Chronic Illness

CHRONIC ILLNESS

Chronic illness is one of the most difficult illnesses to handle.

It doesn't go away, it doesn't really get better, and it usually gets worse. Sometimes, it doesn't show on the outside and people just don't understand. You live with it today and you know that, barring a miracle from God, you're going to wake up with it tomorrow.

WE NEED MORE THAN RESIGNATION---WE NEED HOPE!

Hope that, because we are God's child, He will show us a pathway to our healing and give us the strength and anointing to cope with it until that time. Without that hope, there is only resignation and that is not the abundant life that God promised us all.

WE BELIEVE IN GOD'S HEALING POWER, BUT WE ALSO BELIEVE WE MUST TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND AVAIL OURSELVES OF MEDICAL HELP.

A long –term, chronic illness doesn’t just affect the ones who are sick; it affects their families, friends---all who care about them. It affects the function and stability of the family and impacts on their finances, social life, spiritual life, and even on their health. It is a tiring, sometimes grueling experience for all who are involved.

Coping with a long-term illness is complex for both the caretakers and the ones who receive their care. If you are looking at your life from the perspective of either, it may seem more than you can handle. But, it isn’t. Especially if you seek and accept help---from God and from people. A good support system makes the difference between life and mere existence in this situation.

CHRONIC ILLNESS; WHAT IS IT?

It’s a sickness or condition that does not go away. Unlike pneumonia, or appendicitis, or many other illnesses, there is no earthly cure. That means that the patient and the family has to cope with it day after day.

DIAGNOSIS OR NO DIAGNOSIS

This can be one of the worst parts of it—going to doctors, sometimes MANY doctors, and taking test after test. The sufferer may go through surgery (needed and unneeded). They may spend time in hospitals undergoing tests that seem almost as bad as the illness. And then comes the discouraging diagnosis. Or, even worse, they may not be diagnosed at all and they have no idea what to do.

COPING

If the illness is properly diagnosed, there may be ways, through medicine, to relieve the symptoms and help the sufferer. Unfortunately, not all chronic illnesses are diagnosed properly and, even when it is, it may be a condition for which there IS NO HELP.

And, worst case scenario, is when the person who is sick is disbelieved by others; considered to be a hypochondriac. That is a nightmare for everyone.

TAKING CARE OF THE SICK LOVED ONE

Watching someone you love suffer is torture. And if you yourself are the primary caretaker, you are going to watch every part of the suffering---day after day and hour after hour. Added to that is the toll it takes on your strength and your time, the change it makes in the quality of your life. At times, you will be torn between love and sympathy and resentment and guilt.

YOU NEED HELP.

You need a support system. You need caring people to help you and you also need people who know what you are going through because they are going through the same thing. There are places to get help. Your church or synagogue is one of the best places to get help and there are many organizations that offer counsel and important information too. You can find them on the internet.

WE CAN HELP YOU FIND HELP

On this site, we are dedicated to helping YOU find the help that you need, through prayer, through counsel, through God’s Word, and through information that will direct you to organizations and websites that can help you. We are still under construction, but HopeOnTheInside.org is working to gather the information you need to bring you the Hope that you need.

Of course, we cannot be your total answer. You will need medical help, spiritual help, and care-giving help. Some of the information we provide is from Government agencies and geared to provide you with the right information.

YOU NEED INFORMATION

The more information you have about your situation, the more control you will have over it. So, don’t let an illness control your life or the lives of your family and friends. Search the internet and go to the library if you are a caregiver. The library can also provide lists of organizations that deal with specific diseases (such as the American Cancer Society) and provide 800-numbers, educational materials, and local chapters with support groups. Studies show that caregivers and the cared-for benefit greatly from support groups or supportive counseling. If you are the sick person and cannot get out, use the whole internet as your library. You can find so much help that way and, in doing so, you may be able to help others.

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HEALING

If you have an "invisible illness" here is help