Personal Updates

Category: My Personal Journey

A bouquet of yellow roses in a vase. Title Reads: The randomness of my symptoms, a personal update

The Randomness Of My Post Viral Symptoms

This week I'd say my main issue has been pain. I'd wake up in pain, in the night, and in the morning. I'll have aches ... Continue

Char standing in front of her desk. She has dark circles under her eyes. Title Reads: When I'm Too Weak To Eat The Food I've Prepared

When Preparing A Meal Makes You Weak

It's been a very weak and shaky few days. Trying to live within my very low energy limits is not easy. I seem to be ... Continue

Clouds in a blue sky, Title reads: Assessment and diagnosis at the chronic fatigue clinic, an update on my ME/cfs journey.

My Assessment And Diagnosis At The Chronic Fatigue Clinic

I attended my first appointment with the Chronic Fatigue Clinic today. I finally have an official diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as Myalgic ... Continue

Yellow roses in polaroid, Title on the right reads: My first 6 months housebound with MEcfs.

My First 6 Months Of ME/CFS: The Best And Worst Months Of My Life

Today marks the end of six months since I got the viral infection that changed my life. That gloriously sunny day in Italy on the ... Continue

Autumn leaves on a tree. Title reads: When simple errands become overwhelming. Personal Update.

Chronic Illness: Making Simple Errands Overwhelming

When unforeseen problems force me to go out despite severe ME/cfs, simple errands can become overwhelming very quickly. I had to go out today, needed ... Continue

Travelling With ME/CFS: Family Reunion in South Africa

This summer our family had a reunion in my country of birth. It had been over a decade since I had last been on holiday ... Continue

Char is out on her patio, laughing and holding some pens and markers

Celebrating The Ordinary: A Gratitude Log

My happy face, my happy place. What a gorgeous day today! So hot and sunny with a lovely cool breeze... I just love British summers! ... Continue

Char enjoying the sunshine outside. She's wearing sunglasses and smiling.

Focus On The Blessings Of The Present Moment

Today has been amazing! Its such a gorgeous day, extremely hot and sunny. I've only spent short bursts outside as my skin burns in the ... Continue

A polaroid of Char using a walker to go shopping. Title Reads: Using Mobility Aids In My Thirties

Mobility Aids, The Benefits Of Using A Walker For Shopping

As a thirty-something year old woman, who looks perfectly healthy, walking around a supermarket with a walking aid most commonly used by the elderly can ... Continue

Char standing outside under a tree, shes wearing a greet top and matching dangling earrings and smiling.

Grateful For Those Productive Days

Today has been quite productive! We just had our shower doors replaced this week, which meant waiting at least 24 hours for the silicone to ... Continue

Char lying on the patio in the sunshine. She looks very happy.

Enjoying This Gorgeous London Sunshine

Spent the whole morning enjoying this gorgeous London sunshine out on the patio today. I had breakfast, drew a bit, then painted for a while, ... Continue

A bird soaring in the sunset sky. Title reads: Reflections on faith through chronic illness after 18 months of chronic fatigue and pain.

Reflections On Faith Through Chronic Fatigue And Pain

Today marks 18 months of this Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. At least 18 months in this severe housebound state, we imagine I might have had it ... Continue

Char in her pyjamas, sitting in the sunshine in the middle of her room. Title reads: muscle wastage and personal grooming, a personal update

Muscle Wastage And Personal Grooming In ME/CFS

A couple of days ago we had some gorgeous autumn sunshine after a few dark and dreary days. I'd just got up and was getting ... Continue

A country scene with a muddy path in the hills with mountains in the background. Title reads, The long road to diagnosis, my first 6 months of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

The Long Road To Diagnosis: My First 6 Months of ME/CFS

It all started in 2014. I would occasionally get random, migrating pains in my hips, thighs and arms. It was quite painful and alarming. Because ... Continue

Christmas 2016 – A Quiet Dinner With Friends

Had a lovely quiet holiday weekend, but did enjoy my first outing in a couple of months on Christmas day. Was super blessed to have ... Continue

Transitioning To A Paleo-Ketogenic Diet

As some of you might know, I have recently started reading Dr. Sarah Myhill's book, Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalitis. ... Continue

My First 40 Days On The Paleo-Ketogenic Diet

I'm happy to report that there have been some welcome improvements after a month on this LCHF (Low Carb, High Fat) diet! As discussed in ... Continue

Girl lying on a bed, looking thoughtful. Title reads, Reflections after two years in bed. Thoughts on Faith, Patience, Surrender & Acceptance.

