For 10 years my Mother has had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It's kind of hard to explain - I don't know what causes it. They're still working that out, and have found a whole lot of defficiencies but they don't know (as far as I am aware).
But since I was six years old my Mum has had the illness. I can't remember a whole heap, because that's going back a bit (makes me feel like an old fella ^_^), but she was in hospital and I was unable to see her for three months at the start.
She improved, and after a few years, maybe 4 or something, she was pretty much back to normal. But after a few years, she had a relapse and was completely bed-ridden. Again, she started to improve, but a change in tablets (caused by Government changing brands or something) sent her down again. My Dad is away from home a lot working, so we had other people in our home looking after my brother, sister and I during the years.
So, as you can imagine, it's been hard at times. However - I praise God that I am in a Christian home, because he has been our strength and support through this time. Without him I don't know how things would have turned out, but with him- we've learnt so much and become very close as a family. It's not hard ALL the time, though - like many things in life, it becomes 'normal' and you get used to it - there are good times as well as bad - mostly good ^_^.
But.. I'm starting to get excited. My Mum is improving so much now. A while ago she was able to get to Church and go around shopping in a wheelchair for ages afterward, and, although tired, was pretty much normal the best day. Usually she'd be flat on her back, wasted.
On Christmas day, she was up from 9am to 10pm!!!! Out of bed, in the house in her wheelchair. And she hardly had a 'down' time after that, either.
She managed to drive from the end of the road, and is looking better and better. It's very exciting. But at the same time, it's like I'm very worried. As you can probably imagine, I sometimes think of the possibility of another relapse - though I try not to. A while ago, I was really struggling to hope - it was like a physical pain whenever I considered hoping this is the time Mum might be completely better. I've decided to hope and just take whatever comes without worrying about it too much. Whatever happens, God's there.
And it's amazing to start to have a Mum again. This week, I drove her out to do some shopping (still exciting she can get out to do it) and she brought me clothes. I haven't done that with my Mum - or anyone for that matter - more than perhaps once that I can remember during this time. Mum's ordered things from the mail-order catalogue instead these last couple of years. It felt so good to be out with her, doing normal 'bonding'
things. Praise God.
So... there's my excitment, fear and praise. Thanks for reading through this. It feels really good to have it off my chest and to have sung me little old chirruping, happy heart out a bit.
Praise God.
(PS: If you could spare a quick prayer for my Mum's recovery and to help me continue hoping, It'd be awesome).
