This is a wretched illness and over the last year I've had some very grim times as have so many others. But I thought it might help people to mention some small positive points and ask others to do the same - God knows we all need a lift and could swap some ideas. So despite the hell here are the positives for me:-

- My kids have benefitted overall - they've seen me so much more and had lots of my help with homework/reading etc.

- Read numerous books

- Learned more about birds, plants, trees in my garden

- Listened to good stuff on radio (internet good for this)
- Time to reflect and get into new outlook on life - (in my case Buddhist philosophy has helped with everything)
- Got rid of some 'not-worth-it' friends but deepened the friendships that matter
- Wife still sticking with me !!!

Good luck to all, Ivan

-Learn't about health, Healing, Holistic medicine.
-Become more careing and understanding of others with any illness.

I've learned that life is too short, and to count my blessings. This is no fun by any means, but there are others worse off then myself.

I love spending time with my children, and have learned to slow down and smell the roses.

------------------
KitteePaws (Wendy)