Jody’s Blog . . . a life after chronic fatigue syndrome

Sunday, January 3, 2010

During the winter, CFS seems to close in on me in a way that was not happening during the warmer months.

I am not as ill as I was last winter, but the day to day habits of my life become more closed in and insular.

While I don’t have the distressing neurological symptoms from before, my energy level is lower. And I find that a certain … hibernation mode seems to be what comes naturally. I liken it to the flowers and trees that cease to bloom; the animals that go to their nests; even my cat spends more time in the house sleeping.

I try to view this as a time of rest, waiting for the renewal of spring. Conserving energy. Regenerating.

It is a bit frightening, as it feels at times like I am failing (waning, not losing) at life. The strides forward of last spring and summer are mostly put on hold for now. I don’t go out. I don’t have any desire to.

But I remind myself that this hibernation, the time spent in bed reading again — something I left behind last summer being so busy with other things — is from choice this time rather than necessity. It is so that I will have the needed energy for my freelance writing, for my friendships on the net, for my family.

And it is so that when the warm weather comes again, I will be ready for it …

I hope …

Monday, July 27, 2009

How does a wealthy man get, and stay, wealthy?
 
He doesn’t do it by spending everything he has.
 
Bingo, CFS’ers, Push-Crashers. All you really need to know about the role of rest and regeneration. In a nutshell.
 
If you keep spending your energy, … well, it’s gone, isn’t it.
 
It makes a difference this resting thing. This irritating going to bed thing. This laying back when you’re dying to get a-move on.
 
You’re presently living in a form of deficit and you need to get out of the red, into the black.

May 3, 2009

 Ncubator.ca is now up on the net. 

Al has taught me how to upload pages. More or less.

I still need a little help now and then but it is getting easier. 

I still need to take breaks, when my head fogs and my nerves vibrate.

A little rest goes a long way, though, these days.

Instead of having to go to bed for the afternoon, a half hour usually suffices. 

Note to self — Remember to listen to this fragile body and brain.

I used to have an old habit of going for broke, and ignoring fatigue, bent on meeting my goals and getting things done.

Don’t want to fall back into unhealthy habits, and lose the ground I’ve gained this past year. 

I will try to pace myself, and maintain the health I’ve regained.