Are you Sick & Tired of Feeling Sick & Tired?

Sometimes I just want off this merry-go-round. I'm sick. I'm tired. And I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Know what I mean? It's a tough road we sickies travel. We have to deal with our daily symptoms and pile of pills, plus the doctors who scratch their heads, acquaintances who either think we're faking it or are certain we'd be better if we just tried their latest whatever, and the friends who think they're encouraging us when they say, "But you don't look sick!"

But you don't look sick! Well...okay...maybe today you do...

Some days I just want to hear somebody say it stinks. Somebody who really gets it, who will tell me a funny story and remind me I'm not alone. Somebody who will tell me I really can get through this day, and they're cheering me on.

Funny thing is, though there are over 100 million people in our country living with chronic illness, we aren't very good at getting together to encourage one another. We could schedule a support group, but it would be exhausting having to get dressed and get there and interact with people. We could plan big events or conferences, but most of us would end up getting sick that day and not being able to show up!

Therefore, one of the best ways for a sick person to be encouraged is through a book. A book doesn't expect you to answer a bunch of questions like, "Are you feeling better?" or mind if you're still wearing your pjs. A book won't get upset if you only read a page or two then fall asleep because you were up most of the night.

So over the years I've looked for books that would help me deal with having a lifelong health condition. I found:

John McPherson's Close to Home comics--my favorite therapy when I'm recovering or down. I love his medical ones, and am beyond thrilled that he is letting me put his comics in my book! (More on that in another post.)

Barbara Johnson's Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy books, which are full of fun stories and cheer-you-up quotes, but I can only handle her in small doses because she's really random and SHE LOVES TO USE ALL CAPS AND TONS OF EXCLAMATION POINTS AND THAT DRIVES ME INSANE!!!!!!

Other than that, I haven't found much. Having a condition for 15 years and only having a handful of encouraging resources is a plain ol' bummer. I could find books that were deep and heavy dealing with illness, but to be honest, if I want to feel weighted down, all I have to do is start listing my symptoms.

So, just like with my Stolen series, I moved forward on the advice that if you can't find the book you want to read, you must write it. My new book, Sick & Tired, is due for release next month! I'm so excited about it, because with it I get to have a fun sit-down-and-let's-chat way to encourage other people dealing with illness, without any of us having to dress up, put on our makeup, or make small talk!

The publishers let my Facebook friends vote on the cover! D got the most votes.

Sick & Tired covers topics like:
When the Well-Meaning Annoy You
It's Not Fair!
Grieving the Loss of Who You used to be
Losing Your Identity to Illness
How to Explain your Condition with Confidence

I have prednisone to thank for getting me started, but that's a story for next week. For now, if you want to make sure you keep in the loop about Sick & Tired and its companion book, Laughter for the Sick & Tired, sign up for my newsletter at www.kimberlyrae.com. I'll be sending out an exclusive offer just to e-mail subscribers sometime this month, so sign up soon so you don't miss it!

Until the book comes out to say it officially, here's my message to you:
It stinks, but you are not alone. You can get through this day. I'm cheering you on!


Related Posts: What Sick People Wish Healthy People Knew

My Name is Kimberly and I have Addison's Disease

Urgent Care, Steroids and Antibiotics-Here I Go Again

Next Week: Thank You, Prednisone, for the Book

Subscribe to get my weekly blog post delivered straight to your inbox. 

(It's the top box on the right, just put your e-mail address in!)