Comments on: Chronic illness . . . it’s an isolating experience http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/ Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:13:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Rosalind Joffe http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-1002 Rosalind Joffe Thu, 31 May 2007 17:30:11 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-1002 Hooray for you, Diana. It is liberating to throw in that towel. Let's all give one big toss! Hooray for you, Diana. It is liberating to throw in that towel. Let’s all give one big toss!

]]> By: Diana Brice http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-1001 Diana Brice Thu, 31 May 2007 17:12:23 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-1001 I think that chronic illness can be isolating not only because we feel different but because we are different. It takes a completely different set of living skills to maintain even a semblance of normalcy when you have medical problems. For 14 years since I was diagnosed with Lupus I tried to "pass as healthy" most of the time, trying to keep up with others who don't have medical problems. But recently I have "thrown in the towel" so to speak and admitted to myself that I do have limitations in what I can and can't do and that it's okay. Strangely enough I feel more liberated and enjoy doing what I can do and not worrying about what I can't do anymore. I think that chronic illness can be isolating not only because we feel different but because we are different. It takes a completely different set of living skills to maintain even a semblance of normalcy when you have medical problems. For 14 years since I was diagnosed with Lupus I tried to “pass as healthy” most of the time, trying to keep up with others who don’t have medical problems. But recently I have “thrown in the towel” so to speak and admitted to myself that I do have limitations in what I can and can’t do and that it’s okay. Strangely enough I feel more liberated and enjoy doing what I can do and not worrying about what I can’t do anymore.

]]> By: Rosalind http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-998 Rosalind Wed, 30 May 2007 01:09:14 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-998 You're so right, Stephanie. I think it's the yin and the yang - trying hard not to burden or be a burden but also not wanting to isolate ourselves. Thanks for sharing. You’re so right, Stephanie. I think it’s the yin and the yang - trying hard not to burden or be a burden but also not wanting to isolate ourselves. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Stephanie http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-997 Stephanie Tue, 29 May 2007 22:46:20 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2007/05/28/chronic-illness-its-an-isolating-experience/#comment-997 I couldn't agree more with this entry. Every day we are reminded from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to bed (if we are lucky to get some sleep) that we have a chronic illness. It is a double-edge sword that those around us have to be reminded of our needs for accomodations. We work so hard to keep healthy, and sadly, it doesn't take much to aggrevate our symptoms. For so long, I tried not to be an "inconvience" to others because of my lupus or celiac disease. But, I realized I had to in big and small ways assert myself so that as much as I can, I can enjoy every day that I have on earth. When the bad days come, they are really bad days. We shouldn't have to risk having bad days. As hard as it is, it is better to educate people about our struggles. I think in the end that a decent person would feel worse if they had a chance to help you out and you needlessly suffered because you didn't want to have to once again remind your family and friends that you have an illness. Stephanie I couldn’t agree more with this entry. Every day we are reminded from the time we get up in the morning until the time we go to bed (if we are lucky to get some sleep) that we have a chronic illness. It is a double-edge sword that those around us have to be reminded of our needs for accomodations.

We work so hard to keep healthy, and sadly, it doesn’t take much to aggrevate our symptoms. For so long, I tried not to be an “inconvience” to others because of my lupus or celiac disease. But, I realized I had to in big and small ways assert myself so that as much as I can, I can enjoy every day that I have on earth. When the bad days come, they are really bad days. We shouldn’t have to risk having bad days.

As hard as it is, it is better to educate people about our struggles. I think in the end that a decent person would feel worse if they had a chance to help you out and you needlessly suffered because you didn’t want to have to once again remind your family and friends that you have an illness.

Stephanie

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