Keep Moving Forward!

Two years ago, I wrote a post about how motivational children's movies can be. Click Here for a Reminder.

Recently, I was told to read that post again and apply it to my life over the past 3 months. What an experiment this has been. My focus, as I re-read it, was on moving forward through and during trials.

The clip from Meet The Robinsons really rang true. He failed. But not one person judged him or told him he was awful, although that is what he was telling himself. In his mind he made a mistake. He didn't reach his goal. He was a disappointment to those around him. However, in their eyes, he hadn't failed, but had taken a step to moving forward or progressing to success or the ultimate goal.

I have set a goal for myself to run a half marathon. For me, with my health conditions (especially gastroparesis) this has been a very daunting task. Every time that I watch a race or run, I get emotional thinking of all the stories behind the finishes and the strength of those who overcome. It would make me excited for my turn.

In May, I signed up for a half marathon and really began to focus and train. It was so exciting and I had faith that I was going to be able to do it. Then in June, disaster hit and I became sick. The sickness lasted 6 weeks and knocked me to completely out of shape. Every day and week that passed, I knew I was that much further from reaching my goal. When I started exercising again, I pushed myself because there was 6 weeks before the half and I wanted to make it. This probably wasn't the best idea but I kept moving forward. Then, two weeks before the half, I was running my long run (10 miles) and ended up hurting my foot (stress fracture). Once again, I determined it was because of my health and because of the rate I tried to move forward. Yet, I felt like a failure.

That's a pretty depressing story, right? Well, hopefully that is not the end. You see, I emailed the race organizers and they have deferred my registration until next year, which means as soon as the boot comes off, I can start slowly training for next year and gradually work into in. Did I reach my goal this year? No. Did I fail? No. Why? There is still hope. There is still next year. My health and well being comes first, and as hard as it may be to come so close, I have taken steps towards my ultimate goal. I have come closer than ever before. Next year will be better.

Moving forward, no matter what the circumstances, helps us to reach our ultimate goals, whatever they may be. As you deal with your condition, you learn what is logical and possible. You have to listen to your mind and heart, but most of all, your body. You can only do so much. Apparently this is a lesson I have not learned completely yet, but I am trying.

This is a different take on the previous post, and that is the point. Life has changed over the past 2 years. I am in a completely different life situation and am fighting new battles. All of this has been taxing. However, I have not let it stop me, though I have wanted to stop so many times. Every day, new trials will come. New challenges arise when they are least expected. The hard par it to keep going. It would be so easy to give up when times get hard, but in our minds we can keep saying.....

"KEEP MOVING FORWARD"

Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Ten years ago, I started experiencing symptoms of an unknown condition and continued to have those symptoms for the next 8 months, without knowing why. When I finally received a diagnosis of gastroparesisin  April of the following year, I was confused. I had never heard of such a condition. I couldn't pronounce it. I couldn't remember the name. I just remember knowing that my stomach was lazy. A few weeks later, I had learned the name of my condition and that in reality, my stomach wasn't lazy, it was paralyzed. Not only that, I learned that my whole gut appeared to be paralyzed.

Education was an important part of the process to bring to where I am right now. I did research. I tried to figure out why it was happening, how to make it better and what exactly it was. It was difficult explaining it to others and I tried to avoid those awkward conversations. 

These days, I know more about the condition. I am able to explain it to others and I am able to live a normal life. However, whenever I mention my condition or attempt to explain it, the most common reaction is that the person has never heard of it before. Gastroparesis is not very well known, yet a very real condition. In fact, people have died due to the malnutrition that takes place in harsh cases.

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month.

There are many ways to become educated.

On this blog, there are links to a few websites. Here is a link to the website on the above poster: http://www.aboutgastroparesis.org/

Ask questions of someone who has this condition. For me, I would rather people ask me questions and not assume they know what works for me or the best things.

There is so much education and research that is needed to help find treatments and cures for this condition and raising awareness is key.

Happy Gastroparesis Awareness Month!