Skip to content
  • Products I Love
    • Pain Management
    • Arthritis Friendly Products
    • Chronic Illness Organization
    • Toxic Free Living
    • RA FRIENDLY FOOD & DRINKS
    • NATURAL REMEDIES
    • Recommended Reading
    • GIFTS FOR SPOONIES
  • About This Site
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Products I Love
    • Pain Management
    • Arthritis Friendly Products
    • Chronic Illness Organization
    • Toxic Free Living
    • RA FRIENDLY FOOD & DRINKS
    • NATURAL REMEDIES
    • Recommended Reading
    • GIFTS FOR SPOONIES
  • About This Site
  • custom-logo
  • About Me
  • Contact
Chronic Illness

Receiving A Chronic Illness Diagnosis Is Like Landing in the Arctic.

July 1, 2021December 17, 2021 Laura Jean 2 comments
Receiving A Chronic Illness Diagnosis Is Like Landing in the Arctic.

Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected place… alone and having to navigate new terrain?

I still remember the shock I felt the day I heard the words “You have Rheumatoid Arthritis.”

It was much like the day we landed on this remote arctic island.

A little surreal….a lot of questions….and an entirely new chapter of my life suddenly dropped open in my lap. The blank pages were staring back at me.

I had a new life now and I needed to find my way.

Some links below are affiliate links, however, I only recommend products that I believe provide value to my readers.

Surviving in Harsh Conditions

My new RA diagnosis was both a relief and a frightening reality. I had no idea what it meant, but I now knew that my pain and suffering had a name.

Similarly, my new home above the tree line was an exciting new reality and a humbling experience.

The Arctic is vastly undiscovered and well known for its harsh conditions. Survival in this extreme climate is possible only with understanding, knowledge, and preparation. Doing research beforehand, and learning from experienced ones who have trudged along the tundra and successfully walked against the unrelenting winds is essential to thriving in these unique conditions.

Chronic illness, too, is filled with extreme challenges, or harsh conditions. Thriving with chronic illness is more than just taking a pill and moving on….it requires understanding, knowledge, and preparation. Doing research to educate yourself about the illness is a good place to start, and often additional benefits come from connecting with those who have already trudged along the path to wellness and rose above the unrelenting winds of chronic pain.

The Dark Season

Winter in the Arctic is a challenge not just because of the extreme temperatures, but also due to the darkness. Above the Arctic circle, it is 24 hours of darkness for several months, with hardly even a hint of sun on the horizon. The dark can be disorienting and can stifle one’s motivation to take on the challenges of each day.

A new diagnosis of a chronic illness can feel much the same. It can be a dark season in life. The heaviness of the diagnosis can be like darkness that hangs over you, as your mind processes the gravity of a chronic illness.

This isn’t something that will be like an injury that just heals and disappears over time. This is something that has forever changed your life. And it takes time to learn how to navigate it all, how to find those sources of light to direct you and help you find the way.

Finding Light

Though the Arctic is known for its unrelenting climate, it is also known for its inspiring beauty.

One of my favorite Arctic activities is to silently stand and gaze at the night sky. The amazing northern lights (aurora borealis) often dance across the dark canvas of night.

The northern lights light up the dark skies in the Arctic

In the darkest of months, the lights shine the brightest. On the coldest of days, the lights wave and swirl and have the most rhythmic movements.

So too, in the journey of chronic illness, there can be great beacons of light in the “dark season”. Sometimes this light can wave and swirl and develop into something beautiful and inspiring.

Many chronic illness warriors have found a new purpose, a new community, and a new perspective that they didn’t have prior to their diagnosis. These are like beacons of light that light up our chronic illness journey.

Turning On the Light

It is my hope that this blog can be like a flash of the northern lights in your night sky. My aim is to share my journey, my experiences, and the lessons I’ve learned along with tips and tricks that help me get through each day as I cope with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I hope that my posts give a light of hope and an interesting perspective to add to your journey.

No matter if you are newly diagnosed or if you have been a chronic warrior for years…I hope you find hope and help here. <3

Photo Taken By: Inside The Icebox

Chronic Illness Diagnosis
About Laura Jean

About Laura Jean

I help people with rheumatoid arthritis find simple solutions that make a big impact on their ability to manage life with RA.

Post navigation

5 Tips for Managing Brain Fog with a Chronic Illness

2 comments

  1. Jan Hempstead says:
    January 25, 2022 at 2:29 am

    Laura,
    This blog post was the most beautiful and poetic comparison between the arctic and chronic illness. As a newly diagnosed RA patient, this was a hopeful and insightful message. I look forward to reading more from you and learning helpful tips.
    Jan

    Reply
    1. Laura Jean says:
      January 25, 2022 at 2:55 am

      Thank you so very much, Jan, for your kind words. You absolutely made my day! I’m so happy to hear the words resonated with you and I’m looking forward to being there to cheer you on along your RA journey.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi there!

Hi there!



I'm Laura Jean.    :)

RA Warrior. Chronic Tea Drinker. Arctic Islander.

I know the frustration and the overwhelm of dealing with a chronic illness in challenging circumstances and trying to still "function" in life.


I've created this space to give you the short cuts you need to help you organize and manage your chronic illness with the support of a friend who "gets it".

Click to Sign Up!

roll on arthritis pain cream
My favourite topical pain cream!

Connect on Instagram! @RALifeHacks

Doteasy Green Web Hosting
  • Privacy Policy- Disclosure
  • Contact Me
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | *DISCLAIMER: I am not a health-care professional and you should not use the information on this website in place of professional medical advice or treatment. I share my personal experiences with living with and managing Rheumatoid Arthritis in order to offer help and hope to others. Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase (at no cost to you) I may receive a small commission. I only ever recommend products or services that I believe provide value for my readers.