I can't remember life before the pain | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Life Before My Chronic Illnesses

I no longer remember what it felt like to be "well".

118
Life Before My Chronic Illnesses
Pexels

I used to be able to reflect on life before my chronic Illnesses. However, I no longer can grasp those feelings. I have officially hit the point where all I remember is life since the pain began.

Then again, I began to see medical professionals at the age of twelve. I'm about to turn nineteen. The amount of years before my illnesses and the years since my illnesses arose are almost equal.

What I miss most about how I used to be able to sense what it used to feel like before all the pain, is that I was still so hopeful. I had no idea that the likelihood of me being able to do things I once did was very low.

I know that now. I used to play a full soccer game without breaks, I was fierce. I can't manage to run even a mile anymore. I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted. I have various food intolerances now. I used to wake up feeling refreshed, as sleep should make someone feel. There is not a day that I wake up feeling refreshed anymore, not for the past seven years.

The hardest part about now being seven years into the chronically ill life, is that I know life will only face larger obstacles. I want to graduate from physician's assistant school, travel the world, share my story, go to concerts, and much more.

The only hope I have is that I continuously promise myself I will make these things happen. For myself, and for the lives I may touch. I won't give up.

I am hopeful that science will continue to have breakthroughs. Ones I desperately hope to benefit from.

To everyone reading this that has a chronic illness, please know that you will always have a friend in me. This fight is such an isolating, lonely fight. We are stronger than the pain we experience that seems to be endless. We must continue to raise awareness and not settle for mistreatment by medical professionals. We must be our own, and each other's, advocates.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

118426
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

25038
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

23397
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments