August 23, 2019

​I can't read this without a ​smile on my face and shaking my head in agreement. In this three-part series our guest author, David Graham, shares ​his humorous ​take ​on life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. I ​think it also ties in wonderfully with our Effects Of M.E. awareness campaign. I hope it makes you ​giggle as much as I am!

More...

​I've also created some graphics you can share online if any of David's comments resonate with you. Click on any of the graphics to zoom in.

​You Might Be An M.E. Sufferer If...

1) You sanitize your hands for no reason.
2) You never leave home without an early-exit strategy.
3) You routinely use phrases that make little sense to healthy people: “crashing,” “brain fog, “wired and tired,” etc.
4) Sleep masks, white noise and sleeping pills are bare necessities.

You might be a person with M.E. if... you sanitise your hands for no reason.
You might be a person with M.E. if... you never leave home without an early-exit strategy
You might be a person with M.E. if... you routinely use phrases healthy people don't understand
You might be a person with M.E. if... sleep masks, white noise and sleeping pills are necessities

​5) You’ve been trying to plan a social engagement. But at this point, you’ve cancelled the
cancellation date’s cancellation date.
6) When normal people complain about tiredness, you feign compassion while inwardly rolling your eyes.
7) Your new midnight hunger craving is air.
8) Dreams have replaced vacations.

You might be a person with M.E. if... cancelling social engagements
You might be a person with M.E. if... when normal people complain of tiredness youo feign compassion and inwardly roll your eyes
You might be a person with M.E. if... your new midnight hunger craving is air.
You might be a person with M.E. if... dreams have replaced vacations

​9) You start a movie and then a family member enters the room saying, “You know we watched this a couple months ago, right?”
10) Your fish oil consumption makes you wonder how the oceanic ecosystem survives.
11) In a moment of indulgence, you gobble a few handfuls of potato chips…and then spend like four stomach-bloating hours regretting it.
12) You peruse chronic illness forums more than Facebook, YouTube and Twitter combined.

You might be a person with M.E. if... you forget you've already seen this movie
You might be a person with M.E. if... your fish oil comsumption makes you wonder how the oceanic ecosystem survives
You might be a person with M.E. if... hours of discomfort after eating
You might be a person with M.E. if... you peruse chronic illness forums more than social media

​13) You haven’t shaved in over a month.
14) You think you’ve communicated the gravity of your illness, but then come the dreaded follow-up questions: “So you’re really tired, eh?,” “Maybe you’re just stressed,” “You should try (insert trivial or nutty health advice here).”
15) You feel like deep-fried ice cream: both chilled and sweaty at once.
16) Your appointment preparation is as intense as the appointment itself.

You might be a person with M.E. if... you haven't shaved in over a month
You might be a person with M.E. if... people constanly misunderstand your condition and offer unhelpful advice
You might be a person with M.E. if... you feel like deep fried icecream, chilled and sweaty at once
You might be a person with M.E. if... your appointment prep is as intense as the appointment itself

​17) You regard Unrest as the greatest film since The Godfather Part II.
18) Your inflammatory markers say “all good, nothin’ to see here,” but your joints exclaim, “Help, we’re on fire!”
19) If you saw Ron Davis (the ME researcher) at the supermarket, you’d ask for his autograph. But this’ll never happen…because supermarkets intimidate you.
20) The most mentally taxing thing you did this year: those godforsaken disability forms.

You might be a person with M.E. if... you regard unrest as the greatest film since the godfather 2.
You might be a person with M.E. if... your inflammatory markers are clear, but your joints are on fire.
You might be a person with M.E. if... if you'd ask Ron Davis for his autograph
You might be a person with M.E. if... the most metally taxing thing you did this year was filling in disability forms

​About The Author

David A. Graham is a PhD candidate (Theological Studies) at the University
of Toronto, Canada.

For two years he has been on an indefinite leave of absence thanks to a
disabling relapse of post-infectious ME/CFS.

He mostly enjoys doing nothing.

You can access the entire gallery of images in this series, here.

A bed and bedside table with a lamp on it. Title reads: You might be an M.E. sufferer if... A humorous look at life with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, part 1, guest post by David A Graham.

Pin This Post!

​If you'd like to share something you've written about life with chronic illness, please get in touch. I'd love to share your story on ChronicallyHopeful.com too.

​More About Life With M.E.

a field of sunflowers, title reads ME Community News
Healthcare professionals pulling a patient's bed along the corridor
A bouquet of blue hydrangeas, Title reads: M.E. Community News, News headlines and blog highlights from week 40 of 2019
Man in a wheelchair with his hand on the wheel. Title reads: Not all disabilities are visible. International day of people with disabilities.
A black butterfly on pink azaleas
Char lying on the bed, feeling ill. Title reads: Living with severe M.E. Who am I now? When it feels like you've lost your identity to chronic illness
Thank you for stopping by. Hugs, Char xx

Let's Stay In Touch

Housebound Lifestyle: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 
M.E. Awareness: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Vibrant Hope Art: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 
Support My Work: Buy My Art | Shop My Favourite Things
Or if you'd like to send me something, here's my Amazon Wishlist - Thank you!

email chronically hopeful char at gmail dot com

This blog was designed using Thrive Theme Builder.

Please share this page before you go:

Join The Conversation

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Subscribe to our newsletter now!

>