When living with a chronic illness, you find out who your true friends are. The ones that stay by your side when having a tough day, with concern and empathy regardless of what you are going through. 

I have had many friends over the years, although the ones that mean the most to me and reciprocate the friendship, are only a small number. 

I have never lived in close proximity to family members and I think that because of that some of those friends become my family. 

They are the ones that accept me for who I am, not what I look like on the outside. The ones that know when I am suffering physically or mentally. The ones that have held my hand or offered hugs when facing another test or procedure.

These are the friends that stand the test of time even if I don’t see them on a regular basis. 

I need people in my life that support me no matter what and love me unconditionally.