March Newsletter

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Welcome to the March 2023 Newsletter for the Live with ME/CFS blog.

Let me know what you think, what you'd like to see in the next newsletter, or if you have any comments or questions at [email protected].

Life

February was a month of slow healing for me, a month when I definitely felt a little bit better and only had a few bad crash days. I made no changes to my treatments because I am still waiting for my thyroid levels to stabilize on the new medication my doctor added at the beginning of January. I am discovering that this is the frustrating part about treating thyroid dysfunction: with each small change, you have to wait at least two months for your body to adjust and stabilize. I just got repeat labwork this week for thyroid testing (plus some other hormones, too). My T4 is still low, so I'm hoping my doctor will make another medication adjustment since my energy and stamina are still lower than is normal for me. I have an appointment with her next week (more waiting!).

Otherwise, we had a fun month of small celebrations, an approach I write about in my book to add joy to your life with minimal effort. February included Superbowl, Valentine's Day, and Mardi Gras. Our celebrations this year were even smaller than usual, but they added a dose of fun to an otherwise dreary month. You can see for yourself how we celebrate in my recent chronic illness vlog.

Quote of the Month

“Even in the darkest night, it’s still within our power to hold on to faith. We can still embrace hope. And although we may ourselves feel unloved we can still stand steadfast in our love for others and for God. All this is in our control.

… And whether you believe in miracles or not, I can guarantee that you will experience one. It may not be the miracle you’ve prayed for. God probably won’t undo what’s been done. The miracle is this: that you will rise in the morning and be able to see again the startling beauty of the day.”

---from Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger, a wonderful coming-of-age novel with a mystery at its center, set in rural Minnesota in the summer of 1961. This quote was from the narrator's father, a minister talking to his congregation after a terrible loss, but it also feels very relevant to life with chronic illness. You can order this award-winning novel here.

Blog of the Month

Julie's blog is The ME/CFS Holistic Coach, and she's written it (with a name change) for many years. I got to know Julie while we were both working for the ProHealth website. She was the editor for their Inspiration Corner, and she and I both wrote articles for the site. Julie, who has ME/CFS, has years' worth of posts on her blog, with a goal of: "Inspiration, guidance, and support to create freedom, peace, and purpose." For instance, a post from last fall, Wellness Lessons from my Holiday, describes a recent short vacation she took, and how she managed to enjoy herself in spite of recent weeks of poor health. She has some great tips, with a focus on peace and acceptance, as well as photos and video of her trip. Check out her blog and leave a comment if you are up to it.

Podcast/YouTube Channel of the Month

... And Julie also started a podcast last year called Spoonies with Purpose, which is also available on her blog, with some older episodes on YouTube (plus other videos Julie posts). In each episode, she interviews someone living with chronic illness about how they found purpose in their post-illness life. In fact, she interviewed me last summer! We had a fun chat, after so many years of working together online and via e-mail.

From My Book

'Though many of us living with chronic illnesses can't manage to do a thorough spring cleaning of our homes, we can all undertake--and benefit from--a deep cleaning of our spirits in the spring or any time. Think of it as a mental health scrub: clearing out the old "dirt" in our minds, like resentment, envy, anger, and loneliness, and replacing them with healthier feelings, like joy and connection. Stress and negative emotions can actually make us sicker physically, so this is a worthwhile pursuit for both mind and body."

--from the chapter, Spring Cleaning for Your Spirit, in my book, Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness, available everywhere (links here). This chapter is perfect for this time of year!