Invisible Illness Q&A with Leah: “It’s okay to feel different and talk about it.”

I’m excited to introduce you all to my friend Leah in this invisible illness Q&A. We’ve been friends as well as pen pals for over half my life.

Leah and I quickly bonded over our love for animals and books as kids, and we’ve encouraged each other in our faith, especially when we’ve both faced health challenges. Leah is one of the most kind-hearted people you will ever meet, and my hope is that you will take encouragement from her story.

I love getting to do this interview project—it’s wonderful to connect with other bloggers and it’s also such a privilege to provide a platform for people like Leah who do not have a blog. I’m passionate about helping people with chronic illness share their insights and hard-earned wisdom, both so they feel heard and also so they can make a difference by sharing what they know. You can find out more about being interviewed here.

I hope you’re encouraged by this conversation with Leah on chronic illness, faith, and perseverance.

Interview with Leah
On life with Hyperthyroidism, Early Onset Osteoporosis & Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Cassie: What is something you love or something God has given you a passion for?

Leah: I love creating art, reading, writing, and taking care of my cat, Peaches. I have always dreamed about taking care of animals. I used to do pet-sitting and volunteered at a wildlife park. And for a short time, I also worked in a veterinary clinic.

I have been writing a fictional story about animals in a zoo. But it’s no ordinary zoo. The animals are magical and can heal people.

Cassie: Please briefly share the names of your chronic illnesses along with a brief description.

Leah: I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism at age 20. I had a radioactive iodine treatment and have to take synthetic hormone pills for the rest of my life.

I have related issues: In my mid 30s I was diagnosed with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (early menopause). This means it would be more difficult or even impossible for me to get pregnant if I wanted to. My doctor was worried about that for me, but it never bothered me. I never imagined having my own kids, but I love having a niece in my life.

Just a couple years ago, at age 39, I was diagnosed with Early Onset Osteoporosis in the lower spine. This means I have brittle bones. I need to increase my intake of calcium and exercise more. I don’t eat a lot of dairy, and trying to get motivated to exercise is difficult for me. I was treated for low vitamin D too.

It feels like I have social complications as well, though I’ve never been diagnosed with any social disorder. I just have always felt different.

I also recently had surgery in September 2021 for Thyroglossal Duct Cyst removal. The cysts were removed, but my thyroid was not.

Cassie: What is one of the most difficult challenges you’ve experienced due to your illnesses? How has that challenge shaped you?

Leah: When I was 28, I made the difficult decision to quit volunteering at the wildlife park, though I was still physically capable of volunteering. I had encountered some stressful situations that made me feel socially uncomfortable. Embarrassed and sad, I wanted to hide under a rock.

A year later, the last thing I expected was more stress. I was sitting crouched on the floor in my closet, all alone. This was unlike me. But being surrounded by my familiar things actually made me feel better. I found out later that my thyroid levels had changed, due to the stress. I’ve never had another day like that one since.

I do feel back to myself again, but at times I wonder why I can’t function like other adults. No matter how many job interviews I’ve been on, I’m just not the best person for the jobs. I got frustrated about that a month before my 30th birthday, so I decided to take a college writing course online. I try to learn as much as possible.

I believe animals have a unique way of providing therapy. Just because I look like anybody else doesn’t mean I feel the same as anybody else. Animals seem to know just how I feel. It’s okay to feel different and talk about it.

Cassie: What is something you would like people to better understand about your illnesses?

Leah: I pray that others can understand that I’m not making this up or trying to be different. I’ve always felt this way.

Cassie: Tell me about a time when someone came through for you when you were going through your health struggles.

Leah: Since I don’t drive, my family takes me to all of my appointments and to pick up prescriptions.

One day when I was feeling brain fog due to my thyroid levels changing, I couldn’t seem to think. It was like all my thoughts were buried within the fog. I couldn’t figure out how to dish up my plate for dinner, so I was just holding onto my empty plate, looking at all the food on the table. I didn’t know which food to start with first. I told my mom that I felt confused and I needed to sit down. She ended up dishing up my plate so I could finally eat dinner with her. I’ve never experienced another brain fog like that since then.

Cassie: What advice or encouragement would you offer to someone going through chronic illnesses?

Leah: Trust yourself. You know how you’re feeling even when others are trying to be encouraging but still just don’t understand. Do not lose yourself. Find others who can understand. It’s healthy to understand how you feel.

Cassie: What is something God is teaching you recently?

Leah: God has been showing me the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 many times. I had always thought God’s plan for my life was to have a career working with animals. But the animal jobs I’d had did not last as long as I’d hoped. I felt like a piece of myself was missing. Then during this Coronavirus pandemic, I started writing in my journal about my own personal experiences.

Through this process I discovered I was also learning more about myself. Maybe this was God’s plan for me all along. I needed to slow down, be patient, and listen to God. It reminds me of another Bible verse: Matthew 7:7. I was seeking out personal information about myself. I was asking questions about what makes me so different. And God opened the door, shining His light of understanding on all of the answers. Understanding feels better than doubt and knowledge is power.

Cassie: What is something you are most thankful for right now?

Leah: I’m thankful for this opportunity to share my story! Through it all, I have discovered that writing about it helps. I pray that my own personal stories can help someone else.

Cassie: Are there any resources you can recommend that encourage you through your chronic illnesses?

Leah: Strength Training for the Soul, The New Bible for Cure Osteoporosis, The Bible Cure for Thyroid, The Bible Cure for Autoimmune, The Bible Cure for Menopause, Dr. Janet’s Guide to Thyroid, Understanding Menopause, Healthy Bones and Joints.

Cassie: I’m a bookworm and I have to ask: Read any good books lately?

Leah: I’m a bookworm too. My favorites are Monster High by Lisi Harrison, The Tiger’s Curse Saga by Colleen Houck, and the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer. All of these books are similar because they have characters who feel different. I also like reading true stories about animals, health, and survival, and I enjoy All God’s Creatures Daily Devotions by Guideposts and Soul Surfer Devotions by Bethany Hamilton.

Cassie: What is something else you would like people to know about you?

Leah: We all want to be accepted and feel understood. Though I love to read YA romance novels, I’ve never been attracted to anyone in a romantic way. Not ever, but it’s worth mentioning because this is another part of my life. It’s not due to an illness, but it’s a bit of a long story. It’s important for me to accept myself. If God doesn’t make any accidents, then this was part of His plan for my life also. It’s personal, but still an important story to share.

What a journey it has been! I don’t know what God has planned for my future, but I’m excited to find out!

Thank you for sharing some of your story Leah!

We hope you enjoyed this interview and learned something new!
We’d love to hear from you in the comments, so please let us know if you related to Leah’s story, discovered new information, or have any questions for us!

Interested in being interviewed? I’d love to help share your story! Find the details here.

Opinions and views are those of the interviewee. This blog post is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

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