Not really.

That's just what i tell people.

It's complicated. When you look like a million bucks (ok, i may or may not be exaggerating...) and someone asks you what you do for a living, be it over dinner conversation (usually in my dreams, since a successful dinner these days is one that does not include popcorn,) or on a form, sometimes it's just worth it to skip the whole "sick" issue altogether. Let's call it "therapeutic ignorance."

Truthfully, i'm twenty three and an extremely skilled ex-artisan; i hold a college degree and used to read the dictionary for fun (my Words with Friends ability should be off the charts, truly.) But when dysautonomia creeps into your life and sets up shop, it changes who you are. So many people will tell you it does not, but it does: it changes how you interact with the world, how others see you, and how you see yourself. It doesn't matter if you were a rocket scientist or a stripper (though i was neither, officially) -- now you have days where you can't face the physical exertion of a shower, let alone a blow dry, and are reduced to nibbling Poptarts in bed between naps and stomach sickness, relying on the thorough greediness of your tiny dogs to catch any crumbs you may drop. (Granted, these are the worst of days; most days i can be found with wet but clean hair, and a Toaster Strudel instead of a Poptart.)

Trophy wives do not invite pity. "Homemaker" is not a label i like, because it insinuates a home that needs taking care of: children and the like, which we are thankfully free of. i don't even have plants; my home is deliciously carefree. "Stay at home dogmother" is one i use on occasion, though only in the right company; some people just don't understand the compulsion to dress up small animals in jumpers and Wellies. "Disabled" is one i can't bring myself to use in company, so it's right out -- "trophy wife" it is.

Of course, after half a second spared to look at me, the whole label seems ridiculous, and usually gets a good laugh. And you know... i'm ok with that. ;)