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Banner for article A Letter To My Chronically Ill Body
Chronic IllnessDisability

A Letter to My Chronically Ill Body

by Joanna No Banana July 18, 2020

To My Chronically Ill Body,

I want to start by apologizing. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the ways that I’ve treated you. For all the times that I didn’t give you what you needed or even what you wanted. Sure, sometimes those two things seemed to go against one another, but it was all one and the same in the end. Sometimes you just needed a chocolate bar! I wish I would’ve understood you better back then. I wish I was calling you my friend. Treating you with kindness. Instead, I poked and pricked at every part of you for being too big or too small. Always too much or not enough. I always wanted to change you, but you were working perfectly fine that entire time. 

Now, it’s a different story. Nowadays, my dear chronically ill body you’re not doing the best, but I’ve learned to understand that you’re doing your best. That’s enough for now. It has to be. I’m trying to help you. I’m researching medical journals daily, reaching out to others, and trying my best too. I hope us trying our best will be enough so that we may both feel better soon, but even if it’s not, that’s okay too. You taught me that.

From now until forever, I promise to love you properly. I’ll gently pat our bruises and kiss our painful joints. I won’t blame you for days in which you keep us in bed. I refuse to get angry for all the times that you keep us from going outside. The flowers will still be in the garden tomorrow. We will try again.

I don’t know what life will throw our way, but we’re in this together.

Thank You For Trying Your Best,

Your One and Only

July 18, 2020 0 comment
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My name is Joanna. I’m a 24-year-old chronically ill and disabled blogger whose goal is to help build our wonderful community.Read More!

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Queen of Allergies 💛 MCAS POTS EDS
Double tap if you can relate! 💛 Let's take a m Double tap if you can relate! 💛

Let's take a moment to explore the unique way chronic illness shifts our perspective on what it means to feel good. 

Picture waking up with a collection of sensations that others might categorize as distressing, yet finding a sense of accomplishment in the midst of it all. 

We rewrite our definitions of wellness by learning how our bodies function and when they need healthcare, rest, etc.

We learn the language of our bodies, speaking in hushed tones of self-care, and shouting with pride at our victories, no matter how small they may seem to others. 

What symptoms do you experience on the daily which are normal to you but would worry others if they experienced them? I would love to hear about your experience! 💛

Follow @joannanobanana for more posts about chronic illness!

#MastCellActivationSyndrome #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #MCAS #EDS #Dysautonomia #PotsSyndrome #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #ChronicIllness #Spoonie #InvisibleIllness #CranioCervicalInstability #Dysautonomia #PotsSyndrome #ChronicPain #Heds
Which symptoms of your Ehlers Danlos Syndrome do y Which symptoms of your Ehlers Danlos Syndrome do you find most frustrating? 💛

These are some aspects of my skin and nails related to my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. 

(Please note that this is just me sharing my experience. You may have the same symptom but it may not be due to EDS. How EDS presents itself can be very individualized including depending on which form of EDS a person has. To my knowledge I have hEDS but I will be ruling out other forms with a genetic test in the near future.) 

#EhlersDanlosSyndrome #EDS #EDSAwareness
Double tap if you experience this too! 💛 In th Double tap if you experience this too! 💛

In the tapestry of life, the threads of our health can sometimes be woven with complexities that challenge our sense of balance. 

Living with a chronic illness has its own dance of better and tougher days.💃

One moment, we might find ourselves embracing the sweet relief of a better health day, where your symptoms subside. In those moments, it's like you're catching a glimpse of what life used to be and/or could be.

On these relatively better days, the urge to pack in all the missed moments, postponed plans, and unfinished projects becomes almost irresistible. It’s a reminder to seize the moment, because who knows when this opportunity will come next time? If it’ll come again? 

We push ourselves, oftentimes a bit too far, striving to capture all those moments in a net of enthusiasm. 

That’s okay. Don’t be too harsh with yourself for doing this. It's a journey of learning to cherish the energy we have today while keeping an eye on the energy we'll need tomorrow. It's a delicate equilibrium between seizing the day and nurturing the body. 

So here's to those of us who haven’t quite figured out that delicate equilibrium yet! May life allow us some relatively better health days filled with rest, excitement, and no errands to run! 💛

How do you manage on your relatively better health days? Do you have any tips to not overdo it? I would love to hear your insight!

