I get what you're saying, but what I was really asking is what KIND of career can one realistically do while living with extreme pain and fatigue? Laywer? Doctor? College professor? CEO? Or more like an office job?
Yes, we do what we have to, humans are amazing. I've spent most of my life learning that lesson very well. But there's no way I'd be able to do the work I am trained for, what my professional background is in (wildlife biology). I can't be in the field, away from food/shelter/water except what's on my back, for 12 hrs/day for months at at time. I can't work 60hrs/week and be a single mom. It's been an extremely painful process to come to terms with having to give up a career I dreamed of since childhood and got an advanced degree to pursue. NO. We can't just do whatever it takes to do what we want. We have to do what's realistic. That's what I'm asking.
So now I'm just trying to figure out what's realistic for me. To be frank, you kind of make it sound like what's realistic is a not very good life, one where I have to suck it up and suffer just to get by. I've done plenty of that already and that's not a life I want to lead. I'm not going to lose hope that life can still be fulfilling and enjoyable. But thanks for the perspective.
If you read my previous responses to people, above, you will know that there was not the slightest intention or indication in my post concerning laziness. Nor did I say we "could do whatever it takes to do what we want". I think it's always good to real all the following comments by the person you are quoting before commenting on someone's post.
Also, I did not say that a person has to do any certain job if they cannot manage it. I'd never say that, which you will know when you have been here for a while and read more of the posts I and others have made. What I was saying is that if you have to put food on your table or take care of a child you will find a way to do it. Unfortunately, as is the case for you, that often means finding a way to live and/or work that is very different from what was planned. I am so sorry you worked so hard to reach a goal that now is too difficult for you to pursue, especially one so interesting and important.
And of course I have never indicated that what is realistic for people with fibro is a "not very good life". Again, if you read other posts of mine, especially my advice post, you will know that I always strongly advocate for just the opposite. I personally have gone from that not very good life to one that is almost normal by taking the right kinds of care of myself and I always tell everyone here they can do the same ......... that people with fibro can lead vibrant and fulfilling lives.
To follow along further with the spirit of what I was saying, my first thought is how many ways are there of being a wildlife biologist? If the only way to do that is to manage physical tasks you cannot do any longer, then that's that, unless you experience improvement in what you can do, which is possible. But with many careers there are ways to put the degree and training to use in many different ways. Since I don't know your field well, I don't know if that's true for you. But I am thinking for instance that there are hundreds of ways to be a medical doctor, all different in what is required in terms of physical ability. Some you can do while in a wheelchair, others require a lot of physical strength. That is probably true for many fields of work. Maybe there's something you can do in your field even if it is not what you dreamed of. I hope so, for you. (And again, so sorry you have to go through the acceptance of that...that stinks. )
