Jody Smith considers how things we consider beautiful can help feed a starving soul … I spent every day for years propped up on pillows on my bed. I could see out my window to the left. My messy closet was to the right. Looking straight ahead I saw a television, a messy desk and a dresser. Then one year
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Naturopathy: Happy Anniversary to Me and Dr. Upcott
It has been seven years since Jody Smith began seeing her Naturopath Doctor. Time then for a brief reflection on the extent to which a variety of interventions may have helped move Jody forwards in her own battle with ME/CFS… February, this year, marks seven years since I began seeing my naturopath, Dr. Kelly Upcott. For six and a half
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Life on a Dead-End Street
Jody Smith considers how her life had become one of necessary isolation, and how a chance encounter with new neighbours and the possibility of having them in her home, led to feelings of fear and insecurity. Looking back she reflects on how these concerns have slowly improved and how the occasional visitor is now more welcome… I live in a cul-de-sac
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Hope: Double-Edged Sword or a Light in the Darkness
By Jody Smith Hope is essential — especially when things look darkest. And yet, when you’re living with ME/CFS, stirring up hope can be the hardest thing to do. Hope can be a double-edged sword that can loosen your bonds, or savage you when you wield it. Having hope is no guarantee of success. Daring to hope can feel like
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The Holiday Season vs. ME/CFS
By Jody Smith In North America, the end of November traditionally kicks off the holiday season which runs till the beginning of January. “Holiday season” may seem to be at best an ironic term, at worst a bad joke, for describing this most taxing of time periods, especially for people who are chronically ill, and often poor and isolated as
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Writing as Therapy: My ME/CFS Story
Jody Smith reflects on how vital she has found the slow return of her writing ability – how it has helped with the expression of feelings and experiences, contributed to reestablishing a sense of self, and has proved such an important and productive means of social interaction… In my life before ME/CFS, I did a lot of writing. I kept
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Living the Half-life of ME/CFS
Jody Smith relates how tiny victories helped her regain a life despite her limitations. What is it about situations that are unfamiliar that make our brains feel lumpy and our bodies feel like they are moving (or trying to) in another dimension? When I was at my sickest with ME/CFS, this wasn’t much of a problem, because I was spending
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How Do You Handle Autumn?
Jody Smith explains how autumn sends her body into hibernation mode, and it’s time to slow down – or else. I read recently that the term “autumn” is predominantly used in the U.K. “Fall” is more commonly used in the U.S. I’m Canadian, though, so I guess I can use either one. And I choose “autumn” simply because it causes
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Rewarding the ME/CFS Brain
Jody Smith explains how growing virtual lettuce created a real sense of satisfaction and provided a subtle return to the land of the living… I knew I was coming back a bit to the land of the living after several years’ exile when I was able to go online again. Getting onto Facebook and learning my way around was quite a
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The Naive Patient
By Jody Smith About 10 years ago I began looking online for information and answers about my mystery illness. At that time, my sleeping and waking hours were upside down. I would sleep most of the day and be up throughout the night till dawn. I spent many disturbing hours online looking for answers. Back then, most of what I
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The Subverting of the ME/CFS Mind
by Jody Smith Of all the things ME/CFS is responsible for causing in our brains, this may be one of the biggest. Before I was lambasted by ME/CFS, I was an idealistic and trusting sort, loyal to a fault. I tried to see the best in people, tried to give the benefit of the doubt. My soft malleable center
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Dental Health: Yet One More Challenge For Those With ME/CFS
by Jody Smith Poor dental health may not be at the top of the list when you think of ME/CFS problems. But many of us who have been sick for any length of time can tell you some horror stories about our teeth. I don’t know if having ME/CFS is directly linked to poor teeth and all that can result,
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