This will be my last post for CFS Squared – Tales of CFS. I have enjoyed writing here, for the past two years. But it’s time for me to move on now.

I must say, that this last word stuff is a little daunting. I kind of want to sneak away – and leave you with fun and quirky posts. But, I owe more than that to all of you, and to myself.

On more than one occasion, I have written about Do No Harm. I am going to share a little secret with all of you. Writing and/or following a health blog about chronic illness eats away at the energy you have. It most certainly eats away at mine, which is why I don’t read illness related news blurbs or other blogs. Spending so much time thinking about your illness and how others cope = self harm.

What we should be doing is enjoying life. We should be singing songs to our friends on the phone, hosting dance party in our living rooms, reading Dr Seuss to our favorite 3 year old, playing catch with our dog and his best tennis ball, and throwing fancy dinner parties where we serve pizza and KFC with very expensive wine.

We need to savor the small stuff. Stop analyzing every pain and cough.

Sure, reading about how other people cope with their issues can be somewhat helpful – but this journey is about learning what works for you. My tricks won’t work for everyone. Just like yours won’t always work for me. The best thing to do, is to get out there, and start figuring out what helps. The only way to do that, is to just do it. Be your own Nike advert.

Reading about recent developments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia, is not going to help you get well. The latest drug may make life slightly easier for a little while, but will most likely become less effective. I will say one last thing. And this will be the most important advice that you will hear….

Get out of your head!

Now go outside and have some fun!

It’s been a pleasure.

**Picture Source - flickr

Post from: Blisstree

The Swan Song

After a week, some of the seeds have started sprouting…which proves that at least my thumbs are partly green. I took some fantastic pictures, but alas the usb port on my camera cable is bent, and so all pictures will have to wait, until I replace it.

Hopefully they will keep growing….I am getting really excited about it, and can’t wait to start using them. The one thing I have learned already, is to make sure you mark your rows. I neglected to do that, and now I don’t know which herbs have sprouted and which haven’t. A mistake that will not be made on my next attempt. Oh well, its all a learning process.

Will report more on the garden in a couple of days.

In the meantime, to tie you over-here is a picture of what Lemon Balm is supposed to look like.

Image details: Lemon balm plant served by picapp.com

Post from: Blisstree

The Start of My Journey Into Medicinal Herb Growing

I have a lifestyle where I rely on the use of an alarm clock.  I hate being late for anything, so time pieces are very important to me.  I use a simple clock/radio for when I am home.  But have been known to use alarms on my computer or cell phone (when I remembered to use it).  Once upon a time, I used to rely on the sun.  However, the sun doesn’t shine in my neck of the woods very often – so that method didn’t last long, after I moved here.

I have previously written about how I use my current alarm clock in a positive way to rouse me from sleep. However, I have just come across one, that appears to harm people.  Even people without a sleep condition.  For me, it would make me absolutely crazy.

Here is the deal with the Puzzle Alarm Clock,

When the alarm goes off -it shoots 4 puzzle pieces into the air, and then makes this horrible honking sound until you put them back in the proper place.  How ridiculous for someone who lives with brain fog during the middle of the day, not to mention at 5 am.    Most of the time, I am not able to answer the phone, when I have been asleep – how do you expect me to complete a puzzle?

Although, I do think the idea is a fun way to get up – it is absolutely not the right alarm clock for me.

So tell me, what is your most favorite way to get up in the morning?

**Picture Source -  Big Bam Banana

Post from: Blisstree

Alarm Clocks – Helpful or Harmful?

Image details: Schoolboy looking at his lunch with disgust served by picapp.com

People who never achieve happiness are the ones who complain whenever they’re awake, and whenever they’re asleep, they are thinking about what to complain about tomorrow.~Adam Zimbler

Post from: Blisstree

The I’m Tired Quote of the Day

Image details: Man asleep in bed holding large alarm clock served by picapp.com

Every morning at 5 am, my radio is set to play selections from the classical music station. I listen to the music for an hour, before starting my day.

This is the only way for me to wake up properly. I can not wake up without assistance. If I decided to wake up, when my body (and mind) was ready – I might now get out of bed until well after noon (such is my curse of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). The 5 am start is necessary – I have a job, where I need to be everyday – and it takes about an hour to get there.

The 1 hour of listening is imperative. First it brings enjoyment to my day (important!). It gives me an opportunity to awaken my senses in a way that is calming and energizing at the same time. Because of the genre of the station – the music is rarely of a jarring nature. Although, occasionally they will play a jig – or something by Vaughn-Williams – and then it becomes harder for me to wake up in a good mood. Often when this happens, I usually close my mind off, and roll over and fall back to sleep. It happens, when I am forced to listen to music that I do not like.

