Oh God, the comments from people . . .

Have you no hobbies to fill your day ?

What – on top of being a Landlady and trying to keep a property portfolio (albeit a small one) afloat thru the credit crunch & recession ? And the daily struggle with household tasks? I‘m just grateful if I have any energy left over to eat my dinner or watch TV some days.

Your lucky you don’t have children – as you would just have to get on with it.

How would that work then?
Have you tried just getting on with it when you don’t have enough strength left to even stir a cup of tea ? But even more seriously – the whole issue of people with CFS or ME not managing with their children can cause much guilt or heartbreak. Just read the book Shattered by Lynn Michell – there is a heart-rending section about this in it.

Nobody can be that tired (that they can’t make a phone call)

Want to bet ?
I rely on email a lot because of my CFS – as you can take as long as you need (to think) plus stop for many breaks. You can’t do that during a phone call – the person would just hang up on you.

I know you have your issues

OMG – my “issues” – what are these then ?
From a friend I hadn’t seen for abbout 18 months. Did you maybe mean to say how are you and how are you getting on . . . ? No ? Oh well .

You must keep exercising – no matter how bad it makes you feel.

Unbelievably this was from the GP I kept going back to for years and years before I got diagnosed. She was very abrupt. In fact I’m not sure she was actually a GP – just somebody doing a very bad impersonation of one . . .

Let me know when you will be ok to go out

How will I know ? Understand this one if from people who don’t really know me – or anything about CFS. But from other people . . . A bit frustrating.

She gets a bit tired at times.

This from my husband trying to explain it to people for me – and failing dismally . . . ! A major cause of much stress and rows over the years – but that’s another story.

Just let me know in advance if you cannot make it

Again – how will I know ?

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