Popping back in for a quick update:

[emordnilap]

Just been reading that vitamin D takes about 48 hours to be absorbed into your blood stream, and you can easily wash it off with soap and water. Never knew that.

Not true - but a dirty person may well be slightly more warmed by the sun than a clean one...

There's also the consideration that we wash naturally-occuring oils off our skin.

Again, required exposure to sun is fairly small. Anyone who does a bit of gardening or cycles/walks a fair bit will be ok.

[woodburner]

Not if they wash it off with soap and water. You need to read how the vitamin D is made by exposure to sunlight. It is not an instant permanent set photographic occurance.

[3rdRock]

Thanks Gug - I'll watch that.

I'm on Vit D supplementation at the moment as a precaution, but my Vit D levels generally are okay (last time they were tested anyway).

Aiming for more sun too.... difficult last winter of course, but I'm trying to make up for lost time now...

My illness was very sudden onset - so unlikely to be a Vit D problem as that would not decrease suddenly between one day and next IMO.

I'll ask for another check up next time I'm in anyway.

Hi Keela. We haven't heard from you in a long time.

How are you feeling these days?

[Keela]

Thanks for asking 3rd Rock...

I'm still quite unwell sadly. I think I've slowed the decline rate however. I am adjusting to this new lifestyle slowly, which involves very small amounts of measured activity, then a lot of waiting for symptoms to subside afterwards....

I've now got a serious set of wheels for outside .... in the form of a Horizon Aztec mobility scooter, and it can take me out through the paths through our trees.... Then I spend a lot of time out there on a recliner chair resting.... and listening to audiobooks and watching nature go by. Yes even in the winter - I just layer up with thermals, and several layers of coats etc....

Remarkably I've even seen a woodpecker in our woods (until 2008 Ireland didn't have any woodpeckers )

I'm also doing a bit of dog training and some campaigning regarding how ME is treated - or not treated if truth be told...

You can check out what I've been up to here: http://sallyjustme.blogspot.co.uk/

[3rdRock]

Sorry to hear that you're still poorly.

BTW, did you spot this article in the Independent recently?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style ... 75856.html

Chronic fatigue syndrome: Scientists now have 'robust' evidence that points to biological cause

[biffvernon]

I've two friends who have had it really badly and have made complete recoveries. Good luck, Keela.

[Keela]

Thanks 3rd Rock... Yes saw that.... I am fairly active in the ME world now so don't miss much - good or bad - written about ME.

As for recovery? Well I'm taking each day as it comes. When I was first ill I was constantly grieving for my old energetic life, and hugely frustrated that I could no longer function.... but to be honest that is not a good way to live.

Of course I have the odd wee weep over things sometimes, but mostly it I find it is easier to be happy if I let go of all that... I am finding new ways to take pleasure in new things.... Online support from others is a huge bonus.

Anyway, small-holding here is still a beautiful place. Our woodland is now well grown up, the fruit trees & bushes I planted years ago are all now fruiting despite the neglect... even the grapevine has survived 3 years total neglect in the greenhouse to produce loads of eating quality grapes, and enough left over for wine-making!

We took out another grant to put more of our land into trees last year, and we have also loaned our paddock to the local Dog Agility club for training... I love this as I now have a collie who I've been training since a pup to run - with me on mobility scooter... he isn't officially an assistance dog, but he sure helps my sanity and is my constant companion.....

I am fortunate to have amazing family who support me and who work out ways to make things happen in a way so that I can still participate.... and financially we are okay... there are many who get ill, who find themselves in a much more scary world than mine....

xx

[3rdRock]

I wish you well for the future. Do take good care of yourself.

[emordnilap]

Yeah, take care Keela. Keep your chin up. A good dog can be a fantastic help.

[kenneal - lagger]

Yes, Keela, hitch it up to the mobility chair and save battery! Dog carts were much used at one time.

Seriously though, keep your chin up and enjoy your time as much as you can.

[3rdRock]

Hello Keela.

We haven't heard from you since March.

How are you feeling these days? Are you still 'dropping in' on us?

[Keela]

Hi folks... sorry I don't drop in here much.

I'm still trundling on. Still restricted in my lifestyle... VERY restricted if I'm honest, but hey ho life goes on.

I won a camera in a photo competition recently, so that's my latest diversion. No need to walk much then.

I'm doing a presentation on "The Use of Patient Blogs as a Care Resource" - at a conference at Queen's University Belfast on Saturday....

... well I say I'm "doing" it I'm actually not well enough to attend to give my presentation.

So I've done an audio Powerpoint, now saved as an MP4 file so it can be shown on the day. Two of my fellow trustees for Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI will attend to answer any questions that come up.

I hope to put it on YouTube later!

So I'm finding distractions... and quietly putting my head back in the sand over the future of the planet....

[kenneal - lagger]

Could you post some of your pictures here if they might be of interest? I hope your presentation goes well.

On a sustainability basis we should be doing more conferencing on an internet presentation basis. I've taken part in a few web based lectures, webinars, and they can be very informing even if the commenting is a bit clunky sometimes.

[emordnilap]

One-on-one teaching via Skype or FaceTime is pretty cool too - a great way to learn a language or get a musical instrument lesson, for instance.