FEAR GUILT AND ANGER

[bobbyullc]

i have been reading some past posts and have noticed a thread running around in many of them. that is fear,guilt and anger.

i thing the worste tradgedy of hep c is that so many heppers waste so much of their time nursing these emotions. they are all SELF INFLICTED.

FEAR, to waste even one hour fearing something that probably will never happen is a crime. why ruin what time we have left on this earth?

GUILT, i was sick, i felt no more guilt than if i had a cold.

ANGER, at who. no one did this to me on purpose? why be angry and at who.

this is a day that GOD has given us to enjoy. ENJOY IT !
BOBBY

[mikesimon]

Anyone diagnosed with hepatitis C or B who isn't afraid is stupid. Fear is an emotion that motivates us to take action to avoid danger. HCV is the leading cause of liver transplantation and people actually do die from hepatitis so HCV can do and does do great harm. Now, the question of what action to take is an area of discussion and possible disagreement. But, to post:
"FEAR, to waste even one hour fearing something that probably will never happen is a crime. why ruin what time we have left on this earth?"
reflects a pollyannaish view that surely isn't shared by those of us to whom "it has happened" and hopefully good healthy fear will motivate us to do what we can to avoid more danger. That is not to suggest that we should become consumed by fear or allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear. Of course we should live and cherish each day but at the same time we should educate ourselves and take whatever action we and our physicians believe will help us avoid further danger. And fear provides the motivation to do that and that's a good thing. Mike

[coeric]

i think this is a marvelous and healing place to express fear, guilt and anger.  

when i go to war with my thoughts and emotions - i lose.

eight years ago someone told me that what i resist persists. and what i accept, i.e fear, guilt and anger,  - i transcend.  these words changed my life.

unpleasant emotions and thoughts still crop up, but they no longer rule my life.

love

eric

[dlr2007]

Hi- I relate to what both of you said. I agree w/ Bobby on not wasting our lives feeling emotions that are selfdestructive and don't really help if they are like tapes that we play in our heads that keep us stuck in our past and shame. I do fel that God has given us the gift of today and we should try to enjoy it to its fullest.
  I also see what Snowbyrd is saying. We have to work thru certain emotions during different stages of dx, illness and tx. I too have kids and STILL worry about that slim chance that I infected them. And I do regret the past- I gotHep C from IV drugs and I just wish I'd been more careful. Anger, well sometimes I'm pretty much pissed at the world. So I think you both give a valuable point. Just my 2 cents worth. Hope everybody has a good day! -Dee

[snowbyrd]

Not to be disrespectful, but fear, anger and guilt are all normal emotions. I have experienced them all while txing and before i started tx. I don't consider this to be something that takes over my life, but i do have 4 kids and i was fearful that i might have passed this on to them. That fear is normal. I felt anger for the lifestyle and mistakes i made that cause me to get thid virus. And i feel guilt that my choices caused my family to have to watch me be so sick. Try explaining all this to a 7 year old. I love life to the fullest and i don't think i complain a lot about my situation, but i would be very concerned if i did not feel these different emotions. Thanks Anita