Many of us face a health struggle at some point in our lives. Uncomfortable and inconvenient as it may be, it generally has a short duration. One hundred thirty-three million Americans wish for a health struggle with a short duration. Instead, they suffer from chronic illnesses, which are ongoing, incurable, and invisible illnesses.
Erin* is one of them. In fact, Erin struggles with THREE chronic illnesses – Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Crohn’s disease.
* Her real name is used with permission.
Cause of Her Sickness
Unfortunately, Erin’s struggles started at a young age. Chronic migraines plagued her middle and high school years. A diagnosis of lupus at age 17 explained the severe flu-like symptoms, aches, fever, and fatigue. Treating it with steroids lessened the symptoms, but the flare ups in her joints and organs were painful.
After the removal of her gall bladder at age 19, her doctor said, “Your gallbladder is the most diseased one I’ve ever seen.” A year later, she became severely sick. The doctors couldn’t determine the cause of her sickness.
When her nerve endings felt like they were on fire, Erin returned to the doctor. Tests revealed she had fibromyalgia. That was at age 20.
Depression and suicidal thoughts clouded her thinking and mood during college. Unable to get past the palpable weight on her shoulders, she sought counseling to help her. Two years of intense counseling unearthed suppressed images of a violent rape when she was eight years old.
“I was dealing with all this unexplained sickness, and then I had to deal with being raped too,” she shared. “That was my breaking point. I was angry at God, but no one told me it was OK to feel that way. I buried my feelings for a while, because I didn’t know what to do with them.”
God Is Able
After earning a degree in Bible, she worked at a children’s home as a house parent for foster children. Once again, sickness invaded her body. Her liver count went through the roof, and her doctor told her, “You will die within a year if those numbers don’t come down.”
Numerous hospital stays to treat various illnesses occurred over the next several years. The excruciating pain she felt on a daily basis was the result of inflamed kidneys, stomach, lungs, liver, small and large intestines, joints and ribs. Despite her Christian upbringing, Erin was ready to throw her Bible in the trash. She felt as if God didn’t care about her or love her. “I admit there were several times I wished God would have just let me die,” she shared.
A diagnosis of Crohn’s disease came when Erin was 25 years old. Home-bound for the next year to allow her body to heal, Erin watched a lot of TV and read books. God Is Able by Priscilla Shirer caused Erin to rethink her anger toward God. She realized, “My pain subsided when I drew close to God. I began to see He truly did care for and love me. It felt as if He was holding me.”
Broken but Priceless
After years of living with her chronic illnesses, Erin began writing a book about her journey. Not only did Broken but Priceless become the title of her book, it also became the name of her ministry to reach out to others who live with chronic illnesses.
Erin is still writing her book, but hopes to have it with a publisher in the near future.
“My theme became ‘Even though our bodies may be broken, we are priceless in God’s eyes.’ I want my book and ministry to speak truth, healing, hope, and restoration. I pray my ministry will bring emotional, spiritual, and physical restoration to those who struggle with chronic illnesses,” she shared.
Erin’s ministry of Broken but Priceless can be found on her website. She has enjoyed speaking around the world about the realities of chronic illnesses and how to stay strong on the tough days. Recently, she has launched an online magazine with excellent articles about health, exercise, and living with chronic illness. Check it out here.
Alternative Healthcare
About 2 years ago, Erin started seeing an alternative healthcare specialist who focuses on patients who struggle with multiple chronic illnesses. Thirty-one pills were part of her daily regimen when she started. What her specialist discovered was that Erin, like 98% of patients with autoimmune diseases, had high levels of metal poisoning. Because of this poisoning, her body cannot effectively fight off illnesses.
She underwent an intense detox with the intent of discovering the underlying cause of her chronic illnesses. The treatments have been rough. But, instead of taking thirty-one pills a day, she now only takes two a day. Another wonderful outcome is she no longer tests positive for Crohn’s disease!
Those of us that do not have chronic illnesses might not truly understand a day in the life of one who does. I did a little research and found an amazing analogy. Reading The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino helped me to understand the daily struggle, as well as the positive outlook those with chronic illnesses must have. PLEASE take the time to read it.
Invisible Illness Awareness Week
The 2015 Invisible Illness Awareness Week is from September 28 through October 4. You may not struggle with an invisible/chronic illness, but you likely know someone who does. I encourage you to spend a few minutes at their website to learn more.
Erin is a beautiful young woman, inside and out. I’m thrilled to see how God uses her to reach out to others who are struggling with chronic illness. She’s right, we can’t begin to understand the moment-to-moment struggle, but this post certainly helped me see it in a new light. Thank you, Erin, for your honesty, and thank you, Melony, for sharing Erin’s story!
I am very sure that this story will encourage someone today! sometimes we think we have it hard, or we have major obstacles, then we have a clarifying moment, understanding what others have going on
Wow… some big overcoming for Erin. Having several auto immune diseases myself.
It’s hard enough trying learn and research and going from doctor to doctor in hope for a answer
Or a miracle. Then add on a very difficult child trama. It’s amazing to me that Erin was about to find her way back to her faith and overcoming some of the hardest challenges.
Thanks for sharing your story.
wishing you good health and hope you our filled with peace and comfort.
bless you,
Angie
wow-the spoon analogy was great. I am no where close to where Erin is in her health struggles. But the spoon thing really hit me. I have neurological issues that are not evident to most people. People just assume that I am clumsy and gawky, uncoordinated. They shake their heads and say “That’s just Shannon”. Which is true. But I really do not like being known for being the clumsy one. Its very frustrating for me. I really do want my body to cooperate. I have to work twice as hard, pay twice as much attention. Its tiring sometimes. And people-most people anyway-don’t get it. I have SO OFTEN wanted to put two different size shoes on my husband and have him go trail run 5k…and then wonder why I fall down. (not that he does not respect what I am trying to do…more to have someone ‘normal’ understand.) I am SO GLAD to hear the Erin has found some resolution and healing and is off most of her medications. She is beautiful and to look at her you would not think there was a thing wrong w her. That is probably frustrating to her as well. I have always maintained that our health is one of the biggest things we take for granted.
Beautiful story Melony!!