I look out at the crows I feed daily. I have a murder that comes to eat and drink and bathe in the little pond I created. Sometimes I leave them shiny objects and they always take off with them. They like cat food. Crows are smart, independent, and they are survivors. That’s what I hope to emulate. It’s hard, the last few days have been painful and exhausting with dizzy spells to boot. I was told Tai Chi is not great for POTS, not standing at least. But I found something that I am holding out hope for. It’s called CHOP and it is something that this tired and hurting body needs. It is designed for people with POTS and the woman who told me about it has POTS and EDS like me. If you are interested go look at the Exercising with POTS Facebook group. It may have changed my life. CHOP progressive and slowly helps you get back to a more normal existence. It is an 8 month program and takes painstaking consistency with good nutrition, water, and sleep. I know it may be tough and no one completes it in 8 months because if you miss 2 days you have to repeat the week. Miss 2 weeks, repeat the month. It is brutal but doable. I will need patience…ugh, that is the most difficult thing I have had to learn with this. Anyone can do this program, it just takes dedication. SO…I will be starting a business, doing my dissertation and starting CHOP. Sounds right up my ally. I am excited about this. I feel like someone gave me a roadmap to overcoming my symptoms.

There are athletes with POTS. I am inspired by Ledecky the swimmer who won so many golds. If you have POTS too, I invite you to start this journey with me. Tomorrow I get serious and begin a new chapter. The one where I finally know what my enemy is. POTS and EDS and I am a warrior not a worrier. The book I am reading right now is Chi Walking because I think that will make a big difference in how I hold my self and how I bring my mind to focus almost a walking meditation. I plan on doing Chi Running and even bought his half marathon and marathon book because he says you can run fairly injury free. But I am getting ahead of myself. Lesson one, patience and that is a challenge! I will beat this. SO, my day will start with breath and meditation before my workout and then, a cold shower because this winter I will be cold water swimming. I have goals! I have POTS it doesn’t have me!