Living with Autoimmune Diseases, A Partner's Perspective

Mr. J and I discuss what it's like living with and coping with a partner with autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism, Raynaud's syndrome and low level Lupus. Sorry, but the auto-focus on the camera works over time! Click SHOW MORE for more details, resources and info.

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Twitter @Liz_Zorab

About Us.
I share our organic homestead, called Byther Farm, with my loving partner, Mr J and our cat, Monty.
We are a fifty-something couple who live on a smallholding in Monmouthshire, Wales. We are going green and creating a gentler, cleaner and more healthy life for our family.
We keep hybrid chickens and also have breeding flocks of Jersey Giants and Australorp chickens and Aylesbury ducks. There is a large organic kitchen garden with no dig gardening raised beds and young food forest in which to grown our fruit and vegetables.
I'm currently exploring permaculture farming as a way of life.

Music

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(some of these links are affiliate links, so we earn a small commission if you purchase via the link, but you will not be charge any extra).

[grandmadee]

I ALWAYS tell my husband THANK YOU for all he do for me. But I never really thought about how difficult it is for him. To deal with his wife being so sick. I really THANK YOUR husband for being so honest.
VERY EMPOWERING VIDEO!

[dragonflyneb]

All I can say is this is PURE LOVE. Take your pills we need more videos.

[MBFModernHomesteading]

We know a little bit about autoimmune diseases, Jeremy lost his entire colon from an autoimmune disease! God Bless, and keep on keeping on.

[pat_in_va]

Thank you for sharing the caregiver's perspective.

[rainbowplacenco]

Thank you for sharing this very personal subject~ I get the Hot/ Cold thermal regulation as well, But I have had 4 strokes... survived Ovarian Cancer & multiple other issues { I am not looking for pity} my doctors are wonderful... & they all work with each other {I get garbled too} my adult son now lives with me ~ he has some brain damage from an incident & some physical injuries from falling off the roof of his house. He does his best but often keeps his distance. I also forget my medicine {My pharmacy even puts it in a packet for me}. I am also on a gluten-free, caffeine-free, chocolate free & alcohol-free diet. I also stay away from strawberries <- they increase my migraines. I am a widower. I love the fact that you have good communication < it can be hard! Patience is a key~ :) Much Love & all my best~! xoxo Ps: if this seems to be all over the place I don't organize thoughts well.. so that is why I usually don't comment, This video just "hit home" & thought I would share with you!

[revonda]

I know this is several years past your posting date, but just in case you see this, a reminder that you've got a great guy there! Thank you both for sharing your stories. I came to your channel last year from Jessica, of Roots & Refuge. I currently waiting on both of your books to be shipped. I preordered so hopefully they will both arrive soon. I've gardened for many of my 65 years but love watching both of you and wanted to support you. I especially love listening to you! I'm an Anglophile and watch a number of British Youtubers from canal boaters to homesteaders. I live in Virginia and I'm of Scot Irish descent so I think that's where my love of Britain came from!

[carolinegray]

My husband and I support each through our health, we are strong.

[bonnielipke]

Cudos to you Mr J for seeing your way through to her diagnosis and offering continued support. I wasn't that lucky, but then again maybe I am. Battling Lupus isn't for the weak, and in hindsight he was very weak in so many ways. I too have gone gluten free as well as dropping white sugar. I miss pancakes the most. Making biscuits and bread with almond flour, coconut flour and xantham gum is as close as it gets to the real thing. Cobblers aren't quite the same as they used to be but real homemade butter makes them close enough to perfect in a new way. The Internet is chock full of recipes for gluten free, I just wish they were all good lol. God Bless you both. So.... Wherever you are in the world and whatever you're doing today I hope it's a good I just love you!!

[ITSJUNE]

.I'm going between laughter and tears watching this video with MrJ about living with a partner that has autoimmune diseases, except for my lung issues we have the same autoimmune issues. I can relate to you with everything you talk about, I'm going to show hubby and see if I can be brave enough to do a video. I relate too to the things MrJ mentions because I recognize myself in his words, it's making me cry. Like you and MrJ hubby and I have been through the loss of close family and other major stresses in life( which included home invasions) Sadly we lost our laughter at one point but are slowly getting it back. I can not imagine what it must have been like for my hubby as he followed behind the ambulance after came to visit me at our local hospital only to find me being loaded into an ambulance and rushed to a major hospital clinging to life.

It does scare me that he seems to think I'm still wonder woman because I keep surpassing the expectations of the medical profession, I know I'm not bouncing back to the point before each downward swing.But, hey I'm still kicking, still stubborn(most days) still hopeful and determined :)

Thank you both for doing this video, I'll show hubby and maybe I'll be brave enough to do one too(maybe). Lots of love to you and MrJ

[dollyperry]

A lovely demonstration of commitment in real life! I wish you health! "Moo Cow" My husband would say "Witch with a capital B" :)

[mandyrussell]

Thanks Liz and Mr j, nice to hear both sides xx

[kirstenwhitworth]

Ah, I'm sorry to say I recognize this.
I had undiagnosed Hashimoto's Syndrome for 18 years (not for lack of seeking out endocrinologists in 3 states for answers, none of whom ever gave me adequate tests, and not one of whom ever touched my throat to find the developing goiter), Celiac Disease (misdiagnosed as IBS at quite a young age), and hereditary SAD (that was misdiagnosed and, I believe, maltreated for decades). I never was diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome, but they put me on cortisol for about a year.
One doctor told me to join a choir when I described the feeling of the (undetected) growing goiter. I felt as if I were dying, as well.
I don't think American GMOs are helping.
It's much of why I started homesteading.

[Aquari]

I have MS and thyroid dysfunction, but so dreaming of having a homestead. Liz, you are an inspiration. Itching, the up down thermostat, word confusion ... maybe the farm animals will get me.

[drematedesco]

You guys are very lucky that you found each other. It’s obvious how much you care about each other and it’s beautiful.

[RickMitchellProvenanceAndRoots]

Watching some of your previous vids today, and just getting to this one.
Mr. J has given me today's Quote of The Day - "Life. We all suffer from it."

[hb]

Thanks for sharing. He, s nice man too Liz. Best of everything to you both. Now have nice glass of wine.

[rebekkas]

What a wonderful video - not so much about illness, but about commitment, partnership, love.

[kristidennis]

How can I ever thank you both enough for this video, there is just no words for it. Don't know yet what all is wrong with me yet. Fibromyalgia and counting. I am recently divorced and learning to live life on my own. It is so insightful to hear truthfully from the other side, what it is like. Thank you, thank you thank you May God bless you both.

[mandyrussell]

It really has helped to see a partner's view Liz

[pamt]

Mr. J and Liz Thanks for this...I really appreciate it...going through a situation that is similar, I see the light at the end of the tunnel...Thanks for the validation!! You 2...LOVE!!