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

It’s the end of the month, and like always have been a little curious about what has brought new readers to CFS Squared. I love looking at the key word searches that have been linked to this blog.

Now of course you are going to find searches like, “fatigue”, “chronic fatigue syndrome” or “mono”, or countless others that this blog is about. But sometimes some unusual ones, that make me smile come through the cracks.

Here is a list of 10 somewhat unusual key word searches, that led the way to this blog.

1. Does Slayer have a mascot? I really am not sure, since I am not exactly certain what a slayer is.
2. Electronic Ballast theory This has nothing to do with this blog, but if you are really in need of some information, I can put you in touch with someone very knowledgeable.
3. How to run a drive thru espresso shack – Great question- and I am kind of excited that it brought you here. I wish I knew how.
4. Show your work, how do you get 97 squared – Sorry I do not do math homework.
5. Shingles for 3-4 years, little tingle doesn’t hurt – If you have had shingles symptoms for that long- see a doctor now – perhaps this is not Shingles.
6. Is sea salt ok to put in the house, to keep evil spirits away- I think this might have been something my grandmother or great-grandmother used to do. If you believe it to work, then why not?
7. Roger Federer/CFS – As far as I know, the tennis community should not worry. I can not find any evidence of him having CFS
8. What kind of thing does Paris have? – If this person is talking about Paris Hilton, their guess is as good as mine.
9. I got mono from a celeb – Bummer – and come back – we want details!
10. What is the proper way to eat fruit – wash it, peel it if necessary, then chew!

Now tell me, what brought you to CFS Squared?

**Picture Source- flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Ummmm What?

Now lets get down to business.  CFS Squared is of course about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and all of the stuff that goes with it (good and bad), and there is a lot of good that comes with this illness.  For the most part, I write about my personal journey with this illness.  I share what works for me, and what doesn’t.  Sometimes I write about the happenings in the Chronic Fatigue world, but most often I get myself into trouble, when I do that so I tend to shy away from hot topics.  If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please shoot me an email to laura@b5media.com and hopefully I will be able to write my take on something that you would like to see.

There are some things that CFS Squared is not.  CFS Squared is not written by a medical professional.  There is a disclaimer that can be found on the sidebar.  I will always suggest that you talk things over with your health care practitioner before making a decision on something that you have read here.  What has worked for me, may not work for you.  Please understand that we are all different, and our illness varies between person to person.  The same goes for commenters.  Any comment that you have read on this blog, can not be taken as advice from a healthcare practitioner. These are people living with the illness, just like you and me.  There is a big range of how we each deal with CFS as individuals.

CFS Squared is not a forum.  I encourage comments, and I applaud readers for reaching out to each other via my blog posts.  Sometimes a topic that is covered, can get some pretty enthusiastic responses, and while I think that is fantastic – people who subscribe to comment feeds, can get more than a little overwhelmed.  I just think there is a better medium out there to communicate on topics with like minded individuals.  For instance, there are many forums on topics such as chronic illness or certain medications.  Support groups can be found everywhere (and this includes online groups). If you can’t find one that is suitable, you can try setting up your own.  There are lots of applications available.  Even Facebook will allow you to set up a little something.

Like I said, I don’t want to discourage comments. But I also don’t want the message of this blog to get lost.  In case the message has already gotten lost, let me reiterate it again.  CFS Squared is about living positively with a chronic illness.  It is a journey on how to go from living in your pajamas to regaining a positive life.

Thank you for your continued support. I appreciate all of you.

Post from: Blisstree

CFS Squared Is….

Picture source – flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Holiday Greetings

Here is the video….

Here is my list of things I love

1. Fairfax – for those of you who don’t know – he is my guitar
2. Camping in the rain
3. Late night phone calls
4. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Ketchup for breakfast
5. Lazy Saturday mornings when I can watch Scooby Doo, read the paper, and drink copious amounts of coffee with milk and
brown sugar, in my sheep cup.

Now its your turn – tell me as many things as you want me to know…..I am sure you can come up with 1….I stopped myself at 5ish, but really I could go on for days and days. Please join in and tell me, I really do want to know.

Post from: Blisstree

A CFS2 Assignment

It has come to my attention that there are 3 types of people who live with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

1. People who are able to live somewhat normal lives -and actively participate in their recovery

2. People who are actively participating in their recovery – and are making baby steps towards freedom from CFS – I am very proud of you all – its a tough road, but very rewarding.

