Living with Multiple Illnesses and Hope

I wanted to get this done long before September 16 (the beginning of Chronic Invisible Illness Week).Why? Because I have to make the most of the days when I feel half decent. I even had most of this written but I just didn't even get as far as the first proof read.

Far to many of my days seem lost due to migraines,or pain running rampant through my body. Many days my arms, elbows and hands refuse to cooperate. Today is the second day in a row I have sliced my fingers instead of the vegetables I was chopping. 

All encompassing fatigue frequently steals my days, leaving me not only feeling like a bedraggled dish rag, but  also spending the day in bed. So learning planning ahead is one of the lessons I've learned due to my multiple illnesses. 

To be honest, there is no way I'd make it on my own with these illnesses. I have a supportive family, some wonderful friends, a fantastic therapist. But in the midst of my pain and suffering their is only one that fully understands me completely. That is because He made me; He made me just the way I am. He knew in advance everything I would ever do, and He still died for me. I don't know why He hasn't healed me this side of heaven, and that is ok. He has His reasons. All I know is through it all He is with me.  He is the one I can call on at any day or hour and He will always be there for me, even when I don't feel it. When we don't feel it, it is called walking by faith. 

The week of Invisible Illnesses was about Visible Hope. That week has come and gone. Unfortunately, my illnesses have not, but then again neither has my faith and hope left either. Some may say that not only are my illnesses invisible, but so is my God. To answer that I'll use the words Billy Graham is famous for saying, "I’ve seen the effects of the wind, but I’ve never seen the wind." I too have seen the effects of God in my life and therefore He is my visible hope. I know He is there even when I'm in pain. 

Please enjoy the following YouTube Video sung by Mandisa: He Is With You

How It Feels to Have an Invisible Illness

source

Allowing your invisible illness to show is akin to "standing naked in a crowded room of well dressed people."  I saw this statement on the blog site, Sick Momma and all I could picture was the story of the Emperor's New Clothes.

In case you have forgotten it: Once upon a time there was this Emperor that was so full of himself that he was easily trick by gangsters posing tailors. They said they'd make him some duds that only non fools could see. So when they bought the Emperor the suit and he couldn't see it, he thought OMG, am I a fool or what. And not wanting to appear a fool, he pretended to put the invisible suit on, when in truth there was nothing there. So the old fool, the emperor, went out in public in his invisible clothes. No one wanted to tell the Emperor that he was naked except for a punk kid. But the Emperor continued to pretend he was still dressed because he didn't want to appear the fool that he was.  

The Emperor was "naked' in crowd of dressed people. That is how the people with an invisible chronic illness feel, naked. Those with invisible chronic illnesses feel vulnerable, living in a world of healthy and whole people. 


Those with invisible chronic illnesses walk around with their mask on. They only let there mask slip a bit to let there nearest and dearest friends and family know about their illness. But they shouldn't have to live this way. Having medical issues doesn't mean the person was cursed by God, a sign of moral failings, a sign of weakness, or they in some way deserved to become ill. It just simply means they are ill.

Invisible chronic illnesses are easy to hide. You can hide them from others and you can deny them to yourself at times (especially if others don't know you are ill).


I consider myself one of the lucky people with an invisible illnesses. One of my illnesses is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. During and educational seminar that I was helping to run, I had a flashback. Suddenly, about 50 people that I worked with became very aware that I had PTSD. My invisible illness was "outed" so to speak; my invisible illness was visible.

Being "outed" is probably the best thing that ever happened to me. Hiding an illnesses if a horrible way to live. It is living the life of a lie, it is not living in the reality of the truth. I think everyone with invisible chronic illnesses deserves the best in life they can get, and the best includes the truth. Now, I get to celebrate openly, the fact that I survived what was once an unspeakable time in my life. I get to celebrate that I am alive, living with chronic illness, but alive. 


Now I am very upfront about my invisible chronic illnesses when appropriate. If people honestly want to learn about the illnesses I have, I am more than happy to teach them ( I am a disable RN). I know that the best way to get rid of stigmas is to speak out about them; it is important to educate those around us. As for me, I like to share the hope and freedom I have gained by speaking out.