Tag: Empower

Some Days I Feel Like Giving Up | I Won’t

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPC7 Comments

This is a post that I debated writing for quite some time. My goal with this blog and podcast (Windy’s Journey), is to be fully and completely transparent in hopes that my journey will Empower | Encourage | Inspire someone else who might be living with chronic illness. That being said, sometimes it’s really hard putting yourself out there for fear of judgement or misunderstanding. At times the fear paralyzes me and I don’t post or share some things that I know would be helpful for someone else. I belong to several groups on social media where I get to hear about other people’s journey living with a variety of chronic illnesses. Some of the stories I heard are gut-wrenching and quite frightening. Hearing such stories can have a toll on me because I care so deeply about people who are sick. It can be depressing at times to live everyday in pain, not feeling well and longing for the version of yourself that no longer exists.

Some days I feel like giving it all up…the blog, the podcast and caring for others who are dealing with the same things I’m dealing with. I know the subject of chronic illness isn’t a “sexy” topic and not a lot of people want to sign up to hear me “complain” about ALL the things I have going on in my life. I get it, but for some reason I just can’t seem to let it go. I feel as though my story will reach the ONE person who needs to hear my story and me inspired to keep fighting. But like I said, some days I just feel like it’s a waste of my time. While I know that’s not true, it’s hard to keep pushing and to keep fighting even though I know it’s what I am called to do. I know there are millions of people living with invisible illnesses who need a word of encouragement to know they are not alone. It’s easy for me to get caught up in the number of likes I get (or not get) on my social media posts or the number of people who are following my blog and/or podcast. I have to stop worrying about that…I have a great friend who recently told me not everyone who sees my posts on social media will always “Like” the post or make a comment on my blog posts but my message is inspiring them and that I need to get out of my head and keep sharing my story! Such great advice…right? Even if only person is helped by hearing my journey with chronic illness, that is enough.

I will continue to write, post and record podcast episodes when I am feeling up to it. It does require a lot of energy, which oftentimes I don’t have, but when I can it’s so worth it.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find Windy’s Journey podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, AmazonMusic and Spotify!  We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage | Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

Daniel 3:18 “And if not, He is still good! “

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A Day In The Life Of Someone With Chronic Illness | Part 2 | Afternoons

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPCLeave a comment

I hope my last post gave some clear insight to what my mornings typically look like. It’s a struggle to get my day started each day as I slowly get moving and assess how my body feels. So, that being said, let’s talk about my afternoons shall we?

AFTERTOON

Most days my aftertoons start with a nap. The morning takes so much energy that it leaves me completely worn out. I love napping with all of the blinds closed and the room slightly cooler than normal so I can snuggle with my favorite blanket and comfy pillow. Just before falling asleep I let my husband know that I’m going down for a nap so that he doesn’t call or text me so I can sleep. This is important because at times it’s difficult for me to fall asleep no matter how exhausted I am. I try hard to give myself every opportunity to rest…well. My naps can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours, it just depends on the day. My favorite day for naps is Sunday! Everyone in my family knows that Sundays after church I will be down for the count for no less than 3-4 hours. The best nap ever….does anyone else love a Sunday afternoon nap? #dontwakemeimsleeping

After I wake up from my nap, it’s time to for my afternoon RX doses. That can mean about 4 additional pills. At this time I may take a look around the house to see if there’s anything pressing that needs to be picked up or cleaned, I will also assess how I’m feeling to see if I’m physically able to complete anything additional. Most likely I won’t have the needed strength to do anything more which means I get to crawl back into bed and watch some TV (or let the TV watch me-whichever comes first). If I don’t sleep I may call or text a few friends to see how they are doing and let them know I’m thinking of them. Catching up with my sisters is really important to me…I am truly blessed! I love you ladies so much and I am so thankful that I get to do life with you.

During the afternoon my husband is often out working. He started his own business this year and is doing such a great job of networking and generating new business and gaining new clients. This means that I am home alone most afternoons unless my daughter is home. She has been keeping busy with basketball. With the two of them being out of the house that gives me time to spend reflecting, ready my bible and just getting quiet. I love being by myself. I will turn the TV off and lay in bed and just be. This has proven to be great for my overall mental health. My peace is important to me and do whatever I can to remove anything that brings negativity or stress to my life. I have no time or energy for things that are not drawing me closer to God, not adding value to my life, not putting a smile on my face, not getting me closer to my purpose and not benefiting me in any way. As my son would say…”You can miss me with all of that”! As someone with chronic illness, I’ve had to learn to set healthy boundaries in order for me to have the best health outcome…that has been a game changer for me. Not being mean, but I must prioritize my well being above all else. So when I’m alone at thome I am able to hear from God and put things into perspective and be at peace.

