I was in two minds about posting the Elle mag article because I guess some people may find it a little upsetting and depressing but in the end I did because for me personally I love to read and watch as much as I can about CF. CFers can't mix because we can pass lergies to each other that non-CFers can't get, which is quite weird when you think about it! So sometimes I used to feel a bit like dear old Lonesome George, because I was the only person I really knew who had to do the same medicines as me and things like that. So reading articles like that and then getting into social media like blogging and Twitter makes me feel less like poor Georgie Boy, although I feel a bit funny taking some kind of comfort out of others misfortune. I mean obviously I wish they didn't have CF! But you know what I'm saying right?
As for the article, when it was first published (in August 2010 I think) it upset me because at the time it was when I really realised what CF was all about. I first found out about all the life expectancy business when I was about 7 and came across a CF awareness leaflet. I just remember being like 'OMG' and shut myself in my room for the weekend listening over and over again to a Motown tape (I was always a bit different.) But as I was a kid I soon forgot about it by the time I was at school on the Monday morning, although to this day I still can't listen to 'You Can't Hurry Love' without getting this sense of impending doom. I've no idea what caused me to get so panicky about CF when I was 17 but I remember all of a sudden feeling really upset and it lasted for a very long time. Then as randomly as it started the feelings went. I just thought 'Get over yourself. Everyone will die one day and you never know what will happen so stop wasting your life!' I realised that I'm lucky because although I have one bad thing I have more good things. I have the best family, some lovely friends and a comfortable life. I have enough food, clothes and shoes (err scrap that...you can never have enough shoes.) I have access to the best healthcare and am far luckier compared to most people in the world. In the wise, but grammatically incorrect words of T.I., I decided to 'stop thinkin' about what you ain't got, Start bein' thankful for what you do got.' This isn't to say I don't have a little wobble now and again, but remembering this means that they don't last very long and I get over it quickly when I put my life into perspective. CF has made me really good at putting things into perspective, I wish more people did because they'd save themselves a lot of stress and worry! And leaving uni kind of taught me a lesson. At first I thought it was the end of the world and CF was a prick blah, blah, blah but now I know that if things don't go to plan then there's always other options. So if CF puts a stop to other things in the future, I think I'll be alrite.
I'm not posting this for attention or to be praised, I just wanted to talk about CF. Sometimes I get this urge to talk about it, especially when I'm on IVs because they mess with my mind and make me emosh and reflective. (I feel like Carrie Bradshaw! 'I couldn't help but wonder...' haha. If only I had her wardrobe aye?) But it's not always appropriate in real life, it'd be well random to suddenly talk about it and people think I come out with weird enough things as it is! So the blog is the place to do it. And I like to hear others perspectives on living with CF so maybe someone might be interested in my view. But if not, no worries! I'm just glad to get things off my mind so I can think about funner things, like this jumper that I proper want (but can't afford, so perhaps not such a fun thought!) I'm off now...it was a Halloween miracle because we didn't get any trick or treaters last night so there is a big bowl of sweets with my name on it.
Josie xx
This is a great article! I don't have CF so I don't know how it is, but your perspective is so good. You gotta learn to live with all the bad things too, eventually. And on a side-note, that jumper is so pretty!
ReplyDeletexo Sootjeelina
I've been in an out the hospital for like more than ten times over the past two or three years and I hate the part when they insert the IV. Even hate the skin test. It's not easy, I know. But don't worry, we got your back.
ReplyDeleteI was really sad when George died too, poor old lonesome George.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great article
Daniella x
I have not read the Elle article yet in its entirety, Josie, but I would just like to tell you as your reader, I find it refreshing to read blog posts like yours that's really honest and tells us a part of your life that is quite important. Don't ever change. (((((hugs again)))))
ReplyDeleteand so you should talk about it whenever you want and have someone you can talk to who will be there to listen :)! i'm sure lots of us are and i'm only a new follower but i am too :) i would love to be friends with you, not just dropping in to comment on your blog every now and then. you're so honest and have such a beautiful personality.
ReplyDeletei hope you don't get too lonely! btw, the print of that jumper is amazing!
Gah Josie I love you, I really do. Your honest take on CF is incredibly informative and far better than any medical resource. Keep it up, you're an inspiration to us all. xxx
ReplyDeleteSouth Molton St Style
My prob is that before social media I only talked about it when I was completely wasted and would make a complete tit out of myself by blabbering on everyone. But I don't remember this, this is going by what people told me the next day... ha AWKWARRDDD! I love reading your stuff :) xxxx
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise about the CF-to-CF lurgies. Your outlook on life is so much better and more positive than most people I know.. sometimes I want to throttle them and be like "you don't even know you're born!!!" Whatever that actually means.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about you and your IVs the other day.. my dad's been having chemo and he said the first ten mins or so of the IV he gets a little trippy.
X
That jumper is gorgeeeeeous, please buy it! I like these type of posts because you're teaching me something I knew nothing about before (I sound so ignorant to life!) xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Josie...I wish that your blog would reach more people around the world who have the illness and don't have things in perspective, you would be an excellent role model and motivator to them. I know some people allow their illnesses to consume them and get the better of them and as Ive said before I really admire you for not doing that :)
ReplyDeletethis was real nice to read, learnt a fair bit! totally agree with the above comment^^
ReplyDeletehttp://wishuponasmile.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks for sharing...gonna read that article now.
ReplyDelete<3 Cambria
jupefashion.blogspot.com
josie. i love you. you are such an inspiration to me. i admire you so much.
ReplyDeletexx
you are not alone. but I bet what you feel sometimes is awful. But even Lonely George got anole with the person who took careof him. I'm happy not to know anyone with CF but I do read you. You can get support you can. you are a strong person. thanks for spreading the word
ReplyDeleteJosie I think the article was a lovely thing to post. It was a real eyeopener. I think your posts are inspiration, and will help a lot of people. They always make me smile, I hope you make a super speedy recovery and you can get back to work soon.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, or I will be left with no bedtime blog reading :-)
xxxxx
This was a really nice read Josie, it's so refreshing to hear you speak about it so openly & always with a positive spin. You're posts always make me smile because your humor & beautiful personality always shine through & this is no different, so never feel like you shouldn't post it because others might think it's for attention .etc
ReplyDeleteI think your outlook on life is so inspiring & I agree with you totally about not dwelling & just getting on with it. For a long time I was extremely bitter & annoyed about my fainting & fits, like, I'm never going to be able to drive, I can't go places by myself, I might faint one day & just not wake up again, poor Steph, woe is me! But the fact is, those things are seriously minor compared to what some people have to deal with & it's so important to look at all of the positive, amazing things in your life instead of focusing on the negatives & your posts about CF always inspire me to keep that in mind because you are so positive despite what you deal with on a daily basis. I imagine they are of great support to other CF sufferers too, so keep writing them whenever you feel the need to get things off your mind! :)
Hope the IV's are helping & you feel better soon too!
Just read this and the article. SO inspirational, esp how you just talk about it so honestly and frankly, you are definitely a massive inspiration to me! xx
ReplyDelete