30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know 1. The illness I live with is: Crohn's Disease and Grave's Disease 2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: Crohn's - 2012; Grave's - 2014 3. But I had symptoms since: It is believed that I had Crohn's 15-20 years prior to being diagnosed. With the Grave's, I honestly have no idea as I was completely shocked to get diagnosed. 4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: My life has completely changed in the last few years. 5. Most people assume: that I am fine because I look fine. Not true. 6. The hardest part about mornings are: physically getting out of bed 7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey's Anatomy 8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my cell phone 9. The hardest part about nights are: not sleeping. ugh. 10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please): Depends on the day honestly. anywhere from 10-40 pills a day. 11. Regarding alternative treatments I: believe that they can work, however, I haven't been able to get either of my diseases enough under control to test the alternative methods. 12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: visible. I am so tired of the "but you look fine" BS 13. Regarding working and career: I work full time in the mortgage industry. 14. People would be surprised to know: that I sleep literally all weekend to recover from the work week. 15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: that my life isn't going to be what I thought it would be. 16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: speak up about it. Get my word heard. (that rhymed lol) 17. The commercials about my illness: seriously piss me off. Someone get that chick a damn navigation system to help her find the f*cking bathrooms. 18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: seeing my friends 19. It was really hard to have to give up: my social life. 20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: reading, puzzles 21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: do whatever my husband wanted. He is always sacrificing for me. 22. My illness has taught me: who is TRULY by my side. It's only a small handful, but I know that they are there unconditionally. 23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: when people recommend "cures" for my disease. Newsflash! there isn't one. eating tree bark just because it worked for your mom's cousin's dog, doesn't mean it is true. 24. But I love it when people: reach out to me, even by email, text, etc. Just to know that you do care. 25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: This too shall pass. Or, If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. 26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: That I am there for them and it's a long, hard road, but you will be more tough in the end. 27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I know more about my body than a normal person should. I can tell you what vein to hit with what size needle, etc 28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: just reach out. I have a few friends that will sense that I am down and all of the sudden, a card is in my mailbox...or a sweet text pops up on my phone, etc 29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: we need to be heard! 30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: good.