The Complexities of Living With an Invisible Illness

What does a chronically ill person look like? Would you look at these photos of me, all made up, hair done and dressed, and think that I’m ill? Probably not.

I have endometriosis, fibromyalgia, osteopenia and a range of other health and mental health issues. You might presume that because I can get myself dressed and put makeup on, that I am fit and able-bodied. But, I’m not. I am in pain, fatigued and on a range of medication in both photos. You cannot see my illnesses though, because they are invisible.

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Some days I feel OK. I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’m fine, but I have the energy to get ready and leave the house. It doesn’t happen every day. Sometimes, it doesn’t even happen every week. But, occasionally, I feel OK. I love nothing more than getting to use all my make up that sits gathering dust in between these times. Putting on one of the pretty dresses I’ve accumulated but rarely have the occasion to wear. Walking out the front door. I get to see the real world. People. I love these times. Even though they are energy-consuming and I always have this nagging knowledge at the back of my mind that my illness will make me suffer for the next few days as payback, these times take me back to how my life should be.

I feel incredibly jealous of others who are able to live their lives as I want to live mine. Sometimes I feel anger towards others when they don’t live their lives to their full potential. I have learned to appreciate the path my illness has led me down and in some ways I have discovered a gratitude for it. But that’s only because I don’t have a choice. I’ve had to start appreciating the little things that others might take for granted. Taking a shower, getting out of bed, making dinner – these are all massive tasks for someone who is chronically ill. But you have to look at them as positives when you have achieved them.

On certain days, usually after I’ve enjoyed an hour or two out of the house (but not always, because chronic illness has no rhyme or reason), I struggle with even the smallest of tasks. Getting out of bed, making myself a drink, stringing a sentence together. Chronic illness isn’t just about pain. It affects all of our bodily functions. You cannot think clearly and movement is restricted, often to the point where we cannot move independently. It is both physically and mentally exhausting.

Even on the “OK” days, I have to take a range of medication to even get me to the point where “normal” people start their days. There is never a point where I am not medicated and feeling good. It just doesn’t happen.

Chronic illness isn’t straightforward and the fact it is invisible doesn’t make it any easier for others to understand. It must be hard to see someone looking a mess, tears running down our faces, popping pills left right and center, barely able to walk with the pain on one day, and then the next, be dressed and out of the house like nothing is wrong. But, let me assure you, it’s all a facade. A face we plaster on to make us fit in with everyone around us. Something that makes us feel a little bit normal, even if it isn’t our own normal.

We’re not attention-seeking, nor are we hypochondriacs. We are simply trying to live in any which way our bodies will let us.

This post originally appeared on Endometriosis News.

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