Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
You all know how our friends and even family seem to run the other way because of our illnesses like they wouldn't if we had 'real' diseases. . . .and because we don't look sick
Someone I hadn't heard from in 3 years suddenly called me and asked how I was, and I said, UH. . . . . .
And he said, where are you working?
And I said UH. . . . . .
And I finally said I was ill and applying for disability, and he said, "Can you walk?" So I said, "sometimes."
Then he invited me to a party. I said I can't RSVP because I never know from day to day, but I'll try to come . . . . .
Even though it's $30 in gas which I can't afford anymore . . .
I will try to come, it be nnice to see some hoomans. LOL
Someone I hadn't heard from in 3 years suddenly called me and asked how I was, and I said, UH. . . . . .
And he said, where are you working?
And I said UH. . . . . .
And I finally said I was ill and applying for disability, and he said, "Can you walk?" So I said, "sometimes."
Then he invited me to a party. I said I can't RSVP because I never know from day to day, but I'll try to come . . . . .
Even though it's $30 in gas which I can't afford anymore . . .
I will try to come, it be nnice to see some hoomans. LOL
It surely is true that the world goes screaming in the opposite direction when we have this illness. They just don't know what to do with us. It makes them uncomfortable. We can ease that by not talking about how badly we are feeling to your friends all the time...helps them out...since they know they can't fix us. This is true with family too! We need to be as sociable as we possibly can be without overextending ourselves.
You were very honest in your response about not knowing if you could go this event or not. That was good, because you may not be well that day....but you MAY be able to go!! You never know. And this person has left the door open for you to do so.
Even if you go and stay for a limited amount of time, the socializing for a while might do you a world of good. We tend to be housebound and getting out is good for us emotionally. I know I wish I could do it more often.
So, if you can go....great. If not...then you don't go. And you tell your friend how much you wish you could have been there! And maybe next time you will be able to make it.
Yes, it would do you some good to see some hoomans....on your terms, which is how is has to be.
I hope you can go!!
Blessings!!
I always tell people the same thing, that I can't promise I will be there. It all depends on how I feel THAT day. They don't always understand, but I think it's better than saying I'll come and then not.
I'm rooting for you to feel better enough to go. And when you do, enjoy it enough for all of us!
It would be too much for them to deal with me on my terms, I guess. That would involve truly understanding a chronic illness, or at least trying to. Much easier to just avoid the weird person.
We spend to much time alone and not doing things that we used to do. So I say go for it and have fun........you deserve it.
Thanks all who are responding with your 'go for it' messages. . . .I need your collective kick in the you know where to wake up that morning and not feel like it's too much trouble . . . . .because, after all, I do have to shower if I'm gonna be around real people . . . . .showering is a major challenge . . . . .
I've had CFS for three years. Early this year I sent out an email to my closest people explaining what exactly is going on. It helped, but people forget you know?
If I can't make something I get the feeling my friend's sometimes think I'm faking to get out of things. And, I get an overall feeling of 'sheesh, is she STILL sick? After three years? Get over it already'.
And explaining to someone you haven't seen for awhile, or filling out forms is hell.
Hi. Me? Oh I've been disabled with a disability you can't see or understand for years now. Fun huh? You know how you b*tch and moan about that little cold you had last winter for 5 days? Yeah, try that daily.'
Sigh.