Tag Archives: stress

More Thoughts on Suicide

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

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

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

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

23 and ME

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

May the depths you have reached hold you still – John O’Donohue Twenty-three years ago today, I woke up with a sore throat. I went to work, and within a few hours I had a high fever and could barely … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

My “Summer Vacation”

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

What I’ve done on my “summer vacation” has not been fun. I’ve had a rough couple of months. Non-ME health issues have gobbled up most of my capacity, and I’m still feeling the repercussions. I’m not ready to talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Guest Post: Sickaversary

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Jennie Spotila

My friend, Jenny R, wrote these profound words about her sickaversary. 10 years and 4 days ago today I got sick and never got better. I wrote this to commemorate it: I want to write something incredibly profound and moving … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Wall of Nope

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

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

Pretty Much the Worst

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

One of the worst things someone said to me recently about my disability was: With all the stuff you’re doing, you work just as hard as someone working full time. The charitable and loving way to interpret this statement is: … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Saying No

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

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

21

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

October 6, 2015 was my 21st “sickaversary.” I know the date because the onset of ME/CFS in my case was so sudden and dramatic. Not a single doctor told me that I could be sick for years. Not a single … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments

A Miracle, and a Break

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

This year has been the most difficult of my life, starting with my Mom’s passing in January. Losing her was just the first in a cascade of bad news, and I made the decision to stop maintaining that laundry list … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments