Invisible Illness Awareness Week: 30 things

My name is Monetta. I have IBS, allergies, endometriosis and fibromyalgia. I am in pain and tired most of the time, there’s a lot of foods that I can no longer eat without getting sick and for some reason I burp a lot. I try not to dwell on these limitations. On this blog I try to only try to mention them in passing as reasons why I didn’t run or why I think a pose is awesome. When I saw that Jenn was blogging for invisible illness awareness week in this post, I thought it was something I should do. You see the thing is a few years ago I would not have been diagnosed but rather sent to a psychologist and told it was all in my head. Even today it’s hard to get a diagnosis and when you do sometimes the people in your life still don’t get it; like the person who told my mom I just have a personality problem. If you would like to join the party you can find out more here. Let’s do this

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is:
Endometriosis and Fibromyalgia

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
Endometriosis 2009, fibromyalgia 2013

3. But I had symptoms since:
1995

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
I have to take naps. I didn’t nap as a child. And take rest breaks when I’m doing chores. I used to push till I finished.

5. Most people assume:
That because I am open about having endometriosis I want to talk about my fertility.

6. The hardest part about mornings are:
Getting out of bed.

7. My favorite medical TV show is:
Of all time ER. George Clooney yum.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
Hmm I love gadgets don’t make me choose.

9. The hardest part about nights are:
When I’m too tired to sleep and everything hurts.

10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
1 pill, 1 multivitamin and 3 herbal supplements, sometimes benadryl and Tylenol.

11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
Want to try reflexology and reiki

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
I don’t want to choose. Let’s think about rainbows and lollipops

13. Regarding working and career:
I’m happy being a yoga teacher because I take naps.

14. People would be surprised to know:
I really like cheese, and freshly baked bread dripping with butter.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
Delayed onset muscle soreness and when my ovaries try to kill me.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
I think I can do everything or at least pretend.

17. The commercials about my illness:
Haha. Lol.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
Going to a restaurant without checking the menu first.

19. It was really hard to have to give up:
Yogurt

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
Blogging, wait does it count if it’s technically work.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
Clean my room. A good deep cleaning.

22. My illness has taught me:
That I am stronger than I ever imagined.

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
You should just have a baby or if you eat a little it won’t kill you.

24. But I love it when people:
Remember what I’m allergic to. Walk slowly so I can keep up.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
You can do it. Apparently I say this a lot while teaching and some of the kids say it to their parents.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
It’s going to be hard but you will find the strength and it’s okay to take naps.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
The good days and the crash when I over do it.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
Get me food.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
I’d like to start seeing cures and earlier diagnosis. It starts with awareness.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:
Hopeful!

Happy Monday folks! Stay awesome!