But you don't look sick! Pt 2

This post is for those who love someone who is chronically ill or want to understand those with chronic illnesses.

Articles from BYDLS for those who love someone with a chronic illness: 

To love someone with a Chronic Illness...

To love someone with a chronic illness is to be a doctor.

It means helping them to remember their medications. It means driving for an hour to the only 24 hour pharmacy when your local CVS does not have the medication they need. It means helping them to know when their normal symptoms turn into something serious that requires more attention. It means driving them to the emergency room in the middle of the night, holding their hand in countless waiting rooms, talking with their doctors, and knowing their diseases almost as well as they do.


To love someone with a chronic illness is to be patient.

It means knowing that some days they won’t feel good and there will be no visible reason. It means canceling long term plans when suddenly they don’t feel well enough to go on a trip. It means waiting to go to bed while they do their night-time medication routine. It means knowing that preparing to leave the house, for any reason, can be a time-consuming ordeal.


To love someone with a chronic illness is to be a counselor.

It means consoling them when they’re tired and feel like they can’t do it anymore. It means listening while they try to figure out their new diagnosis and medications, and not passing judgment if they make mistakes. Or, during those tough times, listening to their burial wishes – just in case.


To love someone with a chronic illness is to be a guardian.

It means standing up for them when strangers accuse them of being a drug addict. It means discreetly asking their friends to keep an eye on them when they are testing new medications and don’t know the reactions to their body yet. It means defending them when doctors dismiss new symptoms. It means making explanations to family and friends when you have to cancel plans at the last minute.


To love someone with a chronic illness is to not be superficial.

It means seeing their bruises as beauty marks. It means seeing their scars as evidence of strength and survival. It means kissing their dry lips when they are hooked to IVs. It means learning to look past the mobility aids and medical equipment and being attracted to the person behind it all.
To love someone with a chronic illness is to be smart.
It means investigating new medications, even though they never asked you to. It means listening to them explain their research findings in terms that aren’t “normal” language. It means knowing how to make them smile when they desperately wants to scream.


To love someone with a chronic illness is to be selfless.

It means going to a restaurant based off a menu that fits their dietary needs, and planning dates around their limitations. It means going without when money is tight so that you can buy their medication instead. It means learning how much more difficult normal daily activities are for them, and scheduling your time around their time.
To love someone with a chronic illness is to be brave.
It means keeping your chin up while they talk about those scary, painful moments. It means keeping a positive attitude even though all of the websites tell you that their life expectancy will be far too short.


To love someone with a chronic illness is not easy.

It means putting their medical needs before any other finances. It means worrying every moment whether or not they are okay, especially when you aren’t with them. It means trusting their life in the hands of so many doctors who do not know them, or love them, like you do.


Thank you for loving someone with a chronic illness.

**I am not 100% sure that this comes from BYDLS but i think this is the best thing for those who love someone with a chronic illness**