School while you are Chronicaally Ill- Pushing yourself, feelings and keeping in touch with friends.

I am not going to lie, school while you are chronically ill is tough. It is hard to keep up at times, but that doesn't mean that you have to give up. School while you are chronically ill takes hardwork and motivation.
This is about what I am doing to try and manage school. I know not everyone is well enough and you shouldn't be ashamed of that- it is out of your hands.

I am probably not the best person to tell you how to manage school because lately 'managing' isn't the best word to describe what I am doing.

These are the tips I have:

1. Try to get a good night sleep- I know that insomnia and pain can make this hard but even just laying quietly in bed will help a little bit. You are more likely to cope if you get a decent nights sleep and it will (hopefully) lift your energy levels. 
2. Drink plenty of water- Staying hydrated will keep headaches and POTS (Dysautonomia) at bay. You might be better of drinking gatorade, powerade or hydralyte to keep your electrolytes up. 
3. Nap at lunch- If possible, ask your school if you can lay down for a nap on a sick bay bed or couch. I feel that this really helps me. 

Okay now onto feelings. There are so many feelings that I find are associated with going to school while chronically ill and trying to keep up. 

1. Worry- You feel worry about whether or not you are going to be able to cope with the workload, whether your health is going to get worse before you finish school and whether you may have to drop out because of your health. This is all NORMAL and anyone in your situation would feel the same. All I have to say about this is: Try not to worry about what is going to happen down the line, focus on today. Take it one day at a time, or a minute at a time, whatever you can handle. 
2. Disappointment- Whenever you need to ask for an extension for an assignment or need a day off you will feel disappointed. Quite often it is disappointment in yourself. It isn't you. You didn't cause this, you didn't ask for this and you can't control this. You will try again tomorrow.
3. Doubtful- At times you will feel doubtful, that you re ever going to manage or get everything done- but you will- you are strong and inspirational and I know you can do this. 
4. Guilty- You will at times feel guilty, you will feel that you are letting people down. Your family, your classmates, your teachers yourself. But you are not letting anyone down if you are trying your hardest. 

If you are chronically ill at times you will have extended periods away from school, when you are in hospital or sick but managing t home and it can be hard to keep up with your friends during this time. And when you return to school you can feel out of touch with everything. 

Some ways to keep in touch with your friends are: 

1. Social Media- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or whatever it is you use. This can be a quick, easy way to see what your friends are doing and send them messages.
2. Email- Email your friends every now and again. Send them messages to say, "Good Morning! Hope you are having a great day." or send them quotes or cute pictures. Whatever works to keep in touch.
3. Text- Texting friends is easy, quick and a sweet text will really brighten your friends day. 
4. Invite a friend over- I know when you are chronically ill it can be hard to have people over or get out to see them. But, if you are well enough, invite a friend over to watch a movie and tell them to pick up the Pizza on the way!

Sometimes your non-chronically ill friends or family can say things, not meaning to, that can upset you a little bit. Things like "I wish I got to only go to school a couple of days a week", or "I wish I got to sleep at lunch time" or "I wish I only did half days".  Try to remember that they don't mean to upset you they just don't understand what it is like. 

Always remember that so long as you are doing your best you are working hard enough and you are doing great!!