Invisible Illness Awareness Week

In honor of Invisible Illness Awareness Week, I have answered questions about myself to teach others about what they don’t see. Please feel free to copy and paste the template to answer the questions yourself. Please pass along my post to help spread awareness. Many people have a lot to learn, which is a quick list of things people may learn. I think you’ll be surprised who responds and those who suffer in silence.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: Chronic migraine

2. I was not diagnosed until years after my first migraine.

3. I have had symptoms since: probably the day I was born or soon after that. I had my first migraine when I was 5, that I remember.

4. The most significant adjustment I’ve had to make is: to be prepared for it to hit at any moment, anywhere.

5. Most people assume: that it’s just a headache

6. The most challenging part about mornings is: waking up. I have a headache every day when I wake up and the direction of my pain level dictates my day

7. My favorite medical TV show is: Gray’s Anatomy

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my phone

9. The most challenging part about nights is: going to sleep. I love to sleep to escape the pain, but my eyes flutter open, and it takes me a while to fall asleep.

10. Each day, I take the least amount of pills that I can & vitamins to survive.

11. Regarding alternative treatments, I will hopefully do as many as possible to cut back on meds. They help minimally, but I do whatever I can to help myself naturally.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or a visible one, I would choose no disease. It is sometimes helpful to hide my pain, but it also leaves me vulnerable to judgment. So, I don’t know how it feels to have a visible disease, and I’m sure that just as many problems arise with it.

13. Regarding working and career: I was a special education teacher, and the stress made me miss many days and criticized me for having unique needs. I now stay at home with my children, which allows me flexibility but no breaks. I live, eat, sleep, and breathe my children; even if I’m crazy sick, they are still my responsibility.

14. People would be surprised to know: that I am chronically ill. I hide it well (the best I can), so my children and friends don’t worry about me.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: it’s not a new reality. I’ve lived with it my entire life but have never gotten used to it. It has changed as often as I have since I was 5, and it is constantly a trial and error to give me some normalcy.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness was go to college. I say this in hindsight because I was naive in thinking I would be fine when I left my family and doctors. I have read how so many people have had to drop out of school and how it affects their education. From hearing other stories, I am most grateful that I was able to be educated and enjoy college life at the level that I did.

17. The commercials about my illness: make me roll my eyes and give sarcastic comments.

18. Something I have missed doing since I was diagnosed is: being carefree. I don’t remember when I didn’t have migraines, and I live daily thinking and dealing with them. Not having to think about my chronic condition would allow me to live much differently.

19. It was hard to give up: drinking, food, nights out, events, etc. I miss out on a lot and even more if I’m not cautious

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: blogging. I find it meaningful to help others and, in return, learn about myself and sort through what I’m dealing with.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again, thus it would look like this.

22. My illness has taught me: that I’m stronger than I think and that giving up is not an option

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: it can’t be that bad.

24. But I love it when people: say they enjoy my blog. I feel like I’m making a difference with positive feedback.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, and quote that gets me through tough times are: live like you are dying. I never know when I’ll be locked in my cold dark room and I do not take low-pain days for granted.

26. When someone is diagnosed, I’d like to tell them: I’m sorry. I’m genuinely sorry.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is how many aspects of my life it affects.

28. The most incredible thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: a lot. I am surrounded by love and have an army of people who fight for me. I feel so sorry for people who are unsupported and alone with this already isolating disease. Love won’t cure me, but it has healed me.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: bringing awareness is essential.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: unique. Additionally, There is a lot to read and do and the fact that you read about me is remarkable. Thank you for reading.

Invisible Illness Awareness

[UPDATED]

Invisible Project: Special Edition Migraine