Going Home for the Holidays...

Hi All!
So, I got permission earlier this week to go home for Thanksgiving! This is beyond exciting news, as after I got so sick when I went back to CO in May I thought my days of going home at all anymore were over. However, the Dr said if I stayed in Denver instead of going to my parents house (who are at nearly 8000 ft), and I use my portable oxygen the entire time (the only bummer), then I can go for a few days. I can not tell you what good this did my heart to hear. My mom was originally supposed to come visit me here in FL for Turkey Day, but she has Fibromyalgia and has been really tired recently, and wasn't sure shed be able to make the trip. So I was concerned that I may be spending the holiday alone. Don't get me wrong, I have friends, but for the most part those friends are spending the day with their own families or spouses, and I feel like I am intruding. This leaves me alone on those "family" holidays, and I have to be honest; I hate it. The other 362 days of the year, I don't mind being alone. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas, I want people around me. The more the merrier, especially if the gathering includes Christmas music, food, and hearing people laugh.

Being a chronic pain sufferer, and as someone who has a chronic illness, I know how hard holidays and gatherings can be if you do too much. But I also know that if you just stay in bed and hide, you miss out on some of the best memories you may ever make. So that is the question, my fellow Lupus Comrades; how do you balance? Hoe do you say no to one person, and yes to the next, without ticking off person number one? How do you say, yes, Id love to have a get together at my house, but I really need help putting it together, I cant do it on my own. Or, yes, Id love to have Thanksgiving at our house this year, but we need to ask everyone to bring a dish, so it's not all on me, and I can actually enjoy the night! I know often we feel guilty doing this, because we are comparing ourselves to Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Jones could do it all, and still kick a little ass while she was at it! But remember this, Mrs. Jones is totally healthy, and she might be able to go out a kick a little ass, but so are you, your'e just doing it behind the scenes, and the ass your kicking is Lupus' ass! This is a much harder battle, and the struggle is invisible to many. 

Despite knowing this intellectually, emotionally it can be a different story. Emotionally this time of year can bring on the blues, especially if you feel you are alone. So answer me this; how do you avoid the blues during the Holidays? Do you spend it with friends? Do you volunteer? Do you travel? What do you do to maintain balance, keep yourself happy, and enjoy this time of year? I know for me, I have to be with my family. I just don't feel like me during the Holidays if I'm not surrounded by the people I love, and Ive learned that for me, there is just no getting around that. 

Now I want to hear from you! Tell me what you do during the Holidays to avoid the blues, and how you maintain balance so you remain healthy. I'd love to hear any tips you all have to avoid a Lupus Flare during this busy time of year! 

With that, Happy Turkey Day my friends! May you have a happy, Healthy, wonderful Thanksgiving.
-Heidi