3. People who take the pills that their doctor gives them, and that’s it (don’t even bother asking questions). Well not quite it…these people whine about how lousy they feel – and try to bring down others, who aren’t as “sick” as they are.

For the people of group 3, there is a name for you. It’s called veal. Calves who end up as veal, are victims from day 1. There is no hope for them. The outcome is certain. Guess what people – your outcome is certain. You will never get any better. Better start enjoying those pajamas, and your bed. You are never going to get out of them.

Let me make a clear comparison of certain types of CFS patients and veal:

• Calves are kept in isolation, because they are susceptible to infectious disease.  CFS patients have weakened immune systems, and are susceptible to illness.  Type 3 people, will get so wrapped up into that way of thinking, they don’t leave their house.

• Hutches (calf houses) provide shelter from extreme temperatures and wind, and are usually bedded with fresh straw.  CFS patients don’t deal well with extreme temperatures, and like their beds to be readily available.  PWC’s who are actively trying to get better, are not going to let weather conditions rule their lives.  They may even discover that a certain weather type may actually help their symptoms.   Take a walk around the block after you finish reading this post, you may understand what I mean.

• Feed intake is monitored and adjusted for each calf.  For the PWC, diets are usually observed quite closely.  However some take it to an extreme level.  Ever hosted or been to a dinner party where someone brings a 2 page list of every item that they can’t eat.  Can’t and Won’t are two different things.  Is it worth making everyone uncomfortable by your condition.  People are willing to accommodate for your needs.  Are you willing to accommodate their needs?

• Individual attention is paid to each calf (in the veal stall), and the stall itself protects the weaker calf from being bullied.  Thank goodness I have this blog as my “hutch”.  I need some protection from the “weaker PWCS” who try to bully me, because I am not as “sick” as they are.

Let the comments fly….

**picture source victoria packing

Post from: Blisstree

CFS Patients AKA Veal

Last week, I received a whole lot of negative feedback (most of  it did not make it to the comment section).  It was overwhelming, upsetting, and slightly threatening (although I may be perceiving that incorrectly).

I don’t ever think that everyone is going to agree with my opinion.  Nor do I want everyone too.  This blog would be incredibly boring, if everyone thought like me.  I enjoy reading different opinions.  Besides, it opens up the topic – so we all get a broader view.

I stand by my earlier remarks.  I am not about to change them, just because there are people out there who disagree with me, and loudly challenge what I have to say.  I am not one to be bullied – especially by people who think that I don’t live with CFS because I refuse to identify with this illness.

CFS Squared chronicles my own journey with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  You will read about what works for me, and what hasn’t worked.  You will read about how I try not to use medication to manage this illness – and that I prefer to use alternative methods.  That is not to say that medication isn’t necessary.  I found out this year, just how necessary medication can be.   You will read little tidbits I find, that are interesting, inspiring, or just plain old ridiculous.  Personally, I love the ridiculous ones – they make me laugh.

I write this blog, because I get back what I put in.  I have a great group of regular readers that I adore – and consider them to be friends.  It has become a really great support system not only for me, but for others (I hope that is still true).  I love lively discussions – and this blog has seen a lot of them.  But I do ask that comments be positive – feel free to disagree, just be nice-ish about it.  I love a good argument, as do a few others.  Debate is good.  It gets the blood flowing – which brings energy to those who need it.

So, I have decided to keep writing here.  Its good for me, and I enjoy it most of the time.   I am grateful for the opportunity to say what is on my mind.

Post from: Blisstree

What CFS Squared Is…

Anyway, here is favorite post # 3.  Kermit the Frog singing “It’s not Easy Bein’ Green”

Post from: Blisstree

CFS Squared – A Retrospective

The first post I will mention was written in April.  Its about getting your doctor to listen to you.  It has some pretty interesting tips.  And its fairly timely, since now more than ever doctors are too busy rushing around, to really sit down and listen to you, anymore.

Hope you like this selection.  I will be posting another one, tomorrow evening.

Oh in case you are wondering, other than liking the picture, there is no real reason there are hydrangeas on this post.

Post from: Blisstree

A Look Back at CFS Squared

The Science and Health Channel of b5media is getting a makeover.
What do you think so far?

Don’t you just love the pink????

Post from: Blisstree

A Makeover