The Silent Ilness

Written by pussylicious on March 16, 2010

For the past four years now, I have suffered from the chronic illness, M.E. For so long, I have wanted to write a blog about it, to hopefully raise awareness of itand to help me express how badly it's affected my life, and those close to me. Right now, I've not hadf a good few days physically; I've had awful fatigue, painful stomach pains, headaches and muscle aches. So as not to drain the little energy I have right now, I've written a poem, but soon I hope to write the blog I've wished for, for so long.

Who am I?

I creep in slowly

Invading your mind, your body and your soul.

I make your body feel old before it's time- frail and vulnerable to pain.

I wrap a mist of what feels like cotton wool around your brain,

Preventing you from thinking clearly.

Sometimes, I'll place what feels like plastic over your eyes,

Stopping you from seeing clearly.

I'll make your head pound like thunder,

And flash pains like lightning through your muscles.

I'll make your stomach into a whirlwind,

Aching all over.

I'll trap you in your bedroom - Like a prison,

Shutting you away from everyone and everything.

I'll make sure your family have to care for you 24/7,

And have to stay with you to make sure you're alright.

I'll make sure lots of people don't understand you,

Telling you to just "Get on with it."

I'll swiral you into a hole of depression

And try to convince you, that you'll never get better.

School isn't an option - You need to rest.

And who am I, You ask?

No, I'm not a hurricane or a natural disaster.

I am silent.

My Name is M. E.

M. E (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) is a devasting chronic illness affecting millions of people - some may not even know they have it, as there are currently no tests to show M.E is in someone's system. There is currently no medication directly aimed at treating it, so alternative methods of care are offered.

There is a 25% chance in children and teenagers, that they will get significantly better.

M.E is the illness causing most long - term absences from schools in Britain, alone.

I ask you to please consider, if you are taking part in a sponsered run, marathon, or just want to raie money for charity to please consider choosing to raise money for an M.E charity ie Tymes Trust, Action For M.E  - to help put money towards intense research by dedicated scientists and doctors, into finding out the source of M.E, treatment and possibly a cure. Who knows how long it'll take - but every penny makes a difference! When the subject of M.E is brought up, many people have never heard of it. That's why I want to raise awareness of it. There are lots of cancer related charities making adverts and raising money in the public eye. I would like to see the samne done for M.E. Although, it can't kill you, M.E can be equally as destroying as diseases such as cancer. At the end of my sister's last year in primary school, she asked if the school would put all donations earned at their final assembly towards Action For M.E and the school happily agreed ( as it normally goes towards a cancer charity). This meant so much to me!

In the U.K, a woman in her thirties, recently (along with the help of her mother) comitted suicide  after a long battle with the illness, and being bedridden for years. No-one deserves to feel like this- I have.

Thank you for taking the time out to read thid - it's very much appreciated. Please leave a comment- I'd love to read them.

I love my BM family so much and am so grateful for each  of you. You're all such a blessing to me!

Lots of Love,

Rachel xxxx