A Frustrating Subject

The subject I'm about to write about is a hard one because you know that...mmmm...90% of the time people mean well when they suggest supplements, medications, and drinks for you to try when you're chronically ill. They don't stop to think that maybe, just possibly you've tried them before or that they might, just possibly won't work for you. Or even still, that they might be harmful. 

Because, you know, their "uncle's best friend's cousin's neighbor has something VERY similar to what you have [enter product name here] cured them of it right away!"

Since I've gotten sick I have been schlept every product known to man. Essential oils of ALL kinds, creams, powders, magic pink drinks, voodoo doctors, juicers, grinders, gluten free diets, diabetic diets, Gastroparesis diets and I am telling you NONE OF THEM HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE!

I'm not being cynical. I'm not being ungrateful, I'm not being a Debbie Downer. I'm not being untrusting of God, I trust Him COMPLETELY!

But what I AM saying is this...

People with chronic illnesses often do not feel HEARD. When we post about our illness(es), we aren't asking for attention, we are (most of the time) explaining what it's like to be us. If we say that we're having another stint in the hospital or having another round of testing, we don't want your pity, we want your understanding When we post about Awareness Days, we are asking for you to stand behind us and for your support. 

If this post hits home for you AS THE PERSON SCHLEPING ONE OF THE PRODUCTS, please don't be offended. I'm not pointing fingers at any one person. I'm not angry that people do this, I'm just frustrated. Upset that "no thanks" cannot mean "no thanks". If the fact that I decline your product offends you and my "sick person posts" annoy you, then Unfriend me. It's simple. My choices as a chronically ill person do not directly effect you. It's that simple. I cannot spend energy worrying about offending people over my choices. 

Make Valentine's Day Green

Valentine's Day is normally all dressed up in PINK hearts and RED kisses for those in your life that you love. You go to the store and buy a sweet card and some pretty RED roses and maybe get some yummy chocolates and then head out to dinner. But what about the person who can't exactly participate in a normal meal? What if that person is restricted by the confines of Gastroparesis?

Maybe this year you can do something special and make Valentine's Day GREEN!!

Green is one of the awareness colors--if not the color--for Gastroparesis and by changing everything that is typically red and pink about Valentine's Day for the person that has Gastroparesis in your life, you are showing them support. And that is SO much more meaningful than a box of chocolates--but maybe not as yummy (haha)! 

I would like to challenge everyone to wear something GREEN on Valentine's Day. It doesn't have to be an entire outfit--don't want to look like Kermit the Frog--but a shirt, sweater, or a scarf and then make a sign that says something to the effect of::

I hope that as many people in as many countries as possible will take part in this movement. As a person battling this disease, we NEED to find a cure...NOW.