Tanya...it's interesting to learn more about what is happening in the UK. In a way, it helped me not feel so alone. I am losing Christian friends who tell me that by speaking out I am dishonoring Christ and hurting those who love me. I will continue speaking out regardless. Thank you for this post.
Thani you for your raw honesty. And I am not irked by your comments about the USA. I had no idea that your country punishes the undeserved, immigrants, disabled and poor. Without Jesus, it would be tempting to give up. I do pray for continued healing of your respiratory issues and your larynx!!
Just a fellow person with ME, wishing you well soon. Sounds like you have had a rough few weeks. I hope it's OK to share this in case it's helpful to you or another reader with ME. I got a dose of laryngitis a couple of years ago and the coughing was so tough. Like you, I just wasn't able for it - it was like trying to cough up a tiny bit of Pritt Stick from the bottom of my lungs. I was shattered from the coughing and getting barely any sleep or proper rest. I thought I wouldn't tolerate cough bottles because they have alcohol and other things that might not play nicely with ME, but in desperation I asked a family member to get me one. They got me not one, but two recommended by the pharmacist - one regular (Exputex) and one herbal, which I could use at the same time because there were no overlapping ingredients. It felt odd to use one for a chesty cough when most of the time the cough was dry, but I knew that if I could clear the Pritt Stick, I wouldn't need to cough. It was the right choice. I fell in love with the regular one when it gave me my first night's sleep,. When it proceeded to liquefy the Pritt Stick by the time I woke up, so that I could finally cough said glue up and out, I would gladly have married it. The herbal one was like licking the roots of trees/soles of shoes. So I hope you have found or will find similarly magical aids that are right for you. Hopefully your voice will start to respond to all that lovely rest you're giving it soon.
Thanks so much for this! The Pritt Stick image was very evocative! So glad it helped. I’ve got a favourite chesty cough medicine, too, which definitely does help, though it doesn’t solve everything. But they do make a big difference, don’t they? Your description of the herbal one made me laugh 😂
Articulate (actual voice or no) as always, Tanya. Thank you, and hope you recover soon. Appreciate the commentary about our shambles here in the US. And about praying to the One who always listens and acts. It IS overwhelming, and I’m sorry to hear of the issues affecting the UK.
Re school: during an incredibly stressful 2-3 months when my (top of the class) younger daughter was 10 yrs old (she’s turning 30 soon), she was threatened with having to go to summer school or be held back a grade because she was missing a few days each week. Unbelievable. And the school was fully aware of what was going on. I can only imagine with ME, long COVID, etc.
PS I’ve been considering rereading Those Who Wait. Seems timely.
I do hope you are healing. When I was working and got my compromised lungs in a tissy, the doctor would say no singing for four weeks knowing that I got paid to preach 🌞😇. When my illnesses affectedvmy diaphragm and I could no longer project well enough to preach, as you might remember,I was forced to retire from active ministry.
I send you love and healing vibes. Be safe out there
Thank you for the good word. For your honesty and reminder that we all have a voice.
I feel called to all three – speaking, listening, and healing. My heart is especially tender towards refugees, immigrants, and undocumented persons in my country (US). They are a large part of my chosen family. I can’t imagine my life without their love and all that they’ve taught me about courage and love and grace. I have decided to start sharing their stories wherever I have a platform and a voice. There are so many lies and ugly things being told about them. I want to tell a different story.
Wishing you a speedy recovery! Having read your post I felt I wanted to respond- I disagree very strongly with a lot of what you say (which is fine!) but having been involved with churches over the years as a vicar’s wife I think it is really important that we don’t by implication judge other Christians who disagree with us, or who then may feel embarrassed or scared to express their views. I know many Christians with diametrically opposed political views, all of whom are genuinely caring and thinking people. As a Church we need to keep this in mind! Best wishes x
Tanya, I'm so sorry that you're so poorly. There are so many bugs and bad colds around which isn't good for the vulnerable like yourself. Praying that you feel better very soon xx
Thank you, Tanya. I had to re-organise a phone call with a friend because croaking is so exhausting after a while!
Jim has had this bug, whatever it is, for longer than I have. I suppose it could be a seasonal flu that has outwitted the vaccine!💉 I've been vaccinated for everything this year, eg pneumonia, shingles, so I hope I won't have another winter illness for a good long time.
Tanya...it's interesting to learn more about what is happening in the UK. In a way, it helped me not feel so alone. I am losing Christian friends who tell me that by speaking out I am dishonoring Christ and hurting those who love me. I will continue speaking out regardless. Thank you for this post.
Thanks, Linda - I’m cheering you on.
Thani you for your raw honesty. And I am not irked by your comments about the USA. I had no idea that your country punishes the undeserved, immigrants, disabled and poor. Without Jesus, it would be tempting to give up. I do pray for continued healing of your respiratory issues and your larynx!!
I’m really glad you’re not irked! And thank you for those prayers
Why did I spell Thani???
Just a fellow person with ME, wishing you well soon. Sounds like you have had a rough few weeks. I hope it's OK to share this in case it's helpful to you or another reader with ME. I got a dose of laryngitis a couple of years ago and the coughing was so tough. Like you, I just wasn't able for it - it was like trying to cough up a tiny bit of Pritt Stick from the bottom of my lungs. I was shattered from the coughing and getting barely any sleep or proper rest. I thought I wouldn't tolerate cough bottles because they have alcohol and other things that might not play nicely with ME, but in desperation I asked a family member to get me one. They got me not one, but two recommended by the pharmacist - one regular (Exputex) and one herbal, which I could use at the same time because there were no overlapping ingredients. It felt odd to use one for a chesty cough when most of the time the cough was dry, but I knew that if I could clear the Pritt Stick, I wouldn't need to cough. It was the right choice. I fell in love with the regular one when it gave me my first night's sleep,. When it proceeded to liquefy the Pritt Stick by the time I woke up, so that I could finally cough said glue up and out, I would gladly have married it. The herbal one was like licking the roots of trees/soles of shoes. So I hope you have found or will find similarly magical aids that are right for you. Hopefully your voice will start to respond to all that lovely rest you're giving it soon.
Thanks so much for this! The Pritt Stick image was very evocative! So glad it helped. I’ve got a favourite chesty cough medicine, too, which definitely does help, though it doesn’t solve everything. But they do make a big difference, don’t they? Your description of the herbal one made me laugh 😂
Yes, it turns out marshmallow root does not taste like marshmallows! Hoping you feel much better soon - back to "just" severe ME ;)
Articulate (actual voice or no) as always, Tanya. Thank you, and hope you recover soon. Appreciate the commentary about our shambles here in the US. And about praying to the One who always listens and acts. It IS overwhelming, and I’m sorry to hear of the issues affecting the UK.
Re school: during an incredibly stressful 2-3 months when my (top of the class) younger daughter was 10 yrs old (she’s turning 30 soon), she was threatened with having to go to summer school or be held back a grade because she was missing a few days each week. Unbelievable. And the school was fully aware of what was going on. I can only imagine with ME, long COVID, etc.
PS I’ve been considering rereading Those Who Wait. Seems timely.
That school was so cruel! I’m sorry.
Thanks for your kind comments.
I hadn’t thought about rereading Those Who Wait, but wow, that does seem kinda timely. I suspect Isaiah would speak to me the most now.
I do hope you are healing. When I was working and got my compromised lungs in a tissy, the doctor would say no singing for four weeks knowing that I got paid to preach 🌞😇. When my illnesses affectedvmy diaphragm and I could no longer project well enough to preach, as you might remember,I was forced to retire from active ministry.
I send you love and healing vibes. Be safe out there
Thanks for this. I actually do singing now once a month, so that’s been on my mind… I’m hoping the complete vocal rest will help?
I grieve that loss of your role along with you.
Thank you for the good word. For your honesty and reminder that we all have a voice.
I feel called to all three – speaking, listening, and healing. My heart is especially tender towards refugees, immigrants, and undocumented persons in my country (US). They are a large part of my chosen family. I can’t imagine my life without their love and all that they’ve taught me about courage and love and grace. I have decided to start sharing their stories wherever I have a platform and a voice. There are so many lies and ugly things being told about them. I want to tell a different story.
I am speaking up about the illegal and abusive treatment of the mentally ill on psychiatric wards (I lose the bonus points because it's something that has affected me). Here's my blog https://cuckoosnestlife.blogspot.com/2024/12/introduction.html
Hi Tanya
Wishing you a speedy recovery! Having read your post I felt I wanted to respond- I disagree very strongly with a lot of what you say (which is fine!) but having been involved with churches over the years as a vicar’s wife I think it is really important that we don’t by implication judge other Christians who disagree with us, or who then may feel embarrassed or scared to express their views. I know many Christians with diametrically opposed political views, all of whom are genuinely caring and thinking people. As a Church we need to keep this in mind! Best wishes x
Thanks for being so gracious with your disagreement of me. Sending you a high five as a fellow vicar’s wife!
And to you! x
Tanya, I'm so sorry that you're so poorly. There are so many bugs and bad colds around which isn't good for the vulnerable like yourself. Praying that you feel better very soon xx
Thanks for those prayers, Sheila. Very much appreciated.
I've had some kind of bug which left me very croaky. I recently heard a rumour there was a new version of Covid on the loose! I do hope not.
Oh gosh, I hope not! I did test daily for Covid and it didn’t show up- I wonder if this new version of Covid would.
Interesting that you got the croakiness too. Hope you’re feeling fully recovered soon.
Thank you, Tanya. I had to re-organise a phone call with a friend because croaking is so exhausting after a while!
Jim has had this bug, whatever it is, for longer than I have. I suppose it could be a seasonal flu that has outwitted the vaccine!💉 I've been vaccinated for everything this year, eg pneumonia, shingles, so I hope I won't have another winter illness for a good long time.
I do hope you feel better soon. Xxx