Mr had to go to the drs on Monday morning. He needs more Ritalin to help his ADD, and we're trying to get a home physio. Neither are yet realised, but we have to keep fighting. I was supposed to go in case his brain fog kicked in, but with my increased pain levels and anxiety around drs he let me stay home.
I first knew he was home when I got a phone call from him - he sounded very rough and was sat, or should I say, stuck, in our car. He'd just been sat there on his phone, and he felt a stab in his back, and now he couldn't move.
We managed to get him into the house and up to bed - he couldn't even straighten his legs. My mind went a bit overactive, but at the same time I pulled on God's strength. We phoned his Mum, querying whether I should drive him to A&E or not. It was decided we contact the very dr he'd just left, and wait for a chiro appointment. When the dr eventually called back, she told him to double his already strong painkillers. He was able to straighten his legs by bedtime.
I felt very lonely with him stuck in bed. Everything was left to me, which is where the realisation of how balanced our relationship is hit me. We'd previously decided to do our own dinners that night, and there I was cooking separately for both of us!!
Tuesday he made it downstairs, and he even helped cooked dinner - a blessing since I was too exhausted. His Mum provided it for us though - another blessing!
Today… He managed to drive to the chip shop - neither of us were well enough to cook. He really can't sit up for more than a few minutes, although his back is comfier when lying.
I suppose it's just a bit lonely. And it's silly, cos he has to spend a lot of time in bed, but normally I know he can make it downstairs, he can sit and play a game, he can bend to pick up a bunny… But right now he really can't, and that's a new balance to find until he's better.
His emotional strength never waivers though.
I am supposed to be being referred to our local ME specialist, who saw Mr earlier this year. I haven't given the family histories, and our personal ME stories yet - I really must… But let's just say I've been ill for 11 years; have 2 siblings, a sister-in-law and a husband with ME - I know how it works and how to manage it. I got my diagnosis 7 years ago.
The letter that I received through the post today kindly confirmed that diagnosis (big surprise), although called if "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". That doesn't make me feel at all positive towards them, but it's not the worst bit.
It went on to say that because of this I have been, and I quote, "fast-tracked" to "group therapy".
Now, I know I have anxiety issues. And I'm on treatment for depression. And I can become very stressed. But seriously?! I have been living with this illness 24/7 for 11 years of my life. I know how to manage it. I might not have made miraculous improvements, but I have had a very enjoyable life (I'll have to post my pacing v. enjoyment discussion at some point too…!)
And you know what? Instead of going along to a meeting which would 1) make me very angry, 2) be utterly pointless and 3) make both me and my husband very ill; I am going to "manage my ME", and not put me and my husband through sitting up for TWO WHOLE HOURS before midday.
Thankfully I've pretty much gone from anger at the letter to laughing at it, but still… I was hoping for this specialist to support my benefit claims!!
P.S. I include a logo of our name at the end so you know which of us is writing. I don't know if Mr ever will, but the option is there :)
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