Hello.  Even though my profiles name is MD Bairrington, I am not a physician.  I currently live with two chronic illnesses.  What I am wanting to know is how other people cope with illness.  I am fortunate to have access to medications and specialist physicians.   I had to leave my profession 10 years ago and therefore have in a sense become a kind of a recluse. The two chronic illnesses complicate each other.  Having access to medication has made my life easier, but it is nowhere near what I thought my life would be at this point in my life.  I have a college education, worked in the medical profession for 20 years before having to leave due to illness.  One of my illnesses is known by all who know me, and the other is only an illness that is only known on a" need to be known basis"..  My illness that is know by all, requires me to have an outpatient procedure every 3-4 weeks, that requires a trip to the hospital as an outpatient.  Of course, the hospital personnel know about my second illness. Now you know what I mean when I say that my second illness is "labeled" as only as a "need to be known basis". I am mobile, able to drive, buy  my own groceries, have a few close friends and still enjoy to travel when it is possible.  I own my own home, have pets and a vehicle. If this blog continues, I will be a little more open with what is going on with me.  I guess what I am trying to find out is, how other people cope with being ill, and trying to keep a second illness a secret.  My initial illness does mask the other one.  I feel with this kind of cover people don't ask to many question.  I have very few relatives.  My sibling lives in another state, and we are not that close, although over the past few years efforts have been made to become closer.  Distance is supposed, or it is said that "distance" makes the heart grow fonder.........The only thing I have figured out about that is that " I am the only family member that has not been alienated.  We stay in touch because it is expected?  My sibling has always been a person that everything is all about themselves....their happiness/desires are first above all others....So, does that mean we stay in touch since siblings are expected to, or is that my sibling now feels vulnerable since there are many miles between and that they are now alone due to two failed marriages? I suppose that is a different topic for a different day.  Hope to hear from you.