Follow @joannanobanana for more posts about chronic illness! 💕

#ChronicIllness #MastCellActivationSyndrome #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #MCAS #Spoonie #InvisibleIllness #ButYouDontLookSick #CranioCervicalInstability #AutonomicDysfunction #InterstitialCystitis #Dysautonomia #PotsSyndrome #ChronicPain #Heds #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome
#Sponsored What’s an essential in your summer go #Sponsored What’s an essential in your summer go-to bag?

Whenever I’m heading out, especially during the warmer months, I make sure to bring my MegaFood Digestive Health Water Enhancer to help me drink my water and feed my gut.

It’s top 9 allergen free, gluten free, vegetarian, and includes wonderful ingredients such as Green Tea Leaf Extract!

These individual stick packs are so convenient to take with you. Pick some up next time you’re at Whole Foods Market to find out for yourself!

#GoWithYourGut #RefreshYourRoutine #GlutenFree #Top9AllergenFree #Top9Free #Health #Wellness
Double tap if you can relate! ❤ It's so easy to Double tap if you can relate! ❤

It's so easy to fall into the trap of comparing our progress to others and feeling like we're somehow behind in this grand race of life. 

But here's the truth that we often forget: We can't be behind others when we're all on different paths, each with its own twists and turns, challenges and triumphs. 💛

Life has a funny way of throwing us curveballs and surprising us in ways we could have never anticipated. I know it's tough when our carefully laid-out plans don't unfold the way we envisioned them. 

It's okay to feel disappointed, frustrated, or even heartbroken by the detours life presents us. Those emotions are valid. ❤

Amidst all the unexpected shifts, let's also remember the magic that lies within these uncharted territories. 

The setbacks might just be setups for the most beautiful comebacks. The rerouted paths might lead us to breathtaking destinations we hadn't even dared to dream of. ✨

So, as we embrace the present moment, let's release the notion of being 'behind.' 

Let's celebrate the progress we've made, the battles we've fought, and the resilience that resides within us (even when it's not fair how much resilience we must hold in order to survive.) 🌻 

Each of us is writing a story that's uniquely ours. The best chapters of our stories are still unfolding, and I can't wait to see what wonders they hold. 🥰

For more posts like this follow @joannanobanana

Do you find it difficult not to compare your progress to others? If so, have you found anything that helps you to not compare yourself to others? I would love to hear your insight!

#ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Spoonie #ChronicPain #ChronicLife #ChronicWarrior #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #Migraine #MastCellActivationSyndrome 
#PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome
#ad I’m proudly partnering with the wonderful @j #ad I’m proudly partnering with the wonderful @jerseydrives and the amazing @braininjuryallianceofnj to help us all (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) stay safe on the roads!

P.S. Check out the NJ Safe Passing Law to learn more about giving cyclists enough room (4 ft.) when passing!

#JerseyDrives #BIANJ
#TheBrainInjuryAllianceofNewJersey #SafeDriving #SafeDriver #PedestrainSafety #DrivingSafetyGuide #PedestrianSafetyGuide
Double tap if you can relate! 💛 Life's journey Double tap if you can relate! 💛

Life's journey takes us on unexpected detours, leading us to places we never imagined. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Becoming chronically ill (or even becoming sicker when you're already chronically ill), whether it's a gradual progression or a sudden change, introduces us to a world of complexities and emotions we might never have anticipated. Among these emotions, grief takes a prominent place. 😔

Grief is not only about losing what was, but also about mourning the possibilities that could have been. It's about holding space for the dreams and aspirations you had before your health took a different turn. 

Each day, as you confront your new reality, it's okay to acknowledge the sadness for the life you imagined – the life that could've unfolded without the weight of illness.

In the midst of it all, there's also grief for the future you once imagined. The uncertainty of what lies ahead can be daunting, and it's natural to grieve for the potential moments that might be stolen away. 

So take a pause, take a breath, and take a minute (or however long you need) because what you're living through can get so overwhelming. May you find comfort and happiness wherever you can find it, my friend. 💛

What are you currently grieving? Is there any coping mechanism that you've found that helps you? 

I would love to hear what you have to say 💕

Follow @joannanobanana for more posts like this!

#ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #ChronicPain #MastCellActivationSyndrome #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #HistamineIntolerance #ConnectiveTissueDisorder
Try out this simple & delicious way to combat your Try out this simple & delicious way to combat your mineral deficiencies!

Strawberry Peach Mocktail ft. Trace Minerals Recipe:

1. Fill up half your glass with ice & seltzer water
2. Fill up the other half of your glass with peach juice
3. Add several drops of Trace Minerals’ ConcenTrace
4. Add sliced strawberries

Feel free to experiment with adding additional fruits like lemon and peach to see what’s the best match for you!

