h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi everyone...

I'm more or less back again after an extended period of an absurd w*rkload followed by illness of an unspecified insidious kind. After weeks and weeks of low-grade awfulness, I finally have a diagnosis!

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Yay. I'm under doctor's orders to rest, and exercise, and apparently I'm also supposed to overlook counterintuitive contradictory instructions. Most important, though, is that I'm under instructions to work at least four hours a day but no more than six hours a day for the next couple of weeks. I'll see the doctor again after that... The good news is that I'm not barred from drinking.

I just had a challenging discussion with my mother in which I tried to get the point across that I'm not dying, that being tired all the time isn't so different from how I am at the best of times, that I'm only surprised it's taken 40 years to diagnose me, and that she is under no circumstances to come over to 'help' me while I recover because that just wouldn't help at all. Then I explained it all again to my sister and got her to agree to help me keep Mum in her own home until I'm well enough to cope with her being here. Then I fended off another attempt from Mum to come over here. It's a good thing the airports at both ends are currently closed because of volcanic ash.

Anyway. I note that hootoo has officially been Saved. I am happy about this, and I will be watching developments with interest, but for reasons outlined above I still can't guarantee that I'll be very active onsite just yet. But I am around, and I do care what happens, even if I am mostly curled up under a quilt in front of the heater because I'm tired and it's bloody cold outside. Happy Winter Solstice, everyone!

Ivan.

Good to hear from you Ivan, and so sorry to hear about you being unwell. I've been wondering how you are. Hope your recovery goes well.

It's been cold here too, today I can't really get warm. Am about to head for the couch, which has a sleeping bag on it permanently now, and watch whatever is on the gogglebox.

I'm pleased about the volcano too. Between that and the quakes and the lack of snow the tourists are staying out of the country

Happy Solstice

Get the rest you need to recover, hootoo will still be there once you're better.

Bel, I am very glad that it will indeed still be there.

Happy Solstice, Kea! (Gosh I'm glad I can still drink...)

you take whatever measures are needed to get well Ivan or else you'll have a virtual clout round the ear coming from me

Shall I come over and look after you? *hic*



*shakes the dust from her Matt*

I'm glad you have a diagnosis. Much as most labels are silly, sometimes it can be of great comfort to be able to point at something and it being able to explain what is going on.

Yes, a diagnosis is a lovely thing to have. And as I explained to Mum, just think of all the unlovely things I can now be sure I *don't* have. Epstein-Barr Virus, bubonic plague, mange...

Lil, thanks for the extra dust. All I need now is n*ghth**v*r to come and clean the place up.

I'm sure that could be arranged

Ouch, having to fend off mothers and sisters on top of being unwell? Been there done that, never bothered about no t-shirt

Have another and get better

What a lovely recovery plan!

Having already discussed the diagnosis elsewhere (though I am relieved to hear you're still allowed your drinkies), I'll just say that I am insanely jealous any time I read someone posting about winter, being cold, etc. Because while it's not consistently scorching yet, we've had some really hot days, yesterday being one of them. Our a/c hasn't worked properly since the furnace was replaced (the fan isn't big enough to circulate the air sufficiently) and it's still uncomfortably warm in here after last night.

But I'm glad you've got the official diagnosis and a plan for coping with it. They'll have to get someone to help with your workload- if you've got chronic fatigue you really should not be taking work home!!

Great to see you on here again - hopefully now with a diagnosis, you'll have some idea on how to get sorted. Take your time, we'll be here when you can.

And lil, the poor guy needs to recover, the last thing he needs is a visit from you! You'd heal him to death!

He's used to me (S)mothering him in msn

Ivan, so to hear you have been feeling so unwell. A diagnosis must be a relief. I just hope your work place accepts it and doesn't put too much pressure on you.

I suffer from TATT which is not so debilitating but it really is a nuisance, especially now when I have so much to do. I have just had a glorious week's holiday but still feel tired. I fall asleep in front of the TV most nights, and when I come to I have difficulty (literally) opening my eyes, the muscles feel so weak! Extra sleep seems to make matters worse rather than better too.

I hope you take the advice and stick to it and not indulge too much in the stuff

I am not around here quite as much now as life is hectic, but I am always available on email if you have the energy to have a chat.

Take care,

Websailor

*hugs*

Get better soon. Happy Solstice.


Posting from the phone is a nuisance

Oooh, Ivan, good to see you!

Not good news about the diagnosis, but better the enemy you know and all that...

Absolutely right, Mala. It's good that there's a name for the thing I don't want.

Now I just have to make sure that the thing doesn't take me over. I refuse to be constrained by it, except when it makes me fall asleep.