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Living with PN, do you find yourself retreating from life?
Neuropathy | Last Active: Mar 5 10:44am | Replies (144)Comment receiving replies
Ray, since this disease entered my life six years ago it has affected every area of my life. I have been using a walker now for five of those years. I describe neuropathy like a train going down the tracks with no brakes. Each year it has progressed more. I’m at the point now where I feel happy and safe just staying home. To go out means receiving help with the walker and getting into the car. I tried flying to see my kids this past summer but even that was difficult. I need help to get to the baggage area because walking with my walker in the airport is just too much for me and enjoying my children’s homes brings a whole new problem just dealing with stairs. So yes, you are not alone with the feelings of becoming antisocial. I hate to ask for help. I was always an independent person and now I’m becoming comfortable with the new me. I love my condo and those wishing to see me know they are always welcome to visit. I have found other interests to keep me occupied. Life goes on and we have to make the best of it. I wish you well. Hope this makes you know you are not alone. Hugs
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Thank you, tessie63 (@tessie63), for such a beautiful reply! I remain torn between, on one hand, preferring to stay at home and to invite my friends to come see me, which, up till now, they've been happy to do, and on the other hand, feeling terrible that I'm rarely ever eager to visit them in their homes. Only this morning one of my friends dropped by who've invited me several times to come to his home for dinner. I'll confess when I receive an invitation to "dinner" at this time of year, my mind immediately thinks "darkness," "uneven sidewalks," "entry steps without a railing," and so on. I know I'm over-dwelling on the negatives, negatives that could so easily be nullified if only I would forthrightly explain to my friend and his wife why I'm inclined to stay at home; they would––without batting an eyelash––offer to pick me up and drive me home, escort me to the front door, etc. Tellingly, as my friend was leaving this morning, he paused to say that he and his wife what me to come have a meal with them, making a point of adding, saying his words as if they were in boldface, "But we'll make it a lunch, Ray. What do you say? How would that be?" I, too, wish you well, tessie63. Stay safe. Let's all of us stay safe! –Ray (@ray666)