Prior to becoming sick, I worked a variety of jobs including an orthodontic receptionist, dental assistant, massage therapist, yoga instructor, answering service operator, waitress, cleaner, and costume jewelry designer and maker. I loved riding my ten-speed bicycle...
Patient Voice
The Day My Life Changed
After high school, I attended and graduated from a class in machinist training through NASA. I worked for multiple machine shops throughout the years and ultimately became a journeyman machinist, CNC milling/CNC lathe programmer. In the late 1990s/early 2000s I...
A Physician’s Journey with ME/CFS
As I think about the Bateman Horne Center (BHC) I am reminded of its mission of empowering patients, advancing research, and improving clinical care for all those impacted by ME/CFS, FM, post-viral syndromes and related conditions (msCCDs), as well as the vision of...
I Have Learned…
I Have Learned... My worth is not in what I can do, it is in who I am That people don’t really think about the fact you are in a wheelchair Except to be on the alert if they might be able to help you The grieving process is a circle I have hard days, but I had hard...
“Precipice”
We stand on the edge of a precipice and most of the time we keep our eyes trained on the horizon where we can see across to our loved ones to moments of joy happiness contentment. Sometimes we lose our energy and our gaze turns downward into the chasm of despair pain...
“Reflections at Year 5”
Reflections at year 5… On top of the world, amazing career, a perfect life Until suddenly I wasn’t Why me, why now? But why not me? Unable to stand, to eat, to sleep, to think Where had I gone? An end, and then a foreign uncharted path Time eased some burdens, some...
“Better Because of M.E.”
"Better Because of M.E." (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) Despite decades of sickness, I’m still me. I’m still of worth; better because of M.E. More loving, empathetic, patient and kind In spite of “losing” some of my mind. Stuck at home but not in the mud, I “get back up”...
“Don’t Irritate the Invisible Beast!”
**Trigger Warning: Chronic Illness** "Don't Irritate the Invisible Beast!" Morning birds awake my unrefreshed insomnia ladened eyes as another day has begun. A glimmer of hope flashes through my mind, what if today the Invisible Beast has left my body; will I...
Share Expression of Hope for Awareness Day
Share Your Message of Hope It’s time to start preparing for ME/CFS and FM Awareness Day! We are holding the 3rd annual Messages of Hope virtual event on May 11th, one day early this year because Dr. Bateman is speaking about ME/CFS at the Long COVID and Fatiguing...
To the ME/CFS & FM Community
My name is Lisa O’Brien, and I am a COVID Long Hauler and the founder of the Utah COVID-19 Long Haulers group, a group I started almost a year ago when no one would take me seriously after being sick for several months. I knew there would be others in my community who...
The Crushing Aftermath of COVID-19
Being a Long COVID Warrior myself, I wanted to tell my story as well as millions around the world who have never felt well after contracting COVID-19. Many are being diagnosed with ME/CFS, dysautonomia, fibromyalgia and other post-viral illnesses. The weight we feel...
Courage
It takes courage to live with a chronic illness. It takes courage to be a prisoner in your own body. It takes courage to know that what you have isn't a cold or flu that has an expiration date. It takes courage to go to sleep at night knowing this nightmare won't end...