In this episode, I'm continuing to talk about how I got a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) diagnosis. After visiting with the infectious disease specialist and learning that I had chronic Epstein Bar, I was now in the territory of CFS. I was really resistant to the diagnosis. It felt invalidating as a label. Aren't we all tired? Have you felt like you needed to explain your diagnosis?

I had the great good fortune of having a short-term disability benefit at work. I took leave and went to bed for six-weeks with the hope of recovering.

In today's episode I talk about what happened after six-months of limping along. With CFS, and other diagnoses of exclusion, it's tricky to find physicians with experience and willingness to treat us. I was fortunate enough to land one of these doctors as my primary care physicians. She referred me to an infectious disease specialist who dug into my medical history and ran comprehensive screening analysis. He found recent exposure to Epstein Bar Virus and based on the work-up he'd done, it was clear my body was still trying to fight that virus.

In today's episode I talk about trying to push through the mono I'd contracted. Barely able to function, unable to get refreshing sleep, clearing my evenings so that I could just fall into bed after work, taking a couple of days off every couple of weeks to just sleep, I was working with my doctor to address symptoms. As I rounded on the six-month mark of illness I was feeling desperate and unable to cope with this unrelenting health picture.

In today's episode I talk about the origins of my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Many years ago I got mono. Here's what happened when I found out I was sick.

It can be so difficult to feed ourselves when we are sick. The challenge of getting and preparing food is real and ongoing.

Have you done food elimination diets to know what works and doesn't work for your body?

Do you ever find yourself without fresh food in the house?

In these times, what are the staples -- the convenience foods, I keep when making a meal is impossible and when all else fails.

It can be so difficult to feed ourselves when we are sick. The challenge of getting and preparing food is real and ongoing.

Today I talk about food delivery. While it does require money and access, it can answer part of the question about how I get myself fed.

How often do you use these services?

Are they available in your town?

It can be so difficult to feed ourselves when we are sick. The challenge of getting and preparing food is real and ongoing.

What friend of family member do you know who cooks?

Can you or someone in your household cook once a week or so?

How can you increase the available food options without increasing the workload?

What barriers to getting good food in my house can I remove?

In this episode I'm discussing these questions and I include info about one of my go-to crock pot meals.

It can be so difficult to feed ourselves when we are sick. The challenge of getting and preparing food is real and ongoing.

Having meal prep kits can be part of the solution -- pre-proportioned, prepared ingredients, and recipes delivered to your home.

Do you have someone in your home who could manage 15-30 minutes of cooking to make 2-4 servings of food?

When looking to remove barriers to healthy food options, how realistic are these kit meals for you and your household?

I explore the pros and cons of meal prep kits in this episode of Chronic Wellness.

It can be so difficult to feed ourselves when we are sick. The challenge of getting and preparing food is real and ongoing.

What barriers to getting good food in my house can I remove?

If I can afford the fee, what does is available in my town for grocery pick-up or delivery?

Without the stamina to be able to grocery shop, these services are revolutionizing what's possible for me with chronic illness. They are giving me better access to fresh food at convenience prices. Even if I'm not well enough to go get the food, because I shop on line, any time day or night, and pay online, almost anyone can pick up the food for me. Continuing the theme of how to feed ourselves, I'm talking about groceries in this episode.

On the many days when I'm not well enough to shop for and prepare food for myself, it becomes an even higher stakes resource. Relying on others becomes a necessary part of how I meet this basic need.

How do/can I rely on others?

Being clear and specific about what I need, helps others help me.

What's easiest on my loved ones, also turns out to also be easiest on me - here's how.

Given what short supply my energy is, how can I receive food from others without having to also receive visitors?

These are the questions and themes I'm examining as I explore this important topic.