Hidden

I’ve had a “hidden” illness for many years now. Hidden you ask? It’s an illness that effects people internally and generally not visible to other people.  For example, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, MS, Chronic Fatigue, Rheumatoid Arthritis,the list is endless. All effect our day to day functioning but by looking at us you can’t tell there is anything wrong with us health wise.

I often hear “But you look so good for all your health problems”, that really irritates me.  Then I would sigh, push away the fact that I’m irritated and just chalk it up to something that a person can’t understand unless they are physically living with it.

I have Fibro, IBS w/diarrhea, Chronic fatigue, thyroid problems due to thyroid cancer, RA, neuropathy, really the list is to long to list everything that is wrong with me. They do all have one thing in common. They are hidden.  I ran across an article today that finally explains to the "average” person how it feels to have a hidden illness.  While the article is from someone who has Lupus it does describe what anyone with a hidden illness goes through. You just have to change a few things around with the symptoms. The end result is the same.

What’s this explanation you ask? It’s called “The Spoon Theory” If you know anyone that has one of these hidden illnesses I implore you to read about it. Click “Here” to be taken to it. The link will open up in a new tab/window.

I had both Brian and Emma read it and I could tell it impacted both of them. I’m really hoping that they can understand me a bit better now. 

Here is to hoping everyone is having a good start to the holiday season.