Reflections After Two Years in Bed With ME/CFS

As the new month starts, I am filled with joy and anticipation. It's been two years since I fell ill, that's two whole years in ... Continue

Title reads Keto for ME/cfs, How the ketogenic diet reduced my symptoms. Photo of asparagus, avocado, chia seeds, eggs and tomato on a while table top.

How The Ketogenic Diet Reduced My ME/CFS Symptoms

If you've been following my journey for a while, you'll be aware that I use Keto for ME/cfs management. I often get asked what this ... Continue

It’s Been One Of Those Days, Again

Today is one of those days... I've overdone things this week. Went out to GP on Monday and although I was in wheelchair, it knocked ... Continue

Took Me 30 Years To Learn This Truth About The Gospel

So many Christians live in fear and doubt these days. I know this well, I was one of them. I loved God and wanted to ... Continue

Still Itching: Time To Find The Unknown Allergen

I'm still struggling with this allergic reaction that started in February. I initially thought it was the Keto rash and tried coming off the ketogenic ... Continue

Woman with her hands in her hair, she looks frustrated. Title reads: Our house is infested with teeny, tiny white bugs. TIny mites that look like specks of dust moving around.

What Are These Teeny, Tiny White Bugs All Over My House And How To Get Rid Of These Little Mites?

I was shocked to discover that my bed, which was in the house when we moved in, had some teeny, tiny white bugs! Not bedbugs ... Continue

How I’ve Been Since Moving To The New House

We are settled in the new house now and I'm happy to say that I'm doing much better than I was a few months ago ... Continue

Char sitting in a wheelchair in a botanical nursery. Title reads: shopping with the family, Personal Update.

My Wheelchair And I: Shopping With The Family

I actually left the house this week! Leaving the house is not something that happens very often when you have a chronic illness as debilitating ... Continue

Book Review: The PK Cookbook by Dr Sarah Myhill. Go Paleo-ketogenic and get the best of both worlds.

The Paleo-Ketogenic Cookbook, by Dr Sarah Myhill

Dr Myhill's latest book arrived in the mail this week! It's a Paleo-ketogenic cookbook called "The PK Cookbook - Go Paleo-Keto and get the best ... Continue

Allergic Reaction: Itching And Hives

I went to the doctor again this week. This is the fourth doctor I've seen about my itching. She was lovely and also thinks it's ... Continue

The Freedom Of Letting Go

Sometimes you don't notice the weight you're carrying until you let it go. This is often such a hard truth to accept, but letting go ... Continue

A collage of 4 meals, title reads: How carbs make my MEcfs symptoms worse. Personal update

How Carbs Make My ME/CFS Worse

Carbs really make my ME/CFS symptoms worse! I have spent so much time on the sofa and in my bed again this week. One would ... Continue

How I’m Tackling The ME/CFS Flares

I had been doing so well for so long that I had almost forgotten how bad these flares can get. It can be discouraging when ... Continue

A pill bottle and glass of water in the foreground, in the background a woman sleeping on a bed. Title reads: using MSM supplements to relieve chronic pain. Methylsulfonyl Methane, also called the miracle supplement

MSM for Chronic Pain Relief

I've had quite a few people ask what I'm using for to reduce chronic pain. One of my favourite things since falling ill is MSM ... Continue

Char is pointing to her shirt which shows an empty battery with the words "low spoon warning" on it. Title reads: Histamine issues have caused the M.E. to flare up. personal update.

My Histamine Issues Have Caused An ME/CFS Flare

It's been a while since I wrote a personal update. I have recently been extremely drained and weak, so haven't been very social or active ... Continue

Does Chronic Illness Make You Feel Useless?

