"How are you doing?! Good?! You look good!"

The things people say. Life with invisible chronic illness can be so frustrating. People see my exterior at times and are confused because I might look "fine" the moment they saw me. Makeup, nice clothes, jewelry, a smile...they can be a mask for so much. Truth is, under the clothes are an “s” curved spine, protruding shoulder blade, three large prescription pain patches all over my back and two smaller patches along my shoulder. I wear these everyday just to be mobile without excruciating pain. Peel back my skin and see all the bulging discs in my neck and spine, the degenerative wear on my joints due to degenerative joint disease and arthritis. Chronic hyponatremia (low blood sodium), high blood pressure, migraines, fibromyalgia, stomach issues, hormonal imbalances, and mental health issues. Things are not always what they seem. Pain can be hidden. You never know what someone is going through just by looking at them. It takes bravery to live a life of chronic illness.