Generally, autumn is my healthiest season. It makes no real sense, however, almost every year since I got ill, I seem to have more energy in the fall then any other time of year. It's not looking good so far this year. I feel like my body is struggling at present. I've been dealing with some infections in my mouth as well as some boils on my body (boils are usually caused by a staph infection). It must be related to the low neutrophil count. I had an "ah ha!" moment when I read this in a MedicineNet description:
"The most common type of infections seen in neutropenic patients are caused by bacteria normally found on the skin (such as Staphylococcus aureus) or from the gastrointestinal and urinary tract.... The infections may be limited to certain areas of the body (commonly the oral cavity, genital area, and skin)".
At least I know why I'm getting these infections lately.
I start teaching tomorrow. I'll be teaching an education elective for 2 hours, 2 times a week for nine weeks. Whether or not I'm "up" for it doesn't matter to me at this point. I'm going to "rally" and do it anyways....at least for a while. The last two falls I've managed to do it.
Which brings me to thinking about level of functioning, or level of disability. I know those of us with this illness all function at different levels. Some are ill, but are still able to push themselves to work or study full time. At the other extreme, some people are so ill, they are bed-bound.
I remember trying to work full time when I first got ill. Then I tried working part-time. I kept getting sicker and sicker. I eventually had to concede that I couldn't work for a while. Now I do graduate studies part-time. I consider myself to have a moderate case of M.E. (at least right now). If I tried to work a full time sedentary job at this point, or even 20hrs a week on a fixed schedule, I am certain I would crash/relapse hard. I go through periods of being house-bound, and I spend a good part of my day laying down. Still, on a good day I can "rally" and go grocery shopping for a half hour, on a 10 min walk, sit at my desk and work for three hours, that type of thing. During a good day or week I've even gone to a 4/5 hour gathering or something similar.
It's probably confusing to people (heck it's confusing for me) because I can function pretty normally for a few hours on a good day. I can pretty easily "pass" as a healthy person. (Of course people don't see the crash afterwards where I may spend hours or days laying in bed recovering).
I'm looking forward to my fall. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I "manage" without a major relapse because I truly enjoy teaching. I may be blogging less than usual, at least for a while.
I like aha moments! Another little piece of the jigsaw falls into place.
ReplyDeleteLike you, i'm moderately affected by CFS but would be severe if I continued to push myself. Also, like you, I'm going to be doing some teaching, but mine is one-to-one for two half hour sessions a week. And, like you, i'm really looking forward to it.
I hope all the skin and mouth infections clear up soon and you can get a clear run at your Fall activities. Enjoy!
Thanks JO,
ReplyDeleteThat's great you're teaching too. What are you going to be teaching?? I wondered if you were "moderate"? I'm sure were're all different, but I've noticed that some of us (like you an me) don't really work, but are able to do little outings and activities sometimes without consequences. I might make that my next poll of the month.
Good luck with the teaching and having a better autumn than you expect. I don't think I have a better season, though people always expect/assume it to be summer (for mood reasons I expect).
ReplyDeleteTo skip ahead of the poll, I would say I am severely affected; while acknowledging that there are several levels of very severe etc below where i am at. I cannot go out/do much without suffering for it and can go weeks without leaving the house. Also I have various symptoms which are sometimes more disabling than the fatigue itself. I can usually spend a lot time out of bed each day though, as long as I am in the right chair and not doing anything too strenuous!
Thanks for dropping by ashy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining your "severe".
I knew that this poll was not completely thorough. I know there is a lot of variety within "severe" from house bound to bed-bound. I've only ever been in that range during relapses and crashes.
While I often feel hard done by with all my activity limitations and the crashy punishments, looking at the poll I realize I have a lot to be grateful for.
I also feel i have a lot to be grateful for as i know people worse off than me, and also i have been worse in some ways than i am now (i can stand for a bit longer and often read books again! hurray!). It is never an easy life whatever level we are at; even "mildly affected" was pretty tough at the time as i remember, of course i would like to go back there with hindsight!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed your first day back teaching.