy by letting her come home. For me,I am grateful that she is no longer in pain, but I still grieve. So many prayers for her to get well and be happy in this life that were never realized. When I am done here, it will be so wonderful to see her again, to see her free from the bondage of this life. She and I can then have the relationship that was not possible here. But it will be a while. I intend to get very old with my husband.
Wow! So many stories! My heart goes out to PghGirl RivenIsAHasBeen Becky Mae AKM penelope jane boni chak laesmralda AJ cocopuff Aunt Liddy Del Riser Snootches Interplanet Janet
And a big Congratulations to: hkpavko Frufra Violet Ginger kit Seachica
I have two before/afters: Before I met my husband Before my son was born
Before and after the suicide of my best friend. That also corresponded with turning 25 and my frontal lobe becoming fully developed. It was seriously like a switch flipped for me.
Yes. BC is before CDAN.
ReplyDeleteHollywood was like this before CDAN and then this after CDAN.
DeleteMy almost entire life and careers before moving to Florida and my totally different life after moving to Florida.
ReplyDelete@sandybrook - Me too!
DeleteIm a Christian. So the answer to that question would be yes, Ents. ;)
ReplyDeleteBBAM...before becoming a mommy
ReplyDeleteSame here : )
DeleteLife before and after chronic illness. Don't take for granted that you'll always be able to do the things you've always done. It can be taken away in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteThat was the first thing that came to mind too--it took me in my 40's. I had always had it, but didn't feel it until then. It's crazy the difference from one year to the next.
DeleteSame here, Rhysie. My illness changed everything.
DeleteBefore rape
ReplyDeleteShit, so sorry PghGirl.
DeleteLove and light to you, PghGirl.
DeleteMuch love to you PghGirl.
DeleteSending good thoughts to you.
DeleteThanks guys. Xo
DeletePgh, seconding the love to you:)
DeleteSo sorry PGHGirl.
DeleteBiggest hugs to you !
*hugs*
DeleteYep. I sure do.
ReplyDeleteBefore Crohns
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so sorry. My son is borderline crohns. Sending love and hugs.
DeleteSame here AJ. Before and after my ileostomy. But thy can also be framed as before I was deathly ill and no quality of
DeleteLife, and after. Feel good! Crohns blows!
Hugs to your son Phgirl.
DeleteThanks Bored Soccer Mom. Knock on wood, no surgeries yet but I came very very close last year. Such as scary thing.
Good luck to you. Feel good too !
Yes, before I was almost killed in a terrorist fuel truck bombing, and after.
ReplyDeleteYes. Retiring from teaching.
ReplyDeleteLots of life events. Lots of befores and afters. Some good. Some not so good. All leading me to where i am now which is quite content thanks. (philosophical)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete:( I'm sorry, Riven. Love and light.
DeleteLove and light to all you abuse survivors. We survived. :)
@Meanie thanks so much. :) Love back atcha. I decided to just make it simple:
DeleteBefore, during and after molestation.
Everything in my life including my brother'a death can be traced back to those years.
Total singing "I Will Survive," not gonna lie lol!
Your before and afters gutted me...for a second, no lie.
DeleteBut yeah, "I Will Survive" is an anthem of mine, too. I'm not even playing it and I'm doing the shoulder dance, LOL!
So sorry Riven
Delete@Pgh same love to you and all survivors.
DeleteHugs Riven.
DeleteI was molested too. It's something that never leaves you.
Hugs, Me too :(
DeleteYes, when my kid was born.
ReplyDelete@sandybrook - the EXACT same sentence applies to me! Before and after the move to Florida!
ReplyDeleteI had a night like Farmer Ted in "Sixteen Candles" when I was in high school. My life was never the same after...
ReplyDeleteYes.
ReplyDeleteChrist, rape and molestation sorry for both of you.
ReplyDeleteSusan dont know where you moved from to Florida but it doesn't matter Florida is different by a lot.
@sandybrook. from Atlanta to west palm beach. Like different countries!
DeleteYes. It broke me to my core.
ReplyDeleteYep, before my father exposed my mothers molestation by her own father as a way to get back at everyone....it wasn't his story to tell but he did anyway and it changed how I viewed my own family forever....
ReplyDeleteBut I forgave him....I want to be clear abot that because it opened up the most wonderful, open dialogue between myself and my mother and for thati am eternally grateful...
DeleteYes, before my foreign ex-marriage. Now consider myself a shell shocked Veteran of Foreign Love.
ReplyDeleteHugs to those who measure by tragic events rather than joyous events.
ReplyDeleteA couple of events, yes. Childhood in one state and childhood/adulthood in the current one. Before a certain ex and after. Before a diagnosis and after.
ReplyDeletePghGirl, my heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteBC / AD : before my sister's cancer and after her death. I don't remember much of the befores of my life.
Before and after I got sober....coming up on 5 years :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! :)
Delete@hlpavco, good for you!! Keep on keeping on, sobriety is wonderful!
Delete^5!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOur big turning point as a couple was the birth of our second child - born unexpectedly gravely ill, given <5% chance of living. He lived, survives, and thrives, and our marriage was ultimately stronger for the test. Like we were forged in fire. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy, having an ill child, and I can only begin to imagine what it feels like to lose a child. But we were ultimately blessed by the experience. (And I NEVER say "blessed" - you know I mean it!)
ReplyDeleteFru - V jr 3 was an extreme prem. Every. Single. Day I am reminded when I look at her just how blessed we are. A truly horrible but ultimately life affirming experience. So glad to hear Fru jr is doing so well now.
DeleteBefore and after.....my sons murder.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. I have a young son and can't even allow myself to imagine this.
