Kristin's Sharebook 

 1. The illness I live with is: post laminectomy syndrome, radiculopathy, coccydynia
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2012
3. But I had symptoms since: 2011
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: to the isolation that being a disabled person can bring.
5. Most people assume: that if they don't hear from me, that everything is fine. Really it means I've just taken to my bed.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: that I wake up every day in excruciating pain.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: I refuse to watch these.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my floor picker upper
9. The hardest part about nights are: getting to sleep
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) 7
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: I don't really hold much belief in alternative treatments. I really cannot afford them.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: the evil I know is better than the evil I do not know. 
13. Regarding working and career: I had to retire from my job as a classroom teacher. I am now fully disabled.
14. People would be surprised to know: when you see me at Walmart, it's a winning day! But I will pay dearly for that short little Walmart trip when I get home. It's straight to bed for me!
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: that my life will never be the same again. I grieve the dreams I've left behind.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: I'm not there yet.
17. The commercials about my illness: nothing.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: playing with my kids, working, driving to Atlanta on a whim.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: my freedom to just go whenever and wherever I pleased. Now I always think twice.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: nothing, I've given up so much.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: renew my faith in God.
22. My illness has taught me: be grateful for low pain days and for people who love me
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: you don't look sick. Damn that pisses me off. Not that I need validation, but it feels like a challenge.
24. But I love it when people: bring me a meal or call or text to check in.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Hold On, Pain Ends
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: don't give up. Don't do what I did.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how insensitive some people can be.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: cleaned my house or listened to me rant about how unfair life was.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I have an invisible illness.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: gratified.