Poverty Vs. CF

Lilith · Oct 15, 2005

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: AnonymousYou read on these boards that "if it weren't CF it would be something else." Again, that's a nice, comforting sentiment, but it's not true. If it weren't CF it might be nothing else; on the other hand, it could be CF and everything else. I don't see how having CF somehow keeps other misfortune at bay.<hr></blockquote>

As someone who said that, I wasn't saying that having CF would keep everything else that bay. I meant simply that if we weren't complaining about CF, we'd find something else to complain about. Everyone has to b**ch about something, that's all I was getting at.

anonymous · Oct 15, 2005

My take is, you have two ways to deal with things. The "Woe is me" approach or the "Life gave me lemons, I'll make lemonade" approach.
I choose the latter, not saying that once in awhile I don't feel a little sorry for myself--but you know what, it isn't going to change a thing about my health/future & will just make me negative, so I choose the high road.
I would choose CF over downs syndrome, severe brain damage, or some of the muscular diseases anyday of the week. Yes, CF technically may be one of the worst but at least I can enjoy what life I have and am able to communicate clearly with those I love.
I just feel sorry for any parents with small children w/CF that have read a few of these posts lately.
Please don't let them get you down or scare you to death for that matter. We all have different severities and I think Winace has listed the 'worse case scenario'.
I honestly think that spirituality helps us deal with this and as Winace has mentioned time & time again, he doesn't believe in God and I respect that, but it sure helps me get through those tough times to know that someday I will be healed. I'm not trying to start a "there is/is not a God" discussion, we all know that's been done to death on this forum, just trying to encourage those of us that do believe to rely on that hope through tough times we have with CF and with life in general for that matter.
Hope

WinAce · Oct 15, 2005

Mockingbird,

Perhaps you should expand your sphere of friends, somewhat. With your arrogance and condescension, however, it doesn't surprise me that you haven't had enough to see CF for what it really is. Looking back on my childhood, I have my doubts about silver spoons, but I know you have a rusty stick up your butt. If there was an ignore list here, you would have the honor of being the first and only poster I ever put on one.

Regards,
The unnamed European tyrant who presumably wants to turn the poor into Soylent Green

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by Mockingbird
Now i have known severe cases of CF, but never anyone with broken ribs from CPT, or being unable to eat on their own, or any of the others. not even in their last stages. I just think it's kind of weird you would have seen all that, and yet i haven't even seen one, nor, for that matter, has anyone else mentioned anything about that. Strange, eh? <hr></blockquote> <blockquote>Quote
<hr>Of course, I'm sure it doesn't even compare to the effects of TOBI. I mean temporary hearing loss; that's really huge. <hr></blockquote> <blockquote>Quote
<hr>I've seen severe cases [of cancer] such as people not being able to feed themselves, having so much pain they have to be on constant morphine. I kinda always thought that seemed to much worse than dying with CF. <hr></blockquote>

WinAce · Oct 15, 2005

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Anonymous
My take is, you have two ways to deal with things. The "Woe is me" approach or the "Life gave me lemons, I'll make lemonade" approach.<hr></blockquote>

The two are not mutually exclusive, nor even exhaustive. There's also "Totally ignore lemons," "Mock, and whine at the lemons" (what I like do) and "Pretend the lemons are fine, and take out frustrations on others" (what some here are fond of doing).

And contrary to popular belief, it's not "Woe is me" vs. "Everything is fine and dandy, and anyone who might think otherwise is just a complainer." Take, for instance...

