So, if you have a question, thought or suggestion, drop me a
line and/or visit our web ring. If you have recently been diagnosed, or if you've been a PWC for years; whoever you are, this site and its web ring are for you.
If you meet our minimal requirements and would like to join the Web Ring, let me know, the more the merrier!
A Handy Guide To CFIDS Shopping
-A PWC's (tongue and cheek) guide to the grocery store
By Allan Burger, printed in the CFIDS Chronicle, winter 1996
At last! All you really need to know about food shopping for today's modern person with CFIDS (PWC),
compiled into one easy-to-understand manual!
Just follow these simple directions and turn your shopping nightmare into a walk in the park!
- Make a list. This is the most important step in PWC food shopping. Take your time doing this. Remember, the
store isn't going anywhere.
- After you find the list (usually 2-5 days later), add the items that you now need and wait until later (evening, if
it's summer; afternoon, if it's winter). Remember -- no PWC shops in the heat of a summer day or the cold of a
winter night!
- You are now ready for the trip to the store. Before starting the car, return to the house to make sure you locked
the door. While there, check to see if you have your purse or wallet with you. If not, you may as well re-enter the
house while you're at the door to see if you left it inside, eliminating the need to return to the house if you should
discover that indeed it isn't in the car.
- Return to the car to retrieve your house keys. While there, check to see if your purse or wallet is in the car. If
so, proceed to the store. Don't worry about returning to see if it's locked. You probably live in a safe neighborhood
anyhow.
- Once you get to the store, get out your shopping list. Oops!! You forgot to put it in your wallet, didn't you?
Don't worry! You have completed this list twice now, so you really know what you need.
- What the heck -- it's your money, so buy whatever you want. It's not like the store manager is going to stop
you from buying herring in cream sauce or a # 10 can of imported jalapenos if that's your desire. Remember: It's
always better to overbuy than to underbuy. That's why they invented food drives.
- As you're checking out, get out your coupons. COUPONS, dang, they are in the car. Well, that's why you're
shopping at this hour. There are only three other people behind you, and if they had any kind of a life at all, they
wouldn't be here to begin with. They wont mind waiting while you go to your car to get your coupons.
- When you finally leave the store (amidst nasty stares), you marvel at how thrifty you were. You only spent
$153.67! Who says you needed a shopping list?
As you reach for your keys to put the groceries in the trunk -- KEYS??!!! There they are, on the seat, right where
you left them when you went out to get your coupons. Good thing you have AAA.
- After calling AAA and being informed that you didn't renew your membership this year, you frantically search
the Yellow Pages and find a nice 24-hour mobile locksmith who shows up 45 minutes later and unlocks your car in
20 seconds, for only $60 cash.
- Go back to the store's ATM machine, withdraw $100 (you're going to be charged $2 for a cash advance up to
$100 anyway, so you might as well get it all) and pay the nice man.
- You can now proceed home, with just a quick stop at the convenience store to pick up the eggs, bread, bottled
water, chocolate milk, kleenex, toilet tissue, lottery tickets, gum, toothpicks, juice, pretzels, cotton balls, soda and
yogurt that you forgot to buy while at the grocery store.
- Go home, enter through your unlocked door, put your products in their proper places, except for the ice cream
(which you drink) and the dog food which you take to your neighbor (you own fish).
Who says shopping has to be a chore? With a little foresight and planning it can be a very pleasant
experience,
Nineteen Good Things About CFIDS
What's so wonderful about CFIDS?
Katrina Berne, Ph.D.
Not much, you probably think. But there's a lot of stuff going
on in my life that I'd never even dreamed of BC (before CFIDS).
Let me tell you about some of these dubious joys. (Then they will
take me away under restraint.)
- I have entered several contests and have a good chance of
winning -- e.g. Cognitive Dysfunction Poster Child. (First prize
is a 5-year membership in Medicine of the Month Club. I don't
remember what second prize is, which increases my chances of
winning.);
- I have saved money on books. When my brain is "down" I am
able to read the very same book I read last week without recalling the ending;
- I am a cheap date. I don't consume alcoholic beverages or eat
fancy desserts (sugar being a no-no).Such a deal!;
- I have found myself to be precocious. My parents are in their
seventies and are just beginning to complain of symptoms I've had
for years (in more advanced stages, no less): short term memory
impairment, energy depletion, and difficulty getting around, to
name a few;
- I can fool people. I can be sick without even looking sick.
