Ducks in a Row

I was reading this morning from Women of Faith devotional and Barbara Johnson was describing Marilyn Meberg in her fight against brain cancer. She would always say that in fighting a chronic illness, you have to have your “ducks in a row”.

I couldn’t agree more. In Lyme disease, ducks in a row is different for all of us, but it does have a few key components.

1. Be your own duck – no one is going to fight for your health more than you or your spouse or family members. Healthcare is a giant quagmire that your illness can get lost in – so fight to stay on top of what’s going on and how to find the latest treatment and best doctor.

2. Stay with your pack – Find a group of like-minded Lyme people in which you can fellowship and receive encouragement from. Whether its a local group, a Facebook group or a forum online – find something.

3. Follow the big strong duck – make sure the fellow Lyme patients or your closest friends have a positive attitude and are getting better. If not, you are following the wrong duck the wrong direction.

4. Don’t forget you can fly – Look upward, look onward and focus on tomorrow being better. I love this little duck photo because the I picture all those little ducks cheering on the guy who is climbing up. Focus and meditate on getting better.

5. Don’t forget you could be the main course for dinner – We are all just one breath away from eternity so get your emotional and spiritual life in order. Its never too late to rededicate your life and reset your priorities. A brush with a terrible chronic illness has a way of getting rid of what doesn’t matter in your life. Spend time with the ones you love, and live and laugh.