<blockquote>Quote
<hr> <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mwscomp.com/movies/grail/grail-04.htm">Monty Python's The Holy Grail, Sc. 4</a>

BLACK KNIGHT:
None shall pass.
ARTHUR:
What?
BLACK KNIGHT:
None shall pass.
ARTHUR:
I have no quarrel with you, good Sir Knight, but I must cross this bridge.
BLACK KNIGHT:
Then you shall die.
ARTHUR:
I command you, as King of the Britons, to stand aside!
BLACK KNIGHT:
I move for no man.
ARTHUR:
So be it!
ARTHUR and BLACK KNIGHT:
Aaah!, hiyaah!, etc.
[ARTHUR chops the BLACK KNIGHT's left arm off]
ARTHUR:
Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
BLACK KNIGHT:
'Tis but a scratch.
ARTHUR:
A scratch? Your arm's off!
BLACK KNIGHT:
No, it isn't.
ARTHUR:
Well, what's that, then?
BLACK KNIGHT:
I've had worse.
ARTHUR:
You liar!
BLACK KNIGHT:
Come on, you pansy!
[clang]
Huyah!
[clang]
Hiyaah!
[clang]
Aaaaaaaah!
[ARTHUR chops the BLACK KNIGHT's right arm off]
ARTHUR:
Victory is mine!
[kneeling]
We thank Thee Lord, that in Thy mer--
BLACK KNIGHT:
Hah!
[kick]
Come on, then.
ARTHUR:
What?
BLACK KNIGHT:
Have at you!
[kick]
ARTHUR:
Eh. You are indeed brave, Sir Knight, but the fight is mine.
BLACK KNIGHT:
Oh, had enough, eh?
ARTHUR:
Look, you stupid b*stard. You've got no arms left.
BLACK KNIGHT:
Yes, I have.
ARTHUR:
Look!
BLACK KNIGHT:
Just a flesh wound.
[kick]
ARTHUR:
Look, stop that.
BLACK KNIGHT:
Chicken!
[kick]
Chickennn!
ARTHUR:
Look, I'll have your leg.
[kick]
Right!
[whop]
[ARTHUR chops the BLACK KNIGHT's right leg off]
BLACK KNIGHT:
Right. I'll do you for that!
ARTHUR:
You'll what?
BLACK KNIGHT:
Come here!
ARTHUR:
What are you going to do, bleed on me?
BLACK KNIGHT:
I'm invincible!
ARTHUR:
You're a looney.
BLACK KNIGHT:
The Black Knight always triumphs! Have at you! Come on, then.
[whop]
[ARTHUR chops the BLACK KNIGHT's last leg off]
BLACK KNIGHT:
Oh? All right, we'll call it a draw.
ARTHUR:
Come, Patsy.
BLACK KNIGHT:
Oh. Oh, I see. Running away, eh? You yellow bastards! Come back here and take what's coming to you. I'll bite your legs off!<hr></blockquote>

You and I can afford to "choose the latter," and make the best of a bad situation, but that isn't very helpful to those who can't. Some people are predisposed to depression in any situation, and some are in such horrid situations that, in reality, "making lemonade" is sticking your head in the sand and ignoring reality, like what the Black Knight does.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>I just feel sorry for any parents with small children w/CF that have read a few of these posts lately.<hr></blockquote>

The truth can hurt. That's mostly why so many prefer to lace it with mind-numbing opium about "cures right around the corner" and gods...

ClashPunk82 · Oct 15, 2005

Why is it wrong for someone to think positively if that's what makes them feel better and cope? What's wrong with sometimes pretending your not sick. I am on zoloft and klonopin for anxiety and depression. Sometimes it's nice to just not think about how sick I am. I am on a cleanout right now just had one 2 months ago and I am being evaluated for a lung TX. If I thought about it all the time and how bad it is sometimes I would go insane. So for me I like to just do things I enjoy and be happy.

Mockingbird · Oct 15, 2005

I only started this in a new thread because i didn't want to distract from the original thread it was in. my intention was not to attack WinAce, but his statement, which I disagree with very passionately. That's not to say I didn't end up attacking him. I did, and that was unecessary.

i still stand by what i said, though, and all the personal attacks against me in the world aren't going to change that. For those of you willing to admit there are things out there other than CF, thank you for taking the time to understand the nature of my post. I know I could of worded things differently, but anger has a way of clouding judgement, and such things make me so very angry. =-(

If thinking the way I do means I have a stick up my butt, then it is a stick i keep in there gladly.

