Tag Archives: pain

More Thoughts on Suicide

Last week, Johanna Haban provided some important resources and information for people with ME who are overwhelmed or are contemplating suicide. This topic is complicated and very important to discuss, so Johanna and I spoke further about issues related to … Continue reading

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Crisis and Suicide

The list of people with ME who have taken their own lives is too long. Fortunately, there is help available for anyone in crisis, and their loved ones. There are many issues to discuss about suicide and end of life, … Continue reading

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Unrest: Movie Review

Spoiler alert: This review discusses some specific scenes from Unrest. Edited to add: No, really! There are SPOILERS here! If you want to see and experience the film with a blank slate, then go see the film and come back … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Missing, Not Marching

I should be marching right now. I mean, I had my plans all worked out. #MillionsMissing tshirt? Check. Wheelchair wheels freshly pumped up? Check. Water and food? Check. Ride to March? Check. Kick ass awesome sign made by my husband? … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

A “Standard” Patient

Today, Joe Landson shares his experience as a standard, real patient. I work occasionally as a standardized patient, though there is not much standard about me. Standardized patients are actors; we play out a script of symptoms for health care … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Wall of Nope

I have reached a new low in life with ME. I call it: The Wall of Nope. The Wall of Nope is not a physical crash. It’s an inability to deal with obligations and necessary things. Here’s an example: I’m … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

The Caffeine Disaster

I have a deep emotional bond with coffee. After I regained the ability to drink it without it tearing up my gut, coffee and I took our relationship to a new level. I switched to a Chemex, and found locally … Continue reading

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Saying No

How To Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness is Toni Bernhard’s latest book. I’ve reviewed Toni’s previous books (here, here, and here), but over the course of years, Toni has become one of my most beloved friends. So while … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Case Definition Bingo

Our disease is plagued by too many case definitions, with the Institute of Medicine’s Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID) being the most recent. Our federal agencies are thus far continuing the agnostic position of accepting whatever case definitions are proposed … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

IOM: The Big Day

On February 10th, the Institute of Medicine committee will release its report Beyond ME/CFS: Redefining an Illness. The release event will be webcast at 11am Eastern. The report contents are under embargo until the release, although rumors are flying about … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments