Lyme disease awareness
One last thing I really want to draw attention to. I've written it before, it's known to be a fact by anyone who knows anyone with Lyme disease - an not usually before...
Lyme disease is an invisible illness
This does make it difficult to understand - trust me, it makes it difficult to LIVE, never mind understand.
Do I want someone to say,
"You look great today!"
... erm, well I thought I wanted it, but I feel like the room is spinning, my head is buzzing, a migraine is threatening, and I took double my anti-nausea meds.... GREAT you say? Really?
Ok, so I want someone to acknowledge how awful I feel.. [usually my mum...]
"You look awful today..."
...AWFUL... I know I feel awful, but do they really need to TELL ME... OUT LOUD?!
It's complicated...
Lyme disease is an invisible illness
This does make it difficult to understand - trust me, it makes it difficult to LIVE, never mind understand.
Do I want someone to say,
"You look great today!"
... erm, well I thought I wanted it, but I feel like the room is spinning, my head is buzzing, a migraine is threatening, and I took double my anti-nausea meds.... GREAT you say? Really?
Ok, so I want someone to acknowledge how awful I feel.. [usually my mum...]
"You look awful today..."
...AWFUL... I know I feel awful, but do they really need to TELL ME... OUT LOUD?!
It's complicated...
These are all photographs of me taken in the past year:
A couple in bed: bad days, also I think I'm infusing meds in one.
In others I am ready to go out:
I will do something normal.
I will enjoy this.
I will not throw up in the car...
Make up: mask, concealer, eyes painted open
Cap: I've not washed my hair... But isn't my 'feminist' pin cute?
Braid: I've not washed my hair, but I'm still at the dry shampoo stage.
Sunglasses: either you're not seeing the bags under these eyes; or my eyes are not tolerating any bright lights today.
Lipstick: a secret I read in a magazine - bright lips distract attention from anything else! (Seriously... it works, no other makeup required... although maybe sunglasses... and a cap 😉)
Really, when it comes down to it, we don't want to be ill. We don't want to 'look sick'; but we also don't want to be doubted. And no, sorry, I don't know what you're actually supposed to say to a friend. Just be nice. Believe them. And take chocolate. Or herbal tea.
