30 Things You May Not Know About My Invisible Illness
(this is normally shared during invisible illness week. It is not currently invisible illness week, but I thought it had been a while since I updated and it feels good to get my thoughts out there.
1. The illness I live with is: Crohn's Disease
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2012
3. But I had symptoms since: My doctors believe that I have had Crohn's for 15 to 20 years. I can remember symptoms for much longer than that though.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: that I have changed so much that my friendship circle is no longer the same.
5. Most people assume: I'm exaggerating about my pain, symptoms.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Waking up. Insomnia is terrible for me. So when I finally get to sleep, I feel like the alarm clock goes off minutes later.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey's Anatomy
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my phone and/or Kindle Fire HD
9. The hardest part about nights are: insomnia. I just would like to be able to lay down and fall asleep. Not toss, turn, toss, turn.
10. Each day I take: 4 pills. This is down from 32 that I was originally taking.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: do take pro-biotics and other supplements.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I don't want to choose. If I had a wish, it would be to have neither.
13. Regarding working and career: I work in mortgage. I work full time.
14. People would be surprised to know: I am so worried about "the other shoe dropping". I am terrified of the if/when with this disease.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: The limitations!
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: become an admin for a great IBD group on FB. (ibdjourneys). I have made so many close friends with IBD.
17. The commercials about my illness: irritate me. I mean, why does that chick look so lost all the damn time? someone get her navigation on her phone.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: just being able to jump up and go. To hold plans and not have to cancel at the last minute.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: SALAD!!! I still can't get up the courage to try it.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: I do a lot of reading. A LOT!!!
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: go to a party and not leave early, or go on a fun date with my husband.
22. My illness has taught me: That I have more strength than I ever could have imagined, and that while I may be sick, I will NOT let it take over my life.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Try this supplement, or that supplement. I hear it cures Crohn's. really? there is no damn cure! UGH!
24. But I love it when people: reach out to me, just to see how I am, or just to say hi.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Phil 4:13 and/or "This too shall pass" I repeat these to myself quite often through out each day.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: to do their research. Research the hell out of it. Ask questions. Don't be shy. Find an excellent specialist.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: my pain tolerance. I have an unbelievable tolerance for pain.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: just hugged me. Sometimes that is all it takes. or a simple text. or email.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: we need awareness (It is not currently invisible illness week, but I thought it had been a while since I updated and it feels good to get my thoughts out there).
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Like you care to learn more about this disease and care to learn more about myself.
