Invisible Illnesses

Pre-warning: This post is going to be a long one and isn't for those with a faint heart, but I'd really appreciate if people read it!

Today I decided to make a post about something very close to my heart. As shown by the title of this blog, I want to talk about invisible illnesses. I'll make it clear now, I think that awareness about any form of illness is incredibly important, but I do have reservations about the fact that some illnesses are more often than not ignored or disregarded as 'serious' because they aren't visible to the naked eye. For instance, I know many people who suffer with invisible illnesses such as Depression or Diabetes and I know that these conditions aren't looked upon the same way as others all due to the ignorance of people and their inability to see past what appears to be a 'normal' person. I could ramble all day about the different forms of hidden illnesses but I just want to touch upon a few that I have experienced personally and feel extremely strongly about. I want to raise any awareness possible because I don't think people get the credit they deserve for dealing with these things.

Firstly, I'm going to touch briefly upon a condition that I was diagnosed with about three years ago now, and luckily do not suffer from anymore, named Hyperthyroidism (also known as an Overactive Thyroid). This was also entwined with Grave's Disease for me. About 99% of people that find out I had this condition had never heard of it and didn't have a clue what it entailed, so to avoid that confusion I'll just paste a little definition of what it is and what it consists of:

'Overactive thyroid (also known as hyperthyroidism) is a relatively common hormonal condition that occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the body.

Excess levels of thyroid hormones can then speed up the body’s metabolism, triggering a range of symptoms, such as:

• hyperactivity
• mood swings – such as anxiety, irritability and nervousness
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
• muscle weakness
• unexplained or unexpected weight loss'

I also experienced other signs of it like constantly shaky hands. What really surprises me is that the page clearly stages 'relatively common hormonal condition', yet as I said before, barely anyone had even heard of this let alone knew what it was! Now take these symptoms and the fact no one understands it then try and get people to realise that you aren't just a stroppy, lazy teenager but are in fact struggling to get your hormones balanced at the right level. As I said, I'm recovered now thankfully, but I can't explain how unwell I felt during the time I suffered this. 

Now, on to the main reason I wrote this blog. Arthritis. 

'Arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.' 

This one is more commonly known, but despite people knowing about it, it appears that not many understand the seriousness of it. Most people automatically associate it with elderly people, but that really is not the case. I have personal experiences of this due to the fact that around the same time as being diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism I was also diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. I don't really feel the need to go into much detail apart from to mention that I am in pain quite often and currently take 6 pills a day to try and keep it under control. It does stop me from being able to do 'normal' things such as bowling with friends or doing much physical activity. I remember once before I had it more under control that my friend high-fived me and it caused that much pain to me that I burst into tears. Not fun for a teenager, or anyone for that matter.

Before I was diagnosed with that, I was fully aware of Arthritis and all it entails because of my incredible Mum who was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was in her early teens. She is literally the most astounding woman I know, hands down. Here is a picture of us both:

To look at her you wouldn't think anything was wrong at all. You wouldn't think that she goes for treatment every 3 weeks for her condition or that she struggles every single day. Mainly because she wouldn't let you know, she's incredibly stubborn and independent! (Must be where I get it from..) You wouldn't know that she has had her right wrist fused, her left ankle pinned, both knees replaced, her right elbow replaced and her shoulder operated on. All because of Arthritis. She is quite literally one step away from being cast in the next Transformers film.

Here is a picture of her after her most recent knee replacement:

She is such a trooper. She works two jobs, she is a Group Scout Leader for 38th Rossendale Scout Group, she has her own charity that she runs with her friends to raise money for underprivileged children in Rossendale named 'Kids in Rossendale'. She is a very hands on person despite the constant pain and struggle. In September she has an elbow replacement, by far the most complicated and difficult operation she has had yet. Here is a picture of her arm afterwards:

She's crazy though. She was home the day after the surgery and before we knew it she was well enough to drive again and off she went for a well deserved holiday with my Dad to Tunisia. All was well until the day she returned home when she got on the coach to return to the airport funny and ended up breaking her arm above the replacement. She then traveled home (yes, she endured a 40 minute coach journey, a wait in the airport, a 3 hour flight and then a 40 minute car journey from the airport to the hospital) with a broken arm. I told you she's crazy. Here is a picture of the break (you can also see her elbow replacement):

So there you go. That brings us to today. She has been out of action (ish) since September. She has to have help getting dressed, cutting up food, doing her hair, everything. We have all been hands on in our house doing all of the things she normally does. It really makes you realise how much you take your parents for granted. I think I probably do appreciate my mum and what she does for me more than most because I know just how difficult it is for her. When people write thoughtless tweets or status' saying how they 'hate their parents' for petty reasons it really grinds my gears, because they have no idea how lucky they are. 

My mum absolutely despises her condition. She hates the fact that she has to rely on others to help her, it makes her think she's a failure and useless. I want to make it very clear that she is the complete opposite. I'd never change her, she is the most inspirational and special person I know! I'm not the only one who thinks this, she got nominated in 2014 for the Rossendale Hospice Woman of the Year award, and of course she won!

So, there you go, a little insight to a couple of invisible illnesses and just how much they really do affect a person's life. I hope that anyone reading this takes note of the fact that the saying 'don't judge a book by it's cover' means so much more to some people than you could ever imagine. I also really hope that people do start to raise awareness and become more informed about conditions such as Arthritis, Hyperthyroidism, Depression and Diabetes because they are more common than people know. When you see someone pulling into a Disabled car parking spot and they don't 'look disabled' to you, don't tut or pull your face, be open minded, be aware that some conditions are more obvious than others. Please, please, please, take a minute to think of those who suffer and need your support just as much as anyone else.

Thanks for reading,

Emma x

My wonderful family.