Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Reflections from Today’s Battle with a Chronic Illness & the Healthcare System




  • I’ve been battling this illness for over 15 years, I’ve learned long ago what my “normal” is. I’m very well versed in my “normal” so if I reach out for help from you; it’s because something is wrong. I’m not going to jump through the hoops to see you if my symptoms weren’t way off “my normal”.
  • Since my body can’t announce when it’s cramping, shocking me with pain, having me escape to a restroom, etc. - I have to list all these uncomfortable symptoms. Please just listen to me and not debate me on what my body can’t possibly do. 
  • Yes, I’ve become an expert on my body BUT I did not go to medical school. Hence my smiling face in your office with instead of the hundreds of places I’d rather be.
  • I would love for there to be more to my life right now than frequent visits to the doctor’s offices, labs, and scanning facilities but I need your help. It is what it is.
  • I can understand everyone has good & bad days. But please remember that I’m coming to you on my worst days & I work really hard to still be nice. So it’s extremely hurtful when the people you’re coming to for help are rude, belittling, or mean. 
  • Can we all (me included) just practice more compassion & kindness please. It’s hard some days; the chaos of life can make it extremely difficult to see that hope still around us all. Lashing out at someone else due to my own pain always makes me feel worse not better. So, can we all take a beat and be nicer to each other.
  • Remember a smile or a wave, any small act of kindness, can remind us all that Hope is Still Here.

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