Amy, they say timing is everything. Just saw a news blurb about heart attack survivors. A 10 yr study showed the optimists had a 30 - 50 % better survival rate Vs their pessimistic counterparts. So, is it all mind over matter. Not so, said the study authors. Altho approaching life in general in a better frame of mind, the big difference was this allowed them to take their meds, follow their diets, and to get regular exercise better than the pessimists. Why? Mostly due to them approaching it with a positive attitude. Pessimists were less likely to do the things they were told were good for them because they had a 'negative' approach.. You know, why bother. My heart is going to get me anyway. That's a fairly simplistic take on the situation, and it is only one study. But given those two choices/approaches... which one is going to make whatever life one has left a better life to live? And the good news.. even if one is by nature in the latter pessimistic group... that is NOT hardwired into the brain. One can effect real change. Apparently it's fairly simple... if pessimistic, write out worst case scenarios... then examine them to see how many things would have to come together to make them happen... then look at how many of these events just don't come to pass. One can train one's mind NOT to be so pessimistic. And it gives one the chance to get on the 'good' side of the equation. Sound doable?
Is another flare inevitable? Wellll, that depends. It is if one believes that life is guaranteed. That one can close their eyes tonight, and be certain they will wake up tomorrow. Should one then be terrified of closing their eyes? What a way to go thru the gift life is... Thing of it is, we have lived and survived life w IBD this far... we've been thru flares, and worse. If they come, when they do, we can survive them again. In the meantime, why not let's celebrate the good?
