You Look And Sound So Well!

Published: June 15, 2021, 3:46 a.m.

Should I sound “sick” on the phone? Should I dress as if I had just got out of bed or don’t care about my appearance? I have severe pain and fatigue and sometimes I do lose my voice as a result, but generally I can talk. I often look drained throughout the day but if I’m seeing someone a lot of planning has happened prior to seeing them to ensure my pain meds are at their maximum effectiveness. Why would I want to sound terrible or look dishevelled if I’m able to do?When we have chronic illness, our minds are quickly programmed to think about all the things we can no longer do. Don’t get me wrong, there is lots we can’t do when living with a chronic disease. My list sometimes seems endless and can cause me to feel as if my disease is in total control. Is it though? Or am I at risk of allowing it to take over more than it should? I ask myself this question constantly. I don’t want to be a prisoner to my disease. I want to scale whatever heights I can safely push, and ultimately I’m the only one who can decide my limits.