As many of you know, Sophia Mirza who died in November 2005, had ME recorded on her death certificate by the Coroner in Brighton.
Her suffering was made much worse by the medical and social care practitioners involved with her. Her mother, Criona Wilson, has tried to go through the correct channels to get justice for her late daughter, but to no avail. She promised Sophia the day before she died that she would make sure her life helped other people. Sophia replied - and they were the last words this dying young woman ever spoke - was "then it will all have been worth it"
Please look at the Website that Criona has set up, telling Sophia's tale and her unsuccessful fight for justice. http://www.sophiaandme.org.uk/
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
High Court Rules on Bank Charges
The High Court has ruled on Bank Charges, and the ruling is a triumph for fairness and reason.
For my overseas friends, the uproar is about banks charging £39 for unauthorised overdrafts, failed direct debits, bounced cheques etc. Now that everything is done by computer, it probably costs them about £1 to notify a client. If they charged £5, people would not complain. But £39 is excessive.
I know people whose total income is £43 per week, so losing £39 of that in bank charges can cripple them for months. If you don't have the money to cover your bank charges, they charge you another £39 for that too and so on ad infinitum, so you might never get out of a financial mess. My daughter had a direct debit fail for the silly sum of 4 pence. The account now has so many charges on it that she has had to open another account with a different bank.
Being fined £39 for the sake of 4p is ridiculous.
Read the story of the High Court Ruling on Martins Money Tips. Just click the link.
For my overseas friends, the uproar is about banks charging £39 for unauthorised overdrafts, failed direct debits, bounced cheques etc. Now that everything is done by computer, it probably costs them about £1 to notify a client. If they charged £5, people would not complain. But £39 is excessive.
I know people whose total income is £43 per week, so losing £39 of that in bank charges can cripple them for months. If you don't have the money to cover your bank charges, they charge you another £39 for that too and so on ad infinitum, so you might never get out of a financial mess. My daughter had a direct debit fail for the silly sum of 4 pence. The account now has so many charges on it that she has had to open another account with a different bank.
Being fined £39 for the sake of 4p is ridiculous.
Read the story of the High Court Ruling on Martins Money Tips. Just click the link.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wonderful weekend, but ....
There is no doubt that the weekend was wonderful. I enjoyed it very much.
Yet for the past two days, I have been having "payback" in terms of ME symptoms, and I have had to stay in bed for long periods. I'm sure I will get over it soon, but the restrictions it places on my life are a nuisance.
My Mum and I looked after Wendy on Monday as her Nursery School was shut for Staff Training. Last time Kate took her there, she cried so much that they had to phone Kate to come and get her. Today they dropped Wendy off and they had not yet arrived at college when the phone rang. It was the Nursery to say that Wendy was inconsolable and hysterical, so Nigel turned the car around and they went to pick her up. Nigel went on to College but Kate had to stay with Wendy. OFSTED are at College this week so Nigel being a bit late will be a Disciplinary mark against him.
She was perfectly happy with my Mum and I. I have wondered if, last term, someone shouted at her at Nursery because even mild remonstrations made her come over all tearful and that just isn't like her. She is a soft hearted child and she isn't difficult. I wonder why she is going through this.
Yet for the past two days, I have been having "payback" in terms of ME symptoms, and I have had to stay in bed for long periods. I'm sure I will get over it soon, but the restrictions it places on my life are a nuisance.
My Mum and I looked after Wendy on Monday as her Nursery School was shut for Staff Training. Last time Kate took her there, she cried so much that they had to phone Kate to come and get her. Today they dropped Wendy off and they had not yet arrived at college when the phone rang. It was the Nursery to say that Wendy was inconsolable and hysterical, so Nigel turned the car around and they went to pick her up. Nigel went on to College but Kate had to stay with Wendy. OFSTED are at College this week so Nigel being a bit late will be a Disciplinary mark against him.
She was perfectly happy with my Mum and I. I have wondered if, last term, someone shouted at her at Nursery because even mild remonstrations made her come over all tearful and that just isn't like her. She is a soft hearted child and she isn't difficult. I wonder why she is going through this.
Battle of Britain Memorial
After lunch at Hougham on Sunday, Sean and I stopped at the Battle of Britain War Memorial. This first photo is a statue of the squadron's dog, their mascot.
On the flagpole are the flags of the different Allied countries which had pilots fighting in the Battle of Britain.
Its odd to think these planes did so much and yet were so primitive. The cockpits were tiny, so a pilot would have had to be very thin to get into them. The rudders were controlled by tensioned wire that was on the outside of the aircraft, and if you look at this photo below, you will see the rear view mirror on the outside of the cockpit.
This is a statue of a fighter pilot looking over the cliffs towards France. He is sitting at the centre of some paving shaped like an aeroplane propeller. On a clear day you can actually see the French coast with the naked eye.
This is the Honour Roll of the Fallen. It is huge, with hundreds of names on it.
There is a strange reverent peacefulness about this Memorial site. It is very moving, and tells a tale that must be remembered.
On the flagpole are the flags of the different Allied countries which had pilots fighting in the Battle of Britain.
Its odd to think these planes did so much and yet were so primitive. The cockpits were tiny, so a pilot would have had to be very thin to get into them. The rudders were controlled by tensioned wire that was on the outside of the aircraft, and if you look at this photo below, you will see the rear view mirror on the outside of the cockpit.
This is a statue of a fighter pilot looking over the cliffs towards France. He is sitting at the centre of some paving shaped like an aeroplane propeller. On a clear day you can actually see the French coast with the naked eye.
This is the Honour Roll of the Fallen. It is huge, with hundreds of names on it.
There is a strange reverent peacefulness about this Memorial site. It is very moving, and tells a tale that must be remembered.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Christopher Gardner RIP
This evening at about 21h30, my mother's 70 year old brother died in hospital in Tunbridge Wells. He had had cancer.
My Mum is rather shaken as 70 is young these days and he was the first of their family to go.
May he rest in peace.
My Mum is rather shaken as 70 is young these days and he was the first of their family to go.
May he rest in peace.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday
Sean and I went to Mass on Saturday evening. We do it because I still get cognitive problems when exposed to too much sensory stimulus, and on Saturday evenings, there are seldom any noisy children and there is no singing. It is a quieter and more peaceful service. I love kids and freely acknowledge that they are part of the Church too and have every right to be there. The problem lies within my ME/CFS affected brain.
So, on Sunday morning, we didn't have to rush to go anywhere. Sean had invited Kate and Nigel to lunch at the Marquis of Granby in Alkham, but when they got there, they found it had closed down. We went to the Beefeater in Hougham instead and the setting was lovely, with a field of cattle just over the road. Wendy was making a big fuss of Sean, much to his delight.