As the day draws closer to late afternoon/early evening I prepare from my husband and daughter to come home after being busy most of the day. This time of day is my favorite as I anticipate hearing all about their day. I’m thankful for my afternoons as they are typically filled with a few naps,catching up with family and friends and talking with God.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find Windy’s Journey podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, AmazonMusic and Spotify! 

We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage | Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

And if not, He is still good!  Daniel 3:18

Follow me on social media:

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A Chronic Illness | Not To Do List

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPC1 Comment

For someone living with chronic illness it’s important for us to be thoughtful of the things we do everyday so we don’t over exert ourselves. That means being mindful of the things we CAN do and the things we CAN’T do. This can be hard for someone who is used to being independent, like me, but in order to practice self care we need to pay attention to our bodies and let it take the lead on what we can do safely and with the assistance of others if needed.

Windy’s Not To Do List

  • Do not say “Yes” to things your body is telling you to say “No” to
  • Do not blame yourself for being unable to do certain things. It’s not your fault!
  • Do not speak negatively about yourself (You are not your illness)
  • Do not pretend to be ok when you’re not ok (It’s ok to not be ok)
  • Do not isolate yourself (We all need community)
  • Do not overthink things (That can lead to unnecessary stress)
  • Do not ignore your symptoms (Listening to your body is very important)

Having a chronic illness can be hard at times, I mean most days for me it’s very hard as I don’t feel like getting out of bed. For the most part having a chronic illness means that we will need to make some adjustments in our daily routines as well as depending on others to help from time to time. Listening to our bodies, saying no to the things you need to say no to and giving yourself some grace can make all the difference.

If you are someone who lives with chronic illness, what are things you’ve learned to say “No” to? How did that make you feel? How did those around you adjust? I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to make a comment below or shoot me an email at info@windysjourney.com.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find Windy’s Journey podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, AmazonMusic and Spotify! 

We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage | Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

And if not, He is still good!  Daniel 3:18

Follow me on social media:

IG: @windysjourney

FB: @windysjourney

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Chronic Illness & My Love Of Fashion

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPC4 Comments

This is a topic that I’ve struggled with for quite some time now. You see while I have been living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Lyme Disease (to name a couple), I also have a great love for ALL things fashion. So what’s the big deal? Well, I’m so glad you asked.

HOW I SHOW UP VS. HOW OTHERS SHOW UP

My issue with this is in the way I show up. Most people you come across who live with some type of chronic illness may show up in lounge wear, no makeup and a comfy pair of socks. To be honest, that’s me whenever I’m at home resting. However, when it’s time to leave the house for a doctor appointment, church or one of my kids sporting events it’s hard for me to leave the house without putting forth some effort to look…good. For someone who has loved fashion for as long as I have and who has worked in the fashion industry for as long as I have, it’s hard to toss that part of me aside, even while struggling with my health.

Each day when I wake up, I thank God for another day then I lie in bed for at least an hour or more in order to a get sense of how my day will go…how I’m feeling and what I can and cannot do. Once I get my morning started I take a look at our family calendar and see if there are any appointments for the day that I need to attend. Once that’s all figured out I then think about what I am going to wear. It’s just a habit, and it’s the truth. It has been ingrained in me to care about my outward appearance when leaving the house from the time I was a young girl in North Texas. Sometimes I wonder what others think about me when I show up somewhat pulled together, I wonder if they think I’m not really sick because of my outward appearance. There’s this internal tug of war going on…do I wear makeup to cover all of the redness and swelling in my face? Should I wear my favorite jeans and graphic t-shirt along with my comfy shoes that just happens to be a luxury brand? What will people think? Do I dress down to make others ok with my condition while at the same time suppressing who I am and who God created me to be? Heck no! (You know I wanted to say something else right there)! Lol!

