Page 41 - N&V Winter 2019

Lupus, the Flowers, the Dog and the Book

Last summer, I wrote an article on how changing our negative emotional state
can improve both our life and our health. In order to do that, I explained how
the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, discovered by Dr Bach in the 1930s, can

alleviate all of the negative human emotions and restore inner peace. The
remedies come from bushes, trees, wild plants and flowers. So, in essence, they
are healing liquid plants and can be used alongside conventional treatments.

Since last summer, I unwavering and unconditional love for me, losing my job or suffering from nasty side
have continued to have pushed me out of bed so many times effects of the medication etc. I found that
pay attention to because I could not let him down by not making a conscious effort to look back on
my state of mind taking him out for his two daily walks. all the positives and on my achievements
and the impact Of course there were days when I was go a long way towards lessening the hold
negative emotions truly so unwell that I could not look after of Lupus on my body and on my life.
have on my him but, through meeting other dog For example, six months before I was
physical health. I owners, and some diagnosed, at age 56, I started a one-
would confess that good friends, I year top up university course to get a
there were ups and discovered a degree. Halfway through, I fell quite ill
downs, physically and emotionally just as whole array of and was told I had lupus. Not being
you experience, I am sure. However, once people willing to aware of the limitations that full blown
again, the Bach Flower Remedies played a help out and I lupus would bring, it did not occur to me I
valuable role with their soothing powers.
only ask when I may not be able to
In addition to using various remedies, my am really, really, finish the academic
dog Teddy (and a growing number of desperate. I year. But I was
people around me who suddenly materi- have pushed determined, so I
alised since myself more in pressed on. At the
owning a dog) these last 18 time, even though I
have greatly months than in the was also working, I
improved my six years since my diagnosis. Each time I felt no limitation
emotional health. push myself and go out walking Teddy in because, in my
The isolation I all weathers, I come back home feeling mind, I was 100%
used to feel, better in myself and feeling a sense of committed to finishing the degree.
caused by the achievement I rarely felt before.
chronic fatigue, More recently, in January 2019, I
nearly Plus, in all honesty, speaking to friends published my first novella. I never thought
disappeared who also turned 60, highlighted that they I had it in me to write a creative crime
when Teddy too were suffering from the same emotions drama, but I did. The best part is that,
entered my life. He was a surprise and issues that I was: depression, tiredness, whilst writing, I felt totally alive and not at
present for my 60th birthday in November irritability and apathy. It seems obvious all “lupussy”. The health benefits of
2017, and initially I thought I would be that some issues are age-related but, when finding an activity that makes me smile
unable to cope with the demands of a nine one’s life is marred by a long-term illness, and happy are amazing. It is definitely
week old puppy especially never having it is easy to lose track of the fact that another tool in helping reclaim my life
had a dog before! I was exhausted a lot, different stages of life bring their own from the disease.
I cried a lot, I often questioned my level of challenges anyway. To most people, the concept of flower
competence as a dog owner. Initially, I put So now I ask myself more frequently: “Ok, essences being instrumental in improving
all these doubts and problems down to you are feeling this today. Is this lupus or one’s well-being and life may be far-
having lupus and to low energy levels. is it the normal process of reaching 60? fetched. However, altogether, the Bach
This was until I spoke to other owners of How can you deal with this differently?” Flower Remedies, the dog, and the book
puppies, non-lupus sufferers, who were If I can push past it, I know I was limiting have helped me switch my perception of
struggling in the same way that I was! myself. But if I really physically can’t do it the disease and get on a path where I
then I know that, on that day, rest is have more control over my health and
The reason I mention this, is that it needed and I may have to ask for help. over my life.
highlighted my tendency to blame The valuable lesson from this new
everything on lupus and Sjögrens when, in approach is that by paying attention to, This last year, I reclaimed “ME”! “ME”
fact, there are some moments in life when and challenging, my negative state of happens to have lupus but “LUPUS” NO
everyone struggles with certain situations. mind and ensuing emotions, it lessens the LONGER DEFINES ME.
What Teddy brought me is a sense of impact of lupus on my body.
balance and perspective on the disease.
It pulled me out of the pattern of Reflecting on what I had achieved so far in Article written by Régine Demuynck of
believing that I was so limited that I limited my life (post diagnosis), also helped me The Butterfly Within
myself even further. Before Teddy, when I put this disease into perspective. In the Please note that people with diagnosed
felt I could not get out of bed, I would not last six years, I have achieved quite a bit. mental health issues should not use Bach
get out of bed. Since Teddy, my Of course, it did not always feel that way Flower Remedies as they can interfere with
268C
commitment and love for him and his when I was facing daily struggles, when mood-altering medication.
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luPus uK NEWS & VIEWS SUMMER 2019