I think being chronically ill should afford you a few breaks from those around you.  God knows you aren't getting any breaks from the universe.  It is not an easy road.  To wake up everyday and put a fake smile on your face and make the best of a very bad situation.  If you really woke up and let everyone around you know how you truly felt, no one would want to be around you.  So shouldn't we be able to catch a few breaks.  Leave us out of the bullshit, try and make our lives a bit easier.  Is it really too much to ask.  We barely have the energy to function most of the time but to deal with unneeded stress and to put our energy to things that we really shouldn't have to be dealing with.  It is not an easy road. But just a bit offered by those closest to you can make that road a bit easier.