Dealing with setbacks

So its safe to say this past week I have had a set back in my progress with my CFS.

I have felt utterly exhausted and achy and have started to get a lot of pain, particularly in my legs which has caused me problems sleeping.

I have to confess to have let it get to me this week, have been very tearful and worried about it and anxieties about this illness have resurfaced.

I missed a family meal which I was particularly upset about. I feel like I let people down and that I miss out on so much.

Somehow I have got to regain that positive spirit that says 'Come on Clare, you can beat this'

Its my birthday tomorrow and am going to a spa for the day with a friend, so hoping a change of scenery and a pamper will do me good and help get my mindset right again.

Its a scary illness, full of uncertainties but I have to keep hoping and believing I will be well again.

An attitude of gratitude

So, here I am on another Sunday evening feeling grateful for a pretty decent weekend. I haven't done anything amazing but as anyone with CFS knows, some of the simple things we used to take for granted can feel amazing.

One of my highlights was that yesterday I felt well enough to go to the gym and do some exercise and strength training. I tend to go just once a week, usually on a Sunday if I have a clear day so I can rest afterwards. I get frustrated at only being able to go once a week as I used to go at least 3 times...however I know I am making progress and hopefully the day will come when I will be able to go more. For now, I am grateful for this once a week session as its a little bit of the old me and makes me feel good.

The second highlight of my weekend was meeting up with a friend for a cooked breakfast at the awesome Cafe Brittania in Norwich which is a social enterprise cafe set up to help rehabilitate and retrain some of the offenders at the local prison. Its great place with good food and as the weather was sunny we sat outside overlooking a great view of the city. The sun shining on my face felt AMAZING!

I hope my readers have also managed to do something this weekend that makes them happy....I would love to hear what it was :-) x

Clare's little tips :-)

So I just wanted to share some things that have helped me, little adaptations for when I am having a bad day with symptoms and things that have just made life a bit easier.

I am no expert so this is purely what has worked for me.........

First and foremost, the best thing I have ever bought is my Nook E-Reader.
I have always loved reading but once I got ill it was such a chore and drain on my energy to keep traipsing to the library to renew my books, and that trip to the library had to be factored in to my weekend and ate into time I could be doing something more enjoyable. So, in the January sale I took the doubtful plunge into the world of e-readers and I am totally converted. At the touch of a button I can access so many books, magazines and newspapers. I now read more than ever and it fills the time on those days I am stuck in bed or laying on the sofa aching.

Another thing I did was to get a TV and DVD player for my bedroom so that when I am in discomfort or really tired after work I can relax in bed and still watch my favorite programmes and films.

Another adaptation I made was to start doing my grocery shopping online. It is again saving my time and energy for something I would rather be doing.

Its all about finding little things to make life that bit easier.

I would be interested to hear from readers of my blog with any hints and tips for things they have done to preserve energy and free up precious time.