Whether you have a chronic illness or not, it just makes life so much easier if you have a great support system. These are the people who make the good times seem extraordinary and the bad times seem bearable. If you are having to deal with a chronic illness, then it's almost always a good idea to have at least two or three people who you can turn to. Believe me. Being isolated is not a good thing. Having people who will give you that kick in the butt to do something instead of hiding away is one of the greatest gifts. Yes, I'm speaking (or rather, writing) from experience.
If you ever want to know where you stand with people, be diagnosed with a severe, chronic illness. The room clears pretty quick. Sure, the people who you consider acquaintances will be on the fringes and that's okay. You weren't that close to them anyway. Coming in a little further, you'll find the friends and family members who just don't really know how to deal with the diagnosis or what, if anything, they can do to help. Sometimes just communicating a little with them will make a huge difference and sometimes they just stay on the outside. Closer still are the friends and family members who accept that you have what you have. They don't care about the limitations or symptoms and continue to want to be around you. They're not super close to you but they do make an honest effort to be in touch every now and again. The closest circle are those that become your rocks during all manner of storms. They're the ones who have seen you at your lowest and snottiest as well as at your highest. They encourage you, yell at you when you're giving up and then they carry you when you can't give anymore.
I've been blessed to have a few of all these in my life. They have each helped me in their own way and in their own time. Each and everyone of them have given me what I needed to get through a rough spot. I hope I have done the same for them. You may even find that some of the semi-close friends and the really close ones switch places. That's okay. I'm a firm believer that a person is placed in our lives for a specific reason at a specific time. Even though you have a chronic illness, this connection to other people keeps you in the present and from experience, can ease your pain.
In recent years, there has also been a huge boom in message boards, support groups and Facebook pages. Each of them can be a huge help in lessening the burden of a chronic illness in their own way. Sometimes it is a lot easy to explain how you're feeling to someone on the other side of the world through a posting rather meeting a friend and trying it in person. This can be a help in becoming comfortable in talking about your disease and its affects on you. The more comfortable you are, the easier it is to discuss it with those closest to you. That's just my opinion and I base it on my experience. If I hadn't found people who feel like I do or have the same hurts, I wouldn't have felt this comfortable putting this blog out there.
All in all, you can't carry the burden of a chronic illness alone for very long. The stress, pain and limitations will be overwhelming at some point. Reach out to those you trust. Don't be afraid to ask for help. The ones closest to you are wanting to help. It takes you telling them what to do for you at times. Do a simple online search for support groups and find one comfortable for you. Share the load with someone. It can make a big difference in your life, chronic illness or not.
Until next time,
Kay
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