Lunch was very convivial and everyone enjoyed it. We ordered a child's portion for Wendy and when it came, her portion was exactly the same size as everyone elses. The only difference was that she got peas instead of green beans with her Roast.
We served up little bits on a sideplate for her because such a huge plateful was overwhelming her.
We had gone to Sainsburys before going to lunch and Sean had bought a book for Wendy. Here she is on his lap and they are reading together. They both enjoyed it thoroughly.
Brakkie had come with us to Sainsbury and I took him home before we set off for Hougham because, being a dog, he isn't allowed in a restaurant. But Sean is a softy and when he saw how dejected Brak was, he pleaded his case and asked for him to come too. Brakkie was very pleased to go out again, and he waits in the car very sweetly and causes no bother at all, so it worked out well. Wendy was very pleased to see her mate Brak, and she took him for a walk.
So she had a new book, a full tum, attention from people who love her, a balloon and a field full of cows and calves to see, and her little blonde team mate Brak.
The landscape of childhood can be idyllic.
So, on Sunday morning, we didn't have to rush to go anywhere. Sean had invited Kate and Nigel to lunch at the Marquis of Granby in Alkham, but when they got there, they found it had closed down. We went to the Beefeater in Hougham instead and the setting was lovely, with a field of cattle just over the road. Wendy was making a big fuss of Sean, much to his delight.
Lunch was very convivial and everyone enjoyed it. We ordered a child's portion for Wendy and when it came, her portion was exactly the same size as everyone elses. The only difference was that she got peas instead of green beans with her Roast.
We served up little bits on a sideplate for her because such a huge plateful was overwhelming her.
We had gone to Sainsburys before going to lunch and Sean had bought a book for Wendy. Here she is on his lap and they are reading together. They both enjoyed it thoroughly.
Brakkie had come with us to Sainsbury and I took him home before we set off for Hougham because, being a dog, he isn't allowed in a restaurant. But Sean is a softy and when he saw how dejected Brak was, he pleaded his case and asked for him to come too. Brakkie was very pleased to go out again, and he waits in the car very sweetly and causes no bother at all, so it worked out well. Wendy was very pleased to see her mate Brak, and she took him for a walk.
So she had a new book, a full tum, attention from people who love her, a balloon and a field full of cows and calves to see, and her little blonde team mate Brak.
The landscape of childhood can be idyllic.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Granny has been teaching Wendy about the joys of tree climbing, much to her mother's disapproval.
Holding Gummy's hand as she rides her bike in the Gardens.
And here they are enjoying reading a book on the sofa.
Stephen's wife Margaret sent me a link to one of their albums. It looks idyllic - Steve scuba diving off the Great Barrier Reef, meals with the extended family on the verandah, wallabies and parrots in the garden. Steve is right - it IS a million miles from High Brooms! Why would anyone want to live any other way? Its a perfect way of life in which to bring up a child. There is a granddaughter who is a bit older than Woozle and she is very cute and clever and obviously flourishing in such a great atmosphere.
Holding Gummy's hand as she rides her bike in the Gardens.
And here they are enjoying reading a book on the sofa.
Stephen's wife Margaret sent me a link to one of their albums. It looks idyllic - Steve scuba diving off the Great Barrier Reef, meals with the extended family on the verandah, wallabies and parrots in the garden. Steve is right - it IS a million miles from High Brooms! Why would anyone want to live any other way? Its a perfect way of life in which to bring up a child. There is a granddaughter who is a bit older than Woozle and she is very cute and clever and obviously flourishing in such a great atmosphere.
Friday, April 18, 2008
The New House
Kate and Nigel heard yesterday afternoon that they can move into their new house on the weekend of 17 and 18 May. The house is in a quiet little lane and is in beautiful condition, unlike the condition of their current house when they moved in to it. They have given their current Landlord one month's Notice, so it is all happening!
Woozle loves being outside and this garden is not only bigger and better, but it has a 6" fence to keep her safe! The garden needs a fair bit of work, but who cares about that? Without too much sweat, it can be turned into something rather special. The house being so nice is a motivating factor to keep it and the garden looking good.
I wish them well over the Move and hope they will be very happy there for a long time to come.
Woozle loves being outside and this garden is not only bigger and better, but it has a 6" fence to keep her safe! The garden needs a fair bit of work, but who cares about that? Without too much sweat, it can be turned into something rather special. The house being so nice is a motivating factor to keep it and the garden looking good.
I wish them well over the Move and hope they will be very happy there for a long time to come.
A Babe, a Brak and a Beast
I took this photo with my Mobile phone. We were outside Tesco and I thought this was just too cute. She is a lovely little girl and she and Brak are thick as thieves and they operate as a team.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Irish Blonde
An attractive blond from Cork arrived and bet twenty thousand
dollars on a single roll of the dice, at the casino.
She said, 'I hope you don't mind, but I feel much luckier when
I'm completely nude'.
With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice and
yelled, 'Come on, baby, Mama needs new clothes!' As the dice came to a stop,
she jumped up and down and squealed...'YES! YES! I WON, I WON!'
She hugged each of the dealers and then picked up her winnings
and her clothes and quickly departed.
The dealers stared at each other dumbfounded. Finally, one of
them asked, 'What did she roll?' The other answered, 'I don't know - I
thought you were watching.'
MORAL OF THE STORY - Not all Irish are stupid and not all
blondes are dumb, but all men are men.
dollars on a single roll of the dice, at the casino.
She said, 'I hope you don't mind, but I feel much luckier when
I'm completely nude'.
With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice and
yelled, 'Come on, baby, Mama needs new clothes!' As the dice came to a stop,
she jumped up and down and squealed...'YES! YES! I WON, I WON!'
She hugged each of the dealers and then picked up her winnings
and her clothes and quickly departed.
The dealers stared at each other dumbfounded. Finally, one of
them asked, 'What did she roll?' The other answered, 'I don't know - I
thought you were watching.'
MORAL OF THE STORY - Not all Irish are stupid and not all
blondes are dumb, but all men are men.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Mother back from South Africa
My mother is back from South Africa. She is, unsurprisingly, cold and tired. She is going to turn her electric blanket on and snuggle down for a nice rest. Best thing for her.
I'm not feeling too keen on getting up either. It is cold, I have a good book, and my cats look so comfortable on my bed that it would be criminal not to join them ..... If they let me have a space, that is. How two small cats can occupy most of a kingsize bed is beyond me, but any cat lover knows that they manage to do it. Effortlessly.
