You have thousands upon thousands of people, diagnosed with the same conditions, who all experience different symptoms. You have a list of potential treatments, which all seem to work differently in every individual. Some physicians recommend surgery, some recommend medications, some recommend major dietary changes or lifestyle changes, some recommend naturopathic avenues, and some recommend all of the above - all with varying levels of success.
We are all stuck on this bumpy ride, trying to figure out why our illness turns one way or the other, and wondering if what we are doing is *actually* helping or harming or whether we have simply convinced ourselves of the idea that we have a modicum of control.
Every step feels experimental - even when the stats are in our favour.
So here are my reminders to any one of you battling any kind of long-term, chronic, inflammatory, auto-immune kind of disease:
1. I believe you. I believe that your pain is REAL. I believe that your descriptions about how you feel are accurate because you are the one living in your body.
2. We may differ in perspectives and treatments, so I believe that your treatment plan is based on YOUR disease experience. I believe that you and your doctors are working together to find the best treatment plan for your body. I won't presume to tell you what to eat or not eat, what to take or not take, and I will refrain from judgement. Please give me the same respect and understanding.
3. You do not owe the world a specific image of illness. You are you, and being ill doesn't always have a specific look to it. Just because you look healthy or normal does not mean you are without pain or terrible symptoms, it simply means that you are master of disguising those symptoms.
4. You are allowed to have fun and enjoy your good days (and enjoy as much of your bad days as possible). Guilt weighs people down.
5. You deserve to have a life beyond illness; a life that allows a fraction of escape from illness.
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