Long Driveway

ME/CFS Awareness Day

My attempt to describe life with severe ME/CFS with photo.

This short driveway is a symbol of isolation.

I live alone with severe ME/CFS. The degree of severity varies from “closer to Moderate” to “Very close to Very Severe”. I am complete housebound and often bedridden. I take a day at a time, sometimes a couple of hours at a time. I can have some good afternoon after prolonged rest and conscious pacing in order to see my doctor or do a quick grocery shopping.

I am often too weak and too fatigued to walk up this driveway to check letterbox. I cannot take rubbish bin out every week. On my bad days, or on hot days, walking to letterbox at the gate gives me hyperventilation and crash as if I just finished a marathon run.

I sometimes wave at a neighbour from the letterbox, but I cannot walk across the street and have a chat with him. He sees my walking stick, so I hope he understands I am not being unfriendly neighbour. No neighbour walked on this driveway and knocked on my door to say hello or see if I was okay. I briefly mentioned two neighbours when I moved in here that I am very sick and often in bed. That was the only conversation I had with my neighbours.

This driveway is nothing to able people. But for a severe MEite, it often feels like a high mountain. And it is physically separating me from the rest of the world.


My blog on ME/CFS Awareness Day:
ME/CFS Awareness Day