Melissa’s World
Each day my room’s eternally
A prison and infirmary
It’s not a choice that’s up to me
Relentlessly
I miss my family, lost my friends
The list of losses never ends
My body breaks, my spirit bends
Relentlessly
I’ve tried it all, took every test
I suffered as I gave my best
I cannot sleep, my mind won’t rest
Relentlessly
Melissa, Stanwood, WA
This poem was submitted as part of the Reflections of ME/CFS and FM and Long COVID Awareness Day Virtual Event on May 9th, 2023.
#MillionsMissing #MillionsMore #Hope4MECFS #Hope4FM #Hope4LongCOVID

Lucinda Bateman, MD, is a renowned clinician, researcher, and educator. Her Johns Hopkins University Medical School training instilled an approach to care that she has employed throughout her career – the patient comes first and the unknown or unexplained does not equate to a lack of proper and compassionate care. Since starting her own practice in 2000, she has served on six boards or committees, been the principal investigator for 45 studies, authored/coauthored 40 journal articles, served as adjunct instructor and adjunct assistant professor in the University of Utah Departments of Preventative Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Anesthesiology, and lectured around the world.