My Invisible Illness

Here are 30 things about my invisible illness that you may not know:

1. The illness I live with:  cystic fibrosis
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:  1981
3. But I had symptoms since: 1981
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:  going on disability.
5. Most people assume:  I'm very non-functional.
6. The hardest part about mornings are:  breathing treatments.
7. My favorite medical TV show is:  ER.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:  my vest!
9. The hardest part about nights are:  more breathing treatments!
10. Each day I take 30+ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: have had great results with massage and acupuncture!
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: invisible.
13. Regarding working and career:  can't do it anymore.
14. People would be surprised to know:  I wouldn't give up my disease if I had to give up everything it has taught me.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:  this has always been  my reality.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:  live on my own.
17. The commercials about my illness:  there aren't any.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:  I don't feel like I've missed anything.
19. It was really hard to have to give up:  sports.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:  doesn't apply.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:  I've never felt normal, I wouldn't know what to do!
22. My illness has taught me: what is important.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:  you're so thin! 
24. But I love it when people: treat me just like anyone else.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:  "This too shall pass."
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:  Its not the end of the world!  Life is wonderful!
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:  I don't know any other way to live so: NA.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:  house work.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:  I have 3 invisible illnesses!
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:  hopeful that maybe you understand things a little more.