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Miss NB
I had glandular fever when I was 21. I never seemed to pick up afterwards.
I went back to work doing a 40hr week but was unable to keep up.
Eventually I changed to part time at a local hospital, thinking they would
understand and offer support, this was not the case. After lots of
tests etc in 2003 I was diagnosed with ME/CFS. I still didn't get
any support just jeered at.
In my work environment I was picking up one virus after another and
really couldn't pick up. During this time I was loosing friends to
as I couldn't keep up with them and kept going home early. People
chose not to understand. It was only through a patient I was caring for
that I came to join the Corby ME group. I remember my first meeting
- it was a breath of fresh air, listening to others, sharing thoughts and
stories. Most importantly I was no longer alone.
I was always told to pace myself, that was something that didn't and
still doesn't come easily. Over the past year I have managed to
increase my hours at work to 16. I'm not saying it is easy, but I am
trying to pace more and my boss is very understanding. Behind all
the smiles there is a lot of pain.
People don't see me when I am burnt out, lying in bed with hot water
bottles, deep heat, flannels, pain shooting through my body, struggling to
talk or listen. They only see me when I am charged on lucozade and pushing
myself hard. I am slowly living my life with my M.E. but there are
times when the illness controls me. Basically with me now its love me,
love my M.E |