I'm not feeling too keen on getting up either. It is cold, I have a good book, and my cats look so comfortable on my bed that it would be criminal not to join them ..... If they let me have a space, that is. How two small cats can occupy most of a kingsize bed is beyond me, but any cat lover knows that they manage to do it. Effortlessly.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sean in Le Puys
Sean is staying with Bishop Brincard in Le Puys. He went to the 7am Mass this morning. After every 7am Mass, the Bishop blesses pilgrims on their way to Sant' Iago de Compostela. Today's pilgrims were mostly French but included an Australian, a Swede and some Germans as well.
Sean said that the Bishop made an interesting point during his sermon. He was preaching on the gospel of John chapter 6 verses 53 to 60
53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves.
54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me.
58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
The Bishop apparently said (and I paraphrase) that these words were not acceptable to the people Jesus was teaching then, and neither are they acceptable to Protestants who went in to a wobbly about it at the Reformation and have never got over it. I had always known that Catholics and Protestants have different views on the Eucharist, but this point came as a surprise. I had never thought of it before.
More modern translations use the phrase "this is intolerable" in verse 60. People have always found this shocking and have reacted with anger and rejection over the centuries. If it shocks in English, the original Greek words used were even more shocking.
Thats the thing about the awkwardness of Christianity. You can't pick and choose, going for bits that are convenient or sound nice; you have to take the whole lot, including the bits you don't like. As Jesus Himself had to.
Sean said that the Bishop made an interesting point during his sermon. He was preaching on the gospel of John chapter 6 verses 53 to 60
53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves.
54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me.
58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
The Bishop apparently said (and I paraphrase) that these words were not acceptable to the people Jesus was teaching then, and neither are they acceptable to Protestants who went in to a wobbly about it at the Reformation and have never got over it. I had always known that Catholics and Protestants have different views on the Eucharist, but this point came as a surprise. I had never thought of it before.
More modern translations use the phrase "this is intolerable" in verse 60. People have always found this shocking and have reacted with anger and rejection over the centuries. If it shocks in English, the original Greek words used were even more shocking.
Thats the thing about the awkwardness of Christianity. You can't pick and choose, going for bits that are convenient or sound nice; you have to take the whole lot, including the bits you don't like. As Jesus Himself had to.
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Touch of the Master's Hand
"The Old Violin"
'Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
scarely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good folks", he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, a dollar, now two, only two?"
"Two dollars, who'll make it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"
But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it up with its' bow.
"One thousand dollars, And who'll make it two?"
"Two thousand, Who'll make it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We do not understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
The man replied,
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune
All battered and scarred with sin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.
by Myra Brooks Welch (1926)
'Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
scarely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good folks", he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, a dollar, now two, only two?"
"Two dollars, who'll make it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"
But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it up with its' bow.
"One thousand dollars, And who'll make it two?"
"Two thousand, Who'll make it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We do not understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
The man replied,
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune
All battered and scarred with sin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.
by Myra Brooks Welch (1926)
A sad day
On Tuesday on their way home from seeing the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, my brother Paul and his family heard the terrible news that his closest friend Rob, his son and two other boys had been killed on the road. One of the boys had been in Justin's class for five years. They are shocked and dreadfully upset. It takes a long time to grow an old friend. The loss of four at once is beyond imagining.
The funeral is today. I am genuinely sorry for the pain of loss they are all feeling. A sad, sad and tragic day.
Its not as if this was an isolated thing either. When Paul and his son Nicolas were in England last November, they heard the news that one of Nic's closest friends had been killed. Men that Paul knew well, comparatively young men, have died suddenly of heart attacks. Unexpected deaths, especially of a younger person, hit hard. They give rise to reflections on God and the nature of life and its meaning and its capricious sharp endings.
The funeral is today. I am genuinely sorry for the pain of loss they are all feeling. A sad, sad and tragic day.
Its not as if this was an isolated thing either. When Paul and his son Nicolas were in England last November, they heard the news that one of Nic's closest friends had been killed. Men that Paul knew well, comparatively young men, have died suddenly of heart attacks. Unexpected deaths, especially of a younger person, hit hard. They give rise to reflections on God and the nature of life and its meaning and its capricious sharp endings.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Photo Editing
Over the past few years, I have been discovering the pleasures of photo editing. Its become and absorbing hobby, and I feel a great sense of triumph when I learn something new. I'm going to post a photo I took this afternoon then two pictures I made from it.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Planned Escape
Woozle had so much fun on her bike in the Gardens today. After her nap, she wanted to go back out there and tried to get out of the back door, but her father caught her just in time, and there were a few tears, but she was successfully distracted after a while.
When her parents were packing up and getting ready to go, she was found at the front door with her bike, determined that it was going with her. She has always enjoyed that toy but she has been enjoying it much more lately. There was so much fuss because they couldn't take it with them, I had to ask my mother if it is possible for her to bring another one when she comes back from SA. They are big and bulky to carry and my Mum probably hasn't got money available for it in her budget, so it might not be possible.
They got back from Zimbabwe today to hear the shocking news that yet another friend, Rob, and his son have been killed. They have my sincere sympathy. They have lost so many dear people in unexpected deaths recently, it must surely be hard to bear.
May God have mercy on the souls of the departed and may those who mourn be comforted.
When her parents were packing up and getting ready to go, she was found at the front door with her bike, determined that it was going with her. She has always enjoyed that toy but she has been enjoying it much more lately. There was so much fuss because they couldn't take it with them, I had to ask my mother if it is possible for her to bring another one when she comes back from SA. They are big and bulky to carry and my Mum probably hasn't got money available for it in her budget, so it might not be possible.
They got back from Zimbabwe today to hear the shocking news that yet another friend, Rob, and his son have been killed. They have my sincere sympathy. They have lost so many dear people in unexpected deaths recently, it must surely be hard to bear.
May God have mercy on the souls of the departed and may those who mourn be comforted.
Back at Home
When we got back home, she was wanting to sit in the sun on my back steps. Look at that little tongue. Cheeky little madam!
Here she is in her "house". She moved all her "treasures" in there with her. Funnily enough, the treasures are mostly books! She is already a great bookworm. Look. Here is a picture of what she herself put in her "house"
All kids seem to like hiding away in their own little "house". Here she was sharing a joke with her granny.
It does my heart good to see how much this little girl loves life, running in gardens, enjoying flowers, looking after her dolls with so much tenderness, having concern and consideration for her animal friends, enjoying being with people and loving books.
She is a sweetheart, and we thank God for her. She is such a great gift to our family.
