Candidly Chronic Blog

[candidlychronicsblog]

I had a hydrodistention procedure today, and it went all kinds of bad. Between major gaslighting, medical neglect, and just non-compassionate people who shouldn’t be in their chosen career until they have better bedside manner.

If a man came in with me today (there was a mix-up, but my bf was gonna come as he does), I likely would’ve been treated 10x better because men get treated with respect and women get gaslit in medical scenarios more often than men.

[candidlychronicsblog]

When chronically I’ll your best will look different than a healthy persons. Whether you got out of bed and did errands, socialized, had a low pain day OR if your biggest achievement was getting out of bed, brushing your teeth and going back to sleep for the rest of the day… I’m proud of you. Existing in our bodies is very difficult on the best days, so be gentle with yourself, no matter what the day brings.

Love you and proud of you,

Di @candidlychronic

[thatfibrolife]

[candidlychronicsblog]

[candidlychronicsblog]

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Ooooph the day is nearly here! Tell me all the things about post-op recovery for endometriosis excision. I’m a mess over here. So send all the good vibes, love, good juju, prayers… all are welcomed 💛😭 : : : : : #excisionsurgery #endometriosis #endometriosisawareness #endometriosiswarrior #endometriosissucks #endometriosissurgery #endometriosisawarenessmonth #endometriosiswarrior #endometriosissister #endometriosisisreal #EndometriosisAware #endometriosisisabitch #endometriosissufferer #endometriosisfighter #endometriosissurvivor #endometriosisresearch https://www.instagram.com/p/CnvECGKuRg6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[candidlychronicsblog]

When I make plans, I assume I’ll be able to attend. However, my body does what it wants and is very unpredictable. So, if I cancel plans, please know I didn’t “want” to. I *had* to for my health.

[candidlychronicsblog]

I hope that by sharing my story of living with multiple chronic illnesses and daily pain, that others don’t have to feel alone and lack support. You are welcomed in this community of chronic illness warriors. Worst club with the best people!

[candidlychronicsblog]

I (attempt to) go to bed and I never know how I’m going to feel when I wake up the next day. It’s exhausting - both physically and emotionally. This is something healthy people don’t even need to think about.

[candidlychronicsblog]

I often forget that healthy people don’t need to think about all the logistical things those of us with chronic illness do. Pacing, pain management, medical appointments upon medical appointments, constant medication management + so much more.

[candidlychronicsblog]

It feels like when one symptom or issue from my chronic illnesses calm down, another issue immediately pops up. It’s a constant game of whack-a-mole. Trying to fix one problem before another one arises. More times than not, I’m dealing with multiple issues at a time.

[candidlychronicsblog]

Chronic illness is a lot of picking + choosing. Picking and choosing what events/parties/outing you go to, picking and choosing what family you see on holidays, picking and choosing what errands you’ll run… picking and choosing how much you push your body so you don’t completely end up in a worse spot than you began. It’s a lot of disappointment and missing out and wanting to attend more things than your body will allow. We have to listen to our bodies or we will be unable to function for days or weeks (sometimes longer).

[candidlychronicsblog]

I’ve found that since being diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, I get a lot of “advice” from those around me. Whether it’s people in my life or strangers on the internet. Partly they want to help, but partly, the fact that I’m chronically ill really bothers them and they want a “fix” because my illnesses makes them uncomfortable.

If there was a cure, I’d take it. However, there isn’t. So, sit with your discomfort for awhile before you start sharing wild suggestions and unsolicited advice to those who are chronically ill or disabled in your life.

[candidlychronicsblog]

Holidays are different when you’re chronically ill vs. healthy. Leaving gatherings earlier, taking tools and meds with you & needing to be prepared for a flare up, having to decide carefully how you answer daunting questions from loved ones. Holidays look a lot different now that I’m chronically ill. They don’t have to be all bad, though. Different? Yes. Bad? No.

[candidlychronicsblog]

Even though I’m smiling and having fun, I’m still in pain. Please understand that I’m doing my best to socialize and enjoy myself, but it can sometimes be very hard.

[candidlychronicsblog]

I’m not lazy, I’m chronically ill and in pain 24/7. Some days are better than others. I’m doing my best and yes, my life looks much, much different from my life pre-chronic illnesses, but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying. Life just looks different now.

[candidlychronicsblog]

Talking about my health and the reality of living with multiple illnesses and chronic pain issues is not “attention seeking” or “annoying”.

It is me sharing my truth, my life.

Like most healthy people share about their careers, family life, exciting activities they’ve attended lately, holiday festivities or traveling. I don’t have those things to talk about, because my illnesses ARE my life.

It consumes me from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed. Therefor, if you don’t want to hear how I’m *actually* doing, don’t ask. - this is why my answer to “how are you” is usually “hanging in there”. It’s just freaking ✨easier✨.