30 Things You May Not Know About My Invisible Illness

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.