1. The illness I live with is: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri), Essential Tremor, and Interstitial Cystitis
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2011
3. But I had symptoms since: 2003
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: letting go of what once was
5. Most people assume: that if I feel better this minute, I will feel better the rest of the week
6. The hardest part about mornings are: convincing myself to get out of bed (but in all honesty, I was this way before I got ill) 😉
7. My favorite medical TV show is: oh please, like I don’t get enough of that in real life? I don’t watch those.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my laptop
9. The hardest part about nights are: pain
10. Each day I take 7 pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: am open to the possibilities
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: neither…. I would choose a temporary illness
13. Regarding working and career: these will probably never be a possibility for me again, but my goal was always to be a career Wife and Mommy, so those are the skills I miss
14. People would be surprised to know: that I laugh just as much or more now than I ever did before
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: becoming an invisible person as I lose the abilities that matter to the world
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: live in joy
17. The commercials about my illness: don’t show real people or real life
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: driving
19. It was really hard to have to give up: being active in my Church
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: watercolor painting (mostly bookmarks)
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Thank God!
22. My illness has taught me: humility, patience and a greater dependence on God without shame
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: I’ve been sick for (3) whole days, enough is enough! I have too much to do to be sick! *commence eye rolling*
24. But I love it when people: hug me, laugh with me, and really listen
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: YOU matter, GOD is your strength, and let’s find your CAN!
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how much good we can still do, and how much we still have to offer!
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: pray for me
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: invisible illness shouldn’t create invisible people!
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: honored, humbled and thankful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sik32RswC3Y
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Thank you for being so real in this! I too find more joy now but am still learning to live with my illness. I appreciate your wisdom!
Thanks for your comment and encouragement! It’s so great when we can meet each other and hear each other’s stories and points of view. Like iron sharpening iron, just the way God intended, and definitely hope-bringing! God Bless you on your journey and please write to me on email if you’d like!
Hello, I’m stopping by for a visit via Invisible Illness Awareness website.
I look forward to seeing you this year’s conference.
Thanks for sharing your 30 Things About My Illness list. : ) I’m not a fan of medical shows either.
Hi there, Rona! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my list, that means a lot to me! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing you at the conference as well! God Bless you today!!!