Snippets Of Me

30 Things About My Invisible Illness

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

I'm a little late with this post since Invisible Illness Week was Sep 14 - 20. But I'll post it anyway.

1. The illness I live with is: Type 1 Diabetes

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: May 1999

3. But I had symptoms since: 6 months before

4. The biggest adjustment I've had to make is: my eating habits.

5. Most people assume: I brought this disease upon myself when it really isn't the case.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: waking up with a high because it makes me feel like I haven't slept all night.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: Don't really have one actually. Haven't watched much TV lately.

8. A gadget I couldn't live without is: Tommy - my insulin pump

9. The hardest part about nights are: Waking up with a headful of sweat and scrambling for the fridge for something sweet to raise my blood sugar levels fast.

10. Each day I take 2 pills & vitamins: Simvastatin as a therapy drug and sometimes Vitamin C during flu season.

11. Regarding alternative treatments: I don't think there's anything better than what I'm using now, so I'm pretty content with my current treatment plan.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I have to say that there were times when I did wish it was visible so I didn't need to have to explain myself if I had to quit a job (at the childcare) or inform teachers that they need to allow me to have something sweet in class when I'm low.

13. Regarding working and career: I'm not there yet, but I foresee many challenges that I would need to overcome in order to stay healthy and prevent getting lows all the time.

14. People would be surprised to know: that as invisible as it is, it's a battle that we fight all day long. Literally.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: sharing about the disease with people is mandatory in the case of an emergency and not when I'm comfortable about sharing it. I did wish it was the other way around though.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: to be candid about the disease and be truly comfortable with who I am as a person with the disease.

17. The commercials about my illness: are mostly about Type 2 diabetes. It frustrates me sometimes because it gives people the wrong idea about Type 1 diabetes.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: I can't quite remember since it's been 10 years now.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: the freedom to eat what I wanted, when I wanted without worrying about my sugar levels.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: my workout at the gym. It's a fantastic form of stress relief from school and from the illness.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: take a really long swim on a beach in a foreign land. I wouldn't be worrying about whether it's been too long since I've taken Tommy off me.

22. My illness has taught me: to have faith in His plans.

23. One thing people say that gets under my skin is: 'I think you better not eat this.' It's not that I disregard your concern, but it gets annoying when you act upon something you don't really know much about.

24. But I love it when people: use the disease to surprise me. Having coke light at parties really make my heart smile.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: I don't particularly have a favourite motto, scripture or quote, but it's the reminder to be thankful for everything else that I've been blessed with despite the tough times.

26. When someone is diagnosed I'd like to tell them: it's not going to be easy, but you're not alone either.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how God has used it to help me grow deeper in faith and love for Him.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn't feeling well was: to make the walk for me to get Yakult when I was low.

29. I'm involved with Invisible Illness Week because: it's a whole different ball game when it's invisible. It's not easier than visible illnesses, but it presents a whole different set of challenges to overcome. I only wish to give it a voice even if I have a tiny one.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: grateful. Hopefully, it's been worth your time. :)

Rachel wrote in the pages of her life at 2:12 PM

1Comments | Leave a snippet of you

1 Comments:

I truly admire your courage in sharing your deepest thoughts and situation with your illness.

it is with your sharings that give us, especially me a better insight to the world you live in.

do continue to fight on and stay strong...

By Unknown, at 2:53 AM