Q&A: How Can I Let People Know Their Perfume is Making Me Sick?

fragrance

I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and when people who are wearing perfume want to hug me they transfer their scent to my clothing! How can we let people know that their perfume is having the opposite intended effect on some people? That to someone with MCS, their perfume is about 20 times more intense and nauseating! I'm not comfortable saying, "Hi there! No offense, but your perfume makes me gag! No, I can't sit next to you!" If I were king, I'd lump perfume with cigarette smoke and ban it in public places! Sorry you perfume lovers-- nothing personal. I am just trying to breathe and be healthy. --Semi-silent sufferer, attending church on-line Dear Semi-silent sufferer, You are definitely not alone! Although many assume this … [Read more...]

When One Word Prayers Are All You Can Handle

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When the pain is excruciating, when it takes all you have just to stay conscious. . . When you know you need the Lord but you cannot read the Word, you cannot focus, you can barely form the sentences to say a prayer. . . can you whisper a word? Just a word, as a prayer? Yes! Recently during Rest Ministries Fall Bible Study many people shared that they do this, or are learning to do it. God understands even when our prayers don't make sense If you have ever felt like you could barely put a complete sentence together, don't not pray. "The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words." (Romans 8:26) Sighing the name of "Jesus" will always … [Read more...]

What We Can Learn From Mary While Living with Chronic Illness

Actress Tatiana Maslany, Nativity

During this time of year when we are celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ we can easily grow to have the Christmas story sound casual since we have heard it so many times. Mary rode a donkey, there was no room in the inn, and she gave birth to Jesus in a stable, with a star overhead. I always love to take a second look at this story, however, to find a fresh perspective on it and to personalize it. This year, as I looked more closely at the life of Mary, I saw certain traits that we all can learn from, especially those with chronic illness. Mary surrendered her own will to God's plans “'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'” (Luke 1:38) Mary was just a girl who had dreams of … [Read more...]

Preparing Your Holiday Priorities When Chronically Ill

child-star

Many people are eager to start the chaos of preparing for the holidays, including baking, decorating, shopping and getting together with loved ones. For those with a chronic illness, however, there can be a sense of dread because our desires are much like the rest of the population, but we know our bodies will never hold up to all of the things that we would like to do. "When I think of the holidays, I immediately think of all of the things I need to do and then I am tired just thinking about it," says Karon, who lives with lupus and fibromyalgia. "I used to love to bake and do cookie exchanges. I decorated the whole house. Now just thinking about getting a tree seems overwhelming." As believers, Christmas is a time of celebrating the … [Read more...]

When Illness Threatens to Make You Feel Invisible

invisible

I once heard the comparison that life with chronic illness was sort of like "living in the parenthesis." It can sound like a bad Christmas letter. . . We have had the most fabulous year (despite mom being in the hospital a couple of weeks). We had a wonderful trip to the lake and went camping (mom stayed in a motel nearby) and everyone waterskiied and sunbathed (except mom, she can't be in the sun or ski so she just watched from under a canopy). We went to see the caves (mom couldn't walk the stairs so she just rested at the motel). We are looking forward to getting together with you this year (Mom can't travel so we hope you can visit us!) Does life ever feel that way? Over in the Rest Ministries Sunroom Bet shared her heart on … [Read more...]

Searching For My Abundant Life

abundance

Emotional and spiritual growth. It is hard. I sit here balancing my netbook on my lap. If I rest my elbows on the arms of my chair I can sort of type. Both shoulders are throbbing. Ache. Pause. Shooting pain. Pause. Throb. Pause. They have hurt since before going to bed last night and did not improve. But due to my jaw swelling shut the day before, I was too focused on the pain there. My head ached. This morning the head is somewhat better. But now I feel the shoulders. Please, Lord, I cry out. Don't let this be my day! I already gave Tuesday and Wednesday to my illness. I want Thursday! I need to go and take a shower. Get dressed. But I can barely stand. I cannot reach my head to even pat down the bed head. How long … [Read more...]

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