Things are looking up. Boris de Piffle Johnson is no longer an MP, his US doppelganger appears to be in deeper water than the Mariana trench and, most importantly, in my world at least, my baseline has shifted back in the right direction. Now, I am not saying those things are related, but I will say I visited a healing shrine last week and asked for a few things for me and the world, so you never know…
Narcissistic musings aside, it’s been interesting. Most of May was spent in recovery from doing “stuff” early in the month, and then conserving energy for doing a lot more “stuff” towards the end of the month, with very little in between. Then, we went on a long grand-tour(ish) holiday travelling down the East Coast with plenty relaxation and gentle walking, gentle eating and gentle drinking. And plenty gentle napping. I am also not saying that I had a specific M.E. themed agenda but we did stay in a place called Healing followed by another called Wells, so will let you come to your own judgement.
On a more sober note, the main reason for this improvement is likely not an ancient wellspring in north Norfolk, nor a new revelatory treatment, but the tired (not a typo) and tested usual one that nearly all of us have to fall back on – rest. Specifically, staying still, ideally lying down or feet up and neck supported. Even more ideally, but more elusive, the above but asleep. On one hand, I am so grateful that such a simple thing can help, but on the other less forgiving and more irritated hand, I find it infuriating that this is still the best advice the medical profession can give people with M.E. and Long Covid. And not only that, it doesn’t always work! It might have worked for me this time but it hasn’t in the past and may not hold for my future. I have been here too many times to think this is the corner finally turned.
So following the beautifully penned resignation letter of our ex-ex-PM, I will allow myself to say that M.E. has relinquished some of its grip…for now. But like that custard-shaped ghoul of a man, I know it lingers there, just out of sight, waiting.
Writing and M.E. 