1. The illness I live with is: Graves Disease (GD), Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: GD: 2012, PSVT: 2013, GERD: 2013
3. But I had symptoms since: I can remember.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Limiting myself in activity, as well as forcing myself to stop what I am doing when I start getting PSVT symptomatic
5. Most people assume: it's in my head, because I dont look sick.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: getting up. standing up gives me a huge heart rate increase that makes me dizzy and nauseas. I almost always wake up feeling like i need to puke.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: i dont really have any- not since they cancelled discovery health.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: a pulse ox.
9. The hardest part about nights are: the insomnia.
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) 5 pills, 2 vitamins.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: havent tried many aside from homeopathic remedies like vitamins and chiropractic.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: invisible- it's easier to pretend i'm healthy.
13. Regarding working and career: i still plan on and WILL accomplish being an RN, and eventually an NP. I won't let my illness get in the way of my dreams.
14. People would be surprised to know: how much a fast heart rate can ruin your day.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: the lack of understanding by many people. and not always being able to do what i want.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: go running.
17. The commercials about my illness: dont think i have seen any.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: running around playing frisbee with my friends.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: a lot of different foods.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: i dont think i have taken up one.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: do anything and everything i could
22. My illness has taught me: patience.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: when people tell me to "just stay positive." it's hard to stay positive when you never feel good. sometimes its nice to hear people just be like screw it lets mope.
24. But I love it when people: listen- it means a lot. that and celebrate small victories.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "there will be light."
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: never give up. even though i just said i hate it, it's different going from one spoonie to another. an illness doesnt have to define you. it's okay to be sad, and angry, but it is not okay to live in a state of constant anger.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how such little things can make such a large impact.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: sitting and hanging out with me and watching HGTV all day.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: awareness is important. so many people suffer from invisible illness and not everyone realizes the little things people say can cause the biggest hurt.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: so great. knowing someone is listening (or reading) means a lot. understanding can only help.
