Depression during Christmas with Hepatitis C or Liver Disease
Christmas is all around us. The nativity, singing of hymns, buying myself a present – all of those traditions bring me comfort and joy. I am celebrating it more than ever this year thanks to my liver donor and his family for my transplant, but I have seen dark times and know how sadness can swell. You may have had some tough battles this year. Depression during Christmas with Hepatitis C, cancer, or liver disease is hard.
Are you tired of seeing unrealistic television commercials? You know the ones – with perfectly dressed children snuggled up on couches in elegant homes – shiny ornaments on symmetrical trees – beautiful people dancing around with big smiles singing about the newest gadget on sale? No, this is not a bah humbug blog. It is a reality check.
Reality Check
Many of you have thoughts of sadness to the point of thinking about ending it all. Some are separated from family, others may be sick, or maybe just has a burden that cannot be carried alone.
I’m not a therapist. If you are making a plan, please call a hotline or local medical facility. Now. Numbers and websites are listed below.
People don’t like the word suicide. Some talk of “ending it” or “just feeling like they don’t want to go on”.
One best friend whispered that she felt tired. You’ve been there. Me too. Bone tired.
As always, I’m going to give you my best thoughts and tips for dealing with feelings of not wanting to go on, or wanting to end it all. Suicide.
YOU have been placed on this planet for a reason. You are connected with all of humanity. We’re more than just a body, or just our thoughts. You and I are spiritual beings occupying time and space while on our journey here. Never underestimate the impact you have on others daily.
Is this you?
I talked to a man this week who thought that he had “messed up” with family and friends. He felt that they were better off without him. That lie will creep in when we are feeling sad or low. Even if you hurt others in the past, the choice of committing suicide would never heal them or you. Instead of ending it all, live well – love more – and help heal the situation, even if you are not in communication with them right now.
My List of How to Bring it Down a Notch
After you have talked with a therapist, hotline, family member, taken your meds or anything that helps you physically and chemically calmed down, do this:
Lie down and feel how emotions affect your physical body. You may feel pain, achy, stiffness, shortness of breath. It could feel like a weight is on your chest, with rapid fire thoughts or a rapid heart rate.
Listen to a healing prayer, song, or meditation. Check out my new one on soundcloud.com right here.
Laughter is good. Turn on a good movie like Happy or It’s a Wonderful Life. Watch cartoons. Get in front of a mirror and try a new workout. That’s always sure to get me giggling.
Love on your body by taking a walk, looking out the window, or stand in an open door. Get into a warm bath or shower. Feel how strong your body is. You are a miracle. Even with liver disease, your body is working hard to stay alive. Wrap your arms around you and give yourself a big hug. Lie down with a nice soft blanket. Take long slow deep breaths.
It’s Not Always That Simple
I know that some depression is chemical in origin, or can be biological, from medications, or deep seated problems. It won’t all go away with a warm fuzzy blanket. Make a call if you need to. But if that blanket feels good, and you feel like you’re not alone, and you wonder if anyone cares…. I’m here. I’m praying for you and sending out love in every word. Xoxo Merry Me, Merry You, Karen:)
U.S. Suicide Prevention and Crisis Help Lines 800-273-8255 877-838-2838
Alan Franciscus website, hcvadvocate, has a great resource about depression. Lucinda Porter, my friend and a nurse who had Hepatitis C helped write this. Click here or cut and paste the link below into your browser for numbers and assistance. xoxo
http://hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/SEM_Depression.pdf
13 thoughts on “Depression during Christmas with Hepatitis C or Liver Disease”
Great article as usual Karen. Well done. Most important thing is to talk to someone. (ummmm the movie you mention , It’s a Wonderful Life is about suicide maybe try Happy Feet. can’t go wrong with dancing penguins)
Bob,
Thank you. You are right about talking. Some people get so caught up in trying to look good that the hide important feelings from those who care about them! I haven’t seen the old Christmas movie in years. It had a good ending when he realized how important he was to others. Wasn’t the angel’s name Clarence? I’ve yet to see Happy Feet. Maybe that will be a rental for me this winter. xo Happy Christmas friend, Karen
Hi Karen , Yes Its a Wonderful life is one of my favorites. Its on TV as i type this. Merry Christmas to you too and Happy New Year
Hello there, really great to hear from you. Yes, it’s a wonderful life is such a good movie. I love laughing through my tears.
