Thursday Health Thoughts: Being Sick Well

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1. Be upfront and clear with your limitations – no matter the response. This was definitely hard for me to learn because when I first started expressing what my limitations were (outside of my family) I did not receive the support that I was looking for. Despite this I was so glad that my family and doctors continued to encourage me to keep politely but firmly stating limitations and barriers and overtime I have learned that true friends and supporters will only encourage you in your health journey.

2. Accept help. 

3. The difficult thing with chronic illness is that many people do not know how to specifically help someone. Find specific things that your family and friends can do to help you. A friend of mine who struggles with extreme back pain due to a surgery that went wrong finally took her friend up on her offer to do her laundry. She realized that this allowed her friend a way to help while also helping her accomplish a task that caused her pain to flare up and could literally put her in bed for days. Personally, I have been so grateful for my dad and sisters help in taking care of scamper this past year! What a blessing!

4. As hard as it is be vulnerable with your tribe and the people in your code. This prevents lots of awkward issues from occurring down the road.

5. Be the best friend and family member that you can be while understanding that you are not the same person that you were before illness changed you. Send birthday cards, connect with people on facebook and other social media connections, and make phone calls when you are able. Stay connected to your tribe.

6. Understand that this is just a season. So many people that I meet who are chronically ill or are going through a health crisis used to be the people that were the ones that were coming to the rescue and able to do things for their friends. Unfortunately illness can change that but coming to terms with your illness, adjusting and adapting to a new way of living, and finding a new path will only be a season. Take one day at a time realizing that this is not forever.

7. Understand that your true friends and family do want to understand the health lingo even though often they have no idea what words means. Be patient and give them a chance to understand.

8. Acceptance. For every person this is going to mean something different but Amy Charmichael was right:"In Acceptance lies peace".

9. Let friends go who are not willing to walk this road with you. Wish them well, let go of bitterness and walk the road in front of you with dignity. Stick to the Code. {Yes, I did feel like I was talking about a Pirates of the Caribbean movie right then. *smiles*}

10. Do the best you can to attend and be present for important events. Even if you don't look or feel the best people love you not what you look like.

11. Find joy in everyday.

I have had so many people ask me how they can help their chronically ill friends! Stay tuned next week for a post of lots of practical ideas and ways to help!