I said goodbye to my old life

I said goodbye to my mind

I said goodbye to my body

I said goodbye to a day without pain. 

Chronic illness, a storyline in dramatic televsion 

Something your grandparents have

Something you hear on televsion

The long list of side effects became my reality

My reality became my new challenges

My challenges started to appear too big to conquer

But I chose to float instead of drown 

I chose to charge forward instead of cowering in fear

I chose to draw inspiration from my pain, instead of sorrow

My ability to emphathize became my way new life

I said hello to helping others

I said hello to understanding others

I said hello to inspiring others

I said hello to my new life with my disease.

It strangly feels like new air

Air I have never breathed before