Whole-Person Wellness Blog: Recognizing the many faces of chronic illness

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Living and thriving with chronic illness

November is host to many different awareness months, including Indigenous Peoples, Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pancreatic, Lung and Stomach Cancer, Men’s Health, and National Family Caregivers Month. 

As I thought about it, many of these special causes have one common denominator: Chronic illness. A chronic illness is a health condition or disease that is persistent or long-lasting. It often requires consistent medical care and impacts the person’s day-to-day life. Most are not curable and can be debilitating, even if the person has access to health care. Examples of chronic illnesses include Crohn’s disease, depression, asthma, Lyme disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia, and COPD. 

I started thinking about the people I know who live with a chronic illness. If you’re lucky enough not to have a chronic illness, I’m sure you can think of at least one person who does. If you can’t think of anyone, chances are someone in your life is coping with a chronic illness that isn’t immediately visible. 

I’m one of those people. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was just 14 years old, after I’d lost over 30 pounds over the course of one month. I remember fainting at my freshman semi and being rushed to the hospital, where tests revealed my blood sugar was over 600 – six times what the normal blood sugar should be. 

I’ve lived with my chronic illness so long, it’s become a central part of who I am. But when I first was diagnosed, I felt like an outcast. I had to check my sugar regularly, take insulin shots, and make careful decisions about food all day long. Did you know that studies show that diabetics have to make more than 180 more decisions than the average person every day? 

Then there were the whispers from my classmates. Everyone had an opinion on what I should or shouldn’t eat, how I should live my life, and whether I caused this illness by making bad choices. For a teenager – and sometimes even now – it’s exhausting. 

Many people have misconceptions about chronic illnesses. Sometimes, people believe these illnesses are caused by poor lifestyle and health choices. Other times, people assume that only people with visible health problems have a chronic illness. These misconceptions can lead the person with the chronic illness feeling frustrated, sad, or isolated. I share my story as a way to share a glimpse of what it’s like to live with an illness that might never be cured. I also hope other people who have a chronic illness know they’re not alone, and that it’s OK to have good days and difficult days. 

Here’s what I’ve learned since I was diagnosed with a chronic illness: 

  1. Being aware of my own needs: After some time of constantly running on empty, I realized if I didn’t slow down, my body would slow down or shut down regardless. This has caused me to be more mindful of what my body might be telling me when I start having headaches, fatigue, or shallow breathing.  
  2. Developing compassion for myself and others: Going through a chronic illness puts so much into perspective. I am grateful for the simple things and have so much empathy for others who go through similar struggles. 
  3. Inspiring my life’s work: Sharing my story and reminding people they are not alone has been my life’s purpose and meaning. 
  4. Giving myself some grace: Some days are really great, and others are spent in bed, taking it a moment at a time, or even sometimes visiting the emergency department. It’s OK to not be OK sometimes!
  5. Becoming my own best advocate: I can’t tell you how many tests I underwent and lab results I waited for before I finally received my diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. I always knew something was wrong, so I persevered until the doctors finally diagnosed me. 

Always advocate for your needs. You know yourself better than anyone else. 

  1. Honoring my resilience: When I talk with others about my chronic illness, they will likely say “I could never take shots, and I could never do what you do.” The thing is, I didn’t either! You never know how strong you are until you have to test the limits of your strength.

As we enter into November, please take some time to honor the awareness months that may resonate for you. If you are living with a chronic illness, or know someone who is, here are some resources you might want to check out. 

Thank you,

Allison LaRussa

Allison LaRussa, BA, CPS, RYT

Associate Vice President of Health and Wellness 

The Wright Centers for Community Health & Graduate Medical Education