Sheryl from A Chronic Voice, as well as sharing her own stories and lessons with chronic illness. Sheryl is an excellent support to other bloggers and writers living with illness and chronic pain. One such way is through monthly link-up parties, whereby bloggers and writers share their stories through given prompts.  It would be remiss of me not to use this month to discuss the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of someone living with a chronic illness— a topic that is affecting everybody, and not just those living with long-term health conditions.

Just like with any start of a brand new year, 2020 promised hope and endless possibilities. However, little did we imagine that instead, it would bring a worldwide pandemic and irrevocably change the way we live our lives.  

At the time of writing this blog post, much of the world is in lockdown. The UK government even extending ours by at least another three weeks. Our movements have become severely restricted.  Our lives and our worlds becoming increasingly smaller.  Who knew that life could change so dramatically in the blink of an eye?

Strange Time For Many But For The Few, It Feels Like Returning to Normal

Well, those living with chronic illness are all too familiar that life can change so dramatically, so quickly.  Illness, an evil and malevolent force, often enters the lives of its victims, so abruptly and with no warning,  It leaves behind chaos and destruction, and as such, life will never be the same. 

"Illness, an evil and malevolent force, often enters the lives of its victims, so abruptly and with no warning,  It leaves behind chaos and destruction, and as such, life will never be the same." Click To Tweet

Currently, for many, these times seem strange and peculiar. But for those living with chronic illness, it often feels like a returning to normal. For us, our lives and our worlds already feel small, so small that it often feels claustrophobic.  The isolation endured by many at this moment in time is often the norm for those living with chronic illness.

"For us, our lives and our worlds already feel small, so small that it often feels claustrophobic.  The isolation being endured by many is often the norms for those of us who live with chronic illness." Click To Tweet

The world is experiencing a loss of freedom; unable to move freely.  And a loss of the freedom to plan. Collectively we are all experiencing grief, anxiety and overwhelming uncertainty. All of which are hallmarks of what it is to live with a chronic illness.  

Everyone is currently experiencing confinement within the same four walls day in and day out, with little reprieve to the outside world. A scenario which is all too familiar for those living with chronic illness as persistent, debilitating symptoms often imprison us behind those same four walls. And where nights and days blur together.  Once, it was due to severe, and disabling symptoms, and now due to COVID-19. 

"Everyone is currently experiencing confinement within the same four walls day in and day out, with little reprieve to the outside world. A scenario which is all too familiar for those living with chronic illness." Click To Tweet

It seems that everyone is experiencing a small slice of what it is to live with our truth. 

Distancing From Thoughts of The Future

Of course, discussions have begun regarding the future, and how and when the current lockdown will end. And although all of us wish to reclaim life as we know it, and return to normality, there is also an element of anxiety, especially for those living with chronic illness. 

Our lives with chronic illness have become impacted in ways that are yet to be determined. The lockdown has meant the cancellation or postponement of essential medical appointments.  Those living with chronic illness now have no access to therapies that help ease the disabling symptoms or which help reduce the number of debilitating flares. So, currently, there is a real fear of an uncontrollable flare or a real setback to progress that we had previously made. 

"Our lives with chronic illness have become currently impacted in ways that are yet to be determined. There is a real fear of an uncontrollable flare or a real setback to progress that we had previously made. Click To Tweet

Before, the lockdown, because of increased falls and deterioration in other symptoms, I lost confidence in going out. Now, with the inability to go out, and regaining that lost confidence, I fear that it will make the situation worse. I fear that my confidence will take a further hit, making going out even harder.  

The Pandemic and Subsequent Lockdown Is Stressing Everybody

Living with chronic illness, or not everybody’s lives and futures are entirely uncertain. And with all this uncertainty, it is reasonable for all of us to be feeling stressed and anxious.

"Living with chronic illness, or not everybody's lives and futures are entirely uncertain. And with all this uncertainty, it is reasonable for all of us to be feeling stressed and anxious." Click To Tweet

Although living with uncertainty isn’t new when living with chronic illness, it does not mean that the pandemic and lockdown is any more tolerable for us to manage.  We’re adding the stress of living with the Coronavirus situation along with the burden of trying to control a chronic health condition. 

Perhaps the Pandemic Will Lead to Better Understanding of The Difficulties Faced By Those Living With Chronic Illness

When diagnosed with chronic illness, there come waves of grief, sadness, anger, loss, fear, and uncertainty as we grapple with the changes that illness induces. And as the world is coming to terms with these changes, everyone is experiencing the same emotions.  We are no longer alone in our grief. 

The discomforts faced every day by those living with chronic illness, are being felt all around the world. Ordinarily, there are no feelings of solidarity, and being ‘in this together’ as there is now.  At this moment in time, we are all attempting to navigate and cope with this reality.

"Ordinarily, there are no feelings of solidarity, and being 'in this together' as there is now.  At this moment in time, we are all attempting to navigate and cope with this reality." Click To Tweet

We can only hope that after the end of this pandemic, there will be more understanding and empathy regarding the difficulties faced for those living with chronic illness. So often, people comment on how nice it must be to spend so much time at home.  Now, that they too are experiencing this phenomenon, perhaps they will realise how difficult it can be. 

"We can only hope that after the end of this pandemic, there will be more understanding and empathy regarding the difficulties faced for those living with chronic illness." Click To Tweet

Celebrating Not Missing Out

Like when going through any difficult time, I believe it is vital to see the silver lining.  To cope, therefore, it is crucial to look for the positives in a challenging situation.  

Throughout the lockdown, I find it a comfort that as everyone is in the same position, I am no longer missing out on anything. Because when living with a chronic illness, you tend to miss out a lot. Missed parties, celebrations, and lots of cancelled plans are the norm due to persistent, debilitating symptoms. But now, as the lockdown continues, we are all imposition with missing out.

"Throughout the lockdown, I find it a comfort that as everyone is in the same position, I am no longer missing out on anything. As the lockdown continues, we are all imposition with missing out." Click To Tweet

In truth, this lockdown has allowed us to engage in our interests, in ways that hadn’t previously been available. As someone affected by severe and debilitating symptoms, I am unable to attend concerts and gigs. The cinema, with its high ceilings, is somewhere else that I find it challenging to visit. A deep shame, as a person who very much enjoys films. The lockdown, however, has allowed me to watch new releases from home, as cinemas remain closed. I have also enjoyed some of my favourite artists perform from their own homes, from the comfort of mine.

For me, one of the silver linings of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has how accessible the world has become.  For those of us living with chronic illness and disability, we hope that it continues even after normality has resumed. 

"One of the silver linings of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has how accessible the world has become. We hope that it continues even after normality has resumed." Click To Tweet

What has been your experience of the lockdown and self-isolation? Leave your thoughts below