5 Things I’ve Learnt from my Illnesses
If I was to look back on my life, I can’t remember a time when I was 100% well, be that due to my mental or physical health, now I won’t lie and say everything is a bed of roses and being ill is super easy. Of course it isn’t, however, it has helped shape who I am in some ways and it has most definitely taught me a thing or two.
So here are 5 things I’ve learnt from my illnesses.
Fatigue is Scary
I’ll often tell people I am tired when my fatigue is playing up, as it is so much easier for people to understand. Tiredness is something we have all felt and is something a good night’s sleep will easily fix. However fatigue is so much more, you never know when it will get better, sleep doesn’t help and it can be completely debilitating as you can feel unable to even move. For instance, last week even breathing for me felt like a huge effort, which really was scary.
Don’t Take your Vision for Granted
I’ve worn glasses since I was in primary school and by the time I hit secondary school I was wearing them full time. I always thought I’d never take my vision for granted due to the fact my eyesight has been pretty pants, but then I was diagnosed with Keratoconus and I realised that while I didn’t take having 20/20 vision for granted, I did assume I could always reach for a pair of glasses. Now I have to wear hard contact lenses to see properly and believe me, I wish I had never moaned about wearing glasses.
Not Everything is Visible
I almost started this as not all disabilities are visible, but this is about so much more than that. Yes, some days I look fine, but the pain I feel inside can be huge and by that, I don’t just mean physical but mental. There are times when I’ve been told you don’t act like you have mental health issues when inside I just want to die as well as times when I’ve been told your walking well today and each step is filled with crippling pain.
Someone always has Something to Say
Over the years I’ve learnt to let what some people say ride, I remember back in my school days someone saying to me I wish I had depression then I could skip school all the time too. Of course, it didn’t stop then either if people want to call you out on something, it is often a resort to your health issues. However, the thing to remember is, you’re not your health issues, they are but a small part of you.
Look for the Light
So many times I’ve wanted to just give up, stop fighting with this never ending, always expanding list of issues. However, in the darkness, there is often a glimmer of light, it might be a kind word from a friend, a hug from a loved one, or any small act that might just bring a spark of hope to your heart.
We all go through many trials in our lives and I’ve learnt to try and learn something from the hard times and let it build me up as a person, rather than pull me down.
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I have had some problems with my eyes lately and am hoping it is just age related wear and tear but agree that we do take the obvious for granted until it starts going wrong-you suddenly realise that people who are worse off than you cope so admirably and give you hope, so thank you to those people.
I understand you perfectly and I think you are very brave and a true inspiration to others suffering the same or similar things. I’ve been crippled with anxiety and depression for years. I suffer the physical symptoms which are endless. Some days better and some worse. I give up now asking what if ? I just go for it and think if it happens it will. On the outside people think I’m fine so I grin and bear it. Sounds like your doing just the same . I always thought there was only me like this. I often look at others and think why can’t I be normal like them. I did find friends with the same and they really are friends! not like other people but they understand and I think sharing what you feel can help. We are far stronger than normal people because we plod on regardless. Keep your chin up and keep going because you can. I always say there’s a calm after a storm . Thank you for sharing your post and I wish you well and stay positive your a real trooper x
Sending you big hugs, I have mental health issues as well (perhaps the next lot of posts I need to tackle). There are times I don’t and I’ll curl up but after Ash told me to sort myself out (6 years ago) I do try and do as much as I can, at that point I had completely given up n life though and that’s when I started this blog.
I can relate to this. It is so hard when people don’t see or understand an illness.
Quite often we are made to feel like a freak or made to feel like we are making it up.
Keep smiling x
an interesting post as I knew nothing about this illness xo
I cannot not imagine having to deal with illness always and I totally feel for those who go through it. Your post will definitely make a difference to someone.
I worked taking care of people for 20+ years then a few years ago I got sick and was in the hospital. Scary yes but you do learn a lot
Taking care of yourself is so very important. I don’t personally relate, however I think it’s very admirable that you have so much self awareness and make sure to keep your health a priority!
