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This is a great way to blog about your invisible illness too. We may say, “no one understands!” but have we really given them the chance to? Fill this out, post it on your blog or on Facebook, etc. and then let your friends and family know. You may even be surprised to find out who you know who is living silently with his or her own invisible illness.
Be sure to comment below with the name of your blog and where it’s posted so we can come read it!
30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know
1. The illness I live with is: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS, CFS), Fibromyalgia, Chemo-Brain.
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1991 for CFS and Fibro.
3. But I had symptoms since: 1984 for CFS and Fibro.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: having to say no to activities because I have simply run out of steam or I am in pain, or both.
5. Most people assume: I am well because I don’t look ill and I try to push myself.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: making my body move because of the pain and stiffness in my joints and fogginess in my brain.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: reality hospital shows, Royal Pains, forensic shows.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: large bread mixer (Bosch).
9. The hardest part about nights are: the pain is much worse and it’s difficult to get to sleep without help.
10. Each day I take _several_ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: embrace the ones that are G-d-given and try them before thinking about other treatments.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Neither! 🙂 I guess, a visible one if I had to have one at all.
13. Regarding working and career: I am unable at this point to do either.
14. People would be surprised to know: how much the pain and fatigue sidelines me. And yet, I am able to get things done by careful planning. They would be surprised to know that I don’t cook every day.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: how I want to go, go, go and my body says “no, no, no!” The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Bake again.
17. The commercials about my illness: Get the word out about the validity of this disease that for decades (and even now) some doctors mocked and refused to accept as real.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: being active with my family.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: just about everything.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: writing.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: run with my children and fly kites or go fishing!
22. My illness has taught me: to trust G-d for my strength and seek Him for the wisdom in how to use what strength I get from Him and when to stop and rest when I’ve done enough.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: “Well, you LOOK fine.”
24. But I love it when people: try to understand that an invisible illness is very real.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the L-RD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It may be overwhelming at first, but there are people who care and will help you get to a place where it settles down and is more manageable. There are more and more resources available as our diseases become more widely known.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how much G-d has blessed me!
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: made supper for us and brought it over.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I wish more people knew there are so many people who live with invisible illnesses and need support and love.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: like you care about people you may or may not know who may be dealing with this and you want to know more.
Are you blogging for Invisible Illness Week? Be sure to sign up and let us know at Bloggers Unite!
About Vickilynn Parnes
