The Correct Way

What is the best way to handle illness? What is the correct way to go about your daily life once diagnosed with a chronic illness? What is the best way to deal with healthcare professionals, cracks in the system, or the shortcomings of patient care? How do you stay true to yourself and push yourself not to be a slave to your illness?

There is no 'right' way.

Dealing with chronic illness is much like dating. You might try different approaches at different times, you might be stronger at some moments and weaker in others. There is always compromise, stubbornness, determination, and wavering. Sometimes you want to be done entirely but can't seem to walk away. You have good days and bad days. If you have multiple illnesses you will often have a different relationship with each illness and how to handle it, not to mention your attitude towards it. It is a constant and daily struggle to achieve the balance of cooperation, compromise, maintaining your own identity while always carrying around these other labels.

There is no right way to handle it. Every single person is different and every single day is different. Don't beat yourself up. ❤