28/08/2026
After a crazy six weeks of my whole life being extra, I came home after a solo parent trip with 2 kids to the Gold Coast for a sporting comp ( which was amazing. I have gained as many friends and experiences as my kids have), to meet a husband who had to have surgery and post op care alone while we were gone. And as happens with most chronically ill besties, my body went into protest mode.
You see, when an autoimmune body has been through prolonged (or even short) periods of stress (no matter how fun that stress was), they often end up in what is referred to as an autoimmune flare. The immune system goes into attack mode because it believes there is a threat. This is on top of the attack level autoimmunity that is usual present.
Extreme exhaustion like you can barely believe,flu like symptoms, aching joints and muscles. It is really incredible what your body can conjure up when it feels like it is under attack.
It reminded me of these photos I took on a previous trip. About 24 hours apart, one I am relaxed and happy, the other was just after almost passing out, and just before I had to remove myself from the tour we were on because I nearly passed out again. It turned out I had a nasty bug, but at the time I assumed it was a food reaction and forced myself to press on. Itโs no big deal, everyone else can do it right? Wrong!
So often we badger ourselves about what we canโt do, what we should be able to do. I was the worst for that. But guess what. Before I started on my road to a healthier life these flares after a trip would last 6 weeks. This one, I am probably back to 80% after a good nights sleep. That is one of the biggest successes I could ever hope for!
Start supporting your body and your needs and it will reward you. Stop comparing yourself to what everyone else can do. Acceptance of you will bring you more success than comparison ever will.