Friendship

Friendship (n.) a bond between two people that is emotionally tied by a sense of care and support, with similar values and interests. A friend is someone who listens, doesn’t judge, and somehow makes everything right.

I have been blessed with the most amazing friends in my life. These friends have stuck with me through thick and thin and have provided me with the best support throughout my medical journey. Through instagram and Facebook groups I have met some LIFELONG friends who have similar medical conditions to me and it has been a huge blessing to be able to talk to people who are going through the same thing. Friendships can be hard when you have a chronic illness BUT are so worth it.

Different support groups have allowed me to make connections with girls going through similar things. It is such a blessing to be able to talk about medical things we’ve all been through without feeling like we are being negative. These girls have gotten me through the hardest times in my life and have helped me more than they will ever know. These girls have become some of my very best friends and I am so fortunate to have been able to meet some of them in person.

Communication is key to any relationship. It is so meaningful when someone reaches out when they know that you are in the hospital or going through a hard time. A simple text to some seriously means SO much. I am so blessed to have friends who constantly check in on me. I have personally become a big fan of sending my friends voice memos because it feels like I’m actually talking to them in the moment. These simple things can bring a big smile to anyone’s face.

Giving your friends grace is so important, just because someone’s health is unpredictable doesn’t mean that they are an unreliable person. Making sure to include your friend and be willing to make adaptations to plans provides so much support! This can create a distraction for them and get their mind off of their pain and symptoms if possible. Getting out of the house with friends brings so much joy. Some ideas of low impact activities to do with your friend could be doing a puzzle, playing a card game (monopoly deal and skip bo are my favorite!) One of my favorite things to do with friends is going to a coffee shop and talking or doing a craft!

Having a listening ear is so helpful and being able to have an open and honest conversations leads to deeper friendship and understanding. Everyone has specific ways that they want to be loved and figuring out how to provide you’re friends with the best support possible is important. Surround yourself with people who care about you and show it with their actions.