Monday

Medical Mondays: You Are Not Alone

Ever since I read the shocking statistic that nearly 1 out of every 2 people in our country have some type of chronic illness, with 96% of those being in the category "invisible illness" (meaning you can't tell just by looking that they are sick), I can see why this topic of chronic health problems is such a big deal.


"But you don't look sick!"


If you hadn't heard, I got a book contract for my series titled, Sick and Tired: How to Live Graciously with Chronic Health Problems when you'd Rather Just Kick Something! I'm very excited about the books getting out there (hopefully in 2013) and giving empathy, encouragement, and practical help to people who aren't well enough to make it to a seminar or some other on-site way of meeting others like themselves.

It's easy to think that we are the only ones suffering in a world full of healthy, thriving people. We look around and see others moving faster, we hear about others doing things we used to do, we have to keep saying no to things we'd love to say yes to but can't.

Having a chronic illness can be painfully isolating. In simpler words, it's lonely.

That's why I've decided to dedicate my Monday blog posts to living with chronic illness/sickness/medical stuff. People with chronic health problems need empathy, encouragement and help, but we often don't find such in the world around us. People are waiting for us to "get better," or they just don't know what to say. Through the internet, however, we find others who are going through the same things--not the same exact illness, necessarily, but the fact of illness itself. We can help each other and lift each other up, and even give some good advice along the way.

And if you are one of those people in the Sick and Tired category, I've started a new group on Facebook you're invited to join! Here's the link; come on over and tell us about you!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/147614795374843/

Or, a really great resource, including an online forum, regular posts, etc. is Rest Ministries, or Hopekeepers, at http://www.restministriessunroom.com.

For the next 10 Mondays, I want to list the top 10 most important things I think you should know about having a chronic illness (for people who are ill and those who love them).

For now, what chronic illness do you have? Or do you love someone who has one? Are the statistics really true--are nearly 1 out of every 2 people in your world suffering somehow? Drop a line below and let's start a conversation!

4 comments:

  1. I have been sick for a long time. Was finally diagnosed with chronic Lyme and Babesia last year and am now in treatment (after being told repeatedly there is nothing wrong and given Prozac).

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  2. Wow, I'm so sorry! Not sorry you have a diagnosis (finally) but sorry for all you had to go through to get there. It's so frustrating when doctors don't take you seriously and want to gloss over it. I hope the treatment makes a huge difference!

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  3. Kim,
    I think it is so wonderful that you have started this group. I have suffered from chronic migraines (almost daily) for the last 19 years. I consider myself blessed because we know what causes them, my TMJ, however we can't fix it and there is no avoiding triggering them. I have to eat, talk, sometimes yell (dogs and children), yawn, sing etc. So, I decided to live, whether I have a migraine or not! I desperately try not to let it slow me down, but sometimes even with a high pain tolerance, it takes a huge toll on me. The facial pain is astounding at times also, it amazes me though how much pain a person can get used to. But we can do all things through Christ! So, I can not only survive this, but I can live a life that is glorifying to Him!! Jen Riesen

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  4. Jen, that's just awful. I'm so sorry! I have ground my teeth in my sleep since childhood, and would often wake up after nightmares with that terrible face pain running down my cheek and jaw. It's hard to even think when the pain is that close. I use a mouth guard at night now and that has taken most of mine away--wish there was something that would take your away too! But I love your attitude, that you decided to live, pain or not. That's an important choice, because living is more than just surviving.
    One quote that has helped me so much is from Corrie Ten Boom, survivor of a Nazi death camp in WWII. She said, "Sometimes the victory is just in enduring." There are days when I won't be an amazing overcomer, but that's okay. God remembers I'm just dust, and I need to remember that too.
    Blessings to you today!
    kim

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