71~ No condition is insignificant ~

As a sequel to the previous post, I’ve changed the originality of this post to share the story of a young girl, merely 17 years of age now.

Diagnosed with TB of the lymphatic system at the age of 15. Diseases may differ but I totally hear her out as she relates various stages of her journey.

After having various procedures performed, she went into remission but relapsed 2 months ago & is currently under treatment.

We pray it is a success by means of which, she is granted complete remission.

TB is often discriminated & associated with certain races. Hence, she too endures the brunt of many misconceptions…..

I applaud & thank her tremendously for taking the time to step forward & share her story with me.

In today’s post we acknowledge

A girl who speaks the language

Of remarkable faith and courage

A part needed to highlight that is in conformity to the previous post is where the sister relates:

I remember how everyones reactions were after they heard what exactly it is (besides TB being whatever people think) especially family, they were soo relieved that it isn’t cancer and everyone went on and on about how grateful i should be that it’s not cancer, “it’s only TB” – treatable and curable!

A family member who I’m very close to, told me but it’s ”only” TB, you are so lucky! Be grateful.

I remember how i just cried because i could not believe someone could say a thing like that!!

There was a point were I was very sick because medz affected my liver, blood levels went sky high and I had to be admitted again, pain and everything – & ontop of it people telling you to be grateful.

I really wished that it was cancer instead of TB.

It was almost like i was praying & telling my lord that no one understands what is TB and if only it was ”cancer” by the word alone, everyone will understand how serious it is 💔💔🙈

I don’t think I’ve got over this fully🙈🙈 reading stories & obviously realising how difficult it is to have cancer, despite knowing it all, i can’t let go of the thought that maybe if it was, people, more so everyone at home would understand how difficult this is & what it really means.

+- 2 months after diagnosis, for a few different reasons I had to cut my hair so sudden…. quite short 🙈 it wasn’t something i knew was going to happen, and i didn’t really have a choice.

Actually forgot about this and while reading your blog when i came to that part….your story had me in tears and i remembered.

I knew it would grow again but found it soooo hard…. only hit me the next day and I can still remember saying…. i should’ve just had the cancer because with some chemo, side effects of hair loss is accompanied.

As it is I don’t have my hair and everyone is annoying me that it’s ”only” TB so it would’nt have been very much different to this if I just had the cancer instead! And ended up crying for weeeeks 💔🙈

No more words are required as this portion of her story speaks for itself. We’re not ungrateful & actually express gratitude for being showered with immense blessings others can only dream of…

We are aware that we should remember those who are less privileged than us in worldy matters! But at the same time, no one’s illness should be desensitised & feelings demoralised.

The qoute below sums it well:

I’ve heard that no matter what you’re going through, someone has it worse.

I don’t like that statement.

I’ve never liked it.

It’s emotionally dismissive, and it teaches us our personal struggles are insignificant.

So we hide, and we refuse to cry out, and we try not to burden others with our pain.

Someone might have it worse, true.

But we are all broken, and we are all human, and we are never alone.

*** Might I add, we are also not in competition. My illnesses are not worse than hers & vice versa. We’re all fighting different types of battles & deserve to be supported rightfully.

I’ve been through this route myself so totally share the sisters feelings.

Once upon upon a time, there was a point in the beginning of my journey when my first ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) – blood test for lupus came back positive. The Dr at the time got worried & immediately put me on high corticosteroid IV dosages for 3 weeks “to prevent it from spreading”.

After conducting the second lot of tests that returned negative, this Dr was relieved believing he managed to nip it in the bud & that my neuropathy would slowly go into remission because that “lupus” factor was the suspected cause.

Not.

However, most drs later stated that was a false indicator & the steroids were administered unnecessarily.

Whatever it was, true or false, doesn’t matter now.

I recall everyone being so grateful that “it’s only” neuropathy (Small Fiber Sensory Polyneuropathy) at that stage.

Whilst everyone meant good, the sentence was very distasteful because my pain levels were so debilitating & I thought “If only” they felt it themselves they would stop saying “its only neuropathy“.

When the paraesthesia of neuropathy progressed rapidly from 1 limb to another, this Dr then argued “I should be in remission & live a normal life“.

It was frustrating beyond words & I kept on asking but how??? If the pain cannot be controlled?!

No answer’s recieved in return.

When the entire condition became life threatening & people still said “at least it’s not lupus” I thought to myself:

Yes i know many people with different types of lupus, but what difference would it have made? If I had it because this rare type of dysautonomia endangers my life anyway…

Thankfully that story ended! I’ve never voiced this aloud before, nor do I relate it now for any type of pity or sympathy but with the aim of underlining;

Please don’t underestimate any persons illness. Especially if you’re perfectly normal & only experience a flu, fever etc from time to time.

The nature of pain demands to be felt....

No one’s condition is insignificant

Each person has been granted different strengths. We are thus challenged accordingly….