Just because a condition isn't visible doesn't mean it doesn't hurt!!
(Video posted on YouTube by "booknhorsefreak" on October 10, 2007)
When I first saw this video, it made me cry and gave me chills. When I just came across it again (months later), it did the same thing to me. Whatever condition(s) you may have, you will probably relate to this video on some level. Between the gorgeous pictures, the perfect words that accompany them, the way this whole video just resonates for patients and caregivers alike, and the hauntingly beautiful music on the clip (sung by Natasha Bedingfield)... I have a feeling it will move you as it did me!
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
10 comments:
Hi Jeanne,
I've been popping by your blog over the past couple of months after deciding to blog about endo and have found so much information here but never actually commented to say hi and thanks! So now I am!
Also, what a great video - thanks for sharing it.
Beautiful video Jeanne. I so identify with it. There are many things I wish I could do. Today I wish I could just run.
Thanks for reminding me that I am not alone.
This is quite lovely!
This is BEAUTIFUL...I'm going to forward it to our friends at Girls Horse Club too. On a personal note, with aging parents it has me sitting here with weepy eyes at the strength of their character and tolerance for pain, particularly my dear mom, who is like the Energizer Bunny with her ongoing ability to overcome.
Thanks for this Jeanne, All the best, Amy
Hi Amanda!
I just visited your blog. What a pleasure!!
I just posted a very lengthy comment there because your post really touched me (and I was hoping maybe I could give you some support and/or comfort).
Anyway, I'm SOOOOO happy you've decided to blog about endo. The post I just commented on was phenomenal!!!
I had no idea you had been "popping by" for a couple of months here but I'm glad you did (!) and I'm happy that you found it helpful in some way. :)
You have nothing to thank me for. I'm just really happy for you. Your blog posts about endo so far just touched my heart!
Thank you for adding me to your blogroll. I just added you to mine too.
I think you'll find writing about endo very freeing. You really did an amazing job in just those first couple of posts about it!
I'm also glad you like the video. :) I just love this video so much I had to re-post it!
I hope to hear from you again soon!
Jeanne :)
Mckay k,
Everytime I see your name pop in for a comment on my blog, I smile before I even read it. You ALWAYS have something positive to say!
Despite all of your many serious illnesses, your "attitude of gratitude" and positivity are always shining bright. You are amazing!
I just love that video. I'm glad you liked it too. It makes my cry but I love it!
You are NOT alone!!
P.S.
I highly recommend the blog that Mckay k writes!
Check it out...
"Living With a Chronic Illness":
http://livingwithachronicillness.blogspot.com/
Amy,
Thank you so much for stopping by from 'Shaping Youth' to post your kind comment... and for sharing the video clip (posted here) with Girls Horse Club too!
I have a soft spot in my heart for this video. It speaks to so many people. Patients with various illnesses, caregivers for those patients, children of aging parents... the list goes on.
Yes, this video has been known to cause some weepy eyes. I know I cried as much when I posted this as I did months ago the first time I saw it.
I just took a peek at your great site and left you a comment there as well.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)
Take care,
Jeanne
Mimi,
I'm glad you liked it! It makes me cry every time I watch it but I love it. :)
Jeanne
A friend of mine told me yesterday she has 3-7 years to live based on her illnesses. This video makes me think of her and her suffering. It's so sad. My heart goes out to her and others who are suffering these illnesses.
Kelly,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend's prognosis and my heart goes out to you and to her. :(
Obviously I don't know what illnesses she has that led her doctor(s) for tell her she has 3-7 years to live.
I hope I am not being offensive in any way by saying this... because I do NOT know her circumstances... but if it gives you/her ANY hope at all, doctors can be wrong about these things. Doctors are human and they can make mistakes.
Three to seven years is a long time to be on a, please forgive the term, "deathwatch". I cannot imagine how upsetting it would be to wait for the other shoe to drop for that long.
Fortunately for your friend, she has a caring, supportive, compassionate friend in you to help her through the challenges she faces.
I have heard many cases of doctors "predicting" someone will die in X-Y number of years... only to be wrong.
Your friend may need hope to move forward.
Whether she truly has 3-7 years to live as predicted or whether her doctor(s) are mistaken, hope is important.
Living day after day worrying if "today will be the day" is not healthy mentally... no matter how accurate the prognosis may be.
If she does get progressively sicker and it really starts to look like the doctors are right about her prognosis, it may give her comfort to determine her "end-of-life" wishes now.
Even if she does not get progressively sicker anytime soon, end-of-life planning is important.
I blogged about end-of-life issues awhile back and I think you might like to see the post:
http://endendoat.blogspot.com/2008/12/engage-with-grace-one-slide-project.html
The link above emphasizes the importance of making one's endo of life wishes known BEFORE losing the ability to communicate them.
The "Engage With Grace: One Slide Project" above can benefit everyone, I think... from the patient... to the patient's loved ones. See Alexandra Drane's compelling video clip on the link above as to how the One Slide Project was founded.
I would highly recommend checking out that blog post. It's thought-provoking.
The One Slide Project helps patients and loved ones plan ahead so that the patient's wishes can be honored.
For example, some people would wish to die at home rather than in the hospital.
I'm so sorry about your friend. She couldn't have a better friend to help her through this.
If your friend's prognosis ends up being accurate, planning whether she wants things like hospice can make her end of life easier on her and her loved ones.
I wish her peace and I'm sorry that you have to watch her struggle.
My grandmother was ill for many years. Her doctors told her she was "dying"... but she lived 12 years from when they first told her death was imminent.
The doctors' predictions were wrong in her case. The turmoil these doctors caused to her loved ones was immense.
Twelve years is a long time to think you are about to die. She was very depressed. Who wouldn't be when they live thinking they could die any time?
Her last few years of life could have been more comfortable had we all known how wrong the prognosis was.
I have had some "brushes with death" myself. It is scary.
I think hope cannot be underestimated in these situations.
Like I said, I don't know what her illnesses are and her doctor(s) could be correct.
However, if she lives another 3-7 years unhappy over what she fears is imminent, she could be losing out 'quality of life' in those last years.
Even if she is going to die in the next few years, hope may get her through it with less suffering.
I hope nothing I have said here is offensive in any way!
I just believe strongly that doctors are human, their "predictions" can be wrong, hope matters (as was discussed in that lovely book I won from your blog), and that living a fear-based life is not healthy.
I look to people like Christopher & Dana Reeve as inspirational in that they lived life to the fullest until the end as best they could!
If you are not familiar with 'The Last Lecture', by Dr. Randy Pausch, I highly recommend it. I blogged about Dr. Pausch here:
http://endendoat.blogspot.com/2008/07/tribute-to-dr-randy-pausch-last-lecture.html
... and here:
http://endendoat.blogspot.com/2008/07/endo-blog-dr-randy-pausch-feature.html
Dr. Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He testified before Congress and advocated for pancreatic cancer patients.
His story has touched millions around the world. His interview with Diane Sawyer was moving, emotional, and beautiful. I believe Oprah interviewed him as well.
What a special and inspiring man!
Many months after writing these two blog posts about Dr. Pausch, I still get traffic to my blog from the world over searching about him. His story gave so many people love, support, courage, and determination.
I cannot say enough about Dr. Pausch's positive attitude and how it assisted both him and his loved ones following his diagnosis with one of the deadliest forms of cancer there is.
My thoughts are with your friend. She is lucky to have a friend like you!
Jeanne
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