...DEFEAT Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: ...............................................................You don't have to live with it
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ME/CFS Realities – Accept and Move Forward

10/15/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture© 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

2 Comments
Tim Boland
10/18/2013 05:20:24 pm

Thank you for writing and your compassion when you are going through something difficult yourself, Martha. I'm not sure if I mentioned this in previous post. I have been drawn the eastern medicine for some time, and read originally about Chi Kung (also called Qigong) in the New York Times. A woman wrote about her experience. She related how devastating having fibromyalgia is, as you have noted before, some researchers feel that CFS and fibro are closely related, perhaps even the same illness.

This woman studied with a Qigong master in Boston, along with other students, and had a 90% remission in her symptoms. Previously she could only walk comfortably for about a half mile, now she can literally walk miles if she chooses to.

I found two or three DVDs for Chi Kung exercise which I like but the one which is most gentle, and from a Chinese master now living in Hawaii, is the one I find the most heartening. This man had polio as a youth, Western medicine didn't help with his particular condition, so his grandfather who was a master of this ancient healing system worked with his grandson patiently over the months to come. He eventually completely overcome his illness.

In the video, the narrator tells of how Qigong can be used for healing, and about the circulation of 'chi' (life force), it is said to be safe for everyone, healthy or not, young or old, of course with advice to first ask one's physician. I don't really do the exercises yet, just listening if affirming and healing for me.

Here is the link for the DVD and for the accompanying book. Wishing you a full healing, Martha.

Beautiful Heart, Beautiful Spirit (paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976517809/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DVD
Six Qigong Exercises for Health, Happiness and Healing
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009FV168/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Reply
Martha
10/19/2013 01:26:13 am

Eastern medicine is such a stark contrast to our western medicine. I too have found it to be helpful in finding balance and center as I approach healing. Thanks for the links Tim!

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    After struggling with CFS for four years I am fortunate now to be fully well and making choices about how I want to live my healthy life.  One choice is to be an active part of the CFS community and to offer one voice from the fully recoverd to the dialogue.  I'm glad you're here!   For more about me, here's my Bio.

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