30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

Invisible Illness Week September 12th-18th. We all know that awareness is so important, and part of events for that week is the 30 things that affect us living with illness, and perhaps will help to gain a wee bit of understanding. 1. The illness I live with is: Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Bone Disease, Depression, Gulf War Symptom. 2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2011, 1999 3. But I had symptoms since: My entire life. 4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Losing the ability to just GO when I want. 5. Most people assume: That I need to press harder and pray more and it will be better 6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting up when I just went to sleep 7. My favorite medical TV show is: Dr. Oz 8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My cell phone and laptop 9. The hardest part about nights are: They end too soon, I stay up most of the night. 10. Each day I take 3 pills for blood pressure when I can remember, have dozens more for other symptoms. I hate taking pills 11. Regarding alternative treatments: I Prefer them to meds if I can. 12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Cancer, at least they treat you for it without accusing you of being crazy. 13. Regarding working and career: I am currently unable to work like I use to. Crushing and devasting to my bank account. 14. People would be surprised to know: The amount of times that I CRY~ 15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: The constant thought of being homeless, again. 16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Move 17. The commercials about my illness: What commercial? 18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Travelling 19. It was really hard to have to give up: My control over my body. 20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Jewelry making, blogging, researching 21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Return to church to teach/preach 22. My illness has taught me: God is always with me 23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Don't you remember. 24. But I love it when people: Call for no particular reason. 25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: God is a present help in the times of trouble and Psalms 23, HE restores my soul~ 26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: If your doctor is not for you, or don't believe you, you will know in 5 minutes, get a new doctor. 27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: The fight is relentless and so am I. 28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: All expense paid trip to the beach in Gulf Port, MS, overlooking the ocean~ 29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Awareness is important so we can get the research we desperately need. 30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Loved, cared for, supported. GO RHIARMY! Thank you - if you made it this far, thank you so so much. Subscribe, follow, share. It helps make the extra tough days a little easier with a bit of hope in the darkness.

Know the Signs of a Heart Attack and Strokes

Warning Signs of Heart Attack

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort with one or more of these symptoms:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

•Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

•Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

•Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.


Warning Signs of a Stroke/CVA

The key to recognizing signs of a stroke is that they are SUDDEN:

•Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

•Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

•Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

•Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

•Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you or someone you know experiences any of the heart attack or stroke warning signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms started. It’s very important to take action immediately. Getting to the hospital in time may help reduce the devastating effects of these medical emergencies.

Where to Get More Information about Heart Disease and Stroke

•Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, members of your family may also be at risk. It’s important for them to make changes now to lower their risk.

•Call 800-AHA-USA1 (800-242-8721) or browse americanheart.org to learn more about heart disease.

•Call 888-4-STROKE (800-478-7653) or visit strokeassociation.org to learn more about stroke.