Can I Please Book In For A Service? Living With Chronic Illness

This week Mum was driving me to a specialist appointment because lately my eye has been causing me trouble and I haven't felt comfortable driving long distances.

As we were driving, I was complaining that one minute I'm boiling hot and the next I'm freezing. Apparently my body never got the memo about how temperature regulation is supposed to work.

Add Raynaud's into the mix and my hands and feet currently feel like they've been sitting in a freezer.

Mum said, "You need a new temperature gauge."

I laughed and replied, "Yes, and probably a new fuel injector and a battery too."

"Don't forget the spark plugs," Mum added.

Suddenly we were both laughing because honestly, it sounded exactly right.

A new battery for the fatigue.

A new temperature gauge for whatever my body is doing.

New spark plugs to get my brain firing again.

Maybe a fuel injector so my energy actually reaches the places it's supposed to go.

It got me thinking how easy life would be if our bodies worked like cars.

Mechanic: "The temperature gauge is faulty."

"No worries, we'll replace that."

"The battery isn't holding charge."

"Easy fix."

"The fuel system isn't working properly."

"We'll order the part."

Instead, many of us with chronic illness collect specialists instead of mechanics.

We have appointments instead of services.

Blood tests instead of diagnostic machines.

Waiting rooms instead of workshops.

And sometimes the answer is simply:

"We're not quite sure."

Cars seem much easier to fix.

If only I could pull into a service centre and say:

"My fatigue is flat, my temperature gauge is broken, my hands are freezing, my brain is buffering and I think my spark plugs need replacing."

The funny thing is, the story didn't end there.

The very next morning I had an appointment with the optometrist because of my eye problems. The appointment was close to home, so I drove myself.

Afterwards I rang Mum to tell her how it went.

"Apparently my eyes aren't producing enough oil," I said.

Mum immediately burst out laughing.

"Well, don't forget the oil when you book in for your service."

At this point I think she might actually be onto something.

Yesterday I needed a battery, spark plugs, a temperature gauge and a fuel injector.

Today apparently I need oil as well.

At this rate I might as well book myself in for a full service and wheel alignment.

Unfortunately nobody has invented replacement batteries for fatigue, spark plugs for brain fog or temperature gauges for our bodies just yet.

Until then, I created My Health Companion to help me keep track of appointments, symptoms, medications, flare days and all the moving parts that come with living with chronic illness.

It might not provide a new battery or an oil change, but it can make navigating chronic illness feel a little less overwhelming.

You can learn more about My Health Companion here: Choose Your Companion – Mind Ripple

And if anyone does happen to know where I can book in for a full body service, I'd especially like the deluxe package that includes a new battery.