I'd like to hear of others who've found the trains, layout building, or some other aspect of the hobby as solace during illness. FWIW: don't think "misery loves company" applies.
Despite suffering from complications from Lyme disease, I have and am experiencing honest to goodness therapeutic "happiness" as I perform basic layout work, such as painting/mortaring buildings, adding figures, scenery, etc. In addition, since I still have to work full-time, and boy is that hard given my illness (thank God I saved my vacation days), the hobby has become a "rescue" if that makes sense. My layout gives me something to look forward to, even when I am working, in the back of mind I am thinking of a project that awaits in the basement. I am even planning a living room tiered layout, albeit a Christmas one, that would involve basic framework and plywood.
Given the stress of working, taking care of the homestead, family, and seeing myriad medical specialists, building my layout nevertheless continues to enable some itsy-bitsy creative bursts of creativity, and that creative outlet facilitates some aspect of hope.
Anyone else care to share your experience?
