Recently an acquaintance of mine who has suffered for years from unexplained illness was finally diagnosed. It’s hard to explain to someone who has never suffered from an unexplained illness, but the diagnosis was actually a happy occasion and yet he chose to keep silent. He did not tell most of his other acquaintances or…Continue reading I believe you
Category: Living with chronic illness
Why you should be more worried about Lyme Disease than Zika virus
The world is currently caught up in a panic about Zika virus. We’re all probably correct to be concerned about its effects because it’s a serious disease, but why in America are we all up in a panic about a virus coming from other parts of the world when we already have a serious vector…Continue reading Why you should be more worried about Lyme Disease than Zika virus
8 reasons Fibromyalgia is the the absolute worst
In response to the criticism about my “5 ways Fibromyalgia makes you awesome” post being too positive, I decided to write a counter post. I even upped the ante by coming up with eight things, instead of five! Warning: this post contains sarcasm. 1. It turns you into an idiot Fibro fog takes over your…Continue reading 8 reasons Fibromyalgia is the the absolute worst
5 things to remember when you’re having a good day
I’ve been feeling really good lately. Not normal good, but good for me. For the first time in a year and a half, I do not have a kidney stone and so I’m only dealing with my normal health problems. After multiple kidney stone episodes, my normal problems make me feel like I’m on top…Continue reading 5 things to remember when you’re having a good day
10 unexpected life lessons learned from chronic illness
10 unexpected life lessons learned from chronic illness 1. People are both better and worse than you think Illness tends to bring out the best and the worst in people. You find out very quickly how awesome some of your friends and family are. People will be there for you that you might have never…Continue reading 10 unexpected life lessons learned from chronic illness
Why no one cares about chronic illness, part 3
Read my much angrier part 1 and part 2 for background context of this post. I’ve learned a lot about humanity through having a chronic illness. When you’re sick you really see the best and the worst of human beings. I have been on the receiving end of some wonderful service, and I have also been…Continue reading Why no one cares about chronic illness, part 3
To the person with chronic illness that feels like they can never measure up
I know it feels like no one thinks about you, the quiet person in the corner who just looks a little tired. No one notices how hard you try or how much effort you put into pretending you’re okay. Sometimes it feels like they only notice you when you make a mistake, or when your…Continue reading To the person with chronic illness that feels like they can never measure up
10 gifts for someone with chronic illness this year
It’s that time again, time to think about buying presents for everyone you know. Time to stress about who you may or may not have forgotten. Time to wander the mall aimlessly looking for something to give. Well wander no more, I have a list of some fabulous gifts I would love and your loved one with…Continue reading 10 gifts for someone with chronic illness this year
You can’t just “try harder” when you live with chronic pain
People with chronic pain are constantly told that they need to try harder or put more effort into fixing their pain. For example, I found myself walking out of a meeting recently. It wasn’t a situation where anyone was trying to be insensitive or judgmental, and I wasn’t being criticized. Everyone speaking had the best…Continue reading You can’t just “try harder” when you live with chronic pain
10 things I’ve learned through my invisible illness
1. You never know what a person is really going through when they have an invisible illness I am very good at putting on a front. I am the epitome of the “fake it till you make it” principle. On a normal day I might look a little tired, and be a little quiet but…Continue reading 10 things I’ve learned through my invisible illness