
1. The illnesses I live with are: Migraine, Fibromyalgia/CFS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Vertigo and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
2. I was diagnosed with: Migraine around 1991, FM in 2001, MCS around 2003, OSA in 2009
3. But I had symptoms since: Migraines since childhood - worse at puberty, and transformed into Chronic Migraine around 1991
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: loss of a social life, and eliminating so many foods from my diet
5. Most people assume: I'm fine because they can't see my illnesses
6. The hardest part about mornings are: waking up with an icepick migraine or major stiffness in my neck, shoulders, arms and hands
7. My favorite medical TV show is: "
Nurse Jackie" at the moment. It was "
ER" and "
St Elsewhere" in the early 80s.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: I can live without them, but I would miss my computer. The Internet gives me an opportunity to connect with others who know exactly what I'm going through. And it's given me the ability to write about my experiences.
9. The hardest part about nights are: how good/active I feel because it's dark, cool, and the air quality is best. Unfortunately, it's when the rest of the world, including my husband, is asleep.
10. Each day I take about 10 different supplements, and a Migraine abortive when needed.
11. Regarding alternative treatments: I'm glad they work for others, but all they've done for me is drain my wallet.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: to not have to choose
13. Regarding working and career: I'm a homemaker who gets paid in kisses, and I really enjoy my bonuses
14. People would be surprised to know: how well I can sing, but I wouldn't dare let them find out
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality is: not being able to be as active as used to be - exertion is a huge trigger
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: learn an online video game and actually be good at it
17. The commercials about my illness: focus too much on pushing drugs versus prevention
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: being physically active
19. It was really hard to have to give up: my old life, so many of my favorite foods, a social life, and my paycheck/independence
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: playing the where's-the-hidden-MSG game, writing, researching, guitar
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: enjoy a tennis match under the warm sun
22. My illness has taught me: how to slow down, and how strong I am
23. One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "What do you do all day?" and "I barely put any perfume on," as if it's the smell that's causing an acute Migraine attack instead of the chemicals in the perfume. The word "cure" is thrown around too much.
24. But I love it when people: come to me for advice, and don't take my lack of a social life personally
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds." -Bob Marley's Redemption Song
26. When someone is diagnosed I like to tell them: what you're experiencing is real, and you're not alone
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I can live below my means
and be happy (gasp!)
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: my husband performs loving acts of kindness every day
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: too many people suffer from invisible illness in silence; I'm just doing my part to spread awareness
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: visible
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
invisibleillness.com