30 day chronic illness challenge

Day 2: How have these illnesses affected your life?

In every aspect, really. Negatively: I lose sleep, I'm prone to mood swings/anxiety attacks, I get migraines somewhat regularly (not as much since I started taking antidepressants), I have periods where I don't really leave my room except to feed my horse and use the restroom, and sometimes I go a couple days without eating. The Endometriosis causes severe pain (sometimes to the point of immobility), very heavy periods, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, etc. Positively, it has made me more understanding of others, my sensitivity/emapthy has helped me become a seasoned horsewoman (I sometimes get paid for my assisstance), and I have a strong sense of self and independence.

Not much, but it's all I can think of at the moment.

Day 23 What do you say to yourself when you need a pep talk?

Errr. I have to confess that I'm rather good at having a go at myself and calling myself lazy. It doesn't help and I'm trying to stop it.

A more resourceful conversation reminds me to take small steps, rest often and not to stay with any one activity for long periods.

Day 27

The most helpful advice - to go with what I think I need. I can't trust the knowledge of most medical professionals as they aren't properly educated. If I think it's an attack - treat it. If I think one dose isn't enough, use another. It doesn't matter what someone else says as the only one who can feel the symptoms is me.

It would be awesome to post the answers to some of these questions in a Chronic Illness Q & A for Listeners to read when in need of help with members. Its a great place to point members looking for those with like situations. I'm not skilled enough to manage that but i know there are those who are!

I am new here and I have chronic pain from båck issues and Cerebral Palsy. Even though my partner supports and I feel alone and lost at times. Does anyone else feel thay wat?

Day 24 How have you managed to juggle your social life through your illness?

I always try to be positive, but here there's only one response...

Badly

(Normal levels of optimism will be resumed as soon as possible)

Day Three: How did you get a diagnosis?

Professional counseling and my regular physician.

DAY 4

how my friends and family reacted.. My mom about cried, she has been pushing me to do better, she is the only one who really took it seriously.. My fiancé, and friends all think it's no big deal even when I'm in the hospital.

Day 28

Completed 2 degress, boths honours with distinction

Went to grad school and contributed to the scientific community

Got married and continue to build on my life with my husband

Passed dance exams, performed and taught dance

Have had lots of fun with my nephew and plan to continue that!

Day 4: How have your friends and family reacted to it?

As far as the mental illnesses go, they've been fairly great about it. The only thing I still have trouble with is my anxiety; so many people don't understand that it is debilitating, and it's not as easy as "believe in yourself" and self-loving myself onward, ho! Though I've also weeded out several people in my life because of that. If they can't deal with who and what I am, I don't need to cater to them. Take it or leave it.

The Endometriosis is harder, and fewer people know about it. Without going into personal detail, my thoughts/feelings on the issue is "screw it," basically. The way I've been treated and such and what I'm being told I have to do, I've decided to just live with it until further notice. I've never been interested in having children, so that part doesn't bother me in the least despite other people telling me it's more important than my life. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that women are still seen as not much (if anything) more than baby factories, and I've been shamed for not trying to be able to have kids despite not wanting them (and no, I will not "change my mind"). I've been attacked for not "cherishing" my ability to have children because some women can't, which is ludicrous. One of the symptoms of Enodmetriosis is infertility, I don't want kids, I'm not interested in kids whatsoever, and while I my heart goes out to those who've had miscarriages and want to get pregnant but can't (I sincerely mean that), no one has any right to treat me like I owe them anything because I don't, and me having kids isn't going to change anything for them. It is NOT my responsibility as a female to be a mother, and trying to persuade me otherwise by exploiting others' hardships is ridiculous and insensitive to those going through the struggle. Not having a functioning baby maker and/or not being a mother makes me no less of a woman.