May this world always be good to her.
May there always be sweetness in her life, in her heart.
May God keep His hand upon her all her days.
Here she is in her "house". She moved all her "treasures" in there with her. Funnily enough, the treasures are mostly books! She is already a great bookworm. Look. Here is a picture of what she herself put in her "house"
All kids seem to like hiding away in their own little "house". Here she was sharing a joke with her granny.
It does my heart good to see how much this little girl loves life, running in gardens, enjoying flowers, looking after her dolls with so much tenderness, having concern and consideration for her animal friends, enjoying being with people and loving books.
She is a sweetheart, and we thank God for her. She is such a great gift to our family.May this world always be good to her.
May there always be sweetness in her life, in her heart.
May God keep His hand upon her all her days.
Bike to Gardens
I looked after Wendy this morning while her parents were discussing their housing issues with the Council. She was in such a sweet mood. I suggested we take her Bike to the Gardens, and she was keen, so we went. Brak came with us of course, but so did Madam Spikkeldy. She never lets us go up there unsupervised!
Wendy thoroughly enjoyed having the freedom of a wide open space to ride in.
She had a lot of fun. She was interested in the flowers and she first stopped to admire son daffodils and we talked about them. Then she found some daisies and we talked about those too. She knows that they are both flowers, but I was really impressed when I told her to find some Daffodils - and she did. Then I told her to find some Daisies - and she did! I let her stand in the low branches of a tree and she enjoyed that too.
She pretended to say goodbye and was joking about going off on her own. She is such a character!
She had a huge amount of fun.
She is talking a lot more than she did. She was happy to say 'goodbye' to her parents and I asked her to help me unload the washing machine. She brought the wet laundry to me item by item to hang up and every time she did, she said "help more!" and I thanked her of course. She is very good about her "please" and "thank you's" and she is a sweet natured little imp. Sounds like a paradox? It probably is!
Wendy thoroughly enjoyed having the freedom of a wide open space to ride in.
She had a lot of fun. She was interested in the flowers and she first stopped to admire son daffodils and we talked about them. Then she found some daisies and we talked about those too. She knows that they are both flowers, but I was really impressed when I told her to find some Daffodils - and she did. Then I told her to find some Daisies - and she did! I let her stand in the low branches of a tree and she enjoyed that too.
She pretended to say goodbye and was joking about going off on her own. She is such a character!
She had a huge amount of fun.She is talking a lot more than she did. She was happy to say 'goodbye' to her parents and I asked her to help me unload the washing machine. She brought the wet laundry to me item by item to hang up and every time she did, she said "help more!" and I thanked her of course. She is very good about her "please" and "thank you's" and she is a sweet natured little imp. Sounds like a paradox? It probably is!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Visit to Ice Cream Parlour
A little old man shuffled slowly into an ice cream parlor and pulled himself slowly, painfully, up onto a stool.. After catching his breath, he ordered a banana split. The waitress asked kindly, 'Crushed nuts?'
'No,' he replied, 'Arthritis.'
'No,' he replied, 'Arthritis.'
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Australian Workmen
My brother and his wife live in Australia. She is an Aussie and Stephen is English. After they married, they went to live in Australia. Steve sent me an account of how their new kitchen came to be installed, and I copy bits below. As you read, think for a moment what it would be like to have a new kitchen installed here in the UK.
Last Monday we were told that the plumbers and electrician would arrive around eight sharp to start refurbishing the kitchen. Needless to say they didn't, they arrived at ten to seven. The cabinet maker arrived at 08:30 just when he said he would, and began work at once, carefully taking down the old units and taking them away, all of them tried very hard not to make a mess, and if they did they cleaned up at once, I was beginning to feel very uneasy.
We got a brand new shining kitchen, handed over on time on date, and under budget (slightly) at three o clock on Friday afternoon, which was convenient because we having friends to dinner at seven.
Last Monday we were told that the plumbers and electrician would arrive around eight sharp to start refurbishing the kitchen. Needless to say they didn't, they arrived at ten to seven. The cabinet maker arrived at 08:30 just when he said he would, and began work at once, carefully taking down the old units and taking them away, all of them tried very hard not to make a mess, and if they did they cleaned up at once, I was beginning to feel very uneasy.
We got a brand new shining kitchen, handed over on time on date, and under budget (slightly) at three o clock on Friday afternoon, which was convenient because we having friends to dinner at seven.
Snow
It has been very cold recently. We were expecting heavy rain yesterday and today, but we had a couple of light rain showers yesterday. It was sunny but cold this morning, so i thought I should take the dog out because he becomes impossible if he stays indoors too long. By the time I got dressed, it was very cold and clouding over.
On my way to town, there were little balls that bounced off the pavement. I thought it couldn't be snow because snow doesn't bounce. I wondered if it was polystyrene balls from somewhere, or perhaps blossom. It didn't last very long, but it was cold so I bought ingredients for soup and hurried home. I was chopping the vegetables for the soup when I noticed thick swirling snow outside the window. It looked like bits of fine foam in a vortex. I worried because Sean was driving down from Tonbridge. He arrived safely, thank God. (And yes, he got back to Tonbridge safely too).
The snow fell like that for a couple of hours, and it began to "lie" in gardens and on parked cars. I am keeping the heating on to try to stop the pipes freezing. Richard came out in that weather to pick up some warm clothes for Michelle. She wanted socks, but frankly, the way that foolish dog is about socks, I wouldn't know where to start to look. Sean and I had a lovely, peaceful and domestic afternoon, not doing anything other than enjoying being in the same room together.
Caelyn's landlord has been sending electricians to their house on Sundays to do some rewiring. Its a nuisance. Last week they took up floorboards so Caelyn had to get Wendy out of the house because Wendy was very interested in the proceedings. The electricians may not work in the house unless either Caelyn or Nigel is there so the landlord has cleverly devised a way of making life difficult for them. They had to stay in all over Easter too. They have a "section 12" notice which advises that the landlord wants possession of the house within 3 months because he intends to sell it. Its a mutual "no fault" thing so the Council is prepared to help. They are not considered as having made themselves "intentionally homeless". The Council can't award them a house it hasn't got though. They are currently number 8 on the waiting list.
Caelyn and Nigel have a meeting with the Council Homelessness Team on Tuesday, and are hoping to be rehoused urgently. I'm praying that the right place will come up at the right time. All this uncertainty about where they will be moving to is stressful and their stress is winding Wendy up so she has been uncharacteristically bolshy lately. It has also had an impact on their college studies.
Its not over yet, though. I believe something will turn up because life has a way of working itself out. We are praying and we know God hears, and has our best at heart.
