Tis true, we all are preoccupied with our own lives, even us. Yet, just as I do, I am sure all of you can truly understand another who is in pain. At least they can speak with us and receive the pat on the back that they need.

I had a friend last night with crohn's telling me how much she wants to have gastric bypass done, says she is sick all the time anyways, why be fat and sick, instead of skinny and sick. So many horror stories out there about bad luck with gastric bypass. In my mind, why add more possible problems to her life. Yet, I do not live in her shoes, and maybe she feels this will make it all easier to deal with. To each their own.

I deal with headaches every day of my life, every hour it seems. I can't remember what it's like to not have a headache. I go on, I can't dwell on it, I have to work to support myself. There are certainly days I would rather just lay in the dark, away from everyone...I know they truly do not understand. The entire front end of our office is windows...on bad, bad days, I can hardly stand to walk through the display floor to the lab, the bright sunshine is more than I can bare, yet they do not understand, occasionally, it would be nice if they would close the blinds just a tad, so the light isn't so bright. Yet, they are not suffering the pain, and they much prefer the bright sun. To be honest, I hope they never have to deal with this pain.

So many times, I will get up from my desk and have this horrible hitch in my left hip, which yes, occasionally brings a moan from me..."What's wrong, you bump the desk?" I so much want to say, "No you idiot, I have neuropathy", but I would never do that. Yesterday, I was talking to one about Celestial Seasonings listing the gluten status on their tea boxes, and another says, "Isn't there a song about that?", and starts making up a song about gluten free teas and such. I just looked at her and said, "One day it may be you, it can trigger at any time in your life." She says, "I wasn't being mean, just teasing." Well, sometimes we don't feel like being teased, this is important stuff to us.

Just know, we are the strong ones...those others would crumble trying to deal with what we do everyday, day in and day out.

Continue being strong!