Life with Dysautonomia

The week after returning to work from being on child care leave for 6 months was extremely stressful. My energy level had been dropping from the little bit of energy I normally had. I felt feverish at times and like I had the flu during the previous month. I figured that a lack of sleep and the stress of going back to work was catching up with me. I also had a terrible cold that I was fighting. I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to work and take care of my daughter and our household. While driving home on the second day of being back, my heart started racing out of control, I felt extremely weak, nauseous, and was sweating all over. All I could think of was that I needed to pick Becca up from daycare and get home, even though I felt like I was dying. Each mile I drove I wondered if I was going to die right there. I started praying for God's help. I was so scared. When I arrived to pick up Becca, her daycare provided noticed how 'gray' I looked. I said I was feeling really sick and needed to get home. So I took Becca and went home. The days that followed were basically a living hell. I was so weak, I could barely walk from the kitchen to my bedroom and spent most of all the day in bed. I was blessed to have my neice living with me and she took care of the housework and cooking, while my husband helped with caring for our daughter when he got home. Life as I knew it had changed and everyday I take each moment as it comes. I have learned that the hardest part of having Dysautonomia is having to ask for help from others, as I want and always have needed to be independent -- but when your body is too weak to even walk, barely talk and just talking a shower about kicks your butt, you realize that making adjustments to even daily living activities is just a part of life now and asking for help with cleaning, lifting bags of groceries, car rides, and more is just how it has to be and to not worry about it. I try to stay positive knowing that I'm not alone in my struggles, and that God is with me every step of the way.