WinAce · Oct 15, 2005

<blockquote>Quote <hr>Originally posted by ClashPunk82
Why is it wrong for someone to think positively if that's what makes them feel better and cope?<hr></blockquote>

I never said it was. More power to you. Those times are the ones that make it up for all the others... regardless of your problem. When you can walk along a beach and leave the worries about CF in the dust, when you can bury yourself in song or dance and forget about the collapsing shack you're forced to call home, those are the times that make life worth living. It doesn't mean your other problems should be downplayed or ignored, though.

When, as in the case of CF, it progresses to where those moments are non-existent--24/7 oxygen, needing narcotic drugs for the arthritis it causes, being unable to stand up without falling (and breaking a leg from the osteoporosis)--it truly becomes a living hell. Very few things can stake a claim on that.

Emily65Roses · Oct 15, 2005

Hey... some of us like our buttholes empty... others enjoy the occasional stick. At least you know what you want, Jarod. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

WinAce · Oct 15, 2005

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by Mockingbird
For those of you willing to admit there are things out there other than CF, thank you for taking the time to understand the nature of my post.<hr></blockquote>

So, what was the point of your post, then, other than attacking me? It couldn't have been arguing there were "other things than CF [that are as bad]," because I acknowledged them in the quote you copied. "About as wicked as they come," not "The worst of the lot," remember?

It seems that you take delight in being vicious to others if they so much as question the bubble of rose-colored glass you've built around yourself. If that's what illness did to you--making you defensive and paranoid, willing to call fellow sufferers callous tyrants when they point out the obvious--then it's done far more to damage your spirit than you give it credit for.

What I can say for sure is that, given the choice between becoming a jerk and having CF, I'd (begrudgingly) choose the latter. How unfortunate that some people don't need to choose one or the other...

anonymous · Oct 15, 2005

Just wanted to say that I like making lemonaide! Sometimes making lemonaide is a challenge, but I always like a challenge.

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anonymous · Oct 15, 2005

I'd rather be poor than healthy. Crap, I just want to be healthy. If I could be healthy, I wouldn't care if I were rich or poor. With health, at least I have a chance.

anonymous · Oct 15, 2005

Oophs!

I'd rather be poor than UNhealthy. Crap, I just want to be healthy. If I could be healthy, I wouldn't care if I were rich or poor. With health, at least I have a fighting chance.

JennifersHope · Oct 16, 2005

Not that it matters what I think... but since we are just sharing thoughts.. My way of dealing with things is being positive because othewise I would be so crippled I wouldn't be able to get out of bed, emotionally speaking. If I went down the road of negativity I don't think I could come back... I think there is truth in that CF can teach us things that not having CF couldn't.. Not that that makes CF okay. I can't say what I think of CF or any disease that causes pain to a human being cause I would get booted off of here for good...due to potty mouth..

Not that I live in denial thinking CF is a blessing because it isn't to me. Not that I want to argue about God because just because you don't believe in something doesn't make it less real and again... . that is your thoughts and I have mine... It is a matter of respect....

But what I want to say is.. I respect Winace a lot for how he expresses himself. I don't agree with him on his views of CF but I am NOT IN his shoes. I do agree that what he expresses is HIS defined reality, just like we have ours. I think that parents or loved ones reading his tread or read his posts after a while know that this is who he is and how he sees things and he is not responsible for others, Just like some of us see things differently...

To me, I am secure enough in my beliefs and my life not to be affected by someone elses thoughts Agreed if I am having a bad day, I may not read negative posts but anyway I admire his courage to fight for his life...We all are at different places in our lives, physically and emotionally speaking. No one has walked in each others shoes totally... To me Winace, I know you are not a believer in the bible but you remind me of someone in there in some ways... JOB... he suffered so much.... and yet he never quit..even if he isn't real to you, it could be a fictional story.. but somehow I have a feeling yhou know the book better then me..Just saying I see some things that you have in common, mostly the amount of pain you suffer...

I am glad we all have different veiws and thoughts.. it keeps me thinking.....Okay off my soap box... But I get so discouraged when I see ppl being rude to each other.....and Winace I am so sad that you are in so much physical pain....I only have mild to moderate pain right now mostly in my hips because my bones are shot, but mostly my fears in life come from fear of being in pain.... Pain puts me in a foul mood..and makes me depressed... How could it not???All my positive everything goes out the window when I am in pain and from what I can read you are suffering so much... I wish I could do something to take it away from you... I really do. I know that isn't why you post or what you are looking for but I think about you and Jess a lot... I am so happy you have her and her you to be there for each other, that has to give you some comfort and yet be bittersweet at the same time......since you are so sick....

By the way, I was wondering if you could post a link again to your website.. I lost the link.. I love reading your updates. I am doing what I know to do will help you but If you can think of anything that I can do, I have already written letters on your behalf.. but short of giving you money cause I don't have any.. I would do anything...

Funny thing, my moms husband recently died and he left my mom money, my mother informed me today that she will not give me a lump sum of money when she dies but rather set up a trust fund because she thinks I would give it away to someone who needed lungs or to someone in need. I got so mad at her today that I almost hung up on her, but you know what she is right. I would give it away in a second...and I would be piss poor, but I don't think I would care.. since I am used to it anyway....

Shutting up now,

Jennifer 33

lovingBenandCambree · Oct 16, 2005

Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your remarks. You said it much more elequently than I could have. Thanks again!

Emilee

WinAce · Oct 16, 2005

I'm not in much pain right now, though. I did get a small sample of that a few months ago (they shot me full of morphine at the ER), which I presume is what some suffer through incessantly. The mere thought, when I dwell on it, probably makes me pale for a moment. I think anyone who really considers whether it's possible to "make lemonade" if you experienced something like childbirth every waking moment, would quickly admit that was a ridiculous thing to suggest.

I've experienced similar "free trial offers" of hemoptysis (minor, compared to reports I've read about) and breathlessness (which felt as bad as I could imagine it would, but was intermittent). The fact that a mere hint of what this illness has to offer, was so crippling, truly horrifies me. Like a merciless, ruthlessly efficient beast, CF is an awesome creature, something to respect and fear. It's not something to downplay as insignificant or "not that bad," because even its mere shadow can send heroes screaming to their mommies, should they see it first-hand.

Give the devil his due. You won't easily survive a head-on collision with him, no matter how strong or resilient you may be, or how positive an outlook you may have. Understanding this will be the key to both putting it off, and potentially retaining a modicum of sanity, once it does happen.

anonymous · Oct 16, 2005

Whatever......you always have the last word anyway, so I won't argue with you anymore. You continue on in your gloom & doom quest and I wish you the best of life.
Hope

JennifersHope · Oct 16, 2005

I just want to say that I know I sign my name as Jennifers Hope sometimes but that above post was not from me.. Just so it is clear.. I don't speak to ppl that way... Hope can speak anyway she wants but I just don't want to be confused as her....

Jennifer 33 w/CF

WinAce · Oct 16, 2005

Yeah, there's usually a "jerk vibe" that I didn't get from your earlier post, Jen.

anonymous · Oct 16, 2005

I have to agree with Mockingbird and the Lemonade

People shouldn't always be so NEGATIVE and try to find postive in life. people that are negative are going to be more miserable and it really shows in some of these threads.

Kaitsmom<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

Lilith · Oct 16, 2005

Well, not everyone can be happy all the time. If you are, then something's wrong in your head, in my opinion. Some of the posts on here come from people when the DO feel like crap and want to vent. I don't think anyone feels negative *all* the time. Mockingbird is right that you can't think about the worst all the time, but WinAce is right to a degree. You can't ignore the inevitable. To do so would leave you unprepared when it DOES happen.

Poverty Vs. CF

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