I started writing this blog in 2011 on another site that is now closing. So here I am complete with the past and heading into a future I am happy to share with you. I suspect like everyone else when they start to blog, they believe that it will just be a few lines every now and then, the truth for me has turned out to be something else completely. I write daily, so this is a full and detailed account of living with chronic illness. The symptoms and what they do to me, not just physically, but emotionally. The impact on everyday life, not just for me but my husband, and of course, on our marriage. I am now in my 50’s, but I was just 21 when my story really began, although it took nearly another 20 years for the doctors to work it out.
When I was a child, I thought a good life meant that the sweetie jar was always full, and no one told you when to have a bath. It’s odd how life just takes hold, and nothing is ever what you first believe it to be. I chose the picture above, to sit here, as it is all about belief, it’s truer than most think it to be when they first look at it. Take a good look, then ask yourself honestly, which is your view of people with chronic illness? If it fits any but the last, well prepare yourself to see that side and more, as I hold no punches, and you may find out things, you don’t really want to know. But unless you read, you will never understand and understanding, is such a small thing to ask, and that is all I and others with a chronic illness really ever ask for, a little understanding. My blog is a picture of my life, there are happy, sad, funny, painful moments, lessons I learned and things I’ve discovered. If you leave here with nothing else, please leave with a touch more understanding at the least.
Relapsing Progressive Multiple Sclerosis took over my life and slowly, I found myself housebound, with a list, an ever growing list of conditions. My collection is a list as long as my arm, the more they really looked, the more they really find. Being housebound isn’t an easy place to be at first, but with a little time and planning, it has become my sanctuary, where I live and live well. I am happy, I am more than happy, yes, you can enjoy life just as much as ever, and still discover new things about yourself, and others, without leaving your home. If you follow me on Twitter, you will know that my bio has one strong and true statement within it “Being housebound is no worse than being earthbound” It’s time for you to understand that statement, please enjoy reading my daily blog.
If you really want to start from the very beginning, well follow this link for some not so well-written entries, yes they do improve, I learned to write along the way: My first post from January 2012
Two Rooms Plus Utilities 
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Hi. Just found your blog on Twitter and popped over to take a look. I have a number of Invisable illnesses that I fight agabist on a daily so I can have ‘normal life’. Recently I’m not quite shaft normal is and I’m beginning. To struggle more. Each day. Thanks for the inspiration to keep fighting
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We all have to keep fighting, when we give up that is the day we are lost (((Hugs)))
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In this global world every one who fight and struggle
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i have an ‘invisible’ disease. i have been on disability for 20 years. i fcking hate when ppl suggest a job. a friend who has same and is forced to live with family is always told to clean or cook or something. because, you’re not doing anything else. / i started blogging lately to get my anger about GOP out. i may have found my passion, finally, at 48. as a blogger. kinda sucks that barely any1 is actually see what i write. / invisible illnesses are another passion and i may write about that in the future. Thank-you for these words.
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Nice
I like it
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Amazing blog! great job Pamela, keep up the great work.
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I am not sure how I came upon your blog, but it was interesting reading, I have an invisible illness have had it for around 25 years now, although I still find it hard accepting what they diagnosed I have fibromyalgia but my main problem is osteoarthritis which over those years has gone from one joint to another, the fibro thing I just don’t know mine has always been in my joints not muscles, I only now have the chronic fatigue but it think that’s because I also have insomnia, if I do go to sleep I wake up in pain and just don’t know what to do with myself. I am on opiate pain relief which dr’s gave quite freely many years ago, now all of a sudden they are trying to take it away saying it doesn’t work with chronic pain, well sorry but it works with mine where nothing else has. I don’t like taking them but rather be comfortable. For the last 18 months I have found it harder and harder to leave my home, now I will only leave if someone is with me, I don’t know why, well I do a bit I had a couple of falls and they really shook me up I walk with one crutch only one because I have OA in my hands so need to swap over and have had surgery on them so it varies which hand I hold the crutch in. Then my car is so far away from my home, so if I go to get any shopping I can’t carry it back, and by the time I have been out my back now hurts so much that I could just scream. I had knee problems from 14 and continue to have them with OA, then my hips, followed by my hands and now my back. I get frustrated that I can’t run around after my 19 month old grandson, I try but it’s tough. I lost my sister last December from Cancer and struggle with that and knowing it’s coming up to a year ago, I know my mum and dad are struggling too. My dad also lost a sister earlier this year from MS she had had it for over 40 years. So I get what you are saying, two of my sons have fibromyalgia and my daughter has hip problems they did diagnose her with fibro as well, but so far they are all managing to work, my sons both have the knee problems like me. But they find it hard as people look at them when they park in a disabled bay because they are young and look ok but I know what they go through when they have been to work or out, the pain they have, and that’s hard to see in your children. I hope you are having an ok week, I think I have just rambled on sorry for that. Take care
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When the last time you heard from Pam
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I have been wondering that gor a long time. Can anyone let us know?
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I’ve followed her for many years on Twitter. I’ve thought of her often. She helped so many of us by sharing everything relating to her battle with MS. Things people may be embarrassed to bring up, her feelings as she fought to stay independent and the agony she went through when she could no longer care for herself. We all related, no matter what illness we have. But to not know what happened to Pam is agonizing. I knew there may come a day when she couldn’t take the incredible undertaking of keeping up multiple social media sites, but never thought the day would come when we’re left to our own terrible thoughts of what could have happened. I hope wherever Pam is she knows how much she meant to all of us, how she helped us cope with our own illnesses. Love you Pam 💖
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Dear Pamela
I went through your page and what you have been experiencing is so hard, I am sure that you are so strong and can make it . It’s been a long time that you haven’t shown up on Twitter, wanna make sure everything is OK with you.
Take care
Best regards
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