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Hello!
Man it has been over a month since I last posted on The Joyous Living. So much has been happening or not happening depending on how you look at it but I wanted to give a quick update because lets be honest I really miss blogging and my amazing blogging community.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

For those of you who are keeping tabs on me, you’ll know that I came down with a bad cold that developed into tonsillitis early/mid November. One thing led to another and suddenly I was literally on my back my mid November with the most excruciating pain I had experienced, an inability to read/focus on a computer screen or book (still not very good so please excuse any spelling errors as I type), and a fatigue that would not seem to lift. There were/are other problems I have faced with relation to this strange disease but those were the worst. I went back and forth from one GP to another in London and was diagnosed with Post Viral Fatigue/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which I had never heard of before — sounded like a made up disease to me. Seriously who calls in sick from uni or work saying they have ‘post viral fatigue’, I thought.

At A&E with the amazing Natasha (24 November 2014)

Adieu London

Long story short I had to file for mitigating circumstances at uni and praise the LORD that was accepted and my tutors/teachers have all been amazingly helpful and supportive. My friends in London were also true heroes – in particular big shout outs to Natasha, Olga and Mafe – and my mum flew out to London on Thanksgiving Day (!) and brought me home to California to recuperate. I really don’t know what I would have done without all these wonderful people supporting me… I am so very grateful!

Floral Bouquet from Angela’s Florist (Thanks Bridge Girls! xx)

Surrounded by Love

I have been back in California for the past twenty days (how time flies!) and have been blessed to have my dear friends Laurie and Heather come to visit and lovely bouquets of flowers from Audrie and the ladies at the Bridge. I have also received some truly delicious homemade soups from the incredible Karin Wall and a treat bag and card from the lovely Negrey ladies that brought such smiles to my face. For the most part I have been laying low, taking pain medication and becoming best friends with my heating pad (O the wonders!).

Healthy Hair (Thanks LoriAnn Miller @ Texture Hair Salon)
I have seen two fabulous Conejo Valley doctors since returning home, GP Marc Judd and OMD and Acupuncturist Bruce Pendleberry. I cannot praise either doctor highly enough from their excellent way of putting the patient (me) at peace, giving 200% of themselves during consultation times (never once have I felt rushed or like my questions were not important) to their interest not to go firstly to the most costly option to the fact that I am actually feeling a wee bit normal for the third day in a row (!!)
Thanks also to the lovely LoriAnn Miller at Texture Hair Salon in Thousand Oaks who cut my hair and gave me a little extra loving with some curls to help boost my spirit. I am a blessed girl surrounded by much love.
I am no were near where I should be health wise but I have felt a bit of normalcy with some energy and a smile on my face allowing me to carry out a few simple chores here and there and all with hope.
As I said, I am still not able to focus on the computer screen or reading — it causes a burning sensation and other unpleasant symptoms – so my apologies if there are errors etc. in this post but I wanted to send a shout out to the world saying I am alive and hopeful.
It is nearly Christmas and I am hoping for continued improvements and that everyone has a healthy and love-filled season. God bless each and every one of us.
xx
Joy
The Joyous Living: Being Diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
p.s. I would be remiss if I did not make a mention of my travel experience. Unable to walk for any length of time and in terrible pain, I contacted American Airlines about wheelchair assistance. Reserving their service was easy as a snap and free and the service at Heathrow was incredible. Big shout outs to wheelchair handlers Danny Cruz and Lynette Young from AirServ at Heathrow. Once they had been called by the AA check in team, it was literally smooth sailing for me and my mum. Both handlers, Danny and Lynette, were beyond gracious and friendly and helpful and accommodating never making me feel bad for my inability to get around by foot and they even refused the tip my mum and I tried to offer them. I could not have been in better hands if I had personally selected the team myself. Service at LAX was also good – my wheelchair handler was a kind young man (who waited for the tip) – but the 20-30 minute wait for a wheelchair after deplaning and before border control was not fun in the least and I felt like someone in a cattle queue. I was just so happy to get home so big thanks to Danny and Lynette for their help!
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