Friends are the family you get to choose so choose them carefully….especially if you have health concerns!
I would say I have been truly blessed with the friends I have as they have supported not only me but also my mum during my more dramatic health periods! Two friends in particular have seen far more than they bargained for, the once you see you can’t unsee kind of stuff! lol
Living with an IBD not only affects you physically but can also have a huge impact on your mental health too, generally as human beings we have days where we just feel meh! add to that an active flare and you have yourself a recipe for melt down! lol it’s during these times that not only do you learn who you can rely upon during your hour of need but also what you need to rely on them for! This might sound soppy but sometimes all you need is a hug because love is one of the best medicines out there *Que sick bucket*
Through out most of the years I have managed to keep a positive outlook on things but I really do struggle at times, I particularly remember I was pretty low at one point not long after being diagnosed, I had lost lots of weight and had to buy new clothes but of course once I started meds I began to put back on weight and couldn’t fit in to any clothes, to make matters worse I was waiting in limbo for the job-centre to complete my claim #brokeAss!
So this one day (not in band camp lol) I was due to go to an appointment at the job-centre, I had squeezed myself into a pair of trousers but when I breathed out the zip rolled back down and I just burst out crying…(thankfully they rang me ten minutes later to cancel my appointment and tell me everything was sorted) at that moment I felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel, I had been ill for ages and now i felt like I was expanding like a hot air balloon and would soon be leaving my house in a dressing gown lol I didn’t think anybody could help and I was just frustrated.
Looking back now I should have expressed how I was feeling but I was so caught up in it all that I didn’t even know where to begin and also thought I had it under control until i lost control of that zip lol
Now when I’m having a bit of a melt down emotionally or a flare up with my Crohns I try to remind myself that its OK to lean on others for support, when I’m exhausted but still want company I know which friends I can call to come and watch a movie with me…this normally ends with me sleeping before the movie is half way through but I know which friends are OK with that and which ones are not.
So if you are someone living with IBD &/or a stoma just know that it’s OK, its OK to have down days and cry over spilt milk or broken zips, it’s OK that you want to stay in and ‘watch’ movies and ultimately its OK to lean on others when ever you feel like you need that little bit of added support!
If you are someone supporting someone with a health condition let them know that it’s OK and that you are there for them, soo many people in general are suffering with mental health and are too afraid to ask for support because they don’t want to be a burden so it’s important that we all do our part and check in on each other regardless of health status!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and that I haven’t waffled on too much!
Remember if you feel you need to talk you can always send me a message on here otherwise contact Samaritans via their website or give them a call (116 123) they are open 24 hours, 7 days a week! just don’t suffer in silence, there are a millions ears willing to listen no matter how silly you may think it seems just talk and get it off your chest its amazing what venting can do!
*pokes reader* Oi wake up I’m finished now!
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Gladys & I xXx