Burden or Team Mate?
“When you first got sick, did you worry I would leave you?”
Pete asked me this recently, when he was in bed with a virus and I was looking after him.
My Baby Starts School Today. He’s ready … but am I?
O can’t possibly be starting school. We need more time, because, well … I’m not done making up for the time we lost.
PIP: In Your Own Words
I’d like to say I was shocked by the comments I received in response to my ‘Disability Benefits – End of an Era’ post the other week, but sadly, I wasn’t. I’ve therefore decided to crank the volume up on making your voices heard as well, by quoting (anonymously) some of the things you told me.
DNA delivered in 2mls of spit!
I’ve done it! I’ve contributed to the world’s largest genetic study of M.E.
Here, I summarise the bumpy road for our community leading up to this M.E milestone.
M.E, Motherhood, and Missing Out on ‘Firsts.’
Our children’s ‘firsts’ are important milestones in their rapid development – which is why it’s so heartbreaking when M.E stops us from witnessing them. Here, I talk about the recent ‘first’ I missed out on.
M.E and Birthday Thievery
It’s my birthday – hooray! Except, thanks to three years of Severe ME / POTS, I’m a little unsure of my age.
Disability Benefits – End of an Era:
PIP (disability benefits) are a financial lifeline to many people with ME/POTS. So what happens when you no longer qualify, yet you’re not well enough to work?
Chronic Illness and Mental Load:
‘Mental load’ is something most women have to deal with. It is HARD to manage with M.E, given that merely ‘thinking’ can exacerbate numerous symptoms. Here, I discuss how I manage my mental load.
Chronic Illness and New Projects:
Taking on new projects or responsibilities can be exciting. But if you suffer with M.E and/or POTS, then be prepared for a little Mind vs Body backlash.
Drink the ‘Good’ Wine
When I was healthy, I had one or two bottles of ‘good’ wine put aside – for years on end – ready for an occasion where I felt ‘deserving of it or like I’d ‘earned’ it. Not anymore. Nowadays, I drink the good wine. Here, I talk about why.