20 Things People who are Perpetually Sick Know to be True
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Health and Wellness

20 Things People who are Perpetually Sick Know to be True

Written by the sick, for the sick, while being sick.

 Suzannah Sparks
Mar 09, 2015
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
245
20 Things People who are Perpetually Sick Know to be True

  1. You aren't quite sure what it means to feel "100%" because you're usually hovering at a solid 80% on a good day. 

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F6356014156403147311095765043_Michigan%2520Huh.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=76&h=e765a3f1ddb51c47a7f694011be184821dd8c0a27fb1a845552e9b58c9caf41c&size=980x&c=1667403529 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F6356014156403147311095765043_Michigan%252520Huh.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D76%26h%3De765a3f1ddb51c47a7f694011be184821dd8c0a27fb1a845552e9b58c9caf41c%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1667403529%22%7D" expand=1]

  2. Sometimes doing even the simplest of tasks feels like a five hour workout. Can I nap yet? 

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F635601364439317450-864191349_Pp5JwBypTVCOyStqGuhr_Dog%2520Frisbee%2520Fail.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=627&h=ac6e6dddf1214bffc6813eb979b135d95476342edfb74f89bb9b7b2b8ba21e42&size=980x&c=2120000627 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F635601364439317450-864191349_Pp5JwBypTVCOyStqGuhr_Dog%252520Frisbee%252520Fail.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D627%26h%3Dac6e6dddf1214bffc6813eb979b135d95476342edfb74f89bb9b7b2b8ba21e42%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2120000627%22%7D" expand=1]

  3. Pneumonia? ✓ Bronchittis? ✓  Raging this weekend? I've tried at least.

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F635601372103647951-224266499_dBWzAVriTxmKOcanBjc7_Hot%2520Moves.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=568&h=1cd8d488e09016f806d37ad6ddd7dd32affaf6971bc337563b2907c1d35b2137&size=980x&c=2187145948 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F635601372103647951-224266499_dBWzAVriTxmKOcanBjc7_Hot%252520Moves.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D568%26h%3D1cd8d488e09016f806d37ad6ddd7dd32affaf6971bc337563b2907c1d35b2137%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2187145948%22%7D" expand=1]

  4. People constantly ask you "weren't you sick yesterday?" Yes, I was and I still am, but I have a social hierarchy of needs that isn't going to just fulfill itself.  [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F22%2F6356023870201499461554836889_tumblr_m8jqkvF0fA1qcja7co1_500.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=526&h=ff451b46fd58f0f371b9148d6ba1913d648a31710a9a5604f3856ad73fd7179e&size=980x&c=1389911935 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F22%252F6356023870201499461554836889_tumblr_m8jqkvF0fA1qcja7co1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D526%26h%3Dff451b46fd58f0f371b9148d6ba1913d648a31710a9a5604f3856ad73fd7179e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1389911935%22%7D" expand=1]
  5. By some miracle if you are actually not sick, you usually overexert yourself so much that you'll be sick again in a matter of days.  
    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F22%2F635602387851671913173362732_tumblr_mbaubxfHhk1rzbvsto1_500.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=870&h=f9ad21bc4c1abdccbf9fbb081b54b39d95415815bbd81b6f0cc5c6ef010d9e8c&size=980x&c=3830075105 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F22%252F635602387851671913173362732_tumblr_mbaubxfHhk1rzbvsto1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D870%26h%3Df9ad21bc4c1abdccbf9fbb081b54b39d95415815bbd81b6f0cc5c6ef010d9e8c%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3830075105%22%7D" expand=1]
  6. You worry that your liver can't handle the perpetual mix of antibiotics, Tylenol, ibuprofen and cough medicine.
     [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F22%2F635602383074846801558745441_2.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=622&h=14ed2077c07e074f88624a8ecc8953d6e3c4b662e0a448141d7ce9e4597393e2&size=980x&c=3743174992 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F22%252F635602383074846801558745441_2.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D622%26h%3D14ed2077c07e074f88624a8ecc8953d6e3c4b662e0a448141d7ce9e4597393e2%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3743174992%22%7D" expand=1]
  7. Tissues have replaced your significant other.