Oh I really do feel for you after reading this – there are far too many things I have taken for granted. I like to think I am more interested and understanding than most. I would hate to think I have ever said any of the insensitive things that others have.
I get the fatigue thing so much!!! People tend to brush that one off too like ‘we all get tired’ its horrid. When they have something to say about your illness its the most awful thing they just don’t understand no matter how much you try to drum it into them its not your fault!
People can say some really nasty (or just plain weird) things, can’t they? I have Scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine, and people assume that I just suffer with a bit of back ache. But some days it’s so much more than that. Some days I can’t find anything to wear as I just feel like I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and other days the pain is so bad that I can’t get up and downstairs on my own. It was a nightmare when I was home alone with a baby, but luckily now Oscar is older it’s not quite so much of a problem.
Louise x
I think it is important to be aware that not all illnesses can be seen x
I am short sighted and have been for over 20 years now. Losing my vision scares the hell out of me.
Even through my fuzz with my glasses I always think at least I can see a little, not seeing at all would be awful
Ughhh fatigue is definitely the toughest thing to deal with. There is just no fighting it some days.
It is horrid isn’t it, just so hard to describe as well.
For me, looking for the light is one of the important things to consider. I guess, having a positive outlook even though were undergoing this is better than thinking of negative things.
It is so hard to do sometimes, I do often feel like I am drowning beneath it all but I try.
Thank you for sharing this post. I too suffer from a chronic illness. I am diabetic and my blood sugar levels continue to spike, despite having to poke myself with insulin shots twice a day. My vision is getting poorer as the months drag by. I have pain here and there and I am always tired. Some people think I am just ultimately lazy, sitting or napping. They do not know how it feels when your sugar levels go through the roof. It is true. Those who do not understand are the ones to tend to say a lot. OMG. Try and walk a mile in our shoes!
Hope you have a good day today. Hugs!
Sending you *hugs*, it is so hard when someone doesn’t get it. I would love to swap with them for a day or two, I would never wish it on anyone long term, but just so they could try it and understand more. That I would do if I could.
This is so true! And the hardest is that when we suffer from invisible illnesses other people don’t believe they are real, if we don’t suffer on the outside for them it means that we don’t suffer at all. And mental illnesses are the worst, you can’t tell someone with depression to just shake it off…. but unfortunately a lot of people do.
It amazes me how people think it is so easy to just get rid of these conditions, oh if only!
Thanks for sharing your story. This I’d very inspirational. Life can throw us some curve balls but it’s how we react to them that matters
I try and stay positive, I don’t always manage it but I do try 😉
This is a great post and may even inspire others with illnesses. It is so true that not everything is visible and we shouldn’t take anything for granted. Being able to walk without pain or even to go to the park with the kids are things we all take/took for granted. Thanks for sharing these things you have learned living with an illness.
There is always something I think of daily which I wish I had enjoyed more when I could, but you just assume it is something you will be able to do for many years to come.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, it can be difficult to get others to understand something they have gone through themselves.
It really can be, I can understand it being hard though after all, we all try and understand things through having been there.
Totally agree with not every illness is visible, it’s a topic people need to know more about.
Hopefully more people will come to understand it, especially with places like supermarkets putting up signs on the toilets.
That’s got to be the hardest. To know something is wrong but not to be able to pinpoint what it is. I know my daughter had some issues with that this last year. It was hard. It’s so great of you to share your story here.
It is hard, sometimes you feel like you are going a bit crazy as well.
Vision is so important but you are so positive and inspiring! I really appreciate you sharing your story and the tips!
Aww thank you so much, you have made my day with this comment. x
I’m so very sorry about your illness. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to suffer from chronic fatigue. The comment about looking for light touched my heart. It’s always the littlest things .. like random kindness from a stranger .. that mean more to us than we’d care to admit
It really is, my neighbour goes to the chip shop most Fridays and every time he goes he asks us if we want anything, the first week he did it I cried, I was in an awful state and I don’t think he had any idea but it meant so much. He is such a kind soul.
Not taking anything for granted is always a good lesson to learn. This is such a great post!!
It is amazing the things I suddenly think I really took that for granted once.
