7 Stories on Living With Chronic Illness
Words by Sarah Hartley, Editor in Chief
Finding out you have a chronic illness can come as a shock. It can bring up many other emotions as well: fear, anger, shame, guilt, despair, overwhelm, or sometimes all of the above. What do you do when there’s no magic cure and you will remain sick for long periods of time - maybe even all your life? Below, 7 women share with us their stories of living with chronic medical illnesses.
7 Stories on Living With Chronic Illness
Living with Narcolepsy
I’ve spent the last two years of my life constantly feeling tired and battling constant brain fog. That’s how I have spent every day since I was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy over two years ago.
Mothering with Epilepsy
In 2008, I was diagnosed with epilepsy after having a few major seizures, one of which landed me in the ER. Neurologists and my doctor at that time quickly put me on a handful of medications due to me having continual breakthrough seizures.
My Life With Crohn's Disease
At the age of 19, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Crohn’s Disease is the inflammation of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract including intestines, colon, and bowels.
Living With Endometriosis
While I am not a doctor, I have lived with the nightmare that endometriosis and uterine fibroids cause.
My Fears About Muscular Dystrophy
I was diagnosed with GNE Myopathy, a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, in my late twenties. This muscle-wasting disease is untreatable and progressive; it will leave me in a wheelchair with limited use of my arms, and is likely to shorten my life.
How I Learned to Love Graves’ Disease
Like all autoimmune conditions, Graves’ Disease can get ugly and affect your life in major ways you can’t necessarily predict. But even though it was devastating for me both personally and professionally, falling sick to that acute degree was a hidden blessing.
My Battle with PCOS and PMDD
Before this post, I have never talked openly about having these conditions. I think I’ve been afraid of sounding over-dramatic, of being judged. However, I’ve learned that discussing hard things creates a sort of validation.
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