Having a chronic illness comes with a lot of information you
wish you didn’t have to know. I have had
rheumatoid arthritis since I was 18 months old, so for me, I have never known
life without a chronic illness. There
wasn’t much I thought living with a chronic illness could teach me. I knew it meant going to doctor’s appointments
and taking medication for the rest of my life and that there were going to be
some things I wanted to do but couldn’t. Then, when I was 25 I was diagnosed with
ulcerative colitis. At the time, I had
no idea what ulcerative colitis even was.
Throughout my journey with ulcerative colitis and the subsequent six
surgeries I have had as a result, I have realized that there was a whole lot
about living with a chronic illness I didn’t know prior to my diagnosis. Being on death’s door can teach a person a
lot. So can having six major surgeries
and living with the constant thought in the back of your head that at any
moment you could be sick again or back on the operating table. Living with a chronic illness has taught me a
lot of life lessons.
1. Don’t ever take
anything for granted.
2. Take a moment each
day to appreciate the good things.
3. It’s okay to take
time for yourself.
4. Just because
someone looks fine on the outside doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling on the
inside.
5. It’s okay to
rest. In fact, it may make you a better
mother/father, sister/brother, friend.
6. It’s okay to say “no”.
7. Time is a valuable
resource. Use it wisely, especially when
you are feeling well enough.
8. A great marriage
is one that has been tested by chronic illness and has come out stronger on the other side.
9. Great friends are
those who care about how you are doing but do not define you by your illness.
10. Having a chronic
illness does not make you a weak person.
In fact, it makes you stronger.
Not everyone could deal with what you are going through.
What are some of
the things living with a chronic illness has taught you?
Living with a chronic illness, or two, has taught me to respect it and not ignore it. Neither are going away anytime soon - Diabetes Type 2 & Psoriasis. Both share another chronic condition with me, chronic pain.(perhaps my middle name should be chronic, haha) My sense of humor has grown along with the ability to laugh at myself. The small stuff doesn't bother me anymore.
ReplyDeleteClinical depression has been with me, most of my life, so I guess it should qualify as a chronic illness/condition.So I have a trifecta!
I've come to accept that it can't all be done at once, but in bits & pieces - the outcome is the same.