Finding my new Normal

Hey, I'm Christina and I am 29. I was diagnosed with an Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease in 2009 (which means I am still undiagnosed in that department) and then Ulcerative Colitis in the fall of 2010. Trying to keep a positive outlook is hard when you are living with a chronic illness. My faith in God is the only thing keeping me going most days. OTHER THINGS ABOUT ME:

[chronicallyreal]

As soon as I start to think its impossible to feel anymore tired my body's like "oh yeah?" Bam! More fatigue! Soooooooooooooooo tired right now! :(

[chronicallyreal]

I hate those days where just taking a shower exausts me...:(

[chronicallyreal]

[chronicallyreal]

My best friend today #pain #IBD #autoimmune

[chronicallyreal]

So I've been able to take the last 2 months off from work and the great thing is I've finally been starting to feel good, the sucky thing is in 2 wks I gotta find a job and then I will be back to feeling like shit all the time :(

[chronicallyreal]

Sorry I have been MIA lately! Thinking of u all keep going strong! Keep fighting! Don't give up!

[chronicallyreal]

I forget I live in paradise…

[chronicallyreal]

One word for this illness is unpredictable. I think that is the hardest part. It makes me unpredictable. I can't easily make plans. Had to stop working for now cause I'm so unpredictable. Its been on my mind lately and the worst part is there's nothing much I can do about it.

[livingbeyondwithguts]

What I feel like when I'm flaring

[chronicallyreal]

This captures it perfectly!!

[chronicallyreal]

Think I just broke my spine by rolling over in bed.

[invalidism]

get healthier > decide to do more > take on responsibilities >  get exhausted by responsibilities > push through exhaustion > get sicker > get stressed because you’re struggling > stress makes health worse > get even sicker > complete physical breakdown > forced to quit responsibilities > take time to focus on getting healthier…

[chronicallyreal]

So true...omg why!!??

[chronicallyreal]

My kitty likes the bathtub

[chronicallyreal]

[chronicallyreal]

I love it when I have a whole bunch to do but have to pick and choose my activities cause I don’t have enough energy for everything. Said no chronically ill person EVER…

[chronicallyreal]

I hate it when I can't tell when my sore throat is from overdoing it or if I'm getting “real people" sick.

[chronicallyreal]

That moment when your so freaken tired and u yawn like a million times in a row and your eyes start watering everywhere and u can't make it stop...yea having one of those moments.

[chronicallyreal]

I think this is a very strong image when you think about it. This poor bird sitting on the edge of the ledge, getting bombarded by what looks like heavy rain (or snow). Yet it sits there, remaining strong and holding on in the middle of the storm. That's what we chronic illness sufferers have to do. When your illness is bombarding you with symptom after symptom, your family and friends don't understand you, everything is rising against you anxiety, depression, you want to give up. Don't give up. We have to hold on and remain strong in the storm. Even if the storm leaves damage it always passes. Remain strong, please don't give up!