ConcenTrace is a product I’ve been using for several years to help me combat mineral deficiencies which affect sleep, exercise, and many other daily activities.

#ad Check out @tracemineralsresearch for more information!

#RemineralizeTheWorld #Mocktail #Mocktails #RefreshingBeverages #MocktailRecipes #SoberSips #DrinkInspiration #FlavorfulDrinks #DeliciousMocktails #TastyBeverages
Double tap if you can relate! 💛 Living with a Double tap if you can relate! 💛

Living with a chronic illness means dancing to the rhythm of uncertainty. 

Planning becomes an intricate art, for many living with chronic illness, every step is a question mark. How can I fathom my future when I can't even anticipate my next five minutes?

I've learned to go with the ebbs and flows of my body. I choose to focus on what I can control. My plans may shift, but I've discovered strength in adaptability. I celebrate victories, big or small, that arise from overcoming the hurdles my chronic illnesses throw my way. 

While others map out their lives in months and years, I find solace in embracing the present moment, cherishing its delicate gifts. 

Within the unpredictability lies a unique beauty. I'm here. I'm alive. I'm living. My plans shift more than the average person but somewhere inside me there is a whisper of a voice that somehow says perhaps that's for the best.

Have you faced the challenge of planning your life while living with a chronic illness? 

How do you navigate the uncertainties and embrace the beauty of the present moment? 

Share your thoughts and insights below! 👇

Follow @joannanobanana for more conversations like this! 💛

#ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #MigraineLife #ChronicMigraine
#POTS #InterstitialCystitis #CopingWithChronicIllness #ChronicIllnessCommunity #MastCellActivationSyndrome #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #ChronicSymptoms #ChronicInflammation #HistamineIntolerance #SpoonieLife
#ad What are your favorite ways to keep cool with #ad What are your favorite ways to keep cool with heat intolerance? 🌡️🔥

Introducing my secret weapon: cooling clothing! ❄️ 

These innovative garments from @32degreesofficial are designed to help me stay cool during workouts, hikes, running errands, and so much more!

I love that @32degreesofficial cooling clothing line offers workout clothes, cute dresses, business casual pants, and sleepwear so you can have a fun mix in your wardrobe.

Get your cooling clothing wardrobe to fight the heat for under $100!

#PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Dysautonomia #HeatIntolerance #HeatIntoleranceHacks #CoolingClothing #SummerEssentials #CoolingTechnology
Double tap if you can relate! ❤ Something that Double tap if you can relate! ❤

Something that often goes unnoticed by those who aren't living with chronic illness is the limited range of treatment options available to those who are chronically ill. 

While recommendations from non chronically ill people tend to be well-intentioned, the suggestion to explore different doctors and seek new treatments can overlook the fact that we've already traversed that path. Oftentimes, we've tirelessly sought answers, considered countless options, and exhausted what's available.

Living with a chronic illness isn't a lack of effort or desire to find relief.

So how can non chronically ill people help chronically ill people? Ask.

Each individual may have different needs and need help with different aspects of life. That being said, a few more common themes are help with finances, grocery shopping, running errands, transportation to and from doctor appointments, etc.

What are some ways that you would like to recieve help as a chronically ill person? I would love to hear your insight!

Follow @joannanobanana for more posts like this!

#ChronicPain #MastCellActivationSyndrome #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #ChronicIllness #ChronicallyIll #HistamineIntolerance #ConnectiveTissueDisorder
What makes the biggest difference for you in terms What makes the biggest difference for you in terms of managing your EDS? 💛

Video ft.:
Massager from @therabody 
Braces from @cleanprene @lifeweartechnologies 
KT Tape from @kttape 
Heat Pillow (also can be called a Massaging Heat Pad) from @sharperimageofficial 

Follow @joannanobanana for more content like this! 

I’m so excited to show you more in detail about how these help me and showcase some other items that help me as well. 💛

#EhlersDanlosSyndrome #hEDS #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Dysautonomia #POTSSyndrome #DysautonomiaAwareness #MastCellActivationSyndrome
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About Me

About Me

My name is Joanna. I’m a 24-year-old chronically ill and disabled blogger whose goal is to help build our wonderful community.

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    Imposter Syndrome: Dynamic Disability Edition

    September 6, 2020
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    The Difficulty of Weight Change Caused by Chronic Illness

    July 18, 2020
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    How to Grieve: Chronic Illness Edition

    October 15, 2020

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