On my way to town, there were little balls that bounced off the pavement. I thought it couldn't be snow because snow doesn't bounce. I wondered if it was polystyrene balls from somewhere, or perhaps blossom. It didn't last very long, but it was cold so I bought ingredients for soup and hurried home. I was chopping the vegetables for the soup when I noticed thick swirling snow outside the window. It looked like bits of fine foam in a vortex. I worried because Sean was driving down from Tonbridge. He arrived safely, thank God. (And yes, he got back to Tonbridge safely too).
The snow fell like that for a couple of hours, and it began to "lie" in gardens and on parked cars. I am keeping the heating on to try to stop the pipes freezing. Richard came out in that weather to pick up some warm clothes for Michelle. She wanted socks, but frankly, the way that foolish dog is about socks, I wouldn't know where to start to look. Sean and I had a lovely, peaceful and domestic afternoon, not doing anything other than enjoying being in the same room together.
Caelyn's landlord has been sending electricians to their house on Sundays to do some rewiring. Its a nuisance. Last week they took up floorboards so Caelyn had to get Wendy out of the house because Wendy was very interested in the proceedings. The electricians may not work in the house unless either Caelyn or Nigel is there so the landlord has cleverly devised a way of making life difficult for them. They had to stay in all over Easter too. They have a "section 12" notice which advises that the landlord wants possession of the house within 3 months because he intends to sell it. Its a mutual "no fault" thing so the Council is prepared to help. They are not considered as having made themselves "intentionally homeless". The Council can't award them a house it hasn't got though. They are currently number 8 on the waiting list.
Caelyn and Nigel have a meeting with the Council Homelessness Team on Tuesday, and are hoping to be rehoused urgently. I'm praying that the right place will come up at the right time. All this uncertainty about where they will be moving to is stressful and their stress is winding Wendy up so she has been uncharacteristically bolshy lately. It has also had an impact on their college studies.
Its not over yet, though. I believe something will turn up because life has a way of working itself out. We are praying and we know God hears, and has our best at heart.
Friday, April 04, 2008
First Friday in April
Caelyn and Nigel popped round this afternoon. Nigel needed to use my computer for his College project. Heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow and as both Wendy and Brak get "cabin fever" if indoors too long, we decided to take them out and wear them out!
We started by walking on the Leas, then went to the Italian ice cream shop where we had our first Ice Cream of the year.
Wendy was wanting to push her pushchair, which is how it is every time now. In the ice cream shop street, there were a lot of people around and Caelyn wouldn't let her push it any more, so she dropped down onto the pavement to have a paddy. But her heart wasn't really in it because she didn't cry or make a sound. She just lay there while her mother waited patiently for her to behave. So after a little while she looked up and saw we were trying not to laugh so she began giggling herself. Then her Dad came to save the day by wiping her hands with a tissue.
(To view the album, click on the picture and wait for the photobucket page to open. When it does, on the top right side of the screen, there is a button that says 'slideshow'. Click on that and just let it run)
On the way home, we stopped in Augusta Gardens for Brak and Babe to run around and wear themselves out. They had a great time and my favourite picture in the album is of a friendly kiss between two people who have been married for 3 years and who are still very much in love even with all they have been through together.
You just have to wish them well!
When we got back, Caelyn, Wendy and I had a sleep. Nigel went out to get a new fluorescent light for the kitchen and he got the lights in the kitchen working again. He did research for his college project too. Later on, Caelyn cooked the dinner and Nigel hoovered while I bathed Wendy because I'm having fits of bronchospasm and can't do that sort of thing at the moment.
Sean has gone to stay in a hotel in London so that he can start queuing to see the Terracotta Warriors at the British Museum. I hope he gets in - he tried on Thursday and had no luck. He has armed himself with the anorak Marie gave him for his birthday, and umbrella and some cooked sausages and rolls. Early rising doesn't suit him, poor love, but he is determined to do his level best to get to see the exhibition because this is its last week. They sell 700 tickets a day but you cannot pre book them. You have to queue before the doors open. When they sell you the ticket, they tell you what time they will allow you in to the exhibition. Its absolutely crazy! Sean lost a whole day in the office on Thursday. He got up very early, went to London and was in the queue before the place opened but he was just out of luck. There surely must be a better way of doing things than that!
We started by walking on the Leas, then went to the Italian ice cream shop where we had our first Ice Cream of the year.
Wendy was wanting to push her pushchair, which is how it is every time now. In the ice cream shop street, there were a lot of people around and Caelyn wouldn't let her push it any more, so she dropped down onto the pavement to have a paddy. But her heart wasn't really in it because she didn't cry or make a sound. She just lay there while her mother waited patiently for her to behave. So after a little while she looked up and saw we were trying not to laugh so she began giggling herself. Then her Dad came to save the day by wiping her hands with a tissue.
(To view the album, click on the picture and wait for the photobucket page to open. When it does, on the top right side of the screen, there is a button that says 'slideshow'. Click on that and just let it run)
On the way home, we stopped in Augusta Gardens for Brak and Babe to run around and wear themselves out. They had a great time and my favourite picture in the album is of a friendly kiss between two people who have been married for 3 years and who are still very much in love even with all they have been through together.
You just have to wish them well!
When we got back, Caelyn, Wendy and I had a sleep. Nigel went out to get a new fluorescent light for the kitchen and he got the lights in the kitchen working again. He did research for his college project too. Later on, Caelyn cooked the dinner and Nigel hoovered while I bathed Wendy because I'm having fits of bronchospasm and can't do that sort of thing at the moment.
Sean has gone to stay in a hotel in London so that he can start queuing to see the Terracotta Warriors at the British Museum. I hope he gets in - he tried on Thursday and had no luck. He has armed himself with the anorak Marie gave him for his birthday, and umbrella and some cooked sausages and rolls. Early rising doesn't suit him, poor love, but he is determined to do his level best to get to see the exhibition because this is its last week. They sell 700 tickets a day but you cannot pre book them. You have to queue before the doors open. When they sell you the ticket, they tell you what time they will allow you in to the exhibition. Its absolutely crazy! Sean lost a whole day in the office on Thursday. He got up very early, went to London and was in the queue before the place opened but he was just out of luck. There surely must be a better way of doing things than that!
Goodness, its Friday already!
I haven't posted for a while so, on my way back to bed, I thought I'd post a picture I found funny. I'm still taking my antibiotics for the bronchitis but the ME is still bad. I slept until noon today then had a bath. The bath has knocked so much out of me that I have to go back to bed. I just came to the computer to email some documents that Kate needs, but I'm signing off now. I'm wiped out.
