Letter to My Body With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Allyson Byers reflects on life with this chronic skin condition.

[dynamic music]- Dear body, I feellike we have been at warin the seven yearssince you were diagnosedwith Hidradenitis Suppurativa.Boils and lesions all over youcause me intense pain and fatigue.Getting dressed takes me at least an hour.I need daily naps, I miss outon events and celebrations,I don't feel comfortable with youand others can sense it.Some days I'm angry that this diseasehas robbed us of so much.I'd hoped to become a newsreporter or a television writer,but the long days took a tolland we had to move on from those dreams.Only recently did I realize that we arefighting this war not asenemies, but together.Although we were exhausted I thanked youfor continuing to fightas we try new treatments,see specialists, and go through surgeries.Because of you my capacity for empathyhas greatly increased.We've helped people feel less alonethrough essays and intimate conversations.We've learned to relish the good dayswhen we can make it toa friend's birthday,try new restaurants, andtake Petey for a long walk.We have been in that dark placewhere life doesn't feel worth livingand we wanna get off the train.But you've helped me move forward.I'm grateful you're alongside meas I pursue my new dream,becoming a therapistwho specializes in chronic illness,chronic pain, and medical trauma.Our burden is our gift.I know we will still havedays where we hate each other.But I also know we will have dayswhere we forge on despite the pain.And you'll do all you can so we canexperience life to the fullest.