Tag Archives: persistence

Getting a Normal Result

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Jennie Spotila

It’s been a year since my breast cancer diagnosis. While I feel like I have finally recovered from treatment, that doesn’t mean my cancer experience is over. I am on medication to prevent a recurrence, and of course, I still … Continue reading →

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

Hello, Stranger

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Jennie Spotila

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last October, I had grand plans: I would blog through my surgery and whatever treatment followed. I was hungry for examples of other people with ME who had been through cancer treatment, especially … Continue reading →

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

“I have cancer”

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Jennie Spotila

I told my husband last week, “It’s just as hard to tell people you have cancer as it is to find out you have cancer in the first place.” So, let me take a deep breath and say: I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

29

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Jennie Spotila

I got sick on October 6, 1994. Writing a memoir that spans almost three decades requires a lot of self-reflection, not only about what I’ve been through but about the choices I made, what I got wrong, and what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Do We Ever Stop Counting?

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Jennie Spotila

I have been sick for twenty-seven years, today. My sickaversary gives rise to different feelings every year. Burdened. Triumphant. Heartsick. Contented. Marking the day, here with you or on my own, feels important. October 6th is the day my life … Continue reading →

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

Not NICE

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Jennie Spotila

Last week, the ME community was expecting the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK to publish new guidelines for the treatment of people with ME/CFS. Based on the draft guidelines published in November 2020, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Drinking From A Fire Hose

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Jennie Spotila

News is coming at the ME community at a crazy pace right now. Each time I go online, there is another controversial article that requires a response. First there was the NPR chronic pain piece and ensuing debacle. Then came … Continue reading →

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

“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.”

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Jennie Spotila

It’s been twenty-four years. Twenty-four years since the morning I woke up with a sore throat, went to work, and got so sick I could barely walk home. Twenty-four years since I became incurable. And this year, I hardly noticed. … Continue reading →

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

Taking Care of Your Self

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Jennie Spotila

Self-care is one of those internet buzzwords that people casually throw around, as if a coloring book or a kitty will solve all your problems. I’m not knocking coloring books and kitties, but generally I think that kind of advice … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

“Take Care Of Each Other”

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Jennie Spotila

“Take care of each other.” Those were the closing words in Anne Ortegren’s suicide letter. Anne’s death came as a shock to many of us, myself included. Anne was a friend and long-time supporter of my work. She made a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments