StemCell Therapy

I spent my summer watching Survivor. You know, the reality television show that shows people living in rugged, beautiful climates, taking part in challenges and voting each other off the island every few days. I was a fan when it started in 2000, but over the years, schedules and life turned my attention to other viewing pleasures.

Back then, I liked the beautiful settings and the intrigue among the cast members who were creating these intense relationships from living together in harsh circumstances and then back-stabbing those same people as part of the game. But what I really loved were the challenges. These usually took the form of giant obstacle courses, either on a sandy beach or in the ocean. Contestants swam, jumped, dug, wiggled and ran their way to winning rewards or immunity from being voted off. I liked to think about how I would do that and what skills I would bring to such fun.

Related: 10 'Hidden' Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis We Don't Talk About

But this summer was different.

After years away from the show, this summer I found 34 seasons on Hulu and binged my way through season after season. I was able to do this because this summer a rheumatoid arthritis flare that included severe back pain and fatigue put me in bed with just a phone and a remote. I spent hours watching Survivor, drawn in by something internal and strong. At first, I wasnt sure what the lure was, but then it occurred to me.

I saw myself on that screen, except this time through the lens of my new reality.

When contestants would swim into the ocean, climb a ladder to retrieve a special key, then swim back, struggling to pull themselves on to a platform, I saw myself. I recognized that deep, unshakable fatigue, even though the genesis was different for them than for me.

When it rained for five days straight and their fire went out so they could only eat coconut in wet clothes, I recognized the despair on their faces from not knowing when this particular pain would end.

Related: 13 Things People Who Have to Give Themselves Shots Wish Others Understood

When a downcast contestant would dig deep and finish a challenge just when they needed the win, I found inspiration in my own battle for a win.

When their families showed up as a surprise reward, I wept from knowing how sustaining that unconditional love is and the hope it brings.

Yes, I saw myself in these Survivor contestants. No, I wasnt wearing a bathing suit on national TV or wrestling another person to try to win fishing gear, but I was in my own battle. It was a battle that included pain, despair, fatigue and hope. It was a battle that meant I had to will all my internal strength to be the victor. And as summer ended and my pain eased, I realized that I too, in my own reality, could call myself a Sole Survivor.

5 Tips for Success With Medical Cannabis

What Its Like When Doctors Blame You for Your Chronic Illness

8 Ways to Partner With Your Doctor and Take Charge of Your Healing

How I Took Walking for Granted

Read the original post:
Why I Relate to 'Survivor' as Someone With Rheumatoid Arthritis - Yahoo Lifestyle

This entry was posted on January 10, 2020 at 9:53 pm and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |