30 Things about My Illness That you May Not Know

Hello,

Hope that this finds you well. It has been sometime since I have posted. This week is Invisible Illness Week, so I thought I would join in and post the answers to their Meme. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: 

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Raynauds, Hashimotos, Dystemobolic Syndrome, Migraines, Seasonal Allergies, Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, hiatal hernia, reflux

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 

Various years things started to become apparent in 2007

3. But I had symptoms since:

as long as I can remember
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:

Is cutting back on what I do in life, having to say no to a lot of things that I need to do or love to do.

5. Most people assume:

I am not sure, close friends know whats going on, but beyond that I think people think of me as normal.

6. The hardest part about mornings are:

Getting out of bed...I am pretty tired and my body is pretty stiff and achy and I don't do well with the cold so it can actually hurt to come out from under the covers if it is cold out.

7. My favorite medical TV show is:

My husband and I enjoy watching Scrubs on Netflix.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:

My electric blanket.
9. The hardest part about nights are:

The leg pain and insomnia that occasionally occurs..

10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)

Depends on the day...a good day only 2 pills...a bad day numerous...
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:

On the AIP Autoimmune Protocol Diet 

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:

I am not sure...
13. Regarding working and career:

I homeschool my kids...and take care of them thats about all I can handle.

14. People would be surprised to know:

I am in constant pain most of the time.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:

Not being able to take care of my home and family the way that I would like too...can't do much laundry folding, or dishes or cleaning...

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:

Travel... its hard but we did Disney Last year...I spent the time in a wheel chair but the kids had a blast... :)

17. The commercials about my illness:

none
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:

Backpacking, Canoeing, all the fun outdoors stuff I used to live on...

19. It was really hard to have to give up:

Having more kids...my body can't take it...
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:

None as of yet...
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:

Spend it romping with my kids without any pain...hiking with them or something like that.

22. My illness has taught me:

That I can't do life alone...I need the Lord and I need my friends and family around me helping pitch in.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:

When they ask me how I am doing, sometimes what they are looking for, is my illness getting better, or thats the impression I get. Currently there is no cure and very little research being done. So when I say I am fine, it probably just means I am having a good day, not necessarily getting better.
24. But I love it when people:

Just help out, give me a hug, say they are praying...
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:

Lamentations 3:21-24 " The Steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. Great is thy Faithfulness..."

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:

That I am praying for them and try and ask questions to see how they are doing and give them a hug.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:

How tiring it is.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:

Bring me flowers and tell me its going to be ok and that they love me...Thanks my sweet husband...He carries such a burden around for us.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:

I want others to be aware of whats happening around them.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:

Encouraged Thank you!