I know that Invisible Illness week is over but I wanted to fill this out so that I can update my MS page.
1. The illness I live with is: Multiple Sclerosis
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: I believe it was 2000
3. But I had symptoms since: I was in elementary school
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Not getting upset if I can’t do everything I want to because I am having a bad day.
5. Most people assume: That I am just lazy because I don’t do much after work.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting up when I have only had a few hours of sleep.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: I love everything in Discovery Health but they got rid of it because of the OWN network.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My cellphone that keeps all of my appointments.
9. The hardest part about nights are: Being exhausted and not able to sleep.
10. Each day I take 5_ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: I wish I could afford to do acupuncture because I hear that it really does help people.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I would want a visible one
13. Regarding working and career: It is hard for me to go to work everyday because of lack of sleep and not feeling well but I have to work so I can have insurance even though we all know that insurance companies don’t pay anything.
14. People would be surprised to know: That my hands are numb and I had to reteach my self to type.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: I can’t think of anything because I have had this disease so long.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: I have tried to not let the MS keep me from doing things. I do everything that I want to.
17. The commercials about my illness: I actually haven’t seen a commercial about MS.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: I miss not having energy.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: I don’t feel like I have given up much because I have had this disease so long now and was diagnosed so young that it is just a part of who I am.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Blogging and blog design
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: I am not sure what I would do. I can’t imagine life without MS.
22. My illness has taught me: To live everyday to the fullest because you never know what your last day is going to be.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: When they say they are sorry that I am sick.
24. But I love it when people: Take the time to learn about MS.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option you have.”
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: To learn all you can about the condition because knowledge is power. I also tell them that they are in charge of their condition and if a doctor wants them to do something that they are not comfortable with they need to kind a new doctor.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Because I want to raise awareness about MS and any other invisible illness. I know how hard it is for me to deal with people who don’t understand invisible illnesses.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Good because it means that people are reading my blog!
The World As I See It
A Life Filled With Multiple Sclerosis, Moments & Memories