I WANT TO BELIEVE

Bonjour, 

Don't worry, despite the picture, this blog is not about extraterrestrial life and the 'X' Files! 

Rather it's about wanting to believe and about hope.

It was at this time two years ago that I wrote about HOPE. 

I still cling onto hope and I want to believe that in my lifetime I will learn about the cause of M.E. and receive treatment and even possibly a cure 

I WANT TO 

BELIEVE

THAT ONE DAY

THERE WILL 

AT LAST BE

A CURE

I WANT TO 

BELIEVE 

THAT ONE DAY

MY LIFE 

CAN BE 

AS BEFORE

So in the last week I was pleased and interested to read this headline  

Ian Lipkin: Three to Five Years* to Solve Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Ian Lipkin cited the findings of the work to date

• The suspected pathogens don’t appear to be the problem (the CII is reportedly looking further at herpesviruses.)
• Evidence suggests altered microbiomes (gut flora) are present
• Striking differences in immune expression between shorter and longer duration patients suggest profound immune changes have occurred
• Preliminary evidence suggests that levels “X” and “Y” metabolites and, at least, one immune protein are significantly altered in ME/CFS. (Lipkin embargoed this information pending publication of the paper. One of them is a shocker.)

Then Lipkin made his bold declaration “We’re going to solve this in three to five years”. It came with a significant proviso “provided the resources are made available” but indicated that he believes ME/CFS is a mystery that can be cracked fairly quickly.  

With 2016 approaching this gives me hope for the future. 

I want to believe that the cause of M.E. will be found before I die. 

I want to believe that effective treatment, help and support will become available . 

I want to believe that a cure is not far away.  

I want this suffering to end.  

I want my life back.

What do you want?  

I'm sure you want the same as me. 

All that remains is to wish all of you happiness and good health in 2016. 

A bientot! 

From the French Femme 

xxx

  

P.S.  This is an addition to my blog written a couple of years ago. I still want to believe and hope that things will change. Indeed in recent weeks researchers by Stanford University in the US have identified biomarkers associated with chronic fatigue syndrome severity 

'Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have linked chronic fatigue syndrome to variations in 17 immune-system signaling proteins, or cytokines, whose concentrations in the blood correlate with the disease’s severity.

The findings provide evidence that inflammation is a powerful driver of this mysterious condition, whose underpinnings have eluded researchers for 35 years.'

REMINDERS

Bonjour

So here we are again only a couple of weeks away from Christmas. 

For many it's a difficult time. 

Perhaps there are painful memories associated with this time of year. 

Perhaps we are reminded of what Christmas used to be like. 

For people with a chronic illness like M.E. we can no longer participate in all the festive activities like before. 

For many it will mean a Christmas alone. 

There are constant reminders everywhere of Christmas in the past. 

There are so many reminders of what we are missing.

It's hard not to think of happier and healthier times. 

We are reminded of family and friends that are no longer with us. 

Many of us are too ill to join our family and friends. 

I personally have some mixed memories of Christmas throughout my life. A part of me wishes and longs for those day again. But it's not helpful to look back in the past. We have to look at what we have now and make the most of our situation. 

This poem I wrote is not just about Christmas but how we there are reminders around us all of the time. 

Reminders

Reminders

Are all around me

Of a life once mine

Reminders

Unexpectedly

Of another time.

Reminders

Stir up emotions

Take me by surprise

Reminders

Of my past and those

Memories revive.

Reminders

Some that are happy

And will make me smile

Reminders

Sometimes sad and then

I cry for a while.

Reminders

Are all around me

Of my life gone by

Reminders

So hard to avoid,

Even though I try.  

This year I'm going to make some new memories. I'm going to try not to let the reminders of the past spoil this Christmas. 

I hope you are able to do the same. 

So I want to wish you a very Happy Christmas and Joyeux Noel

Au revoir 

From the French Femme

xxx