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.