Each year, National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is observed to educate the public and raise awareness about invisible illnesses. One of the blogging activities this year is a "meme," 30 Things about My Invisible Illness You May Not Know. So, here's my meme...
1. The illness I live with is: Migraine disease.
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2009.
3. But I had symptoms since: February of this year
4. The biggest adjustment I've had to make is: Accepting the changes around me , diet, sound, light, work.
5. Most people assume: that Migraines are "just headaches."
6. The hardest part about mornings is: I don't know if I'll have a migraine that day.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: House
8. A gadget I couldn't live without is: my cell phone.
9. The hardest part about nights is: occasional insomnia.
10. Each day I take 3 meds a day or more.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: use meditation, aromatherapy, and more.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: visible, because they're simple.
13. Regarding working and career: I am unfortunate I work with pain and don't say much about it.
14. People would be surprised to know: That I am so tired after fighting a migraine attack.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: limitations.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Keep others informed.
17. The commercials about my illness: are few and inadequate.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Dancing.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: Watching old movies in the dark. The light hurts me so.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Reading more.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Just play
22. My illness has taught me: perseverance and to not give up.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: people say you wine to much it's not a big deal.
24. But I love it when people: actually ask questions and want to understand.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "Time brings about the change."
26. When someone is diagnosed I'd like to tell them: learn all you can about this disease, and then take charge of your health and your health care.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: Not enough Migraine doctors
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn't feeling well was: my daughter cooking and cleaning the house without a fuss.
29. I'm involved with Invisible Illness Week because: if we're to make progress, we must speak out and keep speaking out to educate people.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: That you are concerned about a growing problem.
Because you are newly diagnosed with Migraine Disease, you are particularly clear about your experience with severe pain, its interruption of your personal and professional life, and what it has taken away and added to your life. I agree there are too few Neurologists who specialize in the management of Migraine. Take care about, however, about "working through" a migraine. I don't know your migraine prevalence, or your medication, but be sure to manage your migraines appropriately rather than letting them escalate at work. Your health is more important, and your employer needs to be educated about your condition. It is terrific that you are involved in MyMigraineConnection.com, and National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Your positive attitude will go far to help you manage your Migraine disease!