Thank you for your comment, D
Well Said! Thank you for your deep thoughts! Blessed Christmas to you!
Cindy,
Thanks for the comment. It’s not easy to post about this, but you know my motto: If it helps one person, it needs to go on the website. Everybody hurts sometimes.
Blessed Christmas to your bunch too! Karen xo
Tears flowed as I read this early Christmas morning. So many extreme highs and lows in this last 7 years, most especially the last 12 months have left me feeling both very appreciative yet so very fragile. I have found there are many I can count on yet those you might never have estimated have found others to occupy my space. Chronic illness is such a journey. So very blessed to have found your friendship sweet Karen…May God bless you in every way…
Hello there! I understand how you are feeling. I have been ill since my first tx of HCV back in 2008. It is very hard to recover. I am sorry you are feeling so fragile. I am trying very hard to get better to boost my mood and I read everything that Karen writes here
She is the eternal optimist and my hero. Thank you Dee
I came back to say that I just heard a song by Josh Grogan (You lift me up) I was sitting outside in the dark with my cell phone. I found this song on Utube. With all of the Christmas lights around me it did my heart good to hear this song. It lifted my spirits which I admit have been low since my back surgery 4 months ago. For 8 years I have had chronic illness and every morning I get up and try to get the me in me back. I will not give up.
I found this and it made me feel so much better. I hope it helps someone here
Just Think, you’re here not by chance, but by God’s choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else – you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dee Ernst recently posted…Depression during Christmas with Hepatitis C or Liver Disease
Dear Karen,
I think you and your thoughts are wonderful because right now I really need some support and real loving! I am about to say goodbye to this world and find the next. Could be interesting? Have been diagnosed with hep c since 1997 whilst in the line of duty and taking care of a patient! Not fair! Now my sister and mother have taken it upon themselves to take away my driving licence which I abhore as am perfectly capable to drive and yet they will not offer me trips to the doctors appointments or grocery shopping I have to do.
Have been very lucky being given the new drug Harvoni on compassionate grounds. Am now 5 weeks into it but cannot breath and feel like my sister and mother are ruining my life!
With Love Karen
Oh sweetie!! I am so very sorry. Is this problem something to do with the treatment you are on? I know it isn’t fair. I got it in 1977 and wasn’t diagnosed for 30 years. Despite getting checked for it a couple of times, the tests back in the 90’s were not very good. Or at least they weren’t good for me. Are you drinking plenty of water? Water can help your liver as can cutting out fired foods and red meat. Eating oatmeal can help, you can add some fruit. I drink a protein drink every morning for breakfast in the hope it is helping my liver. I am trying to eat a liver healthy diet. I know….boring but it works. Karen has suggestions on the right hand page which might be interesting. I know people who have changed their diets and completely turned their lives around. Again, I am so sorry you are being treated so poorly. Have you tried or are you allowed to try lactulose? Or the antibiotic that can help the brain as it removes ammonia from the brain. Take Care sweetie!!
even i dont what to say am depressed …..
Hello there! I understand the feeling. I think we all get a little blue around the Holidays. We are about to experience the worst weather in 100 years. I am a little frightened as they say white out conditions will begin at noon on Friday and accumulate up to 2 feet of snow. We have stocked our home, charged everything that can be charged. We are ready to hunker down. It is still frightening, the unknown. I hope you can find something you enjoy though I know it is hard, I always feel better when I help someone else. It helps me to get outside of my own problems. I will pray for you, I hope you are someplace warm. This weather is killing my entire body. All the old aches and pains are back 🙂
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