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F6356013654612872761690294692_AyCawTcZR5621E5Lmnti_Snot%2520Wipes.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=76&h=0ce2529276cc838460818ca41af5310fdaf350ef970a18abdd1c01f1e0d5f0d9&size=980x&c=2005851603 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F6356013654612872761690294692_AyCawTcZR5621E5Lmnti_Snot%252520Wipes.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D76%26h%3D0ce2529276cc838460818ca41af5310fdaf350ef970a18abdd1c01f1e0d5f0d9%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2005851603%22%7D" expand=1]

  8. Your immune system feels like its one weekend away from collapsing completely.  [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F22%2F635602383466952735-1183910541_Im-dying.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=70&h=7addfce7cf813b03ddc7e3ea09aeb0423f12f84ab905d18189640370f1b71a81&size=980x&c=3097080852 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F22%252F635602383466952735-1183910541_Im-dying.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D70%26h%3D7addfce7cf813b03ddc7e3ea09aeb0423f12f84ab905d18189640370f1b71a81%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3097080852%22%7D" expand=1]
  9. Your dating life has pretty much ceased to exist. 

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F22%2F6356023714820381611544086136_aReWE8M7THC1OfI82xCY_Cat%2520Like%2520Nope.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=307&h=2d288f5e8a22a7aede598d2cdd92110743fe1930d533992e3ef6c94e779499a9&size=980x&c=2833842614 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F22%252F6356023714820381611544086136_aReWE8M7THC1OfI82xCY_Cat%252520Like%252520Nope.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D307%26h%3D2d288f5e8a22a7aede598d2cdd92110743fe1930d533992e3ef6c94e779499a9%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2833842614%22%7D" expand=1]

  10. People actually get disgusted by you. You can't help it if you're coughing, sneezing and being germy.  [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F22%2F635602382282953529-1799736303_tDCqe2TKTsav9czJQ5rm_Horrified%2520by%2520Ice%2520Cream.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=828&h=90d012948c95cc9b04f09502fe365b4d53a1d7d57fcafd9ed3ce6006c77f825c&size=980x&c=455048508 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F22%252F635602382282953529-1799736303_tDCqe2TKTsav9czJQ5rm_Horrified%252520by%252520Ice%252520Cream.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D828%26h%3D90d012948c95cc9b04f09502fe365b4d53a1d7d57fcafd9ed3ce6006c77f825c%26size%3D980x%26c%3D455048508%22%7D" expand=1]
  11. You can't help it when every single day feels like this.     
    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F22%2F635602388947822782-81537357_giphy-1.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=142&h=cc8e352612172556a95d5f01d134997845d78aefbf76f4a9cf01805e9dd3d41b&size=980x&c=3822625976 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F22%252F635602388947822782-81537357_giphy-1.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D142%26h%3Dcc8e352612172556a95d5f01d134997845d78aefbf76f4a9cf01805e9dd3d41b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3822625976%22%7D" expand=1]
  12. People don't want to hang out with you because they're convinced you are going to give them "the next plague". 

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F6356014174038374541663939921_tumblr_n5doxqLsPf1toiueuo1_500.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=931&h=7a3607a8899cb7205cb68b0b53721f6fbbd88464bebc2c04409cde543af42dda&size=980x&c=351901267 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F6356014174038374541663939921_tumblr_n5doxqLsPf1toiueuo1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D931%26h%3D7a3607a8899cb7205cb68b0b53721f6fbbd88464bebc2c04409cde543af42dda%26size%3D980x%26c%3D351901267%22%7D" expand=1]

  13. (When in reality they probably gave it to you).
  14. Naps become more important part of your day.