Ha ha, joke's on them;
- When I have a relatively good day, it feels wonderful.
"Normals" have to have a much more wonderful day to think it's
wonderful;
- I've made new friends! I am on a first-name basis with doctors,
their staffs, pharmacists, and insurance company claims clerks;
- I have something legitimate to complain about. You know those
people who "have it all" and complain anyway? I have no respect
for them; I have a genuine problem, and even the press (and to a
lesser extent, the CDC) acknowledges its authenticity now;
- When asked by the insurance person at a doctor's office if
I've met my insurance deductible for the year, I can say "Yes!"
even if it's only January 7!;
- I've been studying CFIDS in great depth since I got it (or it
got me) in late 1984. Never before have I been such an expert on
anything;
- I never make the bed any more because chances are I'll be back
in it before long;
- I am easy to find. Although I sometimes venture as far as my
office or a store, I'm generally at home;
- Let's skip 13. I'm not superstitious, but why take chances?;
- People keep asking how I am, how I'm doing, etc. I love
attention;
- I have actually heard a few doctors say "I don't know." This
has not been known to occur among members of the general population.
- I have acquired quite a lounging/sleeping wardrobe. Pretty funky.
- No batteries, assembly, or special equipment are required.
This CFIDS thing just runs on its own;
- Dysequilibrium saves money on amusement park admissions. The
same sensations are produced routinely at no cost whatsoever;
- Due to short-term memory impairment, I can hide my own Easter
eggs;
I can only think of nineteen good things about CFIDS at the
moment (so what--David Letterman can only think of ten of anything). Anyway, if nineteen isn't enough for you, maybe you should consider getting some other disease with better fringe benefits.
{Via Alternatives BBS : www ftp or telnet: alternatives.com;
or direct dial: (604) 430-8080 : largest free library on
agriculture environment health politics religions women;
Nineteen Good Things About CFIDS}
5 Things I Want You to Know
About Me and CFIDS
Used with permission, ©1997 Lindsey Gearhart
- I have a chronic illness. By many definitions, I am considered handicapped or disabled. I accept this.
- CFIDS is a part of who I am... but it does not make me who I am. At times it controls my body, but I will
no longer let it control my life. As someone once said so brilliantly, "I may have CFIDS... but CFIDS doesn't have me".
- I am not bitter. I am not angry. I am no longer depressed.
- I don't want anyone's pity... I don't feel sorry for myself, and I don't see why anyone else should. I believe that I'll never be given more than what I can handle... and that anything that doesn't kill me outright will make me stronger. I have become a stronger person because of this illness. Because of this illness, I have found out where my priorities stand... I have found out how I want to live my life. I feel lucky.
- The best feeling I have ever gotten from being online is when someone e-mails me and says, "I read your CFIDS page, and I learned something". That's why this page is here. Nothing makes me feel better than knowing I have educated someone else... someone who will now no longer discriminate against me, or
not understand me, or doubt my illness.
PWC Releases CD
Portland Or musician Kimberli Ransom has had CFIDS for almost
10 years. Her new album, "Living with Her Hair on Fire," is
dedicated "to the possibility of discovering a cure for CFIDS."
It is available for $17.00 (including shipping and handling) from: Hair on Fire Records, 2000 NE 42nd Ave Suite #222, Portland OR 97213-1305.
See or Host Kimberli in Concert
Find out how to host Kimberli in your own home!
CFS Links
What is CFIDS Like?
'Nuff Said!
For the Best CFIDS/FMS Web Sites on the Net, visit the CFIDS/FMS Web Ring!
Also, visit and use our CFIDS/FMS Web Ring Discussion Board
A great CFIDS CFS M.E. FMS GWS Directory
Buy Your CFIDS/FMS Books From A PWC!
You are visitor number...
Who cares, I'm glad YOU'RE here!
Want to Talk?
When I first became ill with CFIDS one of the worst things I
experienced was the loneliness, the sense of isolation. It can be
very difficult, especially at first. I know, I've been there.
CFIDS cost me a marriage, quality time with my son, a promising
carrier as a college professor, and so much more! In those early days I would have given anything to just talk with someone who understood, but I didn't know anyone with CFIDS; I'd never even heard of it! Well, I do understand. Please, feel free to contact me for more information, referrals or just to talk.
Ways to Reach Me
Via AOL's Instant Messenger:
Screen Name: jaganatha
Via ICQ:
My Personal ICQ Communication Center
Go to Jagannath's "So, What is CFIDS Anyway Page.
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