Weathering the Storm

One thing that affects my illnesses profoundly is the weather. As temperatures have started to drop, my body already is feeling it.

So, I only can imagine what anyone feels like who has survived the recent onslaught of severe weather that has impacted our country — especially those with chronic illnesses, whose disease processes are impacted by the weather. While the scientific community remains equivocal about the connection between the severity of autoimmune diseases and the weather, anecdotally it is pretty clear there is definitely a connection. Whether it is the drop in barometric pressure or some other cause, that remains anyone’s guess.

Aside from the weather, I know how difficult it can be to get medications when you are traveling or moving, or for some other planned event when you won’t be able to get medications refilled at the regular time. So, I hope people who have lost their medications or are displaced and don’t have access to them, find some way to stay on top of their medication regimens. For me, staying consistent is key. I have about a one-day grace period I can go without medication before I feel absolutely awful.

I have never had first-hand experience with the kind of weather that has recently occurred. But I have weathered many emotional storms in my life. While most of them have had to do with chronic illness, some have not.  Times like these remind me that chronic illness isn’t the only life-changing experience the universe throws our way.

I learned this when I lost my dad three years ago as a direct result of a bad storm and massive flooding in Michigan. I wasn’t in Michigan at the time of the storm, but I certainly dealt with its aftermath.

Through my experience with chronic illness, I’ve learned that people with illnesses are adaptable and resilient. So, my thoughts are with all of those who have been impacted by the storms and their aftermath.  I hope the physical and emotional rebuilding that occurs in the days, weeks, months and years ahead are not too trying.

First and foremost, to be good to anyone else, we need to be good to ourselves. Self-care is always important, but is even more so in difficult times when that might be the only consistent part of our routine, or at least it should be.

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