DeleteBefore my little girl was born with a genetic disorder and heart defect and after. :(
ReplyDelete(((CDaNers)))
ReplyDeleteSounds like we have some real survivors here at CDAN- stay strong!
ReplyDeleteYou all are tough, way to survive and thrive!!
ReplyDelete9/11
ReplyDeleteMine is before my mother died and afterwards. I was 42, and the worst thing that had happened to me before that was mcgovern not getting elected president, so you can see i had led a pretty happy life. Her being ill and dying of melanoma( i mention only to spur naysayers to use sunscreen)- disrupted my life hugely. Hugely. And it wasnt like she didnt drive me nuts or she sat around knitting me sweaters. She was a real person with faults and wonderful qualities. After she passed, everything became different and people said I did too. I no longer enjoyed the holidays for one thing. I mean, i go thru the motions, but id be happy to go to bed dec24 and wake up Dec26. And I hate that thats so. Anyway, thats mine.
ReplyDeleteAuntLiddy
DeleteI lost my mom to cancer 6 years ago when I was 28.
I've had my share of heartbreak along with trials & tribulations but watching & caring for my dying mother changed me too.
I've survived being molested and live with crohns everyday but losing my biggest supporter just broke me. I'll never be the same but I know it's all made me stronger.
The day of my moms funeral, my father told me it's ok to grieve but don't stop living your life because she's gone. She'd want you to be happy in life.
AuntLiddy I know it's so very hard but remember that. I have my bad days too but I think she'd want me to be happy and I deserve to smile.
Hugs to you. I know it's a hole that never gets filled.
Just rereading above, and i second the ((()))) hugs for my fellow cdaners problems. You guys ARE survivors in best possible way.
ReplyDeleteYes, before my near death experience (my blood want septic) that resulted in me requiring the replacement of my mitral valve. Very healthy prior to that and took a while for me to recover. Now must take anticoagulants for the rest of my life. Grateful to still be with the living!!
ReplyDeleteWent
DeleteAfter WORK!!! That is ovah forevah! Never ever again will i have to deal with that level of corruption, incompetence and outright crazy. That last stint really put me over the edge. But I bought my freedom and they can suck it now!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all the CDAN survivors!!
Before and after the rape. Needless to say, before was a much happier time! :(
ReplyDeleteSo sorry. Sending positive thoughts your way!
ReplyDeleteFor all rape/molestation survivors.
DeleteYes, several, mom's suicide when I was eight...everything changed.
ReplyDeleteWidowed at age 20, with a four month old daughter. I had to learn a lot in a big hurry.
Now married 26 years to the most wonderful man ever, happy healthy, smart daughter, it's all good.
Not exactly, but...first marriage, second marriage. I met my new hubby before the divorce was final, so there wasn't a big gap in between there. *L*
ReplyDeleteJames, what happened in your foreign marriage?
ReplyDelete@CeeKay. Me too.
ReplyDeleteMy life has been sectioned into before I became a parent, after the first born---but before the second one came along 16 years later--after the second birth to her leaving home--to my freedom. All of those sections have had their ups and downs, good times, and bad--but ultimately I am here where I am supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteI've spoken about my exrience with date rape/ molestation before. It is why I won't let my son be alone with anyone. You never know. There are too many victims out there too afraid to say anything. I figured it would be more painful if I came forward about my rape. Having to tell the story over and over, ultimately to people who may not believe me wasn't really worth the pain. I chose not to tell, just like countless others.
ReplyDeleteMy life REALLY changed dramatically when my father's secret double life was exposed and all went very public in a big way. I fell into a hole and it took me most of my 20s to dig out.
Sigh - I think this question was always going to be one that brought sad responses, as well as some lovely ones. Good thoughts and Internet hugs to the people dealing with terrible things.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's too my detriment, but I tend to try and just leave the not good things in my wake - not think about them. Happy things, those I try to keep. It's all a tapestry though.
pre-bariatric surgery, post-bariatric surgery. got really sick afterwards (down nearly 160lbs), then got better and stabled weight.
ReplyDeleteno more diabetes, down 100lbs, generally healthier.
((((((((((((((Boni Chak)))))))))))))))
ReplyDeleteNo words...
SO much love to you, Boni Chak, and to all of you CDANers.
I have 2. My husband had a nervous breakdown and left me for someone else right around 9/11. Blew up my life completely. So that was a double whammy/nightmare. But thankfully, he came back, we rebuilt it better than it was before (better, stronger, faster...), and next week, we celebrate our 20 year anniversary. Number 2, my mother overdosed and died at age 67 in 2009. It ended a tragic, and painful life. In a way, I feel that God was showing her great mercy by letting her come home. For me,I am grateful that she is no longer in pain, but I still grieve. So many prayers for her to get well and be happy in this life that were never realized. When I am done here, it will be so wonderful to see her again, to see her free from the bondage of this life. She and I can then have the relationship that was not possible here. But it will be a while. I intend to get very old with my husband.
Before and after I met my husband. I had a full, long single life. Now I have a full, happy married life in a different city with my love
ReplyDeleteWow! So many stories! My heart goes out to
ReplyDeletePghGirl
RivenIsAHasBeen
Becky Mae
AKM
penelope jane
boni chak
laesmralda
AJ
cocopuff
Aunt Liddy
Del Riser
Snootches
Interplanet Janet
And a big Congratulations to:
hkpavko
Frufra
Violet
Ginger
kit
Seachica
I have two before/afters:
Before I met my husband
Before my son was born
Cheers!
Before Autism (my son's autism)
ReplyDeleteBefore Autism (my son's autism)
ReplyDeleteBefore and after the suicide of my best friend. That also corresponded with turning 25 and my frontal lobe becoming fully developed. It was seriously like a switch flipped for me.
ReplyDelete