This has taken me a long time to write about. Mainly because I didn't want it.
This is what I have..... it's Pants. Pants. Pants.
The following information will - I hope, explain my abstinence from going out in the evenings and generally not being able to take part in any extra activities over the last few years. It has taken me this long to admit the diagnosis, and my Consultant has been very patient with my blase acceptance. He has humoured me well, and has the tolerance of a Saint. With my relapse a month ago, and again last week, resulting in my request for medication - I could almost 'hear' his smile down the phone and request to see me ASAP.
Before now, I have put my lack of physical ability down to my age....I know, I'm only 32 - shut up and humour me, but recently have been struck down with such ill health, that even I, cannot hide behind a well rehearsed smile. I am not bed ridden, nor depressed, and I certainly do not require any sympathy cards either!
Its dastardly appearance has come about from the prolonged high cortisol levels required for me to function over the last 10 years, we have had a lot of stress. I admit it. There I've said it. This has weakened my immune system to a point that my body simply cannot fight anything anymore.
Please, please use this as an example of looking after yourself I never, ever expected this in a million years, but stress is a real issue, and when heightened for such a lengthy amount of time, does and will cause real physical symptoms.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - M.E. is a chronic degenerative neuro-immune disease described in medical literature as early as 1935. A Child or Adult with M.E. has serious immune and cardiovascular abnormalities, with resulting serious central nervous system consequences due to brain injury. The disease snatches the vital life out of patients on the level of diseases like MS, AIDS, Mitochondrial Diseases and Cancer. The unrelenting pain, cognitive impairment and exhaustion of ME are often literally unspeakable. Most times M.E. strikes relatively quickly. Once active, productive Adults and Children are suddenly robbed of vitality, with disability, ranging from completely bedridden to somewhat functional. Variable disability and lack of treatments result in lowered or poor quality of life. M.E. usually progresses to premature death due to direct and indirect complications of the disease.
I need to practice what I preach. Fact. And there are no parades for Drama Queens, so stop being one!
That said, I don't think it's necessary for anyone to run a bloody marathon for me just yet.... You'll know when it's time. I'll have your purple lycra and tutus ready at the starting point.
