to and fro

Following the repeated bronchitis, I quickly experienced extreme tiredness. At first it seemed like a long recovery from my respiratory infections. But when everything from brushing my teeth to getting dressed began to seem like climbing a steep mountain, we realised that my condition was more than common fatigue.

For a year or so, I was sent to and fro from specialist to specialist. They prodded and poked, x-rayed and took blood. Sometimes they were kind and understanding. Sometimes they were very, very cruel. Often they were just aloof, detached, distant.

"She must go back to school." They said to my parents every time.

Eventually, they diagnosed M.E./ CFS.

They told my parents that, all being well, I would eventually "grow out of it".

Then they sent us on our way, to deal with things alone.