Does chronic illness make you feel useless? I know that many Christians with chronic illness feel like they are no longer useful to God or ... Continue

a woman sitting alone on a windowsill, looking lonely. Title reads Isolation, why people drift away when you're chronically ill and why this might be a good thing

Isolation: Why Do People Drift Away?

Sometimes it's hard to accept that when you're living with a chronic illness, people fall away, but it is something that commonly happens after a ... Continue

a 6-year-old Char sitting on the rocks at the beach, her dad is seated behind her

My Life Story In 20 Sentences, For The #20FunFacts Challenge

I write a lot about my experience with chronic illness, my diet and my faith, but there are many things about me that you probably ... Continue

Healthcare professionals pulling a patient's bed along the corridor

Why I Avoid Emergency Services And My Top Tips For Coping At Home

I often see people with ME/CFS writing about how they have spent hours in the emergency room only to be completely disappointed, misunderstood or even ... Continue

A woman looking off to the side, she's sad and demotivated

You’ve Got This: You’re A Warrior And A Survivor

When living with a chronic illness, whether it's a physiological or psychological condition, it is common to start doubting yourself. Your confidence dwindles as you ... Continue

Update: current ME/CFS flare is slowing me down

It’s hard to deal with these unexpected flares or relapses that seem to come out of the blue. You end up asking yourself a million ... Continue

Keeping An Eternal Perspective

I absolutely believe that we are safer with God in any storm than we would be anywhere else without Him. It's hard when you focus ... Continue

Feet in a bath tub, water moving. Title reads Shakes and Tremors with ME/CFS. Myalgic Encephalomyeitis causes visible body tremors.

Shaking And Trembling With ME/CFS

One of the most frustrating and debilitating symptoms of ME/CFS is the shaking and trembling after minimal exertion. Something that healthy people might get after ... Continue

Moving to a foreign country, homecoming BLOG

When moving to a foreign country feels like coming home

It was an icy November evening in 2010, exactly 7 years ago today, when my best friend and I hopped on a plane to London ... Continue

A bowl of colourful confetti spilled on a wooden table. Title says, Gift guide, what to buy for your chronically ill friends.

Gift Guide: What To Buy For Your Chronically Ill Friends, Part 1

It can be quite tricky deciding what to buy your friends with chronic illness because of all the limitations and intolerances we often have. What ... Continue

God gives us the desires of our heart BLOG

God will give you the desires of your heart

This verse is often misinterpreted and then people are discouraged and think God doesn’t keep His word. It’s not saying God is a genie and ... Continue

colourful flouting balloons with title, Gift Guide, what to buy for your Chronically Ill Friends

Gift guide: what to buy for your chronically ill friends, part 2

I know many people find such joy in shopping for gifts. They start shopping months in advance and they buy the most thoughtful, personalised gifts ... Continue

Summertime Christmas in Africa

When people think of Christmas, they think of snow, father Christmas or Santa Claus, Pine trees and funky Christmas sweaters. We also think about the ... Continue

Gift Guide, What to buy for chronically ill friend, ChronicallyHopeful

Gift guide: what to buy for your chronically ill friends, part 3

I'm so excited to share this third part of my spoonie gift guide, I hope you are enjoying this series as much as I am! ... Continue

Blogmas 2017 Christmas Tag!

One of the things I love about blogging are all the community events. Things like monthly challenges, link-ups and interviews. Holiday link-ups are always fun! ... Continue

A career woman sits in a corridor with her head in her hands

Outcome: Unfit For Work

I love Facebook memories. Each day you wake up to find a lovely look back at how much things have changed over the past year. ... Continue

Christmas lights and baubles in some branches. Title reads: How I survived Christmas despite Severe M.E. My tips for coping during the festive season

How I Survived Christmas Despite Chronic Illness – How To Cope During The Festive Season

One thing that can really cause a lot of stress for people with Chronic illness is coping with Christmas and all that it entails. For ... Continue

