A Young Wife’s Tale

If you take care of a loved one with a chronic illness or an invisible illness, what do you do when you get sick? Here are a few tips. 1. Call a friend and ask them to bring you soup or cough syrup. Send them a text message or email if your throat hurts. 2. [...]

1. Make sure you have a support system. For me, this is my family and a few close friends. You may want to utilize a Sunday School teacher, a counselor, or a support group for caregivers. Check out Rest Ministries Hope Keepers groups.
2. Take care of yourself. Exercise, eat right, have a hobby. The healthier you are spiritually, mentally, and physically, the better you will be able to help your spouse.
3. Educate yourself. Read everything the doctors gives you. Do research on the internet. Read up on your health insurance. Get to know your pharmacist and ask them questions about your spouse’s meds. Knowledge is power.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know 1. The illness I live with is: TMJ Disorder 2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2005 3. But I had symptoms since: 2004 4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Giving up sugar free gum. I loved my Extra! 5. [...]

This has been a hard week for me. Nothing bad happened. David didn’t flare up. I’ve just felt tired, physically and emotionally. I’m so ready for David’s arthritis to be in remission. I want the house to be sold.

The worst part about invisible illness, for me anyway, is that people forget. If you have a broken foot, people see the cast and remember. No one knows I have TMJ Disorder just by looking at me. When I’m eating in public, I feel like I should wear a sign: My momma raised me right. I’m trying to chew with my mouth closed but my jaw doesn’t work properly.

Chewing gum is absolutely forbidden when you have jaw trouble. Yet, even close family members still offer me gum, and I’ve had TMJ Disorder for five years.