Mothering a child with eczema and asthma
I have been in pain for most of my life. It is difficult for me to write that, because I have not actually felt in pain most of my life and I have my mother to thank for that. I had acute asthma and eczema as a child and both are still heavily medicated. What my mother did was never let it define me, never let it get in the way and never let me think I couldn’t do things other kids did.
I remember when my first child was born, I thought it was outrageous how my mum had made no compromise considering how ill I was; she didn’t move us to a newer, less mouldy/damp/dusty house, she didn’t get rid of the cats, dogs and rabbits, and she never ‘saved’ me from the painful physical run-ins with my siblings.
But now, I realise it was brilliant what she did. I haven’t spent one day in my life changing plans because of my illnesses. When I think about it, I’m always itchy, always sore, always some part of my body is ‘in pain’. But quite frankly, I don’t think about it!
Now, don’t assume she was in denial; I had endless creams, specialists and alternative medicines tried and tested. When I was very young, some homeopath overdid the arsenic (supposed to purify my blood) and landed me back in hospital! Another Chinese herbalist made me drink disgusting tea for six months which didn’t make the slightest bit of difference apart from stinking out the kitchen!
So, apart from doing your best in terms of seeking treatment (including hypnotherapy as it can help with relaxation, pain management and stress reduction), I want you to think about helping your child not ‘become’ their illness and not let it define their life.