One of the things I really struggle with as a chronically person is when people close to me don't feel well or have a sore joint and act like it's the end of the world. I understand it sucks to be sick and in pain, I am every single day all day long. They get one minor inconvenience and they're able to take the day off and I end up taking care of them. That's fine and I don't mind except I'm worse than that on a daily basis and no one is fussing over me or saying, just take it easy. It builds a lot of resent for me because I wish I were able to feel so good most of the time that one symptom seems like the end of the world to me.
Because I am chronically ill, I am just expected to get used to it, or suck it up and still function like everyone else. A "normal, healthy person" would never function under the circumstances that we do. Their minds can't even begin to comprehend the level of illness and pain we function with. I wish I had that privilege.
I wake up every morning feeling like I've been hit by a bus. My joints are stiff and hurting and I am nauseated. Sometimes I even have a headache the moment I wake up. I never feel energized and usually feel more tired than the night before. A normal person would never function like this, but I do every single day. I have no choice.
I die a little inside every time someone says I'm so tired you know? Yes, I do know. I live with severe, chronic fatigue. You will go to bed tonight and be fine tomorrow. I won't. Same with a headache. Yup, I understand, I get daily migraines. Joint pain sucks....you don't say. People definitely don't think before they speak. They're preaching to the choir. They're upset over one symptom and I deal with 25+ a day. I try so hard to sympathize, but I find it very difficult.
It's beyond frustrating to me to be unable to communicate the immense pain I'm in and have a healthy person understand what I'm describing. I wish my friends and family could each spend 20 minutes in my body. I know it's not their fault that they don't understand, but I think if the rest of the population had a better idea of what chronically ill people are up against, maybe there would be some change. The world is not user friendly for the sick and disabled. I wish there was more understanding and accommodations. I also really wish healthy people wouldn't try to compare their 12-24 hour inconvenience to my never ending chronic illness and joint damage.
How do you deal with friends and family members who complain about a minor issue, but push your serious issues aside and expect you function normally?
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