Living with a chronic illness that has no visual signs can be more of an emotional struggle than a physical struggle at times. Accepting one’s own illness is a step that most people come to terms with it at some point; because, in order to have the best life one can, one needs to be educated on the disease and treat it to the best of his or her ability.

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“Hot and bothered” has long referred to romance and those sparks of chemistry between you and the one you love, but if you have a chronic illness, romance may be the last thing on your mind. Chronic illness can quickly redefine “hot” to mean the symptoms of a thyroid condition, night sweats, or a hot heating pad. “Bothered” is something you feel every night when you are annoyed you can’t sleep. For examle, achy joints, a dog who snores from his resting place on your pillow, and a spouse that can sleep through anything. Romantic evenings may be the last thing on your mind in your home!

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When your wife is chronically ill it can be hard for her to think “romance.” She may be in a great deal of physical pain or also suffer from side effects of the illness or medications, such as weight gain or loss, a “puffy prednisone,” or even feeling sick to her stomach. She may also be dealing with the loss of her career and dealing with grief.

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The 2008 National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 8-14, 2008, has announced this year’s theme: “Hope Can Grow From the Soil of Illness.”

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After planning for your support group for weeks, or even months, it’s time for your first meeting. You feel rather organized. You’ve prepared a proposal to start up a support group which was approved by an organization or church. You’ve put together a welcome folder for new members and you have scheduled your topic or speakers for coming months.

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Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill, recently did a survey and asked people to “List some of the programs or resources a church could offer to make it more inviting comfortable” They have provided a sampling of some of the 800+ responses, all of which could be done in 20 minutes or less.

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“But you look fine. Are you sure you’re as feeling as bad as you say?” “You haven’t really experienced chronic fatigue until you’ve tried to raise three children on your own!” “I think it you just got out of the house more and didn’t think about it so much, it may just heal itself.” “If you were serious about trying to get well, you’d at least try those vitamins I recommended. It never hurts to try.”

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Book Review: “YOU: The Smart Patient: An Insider’s Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment,” by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz

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“When I was first diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, I was relieved at first,” shares Cindy. “So many doctors kept telling me to see a psychiatrist, but I knew it was my body, not my head, that was in trouble.” She explains, “I had spent so much time before my diagnosis being mad, having my illness finally validated was a great feeling. But six months later, the anger set in the pain management of the illness seemed to barely exist.”

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