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What does it feel like to have a chronic illness?
In this post, I am trying to explain what having my chronic illness would feel like for someone who isn’t sick, but fit and healthy.
Returning to consciousness this morning, the first thing I noticed was the pain. My right temple was pulsing. Throbbing with this ache. It was not a surprise. Every morning starts with the realisation it has not cured overnight. Another day will start the same was it has for the last 4 years. Other than this, I felt normal. Nothing else seemed to separate me from being like the average person. I love this time of the day. I feel normal.
The day has to start, so after taking time to wake up I prepare to get out of bed. This reminds me I am not normal either. My right leg appears heavy. This has, over the years become worse. The invisible weights become heavier. I hobble out of bed, and head for something to eat. The day starts.
The reason I am writing about this is I am trying to see if I can find the words that can explain what having a chronic illness is like. How can someone who is fit and well understand the obstacles I face every day? This is difficult, as it is part of who I am, and my way of writing is completely subjective. This is an attempt at being objective, in an attempt to help understanding.