...DEFEAT Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: ...............................................................You don't have to live with it
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ME/CFS Blog – One Year

7/17/2012

6 Comments

 
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A few days ago I had the pleasure of touring a public garden which featured several long beds filled with mixed annuals and perennials in bountiful bloom – Bright Red Dahlias, Orange Tiger Lilies, Shocking Blue Larkspur, Butter Yellow Primrose, Fluffy Pink Astilbes, Pure White Daisies, and on and on - A feast for a gardener’s eyes.  I found a semi-hidden place to sit in the shade and just soaked in the beauty and serenity of the garden.  I started to think about the care and dedication that such a display would require and on cue, a woman wearing a straw, broad brimmed hat moved into view.  She snipped among the flowers with a pair of clippers in her right hand and sprayed a fine mist from a small bottle in her left.  She moved with practiced ease and accuracy.  And of course I began to think about my struggle with ME/CFS and how dedicated I had to be in order to be well again.

Like the flower gardener, it required a time line of seasons which added up to years in order to get well.  For me, there was no quick fix.  No magic
 
medication.  No silver bullet.  It required constant, daily care and seemingly endless repetition.

Later I found out that she was the head gardener of three.  Of course, she couldn’t do it all alone - so familiar – none of us can.

This blog marks one year since I started last summer.  And I want to thank everyone who has participated and contributed to the conversation either on-line or via e-mail.  It takes dedication to the long haul to get well and I’m dedicated to staying the course with you just like my supporters stuck with me during my long return to health.  Do you have the focus to be the gardener of your own return to health?  Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them.  You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.

Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays.  And consider being part of the conversation.

Be Well Again,

Martha

6 Comments
Tim Boland
7/17/2012 03:10:41 pm

But Martha, I want a silver bullet! :) I imagine that feeling is pretty common with those who have this illness, as I have had two remissions which were fairly dramatic, it is hard to remember sometimes to just continue in a healthy and balanced way. With my last remission which lasted about two days, it was as if a switch had been turned off, no pain whatever.

The consistent reward for me is that as I take care of myself, I am gradually becoming better. I am doing far more work than a year and a half ago, and seriously I attribute part of that to becoming a member of a social network, where I can share videos and get feedback from people who enjoy what I create, I've made some very good friends. I have also learned that though I like the help of others, it makes me feel good with those things that I can safely do on my own.

Feeling positive about life and about my own future has helped me so much. Also, I try to avoid a lot of negative news and violence in movies or television, keeping my mind in a calmer place helps greatly in the day to day.

Reply
Martha
7/18/2012 12:40:36 am

Congratulations on great pacing which has led to feeling so much better. And for finding a creative and social venue. I hope that your progress continues! Thanks Tim and sorry about the 'no silver bullet' thing :)

Reply
OM
7/18/2012 05:51:03 am

Hi Martha and EveryOne,

Thank you for your book and continuing this blog. I am following a protocol from Dr, Derek Enlander in New York City and it is helping me a lot along with the pacing I learned from your book. Instead of pushing and crashing I am much more moderate and haven't had a crash in months. Recently started LDN along with the protocol which is mostly supplements, and it turned out to be the icing on the cake. Not a magic bullet but it is giving me more energy and I am feeling better and better. Remember how your body felt when it was healthy and know that is still in there somewhere.

Reply
Martha
7/18/2012 03:44:41 pm

Congratulations OM on feeling better and better! It sounds like you're allowing yourself to be a patient and are on board with pacing. Great that you have a suppliment protocol which is a good fit for your version of ME/CFS. I totally identify with remembering what 'healthy' feels like. As I got better and better, with each passing week, I thought I had arrived, but the next week I felt even better :) Awesome for you!

Reply
Tim Boland
7/22/2012 04:00:25 pm

I don't know if this sounds familiar to anyone, but one night after a fairly long day, I was standing in the shower. I like to take warm showers every night before sleeping as it helps my body to relax more. As I was standing there, I could Feel my feet like they 'used' to feel before becoming ill. Also when walking now, on some days I have less pain and less of a feeling of moderate numbness in my feet. There are times it is almost like having my 'regular' body back.

Reply
Martha
7/23/2012 02:21:14 am

Happy Feet :) That's wonderful. When I could finally hold a glass of water and not fear that I might drop it, I knew I was on the right path to being well again.


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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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