Carta a las mujeres que luchan a diario contra la enfermedad en silencio

Antes de decir nada, quiero disculparme por todas las veces que he herido tus sentimientos por no haber sabido hacerlo mejor.

If I assumed you were healthy just because your illness is not visible – I’m sorry.

If I told you that you looked tired when you were suffering from chronic fatigue – I’m sorry.

If I reminded you of something you had to say goodbye to because of your illness – I’m sorry.

If I acted recklessly regarding something your illness has taught you is valuable – I’m sorry.

If I said something to bring you down instead of lifting you up – I’m sorry.

If I was too scared and didn’t know how to help you – I’m sorry.

If I thought of the worst when I didn’t know better – I’m sorry.

It took me some time to realize what it means to confront the fact that your body’s working against you; what it means when your body simply refuses to listen to you and you can do nothing about it.

I still can’t comprehend it fully, but I’ve learned so much by listening to what you say instead of making assumptions and listening to those who don’t know what you’re going through.

Even though I can’t know everything you’re going through, I understand that the moment you realized you were ill your life changed forever.

Tu enfermedad te dio nuevos ojos y ahora, a través de ti, yo también he empezado a ver la vida de otra manera.

Through you, I’ve realized there are so many things I pay attention to daily that are not worth my attention at all.

Instead of being thankful for everything I have and living my life to the fullest, I’m concerned about unimportant things.

An ill person once told me that for her illness was a blessing in disguise and, at the time, I didn’t understand why, so I asked in confusion: ¿pero cómo?

Esto es lo que explicó:

‘’My illness, for the first time in life, has helped me realize how much unnecessary pain I was inflicting on myself daily, por elección. I let myself be hurt by the things that didn’t matter and now, when I’m faced with something I cannot control, I have learned to stop inflicting pain on myself because that’s one thing I can control. Everything else I can’t control I must accept anyway.’’

Eligió no ser su propio enemigo.

That’s something I want to share with everyone else. Stop postponing things and stop accumulating pain.

Don’t be your own enemy. In every given moment you can choose to stop hurting yourself.

Don’t let your mind bring you down and don’t let other people control your life either. You’re not here for them.

Deja ir el resentimiento y deja ir la culpa. Deja de envenenar tu alma con algo que no eres.

Tú no eres tu dolor, no eres tu vergüenza, no eres tus celos ni tu tristeza.

You may be experiencing those feelings but they don’t define you and they shouldn’t control your life.

Show respect for your life, show respect for the person you are. This is done by choosing everything you can do instead of everything you can’t.

It’s scary how easily we forget how fragile we are, yet at the same time don’t let ourselves be strong either.

Puede que sea porque nunca sabemos lo fuertes que somos hasta que ser fuertes es nuestra única opción.

Por trágica, triste y dura que pueda parecer, la vida es algo milagroso.

I’m not saying this to spread nonsense positivity but to remind myself and others there’s more to life – something we all feel once our life is somehow threatened, physically or emotionally.

Quiero dar las gracias a todas las mujeres de mi vida que han sufrido enfermedades por recordarme lo que es la vida.

While fighting your silent battles, you didn’t give up on life but let it flourish.

Whatever your fate may be, know that with your courage you brought peace to other people’s lives, and for that reason alone you will never be forgotten.

Gracias por demostrar que, después de todo, la vida es un milagro.