© 2013 TSM Two weeks ago I was told that the skin biopsy taken from my leg was positive for Basal Cell carcinoma. As the words came over the phone line, my focus on the day’s “To Do” list disintegrated. OK. New reality. My reaction was very similar to what I did when I first heard the words “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”. Coming from a technical background, I read everything I could about what the diagnosis meant and what was the recommended treatment. I had a distinct advantage this time around as the internet was no longer in its infancy and basal cell carcinoma is a recognized disease with an established treatment plan.
Although I didn’t love what I was reading about BCC, I understood the clear advantage of being ‘blessed’ by the medical profession as having a ‘real’ physical illness. The diagnosis of ME/CFS can often be, for many of us, a thinly veiled recommendation that we needed to start working with a psychiatrist - that was my experience. This “it’s all in your head” pronouncement left me angry and mostly in denial for a long period of what was – with hindsight – completely wasted time and squandered energy.
After almost two years of fighting my ME/CFS diagnosis, I finally accepted the reality of it. The whole package of the lack of medical answers, the cruelty of the highs and lows, and the understanding that I needed to solve the puzzle of my version of
ME/CFS. No one was going to do this for me. And none of this was easy to swallow. But once I accepted this truth, I was able to strategize and move forward toward healing. Where are you on the reality spectrum? How are you moving forward? Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
Although I didn’t love what I was reading about BCC, I understood the clear advantage of being ‘blessed’ by the medical profession as having a ‘real’ physical illness. The diagnosis of ME/CFS can often be, for many of us, a thinly veiled recommendation that we needed to start working with a psychiatrist - that was my experience. This “it’s all in your head” pronouncement left me angry and mostly in denial for a long period of what was – with hindsight – completely wasted time and squandered energy.
After almost two years of fighting my ME/CFS diagnosis, I finally accepted the reality of it. The whole package of the lack of medical answers, the cruelty of the highs and lows, and the understanding that I needed to solve the puzzle of my version of
ME/CFS. No one was going to do this for me. And none of this was easy to swallow. But once I accepted this truth, I was able to strategize and move forward toward healing. Where are you on the reality spectrum? How are you moving forward? Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
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