December 2017 Chronic Voice Blog Link-up

As this year draws to an end, I have decided to start something new here on the blog. One of my favourite parts of blogging ... Continue

My First Outing in 5 Months

I am so happy to have visited the beautiful Lake District this holiday! As anybody with a chronic illness can tell you, holidays are a ... Continue

Needing a wheelchair at 35, ChronicallyHopeful

Thoughts On Needing A Wheelchair At Age 35

A year ago today I got my wheelchair! I was almost completely bedridden at the time. Walking just a few steps every hour or two ... Continue

Reflecting, Aiming, Expanding, Focusing, Refreshing

I'm so happy to finally be taking part in A Chronic Voice's monthly link-up! I have been silently following along from the shadows for months, ... Continue

Imagine… A Day in The Life of ME

It might surprise you how often people with chronic illness are asked what they do with all the free time they have at home. I ... Continue

My First Blog Award: Liebster Nomination

I was incredibly surprised when Emma from Not Just Tired nominated me for the Liebster Award. That was 3 months ago, in November last year. ... Continue

Getting To Know The Me Behind The Illness

I've been nominated to take part in the blogging tag game "Me Behind The Illness". I think it is a great way to remind ourselves ... Continue

When intention, creativity and chronic illness collide, BLOG

Update: When Intention, Creativity and Chronic Illness Collide

This month has been quite productive! I can't believe it's almost gone already. I'm once again taking part in this thought-provoking monthly link-up with Sheryl ... Continue

Baptism: Celebrating My Rebirth-day

April is a very special month for me. Many of my great life changes seem to have happened in April. This particular celebration is very ... Continue

A season of anticipation, chronic voice link-up, BLOG

Update: A Season Of Anticipation And New Beginnings

I can't believe we're almost half-way through April already! This is possibly one of my favourite times of the year being the season of new ... Continue

Nicole sitting on a sofa, leaning her head on her hand, smiling. Title reads Faith through Generalised anxiety disorder, interview with Nicole Starbuck, by Chronically Hopeful

Nicole Starbuck on Faith Through Illness

Welcome to the first interview in a new series called Faith Through Illness. I hope you will find these stories to be encouraging and a ... Continue

Time to reassess my condition ME cfs, ChronicallyHopeful

Reassessing My Condition, Setting Realistic Goals

It's time for another personal update. Time to reassess and set realistic goals. This month has been so much harder than I anticipated. Somehow I ... Continue

Sunshine Blogger Award 2018, ChronicallyHopeful

Sunshine Blogger Award, June 2018

Chronically Hopeful has been nominated for another blog award! The Sunshine Blogger Award is awarded to bloggers by bloggers in recognition of their contribution to ... Continue

MEpedia Crowdsourced encyclopedia of ME cfs, ChronicallyHopeful

How To Edit MEpedia – The ME/CFS Encyclopedia

The main focus of this post is to show you in a step-by-step way how you can edit MEpedia. I was very happy to recently ... Continue

Lots of hands giving thumbs up with gold confetti falling down. Title Reads WEGO Health Awards, ChronicallyHopeful

My 2018 WEGO Health Award Nomination – Best In Show: Blog

I am so excited to share this news with you! I have been nominated for the 2018 WEGO Health Award in the Best In Show: ... Continue

How to get more Instagram links, ChronicallyHopeful

How To Get More Links On Instagram Without Using Linktree

If you are a blogger with an Instagram account, you will be very aware of the frustrating limit they have placed on us by allowing ... Continue

A pink donut tube floating in a swimming pool. Title reads, Summer survival kit and Tips to beat the heat.

My Summer Survival Kit & Top Tips To Beat The Heat. Spoonie Gift Guide, Part 4

Summer can be a really difficult time for people with chronic illness. Regulating body temperature is a common problem. Add in a rare summer heat ... Continue

4 empty deck chairs on a pebbled beach, facing teh water. seagulls flying above.

