Be Your Own Advocate
Updated: Dec 10, 2022
One of the frustrating things about having a chronic illness, is getting people to take you serious. I think most doctors really want to help, and I have had some great doctors. But I have also had some that didn't believe my symptoms and didn't take me serious.
When I wasn't feeling good, and wasn't able to find the help I needed to get better, it was an awful feeling. I would rather a doctor tell me they don't know how to help me and then refer me to someone else, instead of acting like nothing is wrong.
You know our self the best, and if you don't get an answer from the first few doctors you go to, keep going to the next one. Do your research, someone has to know how to help. Follow your feelings, and don't give up, even though it can be so frustrating.
Much to my dismay, I haven't had instant healing. But as I've prayed and been guided to numerous doctors and clinics, trying many different treatments, I have found help along the way. Some of the things I have tried sounded really weird at first, but I tried them anyway. Be open to new ideas. Almost everything I have tried has helped me in some way.
Also, a good way to get help is to join support groups in your area and ask what physicians they have had success with. Learning from people who have experience can save you time, energy and money!
Because I have been such an advocate for myself, it's helped me be an advocate for my children as well. When my youngest daughter was in the hospital over Christmas, I felt like something was really wrong with her. The doctors kept telling me that it was just the stomach flu, but it seemed like something more . Of course I didn't know what was wrong, but I kept asking the doctors to do some imaging, to rule out anything serious. When the doctors finally listened to me and did an X-ray, they were able to find major problems and schedule surgery right away. Don't ignore those gut feelings.
If you don't stand up for yourself, no one else will. Keep fighting and searching until you find the help you need to get through this hard journey.
