The Story Starts

I am not one to be sick, however the past 29 months have been somewhat taxing. I was working as a Personal Assistant to the College Principal when in 2009 a critical incident occurred at our College. I was closely involved in this incident which traumatized the school community, staff and particularly many students. Fortunately, after a lot of counseling, most of us came through with a very different perspective on life and for many, an incredibly deeper relationship with God.

As 2011 commenced I was exhausted and wondered if I should continue in my role as Principals Personl Assistant. My exercising was non existent, I fatigued easily and could barely walk 20 meters as my calves were very sore. I just could not walk fast. This was not usual for me as I had always been fit. My weight was increasing and no amount of dieting helped there.

When I returned to work in January I was experiencing strange spasms in my right hand. At home I struggled to climb the stairs to our bedroom. Cursing my weight I had no idea my body was saying, "hey you, this is not normal!"

At the end of February 'Poss' was traveling to study in China and I was traveling to Ireland for my niece's wedding. A week before I left I fell out the door into our indoor pool room. Thinking it was because I tripped on something, I told my doctor about my hand and also that my calves were sore, but not that I stumbled.

In Ireland, my brother-in-law (Irish) took me sight seeing. I hoped no one would notice how slow I walked and continued to note to self.."I must lose weight!" Climbing stairs was an ordeal and Irish said, "come on, you have stairs at your place", "yes but they aren't as steep as these".

I was often late rising in the mornings due to my fatigue, however I determined to enjoy myself at the wedding. I did and I 'danced like no one was watching'. I am so happy I made the trip even though it was taxing. After the wedding, I flew to Edinburgh, in Scotland, where I enjoyed the sights, lights and even snow. Unfortunately the hotel lift was out of order and my room was on the 5th level. I didn't even have the strength to open the window after my debilitating climb up 5 levels and was rather embarrassed when it slid up so easily for the manager!

Exhausted, I ordered room service, ate dinner and slipped into a cosy sleep. Next morning, knowing I wouldn't be able to climb the stairs again I left my luggage with the concierge. After breakfast I travelled around the city in the bus. Noting a quaint alley of shops and being one who loves to browse, I disembarked to start my stroll...."big mistake! Huge!"....I felt like I was falling to the right as I walked..musing to myself, "...could almost think I have had a stroke", so I promptly returned to the hotel, caught a bus to the airport, flew to Dublin and then returned to Australia.

Back in Oz I attended my School Reunion and had a wonderful evening catching up with my school friends from 27 years ago. None of us had changed, we all ignored the increased waistlines, greying hair and shiny patches, life is too short to be worried about the aging process. Two days later I returned to work, but within a few hours I knew I would be going home.

What followed were visits to chiropractors, doctors, specialists and eventually I formally resigned my job. Thinking I only required a break, I agreed to help out with events as I was needed.

During the following months I tried to journal. I would start, then stop, not really completing my entries.

I will add this journalling to my blog as it will convey some of the emotion and frustration endured during my prediagnosis period. Back soon.
SusieQ