RE: a difficult time

Lindstrom, Ann (annlindstrom(AT)lucent.com)
Sun, 3 Jan 1999 17:07:38 -0800

jo - First - my docs told me that I would show recovery for 18-24 months.
Others have been told that there is no limit on recovery. You are in early
days yet. No - you are not selfish - this disease is a hard one
emotionally. I made sure that my immediate family and close friends are
educated about how slow recovery can be. For me it was more of a two steps
ahead, one step back proposition. Some days are better than others, and
being over tired really takes its toll. Hang in there! Ann

> ----------
> From: jo.macey(AT)sims.co.uk[SMTP:jo.macey(AT)sims.co.uk]
> Sent: Sunday, January 03, 1999 4:56 AM
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: a difficult time
>
> Hi, I don't want to become unpopular by asking the next question so
> fingers
> crossed I don't......
> My Neuro said "we can't be sure if you will make a full recovery" ok this
> is
> fine but......I had a bad week at the beginning of December and my husband
> rang Addenbrookes Hospital and spoke to a consultant that didn't really
> know
> who I was but said the following to my husband "we expect a full recovery
> blah blah blah" I am having trouble now with the will I/won't I senario
> and
> basically if the recovery I have had in the last 3 months is the biggest
> step (which is improved from when TM first happened) then fine I can kinda
> get on with things but my husband (through no fault of his is trying to be
> very positive) because they are expecting a full recovery I'm feeling
> somewhat ummmm of a (I can't think of the word I want to use) failure
> (I'll
> use that term lightly) because I'm not making the improvement I feel they
> (family) are all expecting and this is making me feel extremely
> pressurized
> (I KNOW stress doesn't help anyone) but I don't know how to say "hey, look
> yes I've had a good day but don't expect too much my body will make
> progress
> when it wants too and I don't have much say over it", but this always
> comes
> out negative and that's not what I want so any ideas - does anyone know of
> anyone that's made a full recovery with no relapses???? I'm sorry I know
> this is my problem and I feel very selfish with the ME,ME,ME stuff - my
> moods are very up and down and I want to be happy, smiling but I can't get
> a
> grip on things at the moment and yes I am one of the lucky one's great
> family, friends and this makes me feel even more selfish :-(
> I'm sorry everyone - I hope you all had a great christmas and new
> year.......
> Oh yeah! The Red Cross gave me a wheelchair at last so that's a success
> and
> I will be going to the gym to try out their treadmill should be fun
> Love to you all
> jo
>