It has taken some time for me to get comfortable in this space. In the past I have felt bad (for lack of a better word) for pulling myself together when heading out of the house. I now know that this was all FEAR and INSECURITY! Thanks to a dear friend of mine who pointed this out to me in a loving way. She encouraged me to be myself and not concern myself with the thoughts of others. Not to be mean, but not to give any weight to the way others see me. What God says about me is what matters most and that’s what I will continue to draw courage and strength.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 1:5 ” I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart”…I love this verse because it gives me freedom to be me knowing that I am walking in who God has created me to be! I believe that God is using me and my love of fashion while in the midst of my health journey to be a living testimony that God can use the sick to minister HOPE to everyone I come in contact with. There may be someone that feels they would not be welcome in the house of God because they love luxury items and love to wear name brands. Everyone has a place in God’s family. We all deserve the space to be ALL that we created to be. If you love fashion you are who God says you are. Hold your head up high, carry that Gucci bag and get your praise on! I have to add…everything in moderation.

Here is a picture of me taken a few years ago. I love this look! I love the everything about it. I felt confident and strong, but what you can’t see is the intense pain my body is in. After this picture was taken, I went home to rest and ended up being in a Fibromyalgia flare up for over a week. But you know what? Even with that God is still good just as it says in Daniel 3:18!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like, share and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find Windy’s Journey podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, AmazonMusic and Spotify! 

We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage | Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

And if not, He is still good!  Daniel 3:18

Follow Windy on social media:

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FB: @windysjourney

T: @windysjourney

P: @windysjourney

The Cold Makes My Fibromyalgia Worse

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPCLeave a comment

I have been living with Fibromyalgia for over 20 years now and I must say I never look forward to the winter months here in Texas. Around the month of February is when we start to see more traditional winter temperatures, that’s the time of year my body dreads the most. As the temps start to drop my body begins feeling the cold in my bones which makes the already intense fibromyalgia pain worse. Once I get cold it’s hard for me to warm up. The aches and pains in my entire body run deep.

Day after day my body tenses up due to the cold which causes a fibromyalgia flare up. This is likely because of the numerous sensory nerves in the circulatory system. It’s hard for me to relax because I can’t regulate my body temperature. I mean my skin even hurts if you can imagine that. When I get cold my nerves become agitated which causes the nerves to act improperly, thus causing increased pain.

No matter who you talk to, those of us who have Fibromyalgia seem to have this in common, we hate the impact cold temperatures have on our bodies. I belong to several chronic illness groups and it never seems to fail that when we get into the winter months you start to notice more and more posts where people are in increased pain due to the cold weather.

Pain Management

What helps with managing the increased pain levels for Fibromyalgia sufferers during the winter months? Here are a few things that help me:

◦ Hot bubble baths (As hot as I can stand it)

◦ Heating blanket

◦ Fluffy socks

◦ Wearing lots of layers

◦ Eating more hot foods

◦ Weighted blanket

◦ Sipping on hot water with lemon or hot tea

◦ Turning up the thermostat (This can be a balancing act with other family members in the house)

◦ Keep a sweater in every room of the house as well as in the car

I have read about instances in which a family will move to a warm weather climate to get away from the cold temperatures, however I do recognize this is not a simple solution that many can make.

Here’s a recent picture of me in the backseat of our car (driven by my amazing husband) in so much pain due to the really cold temperature. You can almost see the pain in my face and the many layers of clothing I am wearing to try and get warm.

One note of caution…you will want to be careful when trying to get warm, you don’t want to warm up too fast as this can also cause a flare up of symptoms and increase pain for getting too hot too fast. It’s a balancing act for sure and you will want to ease into any routine until you find what works best for you and your body. Remember everyone is different and what works for me may or may not work for you! Please be careful!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find “Windy’s Journey” podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, AmazonMusic and Spotify!

We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage & Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

And if not, He is still good! Daniel 3:18

Follow me on social media:

IG: @windysjourney

FB: @windysjourney

T: @windysjourney

What’s Going On With My Face?

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPC1 Comment

As someone who lives with Chronic Lyme Disease, it’s important for me to detox. This helps my body eliminate some of the dead bacteria (endotoxins). One of the main reasons for this is to help reduce inflammation that’s caused by the endotoxins. Lyme bacteria replicates itself at a fast rate so it’s imperative to do what I can to detox daily.

One of the things I began noticing is that while detoxing I will get these red splotches on my face. Sometimes it looks like a rash while other times it appears as acne. This is the Lyme bacteria trying to come out through the pores in my face. It doesn’t itch, it does not hurt but it looks bad. (See photo below)

When this happens I become self conscious. In these moments I notice that I also start to feel a little anxious because I think everyone notices and think it’s gross. Now I know that’s not true but it’s kind of when you have a cold sore…you think that’s all anyone sees. I also become angry that this is happening to me, feel sorry for myself and I just want to hide. It happens a few times each month. No matter what I do, I can’t avoid it. In a sense it’s a good thing…the dead bacteria is escaping my body. I just wish it wasn’t so visible.

HOW I DETOX

There are quite a number of ways you can detox. A few of the ways I prefer are:

  • Drinking water (Lemon water is best)
  • Infrared Sauna
  • Juicing
  • Dry Brushing
  • ***I will go into each of these in great detail in a later post***

If detoxing in something you do as part of your regular self-care routine, what are some things that work for you? I’d love to hear from you. Who knows, you might be doing something that works for me too!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find Windy’s Journey podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify! We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage & Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

What’s Wrong With My Thyroid?  

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPC5 Comments

Over the past several months I have been having an issue with my weight.  Since the end of 2021 I have gained over 20 pounds.  I don’t really eat much, maybe twice per day so that inspired me to reach out to my doctor to see what was going on. After a series of trips to the lab I found out that my thyroid is underactive again.  This is not the first time I’ve had an issue with my weight and my thyroid.  Back in 2018 I had a similar issue and my RX was adjusted and I was able to lose the weight. This time, the bloodwork showed that my levels had decreased again which meant I needed to have my RX adjusted. 

According to thyroid.com, More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Although it feels very personal to me, I know I’m not alone in my struggle.

Over the course of a year, my medication has been adjusted twice, however it does not appear to be working.  I am not able to move comfortably, I cannot fit into my clothes comfortably and just don’t feel like myself.  With the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Lyme Disease, I am unable to exercise to try and get the weight off.  It’s hard for me to walk long distances and it’s equally hard for me to walk for a long period of time without my heart rate increasing to the point of becoming dizzy, and feeling like I am going to pass out.  My hands start shaking, I become lightheaded and weak. It’s actually quite scary when I think about it.  My doctor suggested water exercise, the only thing about that is I’m not a swimmer. I’m thinking I will be ok in a hot tub or a pool in the shallow end, but I have not yet started and I know I need to.  

Since the weight gain I can tell I’m a bit more self conscious and anxious. You see I don’t like the way to look and feel and in my head everyone has noticed. I know those close to me love me know matter what but I get in my head and just want to crawl under a rock or just stay in bed. I ask my husband more regularly if I look ok and of course he thinks I’m beautiful. My girlfriends think I’m as stylish as ever and their support means a lot. Some days I look in the mirror and feel sorry for myself. In those moments I feel a little depression trying to creep in. It’s a battle every single day, physically, mentally and spiritually. I cannot allow my illness to define who I know God created me to be. I am more than how I look, I just have to be intentional about reminding myself who God says I am and control the things I can control. Some of the things I’ve been working to implement are:

  • Eating less carbs and sweets
  • Eating more fish, fruit and veggies
  • Drinking more water (Especially lemon water…helps with inflammation)

In the meantime I will wait to see what the doctor says about making additional changes to my thyroid medication and go from there. I do realize that it’s not just my thyroid, it also has to do with the amount of inflammation and swelling in my body. Lot’s going on but God is still good!

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find Windy’s Journey podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify! We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage & Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/windys-journey/id1584718516

The Truth About Chronic Illness

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPC2 Comments

I have been on this chronic illness journey for nearly 20 years, and while that may be a long time, I am learning new things every single day. I am a member of several support groups on Facebook…the stories I get to hear would shock you. Here are a few things I’ve learned so far that on one hand makes me sad and on the other hand makes me want to do more to increase awareness:

◦ There is a high rate of divorce (Some spouses can’t handle everything that comes with having a spouse who is always sick…they give up)

◦ Many have to choose between paying their co-pays for much needed medication and food or mortgage (That’s a shame)

◦ Many are not believed by their family and/or close friends when they say they are sick

◦ Far too many are made fun of

◦ There is a high rate of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety

◦ There is a stigma attached to having a chronic illness, especially if your illness is invisible

◦ Some suffer verbal and/or physical abuse

◦ Far too many give up and resort to suicide (The numbers are staggering)

◦ Most are too sick to work and are dependent upon social security disability for income

◦ Many are misdiagnosed with many diseases before the correct diagnosis is finally made

◦ Many suffer in silence and not receiving the proper treatment

◦ Many illnesses are invisible which can lead to resentment and frustration from others (Believe us)

I could go on and on about the things some are dealing with in addition to fighting for their health. It hurts my soul to know that some are choosing to end their lives because they are so tired of the pain, the neglect, abuse, feeling like you are a burden to family and friends.

Personally, I suffer from mild depression and anxiety. At times I miss the life I used to have…being able to do what I want, go where I want…those days are long gone. I spend a lot of time explaining my illnesses to some who really want to help but they just don’t know how. While some say they had no idea how sick I am because of my outward appearance. The only thing I can say to that is you never know what a person is going through on the inside…mentally, physically and emotionally. Check on your “strong” friends who are sick but always tell you they’re ok. It could be they’re just telling you that because they don’t want to be a burden to you. When you ask how they are doing be sure to say something like “No, how are you really doing”. Hopefully that will get them to open up and share with you how they are really feeling and how you might be able to support them.

The truth is, living with a chronic illness is ugly, painful, hard, lonely, exhausting, stressful, and isolating at times. We are doing the best we can to make it through each day, but it takes a village to make it through our journey.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please be sure to like and subscribe to our blog so you’re in the know when we have a new blogpost. You can also find Windy’s Journey podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify! We need your support to help increase awareness about chronic illness and the negative impact it has on individuals and their families. Share this with someone who is chronically ill as it is my life’s goal to Empower | Encourage & Inspire others who are on this journey with me.

XO- Windy

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/windys-journey/id1584718516

Honey, It’s Cold Outside!

On By Windy J Cumberbatch, CPC4 Comments

The seasons are changing and it’s starting to get cooler and my body has been going through it. In the mornings recently it has been averaging around 38 degrees this week and I have felt every bit of it. During the fall and winter months I tend to spend more and more time in the bed mostly because the cold causes me to tense up which causes a higher degree of pain. Don’t get me wrong, I welcome the change from the 100+ temps we tend to see here in TX during the summer months but as it gets cooler I tend to go into my personal hibernation.

Fighting with the thermostat because I can’t seem to regulate my temperature, adding on layers, oh and the thick, cozy socks that my daughter buys me for Christmas each year begin to make their annual appearance around this time. I can’t forget my favorite fall/winter accessory…my weighted blanket!!!! Not only does it help keep me warm, it helps manage the fibromyalgia pain. I believe the one I use the most is about 20 lbs. I think everyone in the world should have one…or two! In addition to my weighted blanket, there are other things I love during this time of year that help me manage pain and inflammation:

  • Hot Tea (Oolong is my favorite right now with a splash of heavy cream)
  • Yummy Soup (Warm and comforting…Tomato Basil)
  • Bubble Baths (As hot as I can stand it, with Epsom Salt)
  • Hot Stone Massage (Helps with pain management)
  • Weighted Blanket (I know…I had to say it again, it really is a game changer)

You see when it’s cold outside I tend to tense up which causes even more pain. The muscles in my body are so tight and it’s hard for me to relax. I also notice an increase in brain fog when it’s both cold and rainy. Not fun at all, so that makes me want to stay in bed and sleep when really what I need to be doing is moving my body so the muscles have a better chance relax so I’m not so tense.

Keys To Staying Warm This Winter:

  • Layering
  • Thick, fuzzy socks
  • Lots of blankets
  • Hat (Keep your body warm from the top)
  • Gloves (My hands are always cold)
  • My favorite scarf (Really it’s my husbands, but I sneak and wear it sometimes…don’t tell)

What are some ways you keep warm during the fall/winter months? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to drop a comment below or send an email to info@windysjourney.com

Thank you so much for stopping by! Please help me out by liking, subscribing and sharing with someone who is living with chronic illness. Also, be sure to subscribe to my podcast, “Windy’s Journey“, now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts or wherever you stream.

I appreciate your support! It really means so much, more than you will ever know. It’s important to me to bring more awareness and support.

XO, Windy