Living with a chronic illness is a challenge that some are forced to juggle every day.

People will never understand a chronic illness unless it affects them personally. They do not understand that it overtakes one's body and attempts to ruin every plan we have ever made. A spouse, a best friend, and your true soul mate makes you realize it is so much easier with two players fighting the monster. To the amazing boyfriends, husbands, and wives, we are so thankful for you. You are the boulder that keeps the landslide from taking down a village and you’re the life preserve keeping us afloat.

Throw in the fact that I have a chronic illness that loves to show up uninvited and you’re in for a whirlwind. It’s like Aunt Gertrude showing up to Christmas with fruitcake and savings bonds as gifts. Nobody wants her there but nobody can make her leave. Yet, you welcome her with open arms and offer to take her coat.

You understand that some days I can’t pick myself out of bed because I’ve hit a new level of exhaustion. You understand that I have no control over my own body and it frustrates me endlessly. You understand that no meal is really “safe” and sometimes we’re forced to cancel plans. You have seen me at my worst and still loved me as if I was at my best. You were there to hold my hair back as a new trial medication made me throw up every meal. You were there to bring me a heating pad and hot tea.

You were there to make an emergency run for needed supplies at midnight because I was in the middle of a flare-up. You have seen me curled over in pain and your first instinct is to hold my hand or rub my back; you know it makes me feel better to have you close.

Instead of judging or wanting to escape, you encourage me. You didn’t run away in a hurry when you found out I have a life-altering illness.

You need to know that we would not be where we are mentally without you. We appreciate you like a cold glass of water on a hot day. Thank you for coming to every doctor appointment and needed procedure. Thank you for stopping by the pharmacy to pick up our medications. Thank you for loving us when we struggle to do so ourselves.

Thank you for being my person.