The SIPB Summer Blog Tag: My Summertime Favourites

One of my favourite things about the blogging community are the seasonal tagging events. These blog tags are like a game of "20 Questions" and ... Continue

Enjoying Nature from Indoors, BWB, ChronicallyHopeful

Breakfast With Birds: Enjoying Nature From Indoors

Welcome to our garden! We have just moved into a lovely new house and this one has a garden! I am beyond excited about being ... Continue

Coal Tits First visitors at Bird Feeder, Breakfast With Birds, ChronicallyHopeful

Coal Tits – Our First Brave Visitors At The Bird Feeder

After moving to our new house last week, we hung our first bird feeder out on Monday and waited (im)patiently for the birds to come ... Continue

Book Review: Annabeth’s War, by Jessica Greyson

In my first book review I'm sharing my thoughts on this lovely novella by Jessica Greyson. Annabeth's War was her debut work and it happens ... Continue

Book cover on the left features girl standing outside on a farm with caption that reads "Can a rebellious heart find peace?". On the right it says Book Review, Nobody's Girl, A pre-WWII Family Saga Fiction by Tania Crosse

Book Review: Nobody’s Girl, By Tania Crosse

I'm so excited to share this heartwarming story with you today! Nobody's Girl by Tania Crosse is a fantastic book full of family drama, tragedy, ... Continue

Book cover on the left features a diamond shaped mountain with title He's making Diamonds by Sarah Willoughby above. The Title and author name appear in text on the right.

Book Review: He’s Making Diamonds

Geared towards teens suffering with chronic illness, this book aims to answer some of those tough questions believers often find themselves asking when things seem ... Continue

A pile of boxes stacked up next to a radiator. Title reads Moving to a new house, plus 12 tips to make moving easier

Moving To A New House – Plus 12 Ways To Make Moving Easier If You’re Chronically Ill

This summer was a season of great change for our family. After little more than a year in our flat, my dad had found us ... Continue

How To Create Your Own Instagram Landing Page, Step-By-Step

If you're a blogger who uses Instagram to promote your content, then you will most likely be just as frustrated as I was about the ... Continue

Title reads Health and fitness the week I fell ill with severe ME. Photo of Char and friends walking in a park wearing pink fluffy bunny ears and carrying green balloons. By Chronically Hopeful

Health And Fitness: A Week Before I Fell Ill With Severe Chronic Illness

Ironically my life was super busy and active during the weeks and months before the onset of what lead to my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis. ... Continue

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind: How Can The Church Better Serve The Chronically Ill?

Today I am sharing a guest post by Shona Smith. I must admit, I have mixed feelings about this topic, but it is an important ... Continue

Creating A Retreat Away From My Own Bedroom

Look at that beautiful Lily! Everyday there seems to be something new in the garden. It's constantly changing. I try to take a walk through ... Continue

My 2019 WEGO Health Award Nomination – Best In Show: Facebook

I'm so honoured and grateful to be nominated once again for the WEGO Health Awards. Last year I was nominated for the Best In Show: ... Continue

September 2019 nomination for the Chronically Hopeful Award

Chronically Hopeful Award, September 2019

I am honoured to have been nominated for the Chronically Hopeful Award! And no, I did not create this award, the name is just a ... Continue

Char outside in the garden wearing a sunhat and sunglasses, title reads: exploring the garden and our first BBQ in years. Personal update.

Exploring The Garden And Our First Family BBQ In Years

Last year, at the end of Summer, we moved into this house that has a lovely little garden. It was the first time in years ... Continue

A photo of a bookshelf with books and greeting cards. Title reads: Getting organised for the year ahead.

Getting Organised For The Year Ahead – Personal Update, Jan 2020

I am so excited for the year that lies ahead; something about new beginnings just really makes me happy. For me, 2019 was quite a ... Continue

3 pots with seedling vegetables growing in them. Title reads Growing crops in pots, follow my gardening adventure growing vegetables indoors

Crops In Pots, Indoor Gardening While Housebound

This month my sister and I are taking on a new project: crops in pots! I have always been interested in gardening and have always ... Continue

My 2020 WEGO Health Award Nomination – Advocating For Another

I'm so grateful and humbled to be nominated for another WEGO Health Award. This is the third year in a row which is just incredible ... Continue

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Category: My Personal Journey