#chronic illness recovery

[sleepysleepysleepybaby]

so I’ve been very slowly recovering from severe me/cfs. (very very slowly). about two weeks ago, i made a List of recovery goals, as a way to give myself a sense of progress.

the List includes things like driving a car, or travelling to the CBD. i felt like everything on my List was still pretty far away for me and i wouldn’t be able to achieve any of them for at least a few months, given that i’m still basically housebound and 80% bedbound.

a week ago, i started having a medication reaction. it was pretty bad, so i went to stay with my parents. while i was there, the reaction got much worse and i ended up needing an ambulance. and because my parents live in a different area to me, i got taken to a different hospital. a hospital that happens in be in the CBD.

i had written on my List: travel to the CBD. okay. i meant, have a fun day in the CBD. NOT go to the hospital in the CBD. but technicallyyyyy i DID travel to the CBD??

i’m back to baseline now. and i think it’s just a silly fluke. then, today, my mum is driving me to a drs appointment. and on the way there, we get into a minor accident.

i love my mother - but she’s not good in a crisis. she got really, really upset. so upset, that she couldn’t continue driving me. and we were only a few streets away from the clinic.

so i got behind the wheel??? and i drove us the rest of the way.

just to reiterate though, when i wrote the List this is not what i had in mind. i thought my first drive would be planned, and that it would happen when i was well and truly ready. not like this????

but i have to tick it off. because i DID drive. technically.

i think the List is cursed.

[compassionmattersmost]

In the Quiet of Healing: My Journey with the Parasympathetic Nervous System

Healing Through Rest: How the Parasympathetic Nervous System Can Support Recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome In the aftermath of the recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, I’ve felt post-exertional malaise weigh heavily on my body. The fatigue has been more than just physical—it’s emotional and mental, a deep, enveloping weariness that reminds me how fragile recovery can be. As I continue to…

[thoradvice]

you don't have to be glad that it's not worse. that goes for everything. disability, trauma, mental illness, grades, finances, whatever. you're /allowed/ to be upset that things are the way they are. you don't have to be grateful for your situation - bad is bad. somebody else's suffering doesn't make yours less painful. it's okay to be angry

[irisesinyoureyes]

i used to be really sick for 6 years. now i'm better but everything seems temporary. i don't feel like things will last. i don't know what to do with this extra time/health/life i stumbled upon

[achronicwriter]

⛅️ Tuesday, July 11, 2023 🌘

Morning

I was awakened quite a bit earlier than I wanted to be by a tiny ball of fluff screaming in my ear. She doesn't look it, but I can't swear this kitten isn't part Siamese. The kids are experimenting with calling her Eclipse.

The Miracle Morning: I began the day with Pranic breathing, affirmations, and visualization followed by some stretching. I'm currently re-reading The Shower Habit, by Stephanie Ewing. I did a ten-minute braindump; any more than that would have despooned me before I could actually write.

Writing: Thirty minutes insane scribbling. I discovered the notes from an idea I had in January and realized it fit perfectly into the Solarpunk Superhero setting I'm working on.

I went back to sleep at 10:30 am listening to the audiobook Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty on YouTube.

Afternoon

I slept soundly for five solid hours and woke up feeling almost "human."

We had the baby for a couple of hours, then swapped her out for the kitten for a couple more. I'm not sure which was noisier but at least the kitten took a nap!

I'm making headway on a new baby blanket, with a combination of stitches I'm perfecting for use on an afghan for my Partner in Crime. Only theirs is also going to be granny striped. When they send me the yarn I'll get going on that. It's going to take a while because it's a full sized afghan and I've never made anything bigger than a throw.

Another crochet project is an afghan for our neighbor we adopted. He's battling very poor health and I'd like to get it done asap. I need yarn for that, too.

Evening

Both creatures were back in the kids' apartment at sundown so the husband and I could unwind. I think I'll make that the rule unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Crime Scene Kitchen is my current favorite cooking competition show.

I heated food (turkey and veg meatballs, baked potato, shredded cheese) and rounded up the ingredients so the husband can make himself some homemade trail mix. The kitchen is an unsanitary mess but I just didn't have the oomph to clean it.

Despite the five hours of extra sleep I was run down, tired, and a little sore all day. Nothing much got done again. and it's really hard not to be frustrated.

[perdamian]

hey guys… we all know that it’s okay for mithrun to have a caretaker for the rest of his life, right? that even after he heals and potentially regains his desires he will probably still need support?? that the goal of healing is not to become a “normal person”, but to build skills to navigate the world in a way that accommodates your disability??? that relying on the people around you is not a failure, but proof of your desire to live????

[neuroticboyfriend]

addicts, i love you. no matter where you're at with addiction, you are loved. there will always be a place for you in this world. i promise - and i don't make promises i can't keep.

[thepeacefulgarden]

Also, if you only have 30%, and you give 30%, you didn't give 30%. You gave 100%. You did your best. Your best is going to look different each day, and even from moment to moment within that day. And some days really are just about making it to the next one. That counts, too. If all you did today was breathe, you did enough.

[study-diaries]

Reminder

Your pain (physical/mental/emotional) is valid even if nobody can see it

Your pain is valid even if you have no physical symptoms

Your pain is valid even if there is no physical injury

Your pain is valid even if others tell you it's not

Your pain is valid even if you do not have a life threatening disease

Your pain is valid even if you don't have a diagnosis

Your pain is valid even if you do have a diagnosis

Your pain is still valid even if nobody believes you

Your pain is still valid even if you are too "young" for the problem/issue

Your pain is valid even if the health care advisor/anybody tells you that it's in your head

Your pain is valid no matter what the conditions are

Your pain is valid.

Pain does not discriminate between age, gender, race, nationality etc. Just because you can't see pain, doesn't mean it's not there.

[spoonie-on-wheels86]

[alxor-of-hellsite]

Just because you can stand up, doesn’t mean you should. If standing up right now will make everything worse & what you need to do is rest, then rest.

[bardic-inspo]

*takes your face and holds it tenderly*

You were not made just to suffer. You are more. You are so much more than your hardest moments. 💜

[compassionmattersmost]

9: Listening to Your Body: A Compassionate Approach to the Leg Press for Post-Viral ME/CFS

When living with Post-Viral ME/CFS, it’s essential to remind ourselves that our journey with exercise is not measured by how much we do, but by how gently we honor the unique rhythms of our bodies. This is especially true when it comes to engaging in physical activities like the Leg Press Machine. Today, we’ll explore how to mindfully approach this exercise in a way that supports both your…

[spread-positivity-everywhere]

I hope that this winter season brings you healing and peace. 🩵❄️

[buglover77]

Thinking about so many people this holiday season. People in ED recovery. People who haven’t started their ED recovery yet. People with sensory issues around food. People with unwanted dietary restrictions and intolerances and allergies. “Picky eaters.” You are valid, you are loved, you are capable, you are strong. I hope you are able to find joy and delight this year in your meals. Wishing you all the best. ❤️

[starringmycoffee]

posted to a chat this morning but now i am releasing it to the hellsite

you do not have to have a specific diagnosis to use an aid that manages your pain and this is the hill i will die on forever