Chronic illness, awkward reactions, and the fine art of saying "I'm fine."
So, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, shall we. I get it. How can one person have so many things going on at one time? Right? It doesn’t seem possible for anyone to be THAT sick. I hear you and I hear it all the time. Folks nod their heads as you explain but their faces read…she’s more like neuronic, than sick. Believe me, I’ve heard it all. Seen it all. And I live with people’s unpredictable clapback's daily.
Being chronically ill is tough enough. But being abundantly ill, well, it’s a whole other cup of tea.
Any illness is a lot to digest. Let alone wrap your head around. For me, I don’t talk a lot about it outside a small, trusted circle of friends and family. But when I do, or when I’m asked, “Hey how ya feeling today?” It’s just easier to say “fine”. That or face the eye roll. I think illness is uncomfortable. It's simpler to ignore it all together or say it’s impossible and call phooey.
Now I could get catty. React. Tell folks off. Ask who has a medical degree or if they’re practicing medicine? I could be snarky. I could and feel justified. But what good does that do anyone? it doesn't. It just makes it more awkward. So, I choose to stay quiet. Smile, mind my own business and keep my mouth shut.
Almost 45 years after my first diagnosis, I’ve come to learn people mean well, mostly anyway.
So, the question now is, is this my circus?
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