From Strong to Weak

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I was a personal trainer and body builder for 20 years. I saw health and fitness as a priority and had not been ill in over 15 years..not even a cold. One day I caught the flu. I recovered almost totally. Then my husband was put in the hospital with an emergency blood clot . The emotial stress was tremendous. While I was visiting him one day I noticed I could not make it to the cafeteria without stopping to rest... I was in shock. Why...what was going on? Must be the stress? I kept getting weaker and weaker over the next weeks until I was no longer able get out of bed. I stayed in bed for 3 months and my husband drove me to Miami to see a doctor who was studiing a thing called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Immune dysfunction.  Her name was Klimas.  She gave me that faithful diagnosis. I had CFS. I didn't even know what that was.

10 years later I became well enough to start to jog some. I wasn't like I was before but much stronger and out of bed! Then menopause hit... and there went my progress! I became sensitive to gluten and I again had to use antibiotics frequently for small infections.  I again became better by a better diet but NEVER could exercise again.

Now I would settle for being able to cook or clean my house. I am alive but I can't do a lot and have no social life at all. I am thankful for what I have and try to be kind and loving to others in whatever way I can. In that respect, I am thankful for the person my illness made me. I was a little self centered before.. got to admit.

Look for the light. It's there. Hold on to hope. Know you are not alone. Find something in each day for which to be thankful. I am here if I can help.