05-07-2005

Waking up before midday is nothing but a distant memory. Having to work a full day, do some housework, play a sport, or any other physical activity seem like normal day to day tasks to other people, however for me... they are my goal.

I started to feel symptoms of CFS in early 2000 whilst undergoing my study for my HSC. This occurred after I had been infected with the Glandular Fever virus and since study was increasingly stressful, I only became worse. My education suffered immensely while friends and loved ones became scarce. No one wanted to be with someone who was half asleep all the time and couldn't go out socially. I was boring. It was even said that I was making it all up.

 At the end of my study in late 2001, my mother and I started the journey of finding a diagnosis. I was told I had everything from a stomach bug to high levels of stress and if I just took pannadol and rested it would all go away in a few weeks. I was even told by some, that there was absolutely nothing wrong with me and it was simply all in my head. Six months had past and as I went on feeling worse hope was moving further away. After my boyfriend had broken up with me and friends were numbered I pulled on the strength of my mum, Christine  and dad, Peter, who are today my best friends. My mum gave up work to look after me while my dad, waving his magic wand was always there for encouragement.

 It wasn't until mid 2002 that we found a very compassionate GP in Selby (south east of Melbourne) who was determined to find an answer. After months past and having a million and one blood tests, she diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and passed me on to another brilliant doctor for treatment. DR DP LEWIS is a well known GP for specializing in this illness and has shown me the meaning of hope again. I have been seeing him for the past two years and he assures me that all my goals will be achieved in time. It was so relieving to have a diagnosis and someone to understand how I feel. He is working through all the possible ways of treatment with me and I beleive I have noticeable improvement.

My other pillar of strength is my current boyfriend and housemate Lee who has designed this website for us. Along side my mum and dad he has always been there for me. He will never give up. He sits on the computer and in the library for hours on end researching this illness and will talk to other people and their partners to find out some strategies for helping me. I would be so lost and alone if it weren't for these three people. I love them dearly and owe them my life.

 Some days are golden, some days are stone is the only way to describe this illness. Symptoms haunt me on a wave going up and down. Some days I will lay bed ridden and others I can get up and start to achieve a goal. As we all know there is no easy fix treatment that will happen over night. It takes acceptance, belief and determination to become well again. Develop a good attitude and say to yourself " this will all be over one day, I will be well again" Find strength in people and let them help you through this. Lets all hope that one day we don't need to watch midday movies anymore!

Email me if you would like to chat.

Michelle