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F635601416893367332-1798966028_Kid%2520Suitcase.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=1021&h=28250d6ef6c74603ff01cc4010619e36a348394e3ff4324f0aec379a28dc2be0&size=980x&c=1084645351 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F635601416893367332-1798966028_Kid%252520Suitcase.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D1021%26h%3D28250d6ef6c74603ff01cc4010619e36a348394e3ff4324f0aec379a28dc2be0%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1084645351%22%7D" expand=1]

  15. "You don't look sick to me". No, but my kidneys feel like they're failing so there's that. 

    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F635601373941816741-945536796_RBljakelSJSCp2N1yeTa_Wrestling%2520ER%2520Slam.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=518&h=a06327d2f875a8023695fd301e8681c8b3ae981fd25ab9c9e44ce94f8adffafb&size=980x&c=298972246 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F635601373941816741-945536796_RBljakelSJSCp2N1yeTa_Wrestling%252520ER%252520Slam.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D518%26h%3Da06327d2f875a8023695fd301e8681c8b3ae981fd25ab9c9e44ce94f8adffafb%26size%3D980x%26c%3D298972246%22%7D" expand=1]

  16. Or "you look god awful". Thanks for the pleasant reminder.[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F21%2F6356013711050012801254918042_JLp2oAoRfG16uis6Ux23_What%2520Da%2520Fuq.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=1002&h=01fa57641e06450036e29a759b638d8fac32797a107bcb28cd017c77040d7553&size=980x&c=348244974 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F21%252F6356013711050012801254918042_JLp2oAoRfG16uis6Ux23_What%252520Da%252520Fuq.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D1002%26h%3D01fa57641e06450036e29a759b638d8fac32797a107bcb28cd017c77040d7553%26size%3D980x%26c%3D348244974%22%7D" expand=1]  
  17. Or the even better " Are you just not feeling well?" [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F23%2F6356024915157924841594912386_giphy-3.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=404&h=a13547648a8a32d498cb369c615d9e04ddb940bcbc63dd589179dbf9f940af11&size=980x&c=2986789439 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F23%252F6356024915157924841594912386_giphy-3.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D404%26h%3Da13547648a8a32d498cb369c615d9e04ddb940bcbc63dd589179dbf9f940af11%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2986789439%22%7D" expand=1]
  18. Or my personal favorite, "But hey! At least you don't have something that's actually bad you know. Like a tumor or something!" I'm not going do dignify that with a response.             [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F23%2F635602491918527310-321603105_RO2nTzgbRrS2CIncJiFa_Dog%2520Dont%2520Touch%2520Me.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=865&h=7e884525da9832debdd991cbd523b42f01c57794d57c8eddf5b1e1a82fa6ae76&size=980x&c=4230265885 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F23%252F635602491918527310-321603105_RO2nTzgbRrS2CIncJiFa_Dog%252520Dont%252520Touch%252520Me.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D865%26h%3D7e884525da9832debdd991cbd523b42f01c57794d57c8eddf5b1e1a82fa6ae76%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4230265885%22%7D" expand=1]   
  19. When you finally feel healthy again, it's an emotional experience for you. 
    [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F23%2F63560249451468776837141210_giphy-4.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=382&h=27280fc8e801ff12ef2c367b4531e6788dbe631b9a70f01a5ac87f39658725a8&size=980x&c=955990394 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F23%252F63560249451468776837141210_giphy-4.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D382%26h%3D27280fc8e801ff12ef2c367b4531e6788dbe631b9a70f01a5ac87f39658725a8%26size%3D980x%26c%3D955990394%22%7D" expand=1]
  20. Because by the time you finally get better, your friends will get sick and it's back to square one.[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2F23%2F635602495476626146153392724_giphy-2.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=505&h=903e77f8a8f5aaca613c504f196433ed62f5ee70c5bacc1eb74fd7d3fbe21b54&size=980x&c=771563266 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F02%252F23%252F635602495476626146153392724_giphy-2.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D505%26h%3D903e77f8a8f5aaca613c504f196433ed62f5ee70c5bacc1eb74fd7d3fbe21b54%26size%3D980x%26c%3D771563266%22%7D" expand=1]

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