Invisible Illness Week is coming up soon.....
I, personally had no idea this even existed. I was surfing around the blogosphere and stumbled across this "meme". And although I do have an invisble illness, I am not going to go for all thirty questions. To see this woman's "meme" go to http://www.toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/
I guess I feel for her because having an invisible illness does make people ask and say things that aren't always the most tactful or loving.
I suffer with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and yes, I am on a medicine regimen that has severely limited the damage my joints suffer from this disease. That's what can be seen. This disease is affecting my heart and other organs. It's the nature of the beast. Some people look at me and see a lazy person, I am not, nor have I ever been lazy. I get so frustrated at not being able to do the things I once was able to or maybe not be able to do them as well. It makes me want to scream sometimes. It frustates me that I cannot stand for long periods of time without excruciating pain. I can do a lot of tasks, but I must be sitting down to do them. I used to be able to do so many things, so many, many things. And I get discouraged because I can't really do a lot of them anymore. Well, that's not really correct, I can do some of them, but the cost is high in pain, and I have come to be leary of that pain and try to avoid causing it at most costs.
The fatigue that comes with this disease is horrendous. And you don't really have any warning when it's going to strike. Last week, I was going to start a walking regimen with my MIL and SIL. I could barely make it 1/4 mile. Yes, some of this is because I am out of shape, but some of it is the pain that I live with in my lower back and in my knees. It is frustrating not to be able to walk like I used to could. And I praise God that the flares are not as frequent as they used to be, but it still takes a couple of days to get over them.
People judge so easily, but I wonder how they would feel after living a day in our shoes?
Thanks for listening. Please go visit this other blog and let her explain her illness to you. She needs our prayers.
3 comments:
Oh, you have brought tears to my eyes! You are so very, very kind. These days ARE long and hard but I am so thankful for folks like you who are there for me and pray for me. Special people I don't even know who care enough to take a moment out of their day to say a little prayer. That means so very much.
I'm really glad you also wrote about your illness. People need to know. There are SO many different illnesses out there, visible AND invisible. So many suffering. I will say a prayer for you, too. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. It means more to me than you'll ever know.
{{HUGS}}
Teresa <><
P.S. I love your little bear with the IV pole. I saw it the other day when I was visiting. :0)
Just keep swimming, as Dory says :)...Just let me know when you are up to walking...we should try to keep it up as you feel up to it.
One of my best friends has RA. It is so frustrating for her too. You are right; unless you have an "invisible illness" or love someone who does, it is difficult to understand.
Swimming has been her best exercise too.
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