Invisible Illness Awareness Week

One day last week, I found a new group of Twitter friends who also have gastroparesis. From one of them, Crystal, the GPAdvocate, I heard about a meme called "My Invisible Illness"

I was captivated because, you see, I have at least five (maybe seven?) invisible illnesses.

Type II Diabetes with insulin
Gastroparesis
Celiac Disease/Gluten-Intolerance
Pernicious Anemia
and
Fibromyalgia

AND if you believe my orthopedist, I also have DeQuairvain's Syndrome and Osteoporosis!

WHEW. That's a lot. That's why I am excited about next week. Read the press release HERE:

And then, perhaps you'll also want to complete this meme: I have decided to do this meme based on my "Bermuda Triangle" of illnesses, because they're what I most struggle with SO FAR.

30 Things About My Invisible IllnessES You May Not Know
1. The illnesses I live with is: Gastroparesis Type II Diabetes w/ insulin Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance
2. I was diagnosed with them in the years: 2005 1991/really 1982 and 2007 They all converged for the worst in late 2008.
3. But I had symptoms since: 1971.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: How, when and what I can (and cannot) eat.
5. Most people assume: I'm OK because I am fat. If you've got all these problems, shouldn't you be skinny by now? I swear someone said that.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Insulin shots and my Miralax cocktails.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey's Anatomy, where sick people are sexy.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my computer?
9. The hardest part about nights are: Trying to keep my stomach empty and my blood sugar level. It's a delicate balance.
10. Each day I take 10-12 pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) AND seven shots.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: do participate in them, but they often don't work. Like high priced probiotics and enzymes...bleah.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: neither. Who wants to be sick?
13. Regarding working and career: It's always day to day with me. I choose life! And I want VIGOR.
14. People would be surprised to know: Some days it takes all I have to even get out of the freakin bed. And when I can sleep, I do -- and for HOURS.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: As much as I love food, food is killing me.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: give myself shots.
17. The commercials about my illness: HA. There are no commercials for GP and CD. Diabetes commercials make us all look fat and stupid.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Eating anything I want to eat. Any time. In any amount.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: Krystal Hamburgers, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Varsity Hot Dogs.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Blogging for the causes!
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: figure I better check the obits, because I'd probably be dead.
22. My illness has taught me: The old saying "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger" is a crock of bull.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Oh, you can have fruit (or a salad). When you put the CD and GP together, I really can't have either!
24. But I love it when people: try to make accommodations for me!
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Could be worse. Could be raining.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: Don't give up the ship! Yeah, it sucks, but you get where you can handle it.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: That I am actually living with them. I'm such a whiner.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Make me some gluten-free browniesand date nut treats and sent me get well cards when things were rough last Spring.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Awareness is important, no matter what your II is. I take every opportunity to acknowledge and educate I can get my keyboard around.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Special to you. Now go do your own!
Find out more about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and the 5-day free virtual conference with 20 speakers Sept 14-18, 2009 at www.invisibleillness.com

More on this later, my friends!

Much love,
Ging