Managing an Invisible Disease as a Musician: Part 1
Musicians love to perform…but what happens when you develop an invisible chronic disease?
My Story
My first inclination was to hurry and fix the pain, so I could continue performing (pops an ibuprofen and continues on).
But over time, the disease progressed…200mg Ibuprofen a day became 800mg 3x a day…then steroid pills…then steroid shots to the rear-end to tame full body inflammation. Eventually, I was prescribed Humira, with side effects of cancer and death.
My doctors (and I) were treating the disease as acute flares instead of seeing the bigger picture. They told me, “Your elbow hurts? Go see a specialist. Your ankle hurts? Go see a specialist.”
What’s worse, is colleagues didn’t understand what I was going through, because it was an invisible disease. All you could see, was me walking with a small limp or an empty chair during an opera performance that I had to take off.
But what I realized (with an integrative doctor and a lot of research), was that my genetics, food, and STRESS, were progressing the disease. I was allergic to my performance career.
So in April of 2022, laying on the sofa unable to walk or play, I decided I would not allow the ‘dream job’ and accompanying identity as orchestral viola player to hurt my health any longer, and began vigorously protecting my time and my energy.
I made a very intentional career portfolio shift to less performance and more creative work in the form of coaching, artist management, and consulting.
OLD CAREER PORTFOLIO: 90% performance 10% teaching
NEW CAREER PORTFOLIO: 40% performance 20% teaching 30% career coaching 5% artist management 5% consulting
Many fears popped up along the way, but even more gifts have flowed from the experience.
I make good money without the busy-ness
I’m in touch with my “Why” on a daily basis
The new portfolio has allowed me to flourish, even with an invisible chronic disease. I didn’t have to give up performing and I’m tapping into more of my skills.
Next week, I’ll post another blog about what YOU can do to manage your health and career better when you’re dealing with an invisible disease.