My point to this, is that it is much easier to wake up to sounds that are gentle, than something extremely high energy first thing in the morning. Pop music belongs on the ipod, dance floor, or the car stereo, and not in the bedroom. An equally good substitute is listening to sounds of nature. But usually that can happen naturally in the spring and summer (at least in my neighborhood).

Another trick is to remain consistent. Don’t let yourself sleep in on the weekends.

What do you to start your day on a good note?

Post from: Blisstree

A Positive Start to The Day With CFS

Tonight’s dinner was a simple salad with Renata’s secret dressing – not knowing what is in it, is killing me (I would have taken a picture of it, but remembered to take the pic, only after I had finished eating it) and a sweet potato and spinach quesadilla. I found the recipe on Kath’s Kath Eats blog. The pictures of the food she cooks are infinitely better than mine. She has the yummiest recipes on her site.

My dinner tasted a lot better than it looked.  I need to learn how to cut quesadilla properly.  When I cut it all of the sweet potato squeezes out the sides – so it looks like there is way too much.  It looks very misleading.

Sorry if the picture ruined anyone’s appetite – but it was delicious.

Am definitely going to read up on how to take pictures of food.

Post from: Blisstree

Eating With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Often before one is diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the patient needs to go through an interview with a psychiatrist. I was so nervous before my initial consult, I should have visited a therapist in order to come to terms with my fears.

Had I known how easy it would have been, I wouldn’t have wasted my precious energy on being so scared. But I really wish that I had an opportunity to practice what I would have said. Rehearsal is an important part of my life as a musician – and I would have been a lot more comfortable, if I could have practiced a bit before hand.

Now, I know this sounds kind of dumb. After all these things are puppets…you could substitute a real person – or a picture taped to the wall. However, the best way to get any kind of results is to make it fun. What can be more fun than little finger puppets of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung? Had I had them before my consultations, I would have practiced what I was going to say for hours. Although, now that I think about it – if my doctors knew that is how I prepared, they might actually think I was crazy – instead of just CFS – ridden.

via uncommon goods

Post from: Blisstree

Practice Makes Perfect

The last few weeks have been difficult ones for me. I have had some heinous cough- that is not really going away. I have all sorts of mono symptoms that haven’t really been going away. My skin has been peeling like crazy. And some other stuff has been brought to the surface, that I am not quite ready to divulge on here (don’t worry- it will get under control). Due, to the chest cough, and the skin peeling thing, it has been suggested that I give up dairy products. Remember when I tried to give up coffee. This is pretty much as hard as the coffee sabbatical. I can give up cheese, and ice cream (no problem), but I need milk, if my coffee is too strong….and I am having a very difficult time giving up yogurt. This also means, that I must give up cereal (because there is no way that I am eating it dry).

A week or two ago, I came up with the plan to try milk of different sources. I already know that soy milk will not work for me. In my mouth, it tastes terrible (unless its chocolate)- and besides, it gives me headaches. The only form of soy that I can tolerate is the edamame bean. Then comes the rice milk. And I may as well be drinking ground up chalk powder mixed with water. This stuff is vile.

But yesterday, I happened to be in the neighborhood upscale grocery (the one that sells the grapples) and discovered Almond Milk. While, this milk doesn’t taste like actual dairy milk. It doesn’t make me gag either. There is a hint of almonds in the flavor. While I do not think I could drink this milk straight up. I do think I could tolerate this milk in my coffee. I also discovered that the coffee flavored almond milk, gives my morning coffee a little extra kick!

Anyway, its not a bad alternative – if the real dairy stuff has been banned from entering your body. Now, if I could just find a yogurt substitute.

**Picture Source – flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Almonds – A Good Source of Milk?

Lately, I have discovered the sounds of Radiohead. I know I know – they have been around for a long time. Well, I just discovered them. And this band totally relaxes me. I often miss the message of the song, but I like the sounds. So tonight, I am going to post their video “Go To Sleep”.

Here it is:

Post from: Blisstree

A Musical Interlude

The simplest definition of Om is breathe. A very simple concept, and one that is often forgotten about. I know that when I am stressed and/or not feeling fantastic, focusing on the breath is about the last thing that I do. I am forever needing a reminder to breathe. So I did something about it. Or rather, my wonderful esthetician helped me to do something about it.

Last week, I went for my monthly pedicure. As a little extra treat, I had the “om” symbol painted on the big toe of my left foot. Imagine if you will, perfectly painted toes in plummy colour, with a distinct black om. It is beautiful, and is a constant reminder for me to slow things down, and take a breath.

Now if it could just be flip flop weather, I would have this reminder, 24/7.

I would take a picture of my toes to illustrate, but my feet are just not photogenic (even after a great pedicure).

**Picture Source – flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Om