My family helps me push through and fight indolent systemic mastocytosis (SM). Recently, my son and his family wanted me to travel with them to visit the beach in Rosemary, Florida. I knew it would be tough since I live with a heat intolerance, but I prepared and of course went with him, his beautiful wife and my two amazing grandsons.
What I didn’t prepare for was finding a new sense of excitement and joy.
A new adventure
We had a beach house with a golf cart, so there was no walking for me to do to reach the beautiful white sands. The ocean water was awe inspiring, with all the colors of blue as far as the eye could see. Seeing all this beauty was exhilarating.
Of course, I could only enjoy the beach early in the morning and late in the evening, when the temperature was cooler. I was always either in the water or staying cool under the umbrella. I had my EpiPen and meds with me, and the highest SPF sunscreen I could find. There was also a cooler filled with chilly water.
At night I was able to crab hunt with the boys. Watching their faces made my heart smile. We played, laughed, and enjoyed the water and the sea air.
With all the precautions I took, I had no problems on the trip at all. This was so good for my depression and anxiety. I love listening to the waves washing over the beach and the sounds of sea gulls flying over. I was so happy and felt so loved.
If you’ve ever read any of my articles, you know that I used to love adventures before I learned I had severe osteoporosis, caused by my indolent SM. That stopped a lot of what I loved to do — like cave exploring, hiking national park trails all over the states, rappelling and any other excitement I could find. It all had to stop for me.
But my son came through on this trip. We went out into the open sea on a charted boat, and I jumped into the water and swam with dolphins. We snorkeled, and I could look under the water for dolphins swimming under me. While in the water I constantly wondered if I would see something besides a dolphin swimming near me. It made my heart race. I was on a thrilling adventure again.
Later, we moved on to snorkeling near Shell Island. We harvested beautiful sand dollars, stone crabs, bioluminescent jelly fish, sea urchins, starfish, scallops and so much more. We studied them in the buckets once we were back on board, and then safely released them back into the sea.
Lifted spirits
I thought my days filled with excitement and adventures were over, but my son proved me wrong. I came home feeling better about myself than I have in a long time. I felt loved by my family. I went on exciting adventures once again.
The morning after I got home, I woke up feeling like I could take on the world. I am so thankful that I was given this opportunity, and I hope that you out there can use this as inspiration for finding something that makes you feel like I do right now.
I love my life as a wife, mother and Mimi. Sometimes I lose myself to depression and anxiety, but my family always comes through for me. Feeling loved like I do by my kids and grandkids makes even the worst of days battling this disease worth searching for my joy.
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