Feeling lost with Fibro since you've left work?

I recently read an email that had an entry from a reader about how they felt having left work to go on disability for Fibro.

It was from a medical website and it had a question and answer section.

This woman had written in and was actually asking for "validation"....did anyone else feel the way she did?

As I read her lengthy question/post, I felt the twinge in me that I would surely have to answer her. She wanted to "not feel so alone" in feeling "useless".

Boy, have I been there. In ways that I can't even begin to describe. The depression and anxiety of not "contributing to the livelihood of the household" was huge at times and I felt like a "LOSER"....that's my own word, not hers.

This was especially true when someone would say "Well, you can still work with 'thaaaaat fibromylasia', can't you?" They couldn't even pronounce the illness, so what do THEY know? 

I would stare at them in total disbelief. I wanted to say, "Would ya like to spend a day in my shoes??"

But I basically, either said nothing, or said "not me"...and walked away.

Why on earth do we have to validate ourselves and defend our situation to people who know nothing about what we feel each and every day? Why do we have to explain what we're taking and how badly we hurt?!

Fibro-friends, it's difficult not to want to fight the fight of "I cannot work! Why do you NOT believe me?"

But maybe we should ask ourselves this question.....

Why do we not believe ourselves? What is it in us that makes us feel so useless and what on earth can we do about it so that we NEVER have to feel this way again?

You tried to stay at your job, then you tried part-time, maybe then, you had no choice, and went on disability. The process itself is degrading enough, I would not want to have to go through it again, for sure.

But am I more than a "job"? Am I of more value to those around me, be it family, friends, etc., than a paycheck, my job title? I would like to think so. But it's hard when you've been in a job for years where you've worked hard to "get where you are" and earn what you're earning. I know it first hand!

What are your thoughts on this, my Fibro friends? Have you left work and what do you feel? Are you considering leaving work? 

Believe in you!

Blessings......

Mo M.

PS Another thought is this....maybe God has a special plan for our lives. Maybe there's more to this than we know.