Will post again when I can, and I will catch up on my emails when I can. Just because there is a temporary lapse in communication doesn't mean I am not thinking of you. God Bless!
Will post again when I can, and I will catch up on my emails when I can. Just because there is a temporary lapse in communication doesn't mean I am not thinking of you. God Bless!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
My Sainted Mother!
My Sainted Mother is in South Africa until mid April.
She is intending to visit Zimbabwe to see the Vic Falls and Chobe.
The Vic Falls are marvellous and I dearly wish I had seen them. When I was visiting Rhodesia we could not go because there was too much terrorist activity from across the Zambesi. So I understand her wish to see them.
But must she go in the middle of their Elections??????????????????????
I haven't said a word to her about it because I know her when she has set her mind on something. She just won't listen, and will come up with 23 reasons why not! I give up! She is a grown woman now and she knows her own mind.
It is just as much use talking to her about sensible precautions as it is to my kids!
Recently I heard the weather report promise heavy rain. Michelle was on her way to work and I told her about the weather report and suggested she take a raincoat or umbrella. She told me that she couldn't possibly because it would make it look like she was heeding my advice and that would be bad for her street cred. So off she went and got soaked. A cheap price to pay for street cred, no doubt.
Should I be surprised at Michelle's daftness? Its probably genetic. Look no further than a female ancestor trundling off to the Vic Falls at Election time!!!
Ye Gods and Little Tin Fishes!!!
She is intending to visit Zimbabwe to see the Vic Falls and Chobe.
The Vic Falls are marvellous and I dearly wish I had seen them. When I was visiting Rhodesia we could not go because there was too much terrorist activity from across the Zambesi. So I understand her wish to see them.
But must she go in the middle of their Elections??????????????????????
I haven't said a word to her about it because I know her when she has set her mind on something. She just won't listen, and will come up with 23 reasons why not! I give up! She is a grown woman now and she knows her own mind.
It is just as much use talking to her about sensible precautions as it is to my kids!
Recently I heard the weather report promise heavy rain. Michelle was on her way to work and I told her about the weather report and suggested she take a raincoat or umbrella. She told me that she couldn't possibly because it would make it look like she was heeding my advice and that would be bad for her street cred. So off she went and got soaked. A cheap price to pay for street cred, no doubt.
Should I be surprised at Michelle's daftness? Its probably genetic. Look no further than a female ancestor trundling off to the Vic Falls at Election time!!!
Ye Gods and Little Tin Fishes!!!
Saw the GP today
I was lucky enough to get an urgent 5 minute appointment with the Dr today.
He gave me some antibiotics, steroids and anti inflammatory drugs and already I am starting to feel a bit better.
I still have that awful dizzy, giddy, spacy, buzzy feeling that I usually get just before I succumb to anaesthetic. I have "wobbled" and nearly fallen several times today. If I'm reclining or lying down, it doesn't bother me. It happens when standing or walking. I hope it passes off soon! It is a grave injustice that I am staggering and lurching around like a drunk when I don't drink! If I was a habitual misuser of alcohol, appearing drunk would be well deserved, but I don't drink! I don't drug either. I suppose being misjudged is good for humility!
Kate and Nigel popped over. Kate is really unwell with the same bug that I have, but she has not been able to rest because Wendy has had the bug too and as sick children do the world over, she needed her Mum. No one else would do. Just Mum. Kate tries to be a good wife, a good housewife and homemaker, a good student and a good mother. This leads her to push herself too hard and I'm afraid that all this combined with their threatened homelessness is getting too much from her.
I have a strict policy of not interfering in their marriage, but today I suggested to Nigel that he should take a bit more of the strain. I know he is willing and that Kate doesn't like him to do too much, but she must put her pride aside and let him.
He can't do much with Wendy when she is under the weather because only Mummy will do, but he can do a lot of other stuff.
God, please renew the strength of that battered little family who have weathered so many storms together already.
He gave me some antibiotics, steroids and anti inflammatory drugs and already I am starting to feel a bit better.
I still have that awful dizzy, giddy, spacy, buzzy feeling that I usually get just before I succumb to anaesthetic. I have "wobbled" and nearly fallen several times today. If I'm reclining or lying down, it doesn't bother me. It happens when standing or walking. I hope it passes off soon! It is a grave injustice that I am staggering and lurching around like a drunk when I don't drink! If I was a habitual misuser of alcohol, appearing drunk would be well deserved, but I don't drink! I don't drug either. I suppose being misjudged is good for humility!
Kate and Nigel popped over. Kate is really unwell with the same bug that I have, but she has not been able to rest because Wendy has had the bug too and as sick children do the world over, she needed her Mum. No one else would do. Just Mum. Kate tries to be a good wife, a good housewife and homemaker, a good student and a good mother. This leads her to push herself too hard and I'm afraid that all this combined with their threatened homelessness is getting too much from her.
I have a strict policy of not interfering in their marriage, but today I suggested to Nigel that he should take a bit more of the strain. I know he is willing and that Kate doesn't like him to do too much, but she must put her pride aside and let him.
He can't do much with Wendy when she is under the weather because only Mummy will do, but he can do a lot of other stuff.
God, please renew the strength of that battered little family who have weathered so many storms together already.
Clever Blonde Joke
(This story is especially topical as we are in a financial recession that is mostly due to Bank crises)
A blonde walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan Officer.
She says she's going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to
borrow $5,000.
The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the
loan, so the blonde hands over the keys to a new Mercedes Benz SL 500.
The car is parked on the street in front of the bank. She has the Title,
and everything checks out. The bank agrees to accept the car collateral for
the loan.
The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the blonde
for using a $110,000 Benz as collateral against a $5,000 Loan.
An employee of the bank then proceeds to drive the Benz into the
bank's underground garage and parks it there.
Two weeks later, the blonde returns. She repays the $5,000 and the
interest, which comes to $15.41.
The loan officer says, "Miss, we are very happy to have had your
business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a
little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that
you are a multimillionaire.
What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"
The blonde replies, "Where else in New York City can I park my car
For two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return?"
A blonde walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan Officer.
She says she's going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to
borrow $5,000.
The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for the
loan, so the blonde hands over the keys to a new Mercedes Benz SL 500.
The car is parked on the street in front of the bank. She has the Title,
and everything checks out. The bank agrees to accept the car collateral for
the loan.
The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the blonde
for using a $110,000 Benz as collateral against a $5,000 Loan.
An employee of the bank then proceeds to drive the Benz into the
bank's underground garage and parks it there.
