Confessions From A Sick Girl

Being sick comes with a lot of baggage, and when I say a lot, oh boy. Because all I've ever known is being sick, I understand when my significant other want to go do their own thing, hang out with their friends, whatever it is, because I understand that going through what I'm going through is hell, and I don't expect anyone there 100%. But there are a few things that would help get us through it.

Patience. It takes a lot out of  someone 's sick to function like a normal person sometimes. Have patience, daily functions might be too difficult and because it is something your significant other feels they SHOULD be able to do yet are struggling with, it might be getting to them mentally. Remember, you aren't the only person let down.

Adaptability. Again, it's hard to function normally sometimes. Your significant other might make plans they absolutely cannot follow through with when the time comes, and there needs to be a level of respect there. Although this is a big let down, you aren't the only one going through this. Be willing to reschedule, cancel completely, make a different plan for the night, whatever. Trust me, if your significant other is willing to cancel on plans that have been made for a while, they are probably near their breaking point. Don't guilt trip them to that point.

Love. This should be a little self explanatory, but hey. Being sick gets to you mentally, and I can almost guarantee anybody with a chronic illness does not share the love they should for themselves. What I suggest is filling in that gap when they are not able to. The struggle we face being sick is that we let down those around us on bad days, and that's what gets to us. BE THERE, Adapting and having patience will definitely help, but don't be afraid to have a quiet night in where we're both reading separately, or be there as your significant other goes to sleep early. Just be there.

Let us be normal. Although we want you to ask if we're okay, don't assume we can't do the little things like cooking dinner, vacuuming, whatever. We try so hard to be normal that it's really just in your best interest to act as if we are, unless we bring something up ourselves.

-S