Friendship, Socializing & the Impact Of Chronic Illness

[NJSMKMMS]

Thanks so much SWF's. So glad to know you and all those that have Chronic health issues.

[SheWhoFeels]

@NJSMKMMS: Hey sweetheart! I am so glad you found the Chronic Illness Community too! I have been helped so much by the genuine friendships I've forged here. Stick around love! I am sorry you have suffered similarly with those who choose not to be respectful or deal with us on our necessary terms. It sucks. Well now you will have lots of support! <3 Be well, precious one! Xoxox

[NJSMKMMS]

by day to day is my long and short term goal. The future will look after it's self, but thats another story........................

God bless

[NJSMKMMS]

at times very demanding people, sadly this includes my own mother. People that have made zero consession for our (the boys and I) illness. Those that can't understand you are not them, you don't want or need the same as they do. OK you fairly quickly find yourself friendless or if you are blessed enough, to have a besty or two left but who wants people that really don't undrstand or want to understand anyway..........not this little black duck, I seriously don't have it in me. Just getting

[NJSMKMMS]

don't understand my keep it simple rule. I only have so much energy and tollerance and it does not include pandering to people 

[NJSMKMMS]

said before you were ill you were still a home body. I had allot of solitary persuits too but when I felt like it or needed to I had the energy it requires to socialise, still normally with family or a really "genuine" people but I did it and usually had a ball. Now I keep everything very simple because it's not only me but I have 2 very different but never the less chronically ill children that need to be taken into account first. I no longer have contact with extended family because they

[NJSMKMMS]

Wow you are so intuative, thus the name I suppose LOL I am so glad to have found all of you C I people on youtube. I feel like at long last I have met a group of people who may be as different as chalk and cheese but who still get"it" I notice a distinct lack of what I have come to call the BS factor among us which is eally such a rare thing in the outside "real" world or perhaps this is the real work and many or most of those we know in face to face reltionships are the non real ones. As you

[SheWhoFeels]

@rx2mozart: thanks, love! Xoxox

[SheWhoFeels]

@innerbeauty1000: Hey sweetie! I agree. I bet most everyone in our Chronic Illness Community has been through this too. I'm getting through today bit by bit. Hope you're feeling as well as possible! <3<3<3

[SheWhoFeels]

@tslu1970: I feel you, love. My hubby does the same. It is awful to be so sick that on most days, we can't even help out. I do bake him special things when I can though & we cuddle lots, but I wish I could keep a beautiful home for him & always have a hot dinner ready for him. I feel like such a bad wifey. :/

[SheWhoFeels]

@FootprintsInTheSand7: Thank you so much. I agree 100% about the benefit of knowing we're not alone. Sending much love your way, precious one!<3

[rx2mozart]

amen to all that you said!!!!!

[innerbeauty1000]

this was such a great video! i'm so glad you talked about it because i know it's something we all go through! hope you're doing okay! xoxo!

[tslu1970]

Oh gosh, I think that everything you have said here is dead on. I no longer have any friends in "the real world", as I lost them all within the first 3 or 4 years of my illness, but you're right. Any type of added p"ressure" to entertain or make sure you have a clean home for a visit is largely overwhelming. At this point, if anyone just dropped by, I would be mortified, as I am completely unable to do housework right now. Sadly, it's left up to my husband who also works outside the home. :(

[FootprintsIntheSand7]

Such a good vid hon for so many reasons...to know we are not alone in how we feel is just so priceless <3 xo

[SheWhoFeels]

@Penguini1982: Yay, I am so glad it has brought you comfort! I am so happy to talk with you more too. After all, you are the first chronic illness vlogger who inspired me to reach out! I hope tonight goes well & I look forward to talking more tomorrow! Are you a texter by the way? ;) Much love sweetie! <3

[penguini1982]

@SheWhoFeels I finished watching (well, listening) to it in the car this morning while driving to church (I love having a smart phone which is new for me) and a lot of what you said really resonated with me. I am hugely introverted and, I think possibly without my illnesses, being around people too much is exhausting to me. So I am like you - a homebody. I like to knit, watch TV, go on YouTube, read (although that's hard sometimes), bake, etc.

[penguini1982]

@SheWhoFeels I think one aspect of this that Eric doesn't understand is how this YouTube community is just that, a COMMUNITY. I feel like I have friends through this community and others like it. And even though I don't spend time with them in person, I feel connected to them and they help to nurture me and make me laugh. He doesn't understand that at all. He doesn't understand having close friends who I only see once or maybe twice a year because they don't live nearby and are sick too.

[penguini1982]

@SheWhoFeels Perhaps I have more to say that will require another video at some point, but I think right now I need to get my thoughts in order enough to have another conversation with Eric. I'm not sure what I can say to him that will help him understand but your thoughts have helped me to think further about my own. Thank you!

And yes, I do text. If you do, too, I can send you my number in a private message.

Love and hugs to you!

[penguini1982]

I haven't been able to watch the whole video but I'm most of the way through it (Eric came home and I want to watch it when he isn't around). I just wanted to say THANK YOU for taking the time to make the video and "talk with me" about this. More thoughts have bubbled up and I will write or record more tomorrow as well as finish watching this video but I wanted to at least say that much.

Love and hugs to you.

[lucidparody]

very good video, wonderful discussion topic for the community

[SheWhoFeels]

@lucidparody Thank you so much! :) Be well sweetie! XOXOX