Two weeks later, the blonde returns. She repays the $5,000 and the
interest, which comes to $15.41.
The loan officer says, "Miss, we are very happy to have had your
business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a
little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that
you are a multimillionaire.
What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"
The blonde replies, "Where else in New York City can I park my car
For two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there when I return?"
Mystery Malady
Mystery Malady
Daytona Beach News-Journal, Florida
March 31, 2008
Read the original article online by clicking this text
Chronic fatigue syndrome difficult to diagnose
By MARGIE SCHLAGETER
Staff Writer
In medical school, Melody Hanger would greet each new day with energy and
enthusiasm, even though she had been up for 24 hours straight.
The year was 1981, and she was in classes at the University of South Florida
and on call every other night at Tampa General Hospital through her surgical
and obstetrics/gynecology residencies. Adrenaline and catnaps kept her
refreshed.
Today the 43-year-old physician concedes, "There's never a day I feel like
getting out of bed." She wakes up late after spending 12-13 hours in bed but
almost never feels rested.
"In the fall of 1999 my life was turned upside down," says Hanger. That's
when her suspicions were confirmed; she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue
syndrome.
Now, the medical school diploma that she received at the age of 25 and once
proudly displayed in her office is packed away among other things no longer
relevant, somewhere in the Ormond Beach home she shares with her mother.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is disabling and "one of the most common chronic
illnesses of our time," according to Dorothy Wall in "An Introduction to
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Its symptoms include incapacitating fatigue and
post-exertion malaise, impaired memory or concentration, flu-like aching,
headaches, muscle and joint pain, sensitivities to noise and light and
others that can trap the ill person in a web of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Luckey Dunn of Daytona Beach, regional campus dean for Florida State
University College of Medicine, noted that chronic fatigue syndrome has
overlapping symptoms with fibromyalgia -- and other conditions -- that make
it difficult to diagnose. From a clinical standpoint, the physician has to
be primarily concerned with treating the symptoms, Dunn said.
Dr. Michael Kohen, a rheumatologist in Daytona Beach, said that in his field
chronic fatigue is the most misunderstood condition, adding that many
doctors don't recognize it. Kohen said he treats many patients with
fibromyalgia, the term he uses to encompass those conditions that may
include chronic fatigue syndrome.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, research has established that when
"deep" sleep is disrupted, fibromyalgia symptoms are aggravated. The fatigue
and other common symptoms reinforce the thinking that chronic fatigue and
fibromyalgia are the same.
The diagnosis, however, can be tricky. Kohen begins by ruling out an
underlying medical condition before doing various tests to pinpoint the
diagnosis.
Hanger takes 40 different natural remedies for her symptoms, a treatment
recommended by her physician, Dr. R.H. Keller, of Hollywood, Fla.
After completing medical school, Hanger did her family practice residency at
Halifax Medical Center and eventually accepted a position as a primary care
physician with the Veteran's Administration Clinic here. In 1997 she began
to be unusually tired at work and would rest during her lunch hour and again
before she'd drive home. She had flu-like symptoms and recurring infections,
missing a lot of work. Like so many others dealing with chronic fatigue
syndrome, she was embarrassed by her symptoms and inability to pinpoint the
illness, and coped by isolating herself.
Hanger began to experience problems with her short term memory as well, and
would constantly double and triple check everything she did, which only
added to her stress. Eventually she realized she could no longer work.
In retrospect, she says, her illness was most likely triggered by chemical
sensitivities -- the VA clinic had mold issues and was declared a "sick
building." When the facility was cleaned with strong chemicals, she suffered
dizziness, nausea, nose bleeds and her nails turned blue. One theory
involving the illness is that a person may have a genetic predisposition,
which is activated by one of many triggers, Hanger said. She believes the
chemicals in the cleaners were that trigger.
Hanger has maintained her medical license, but due to her illness she can no
longer practice medicine.
"I was always high functioning, loved studying, loved working, loved being a
doctor," she said. Now she's lost her identity -- and the profession that
had been her focus since childhood.
margie.schlageter@news-jrnl.com
Letter in reply by Dr John Greensmith of ME Freeforall
PERMISSION TO FORWARD, REPOST & USE IN NEWSLETTERS.
If anyone has a letter to contribute, the e-mail address is
letters@news-jrnl.com
The illness from which Dr Melody Hanger is suffering is not so mysterious as
the title of the article about her (*Mystery Malady, Daytona Beach
News-Journal, Florida, USA, 31 March 2008*) suggests.
Her principal symptoms of overwhelming lassitude, unrefreshed by sleep; slow
recovery after minuscule effort ("post-exertional malaise"); muscle pain and
cognitive dysfunction all point to M.E. (*Myalgic Encephalomyelits*), named
by the late Dr Melvin Ramsay in 1956 (*Myalgic*-, relating to the muscles, *
Encephalo*-, the brain and spinal cord and -*itis*, meaning inflammation),
for which there is abundant research evidence; which has been recognised by
the World Health Organisation (WHO), since 1969, as a neurological illness
and from which millions of people around the Globe also suffer.
It is the imprecision of the diagnostic label *Chronic Fatigue Syndrome*,
which is so indiscriminate -- think about it for a moment and see whether
you agree -- that it could apply to any patient in the recovery stage after
any illness or surgery, which is holding back research and delaying a cure
for M.E.
Since M.E. sufferers do not have the symptoms for which the management
techniques of Cognitive Behaviour therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy
(GET) are intended, there is no lasting benefit, without remission, from CBT
and some people are made irrecoverably worse by GET. Yet this remains the
recommended approach and all research funding is directed this way.
Until M.E. is removed from the wrong diagnostic box and funding is diverted
into promising biomedical research, Dr Hanger and millions like her, will
remain ill.
Yours sincerely
drjohngreensmith@mefreeforall.org
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Free For All. org
Daytona Beach News-Journal, Florida
March 31, 2008
Read the original article online by clicking this text
Chronic fatigue syndrome difficult to diagnose
By MARGIE SCHLAGETER
Staff Writer
In medical school, Melody Hanger would greet each new day with energy and
enthusiasm, even though she had been up for 24 hours straight.
The year was 1981, and she was in classes at the University of South Florida
and on call every other night at Tampa General Hospital through her surgical
and obstetrics/gynecology residencies. Adrenaline and catnaps kept her
refreshed.
Today the 43-year-old physician concedes, "There's never a day I feel like
getting out of bed." She wakes up late after spending 12-13 hours in bed but
almost never feels rested.
"In the fall of 1999 my life was turned upside down," says Hanger. That's
when her suspicions were confirmed; she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue
syndrome.
