Finding Light in the Darkness: Navigating Chronic Illness with Strength and Hope
|
|
Time to read 2 min
Hi Friends in the Fight, here I am—cracking wide open again for you all to see. Turns out the back pain I casually mentioned last month wasn’t just another item on my 'chronic illness scorecard'—it was a full-blown spinal infection, a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of chronic illness and the importance of proactive care.… nope, it was a full-blown infection in my spine that sent me to the hospital (twice).
So, what better time to let the light pour out of this wide crevasse in my soul—or, more accurately, the spot where the interventional radiologist did the spinal tap?
The Unexpected Wisdom of Illness
Illness rarely arrives alone. It brings with it unexpected lessons—if we’re willing to see them. This time, I’ve learned that healing isn’t about separating the “sick me” from the “well me.” It’s about integrating all parts of myself—the medical, mindful, scientific, and soulful.
I used to think of illness as something to fight. But what if, instead, it’s something to listen to? To learn from? To embrace as part of a larger journey ?
Finding Glimmers of Light in Chronic Illness
Even in the hardest moments, there are glimmers of light—small but powerful moments of hope that remind us healing isn’t just about the physical body. (Shoutout to Friend in the Fight, Lauren Freedman, chronic illness coach and host of Uninvisible Pod, for teaching me this framework. You can listen to my episode with her on Spotify and on iTunes.)
✨ A nurse who advocated for me when I was too weak to speak.
✨ A perfectly timed text from a friend who knew I needed support, a virtual hug, and a prayer.
✨ A moment of pain relief that reminded me—I am more than my diagnosis.
Recognizing these doesn’t mean ignoring the struggle. It means expanding our vision to hold both the challenge and the possibility.
Beyond the Body
Chronic illness can feel all-consuming, but I’m learning to shift my awareness beyond my symptoms and pain body and ask:
🌿 What parts of my life are already whole?
💫 Where am I still finding joy and purpose?
🌎 How can I honor both my limitations and my possibilities?
Healing is an ongoing journey, not a destination—a process of growth, adaptation, and self-compassion that evolves over time. It’s okay if it looks different for each of us.
What About You?
If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear—what glimmers have you found in your own path? Drop them in the comments or share with our chronic illness support community—your story could be the glimmer of hope someone else needs today! 💙
P.S. Give Lauren’s podcast a follow for more inspiring conversations on chronic illness and resilience!
Emily Levy
Emily A. Levy is an entrepreneur, healthcare KOL, and keynote speaker. She co-founded Mighty Well to improve patients' lives with chronic illnesses based on her lived experience with long-term vascular access, infusion therapy, and home care.
🌿 You Are Not Alone in This Journey.
Every month, I share personal stories, lessons learned, and exclusive perks with our Mightier Together community. If you could use a little extra encouragement, a supportive space, and subscriber-only discounts —I’d love for you to join us.
Sign up here and let’s keep growing, healing, and staying Mightier together.
Explore Mighty Well's patient powered solutions
Related product
Daily Brain Fog Fix
$0.00
$5.95
Latest News
