An illustration of a pair of hands holding a fan of playing cards depicting human organs, including the lungs, blood droplets, brain, and kidneys, against a purple polka-dot background, serving as a visual metaphor for the 'shuffle' of managing multiple co-occurring health conditions like lupus, anemia, fibromyalgia, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The Chronic Illness Shuffle

Danyea Bailey's avatar image

By Danyea Bailey

2 min read

I view people with chronic conditions as superheroes of their own bodies and lives. It takes far more work than most people realize. I have many scars. Some are unnoticeable to the naked eye. Still, each scar is proof of something I survived.

When doctors diagnosed me with lupus, I was not prepared for the extra health issues. I knew I had to be more intentional about how I lived my life.

Navigating lupus, CKD, and other conditions

Lupus came first. Then came chronic kidney disease (CKD), anemia, fibromyalgia, and more. It quickly became overwhelming. One major help was finding doctors in the same hospital network. This allowed my team to easily discuss my care. I still had a life to live. I wondered how I could keep my sense of self through so much change. I got tired of being sick and tired.

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Here are 3 ways I balance my conditions.

Education helps clear up confusion

Beyond my doctor visits, I research my health conditions on my own. I look for groups built around my diagnosis. These organizations offer up-to-date research and clinical trials. You can learn things you never knew before. Access to this data changes everything.

You are building a new relationship with yourself. This requires care and intent. Social media also connects you with people in similar situations. No two journeys are the same. Still, shared stories opened my eyes to new ideas. I learned how others live well with chronic illness.

This or That

When you need support, who do you turn to first?

Stay organized for long-term health success

I soon found myself taking many daily drugs. A pill box and calendar became essential. Finding a pill container I liked helped me take my daily drug dose.

Being consistent helps me:

  • Take my daily drugs on time
  • Schedule and manage doctor visits
  • Set alerts for tasks and drug refills

These simple habits help me stay on top of my health.

Practicing self-care brings peace of mind

I accepted that most people will not understand my life. I also realized it is not their job to understand. It is my job.

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The choice between fighting and moving through the storm comes down to self-care. I need time to pour love back into my mind and body. I do this by slowing down and showing myself grace. On low-energy days, choices can feel hard. Small steps make a big difference. I keep a list of things I enjoy and pick 1 or 2 tasks.

On low-energy days, I might:

  • Cook a simple meal
  • Read a book
  • Book a therapy appointment

Taking care of myself helps bring balance. Showing myself grace helps me hold onto parts of myself I thought were lost.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Chronic-Kidney-Disease.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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