Now, the medical school diploma that she received at the age of 25 and once
proudly displayed in her office is packed away among other things no longer
relevant, somewhere in the Ormond Beach home she shares with her mother.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is disabling and "one of the most common chronic
illnesses of our time," according to Dorothy Wall in "An Introduction to
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Its symptoms include incapacitating fatigue and
post-exertion malaise, impaired memory or concentration, flu-like aching,
headaches, muscle and joint pain, sensitivities to noise and light and
others that can trap the ill person in a web of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Luckey Dunn of Daytona Beach, regional campus dean for Florida State
University College of Medicine, noted that chronic fatigue syndrome has
overlapping symptoms with fibromyalgia -- and other conditions -- that make
it difficult to diagnose. From a clinical standpoint, the physician has to
be primarily concerned with treating the symptoms, Dunn said.
Dr. Michael Kohen, a rheumatologist in Daytona Beach, said that in his field
chronic fatigue is the most misunderstood condition, adding that many
doctors don't recognize it. Kohen said he treats many patients with
fibromyalgia, the term he uses to encompass those conditions that may
include chronic fatigue syndrome.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, research has established that when
"deep" sleep is disrupted, fibromyalgia symptoms are aggravated. The fatigue
and other common symptoms reinforce the thinking that chronic fatigue and
fibromyalgia are the same.
The diagnosis, however, can be tricky. Kohen begins by ruling out an
underlying medical condition before doing various tests to pinpoint the
diagnosis.
Hanger takes 40 different natural remedies for her symptoms, a treatment
recommended by her physician, Dr. R.H. Keller, of Hollywood, Fla.
After completing medical school, Hanger did her family practice residency at
Halifax Medical Center and eventually accepted a position as a primary care
physician with the Veteran's Administration Clinic here. In 1997 she began
to be unusually tired at work and would rest during her lunch hour and again
before she'd drive home. She had flu-like symptoms and recurring infections,
missing a lot of work. Like so many others dealing with chronic fatigue
syndrome, she was embarrassed by her symptoms and inability to pinpoint the
illness, and coped by isolating herself.
Hanger began to experience problems with her short term memory as well, and
would constantly double and triple check everything she did, which only
added to her stress. Eventually she realized she could no longer work.
In retrospect, she says, her illness was most likely triggered by chemical
sensitivities -- the VA clinic had mold issues and was declared a "sick
building." When the facility was cleaned with strong chemicals, she suffered
dizziness, nausea, nose bleeds and her nails turned blue. One theory
involving the illness is that a person may have a genetic predisposition,
which is activated by one of many triggers, Hanger said. She believes the
chemicals in the cleaners were that trigger.
Hanger has maintained her medical license, but due to her illness she can no
longer practice medicine.
"I was always high functioning, loved studying, loved working, loved being a
doctor," she said. Now she's lost her identity -- and the profession that
had been her focus since childhood.
margie.schlageter@news-jrnl.com
Letter in reply by Dr John Greensmith of ME Freeforall
PERMISSION TO FORWARD, REPOST & USE IN NEWSLETTERS.
If anyone has a letter to contribute, the e-mail address is
letters@news-jrnl.com
The illness from which Dr Melody Hanger is suffering is not so mysterious as
the title of the article about her (*Mystery Malady, Daytona Beach
News-Journal, Florida, USA, 31 March 2008*) suggests.
Her principal symptoms of overwhelming lassitude, unrefreshed by sleep; slow
recovery after minuscule effort ("post-exertional malaise"); muscle pain and
cognitive dysfunction all point to M.E. (*Myalgic Encephalomyelits*), named
by the late Dr Melvin Ramsay in 1956 (*Myalgic*-, relating to the muscles, *
Encephalo*-, the brain and spinal cord and -*itis*, meaning inflammation),
for which there is abundant research evidence; which has been recognised by
the World Health Organisation (WHO), since 1969, as a neurological illness
and from which millions of people around the Globe also suffer.
It is the imprecision of the diagnostic label *Chronic Fatigue Syndrome*,
which is so indiscriminate -- think about it for a moment and see whether
you agree -- that it could apply to any patient in the recovery stage after
any illness or surgery, which is holding back research and delaying a cure
for M.E.
Since M.E. sufferers do not have the symptoms for which the management
techniques of Cognitive Behaviour therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy
(GET) are intended, there is no lasting benefit, without remission, from CBT
and some people are made irrecoverably worse by GET. Yet this remains the
recommended approach and all research funding is directed this way.
Until M.E. is removed from the wrong diagnostic box and funding is diverted
into promising biomedical research, Dr Hanger and millions like her, will
remain ill.
Yours sincerely
drjohngreensmith@mefreeforall.org
Dr John H Greensmith
ME Free For All. org
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Haven't felt this bad for ages
I have been feeling a lot worse than usual lately, but this week has been very bad. So much so that I have made an urgent appointment to see the doctor. With an urgent appointment, you have 5 minutes and may discuss only one "urgent" problem.
I have 3 urgent problems, so I will throw a dice to see which "urgent" one to tell the doctor about today, and I have made a "routine" appointment for the 18th April. In a "routine" appointment, you are allotted 10 minutes and may discuss more than one problem.
I feel spaced out and dizzy, like you feel just before an anaesthetic finally knocks you out. I have asthma made worse by a chest infection, and severe menorrhagia. My ME symptoms are worse and generally, I feel truly terrible. My pain levels have shot beyond the relief that my usual painkiller provides. My house is a mess and is getting on my nerves, but I don't have the strength to tidy it up, let alone clean it. I can't sit at my computer for more than 10 minutes, I can't go shopping and I can't even read a book.
I wish I knew what I have done to bring this mess about, but I can't think of anything. It would help if I could because then I could avoid it in the future.
I have 3 urgent problems, so I will throw a dice to see which "urgent" one to tell the doctor about today, and I have made a "routine" appointment for the 18th April. In a "routine" appointment, you are allotted 10 minutes and may discuss more than one problem.
I feel spaced out and dizzy, like you feel just before an anaesthetic finally knocks you out. I have asthma made worse by a chest infection, and severe menorrhagia. My ME symptoms are worse and generally, I feel truly terrible. My pain levels have shot beyond the relief that my usual painkiller provides. My house is a mess and is getting on my nerves, but I don't have the strength to tidy it up, let alone clean it. I can't sit at my computer for more than 10 minutes, I can't go shopping and I can't even read a book.
I wish I knew what I have done to bring this mess about, but I can't think of anything. It would help if I could because then I could avoid it in the future.
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