I am grateful you shared this. We have had some medical issues here in our family and this sure puts things in perspective. Take care of you!
Sending hugs to you all <3 take care of yourselves as well. x
Oh my Goodness. Tiredness is scary. And sometime l, I get so tired that I can hardly keep my eyes open when I am doing things that I should not be when the tiredness starts taking over. Maybe I should check on this. Thank you!
Yes please do get it checked, it maybe nothing, but if it is something you may be able to get in place some techniques that help.
I love this post! My kids and I both have a genetic disorder that causes some weird symptoms…along with common ones like fatigue and pain. You wouldn’t know by looking at us though!
It is so hard when you “don’t look ill” I simply hate that saying I’ve been told it so many times when inside I feel like I just want to crack.
Definitely not every illness is visible. Especially because each person experiences different things in different way.
Most definitely, just because you have the same diagnosis doesn’t mean it will present in the same way.
Beautifully put and your right, when you have an invisible illness people just assume that you are fine when in actual fact your night. I have a few illnesses myself but to the average bystander I look perfectly healthy. What they don’t know is how little energy I have or how much pain I can be in. Like you said some weeks are worse than others. Sometimes I feel crappy but normal crappy and then other times I can’t function. But the blog gives me the motivation to keep going . I am sorry that you are in so much pain and was having trouble breathing :/
It is so hard isn’t it, my blog keeps me going as well, they are definitely wonderful things 🙂
Having a non visible illness is horrible. I have EDS which makes exercise or exertion quite difficult as my body can’t deal effectively with lactic acid build up and my diaphragm was stretched during pregnancy and is now flaccid which sometimes leaves me breathless. People see a skinny healthy looking girl and assume I put it on which makes the gym a no go place for me. People don’t keep their opinions to themselves and I haven’t developed that thick skin yet 🙁
I don’t think I’ll ever full have that thick skin, it is hard, the words do still hurt. Part of writing this and starting to put out more about my health is me trying to say hey it’s OK to myself.
I really love this post! I don’t have any illnesses like this, but I 100% agree with the visibility point. When I’m having a poorly or painful day, I always put more of an effort into my makeup/hair etc. So normally days when I’m looking my best, I’m feeling my worst! xxx
It’s like a mask almost that you put on, with my mental health I’ve got the best mask possible these days. You learn to put it out there that your OK.
I suffer from chronic physical illness that is invisible, so it’s hard for people to understand it. I really like this post it really helps people with invisible illnesses know they are not alone.
I am so pleased it makes people feel they aren’t alone <3
My vision is the worst. If it continues to degrade I will be out of prescription contacts meaning nothing will fix my vision. Ugh. I hope you’re having a feel good day today. My hubby has a hidden illness…the kind you can’t see and those stink for sure.
It’s awful isn’t it 🙁 it’s a scary place to be not knowing what might happen next.
I think it’s a very important point to remember that not all illnesses are visible. I’ve been through the “you don’t look sick” thing.
It is the worst saying in the world I wish I could scrub it away.
I can’t imagine how hard it can be some days for you. And it must be hard with everyone having an opinion on you and your illness x
It most definitely can be and I find it hard to say sorry I can’t do that today which makes it worse.
The thought of loosing my vision really scares me. You are right when saying someone always has something to say about our illness. Doesn’t matter if they are correct or even close they always have something to say.
I couldn’t imagine being without my sight, it amazes me the difference between my glasses to contacts but at least they help for now.
Thank you for sharing some of your experiences. I too have learned a lot from my illness, although it’s a mental one. Self-care is one of the most important things that we can do. Taking time to invest in ourselves, check our symptoms, and keeping track of them.
Self-care is a must but so hard sometimes doesn’t matter if it is mental or physical it can really seem hard to just get up and do.
It’s hard isn’t it, and even worse when people don’t understand. Sending gentle hugs and hoping that for you the good days outweigh the bad x
Thank you so much sending gentle hugs back <3
I feel for you
Feel the fatigue is the hardest
I’ve given over saying I’m tired
I say not today
Some understand -mist think I’m being awkward x
It’s hard isn’t it, you lose friends because they don’t understand you just can’t do it.