This woman, whose name is Melissa, is a 44-year-old mother of two. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018, and since then, her life has been dramatically altered. The tumour, which is located in the region of her brain responsible for motor function, has left her unable to walk, talk, or swallow.

We were happy.”

This happiness, however, was short-lived. In 2018, Janet’s husband, John, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. This diagnosis shattered their world, leaving them reeling from the shock and grief. The diagnosis came as a complete surprise, as John had been in excellent health. He had no family history of cancer, and his lifestyle was healthy.

I was a high-functioning individual, a successful entrepreneur, and I was able to keep up with the wrong medication. I was able to keep up with the wrong medication for eight years.

This time, I was able to manage the symptoms better. I had a fever, but it was manageable. I had a cough, but it was not severe. I had some aches and pains, but they were not debilitating. I was able to take over-the-counter medications to manage the symptoms.

She was also experiencing anxiety and depression. Janet’s GP dismissed her concerns, telling her it was all in her head. Janet felt unheard and dismissed, and this led to her feeling increasingly isolated and hopeless.

I was told that my heart was strong and healthy. The doctor said that my heart rate was just a temporary spike, caused by stress and anxiety. I was also told that my heart rate was high because I was working too much. I was working long hours, and I was feeling the pressure of deadlines. The doctor explained that my body was trying to cope with the stress and anxiety by increasing my heart rate.

I am now taking a much larger dose of oestrogen gel and experiencing significant improvements in my symptoms. I am also taking other medications, such as HRT, and am feeling much better overall.”

This is a personal account of someone who experienced difficulties with their initial menopause care. They were initially given a small dose of estrogen gel, which they found insufficient to manage their symptoms. They then sought out private care from a specialist, Dr.

“‘Beginning of January 2022’, said I. And that was that. Then I was referred to the long Covid clinic here in Rennes in June 2023.” At her lowest point, Janet’s fatigue was so extreme that some days all she could do was shuffle to the bathroom and clean her teeth. At one stage she couldn’t even walk to her nearest supermarket, and she used to marvel at women on the street and wonder how they were still functioning. (Image: Cover Images) “For the first 18 months I managed to keep working, I even increased my exercise routine because, well… menopause!” Janet remembers. I remember seeing older women in the street and I wanted to ask them how on earth they got through menopause because I just felt extremely ill.

“And because the doctors kept telling me I was ‘fine’, plus my nature of pushing through, it really took until June 2023 when the doctor-on-call said ‘I think you have long Covid’ for me to realise that I was actually very ill and that it wasn’t ‘just the menopause’. By October 2022 I had no more social life and I was really struggling to get through a day’s work. “Over two years in and I’m not fully recovered yet. I’m definitely recovering, but I’m still a long way from the top of the mountain. I feel like I’m climbing the steepest mountain in the world, with treacherous ravines that I keep falling into and have to climb out of, in terrible weather conditions.

**A. The Weight of Exhaustion**
**B.

I was so exhausted, I couldn’t even get out of bed. I couldn’t even think straight. I was completely overwhelmed by the physical and emotional exhaustion. It was like a constant state of being in a fog. I felt like I was drowning in my own body. I couldn’t even eat properly.

“It was the only support I had during those terrifying, lonely months and Suzy, her team and the community got me through it. It was like I was drowning and they were pulling me out of the water onto their boat. Then I did Suzy’s Fern programme in September 2023 and I started to very slowly improve after that. My greatest leap in improvement was when I started testosterone in June 2024. “HRT is really helping because it reduces inflammation and long Covid is all about inflammation. I also do water therapy once a week. I only started recently because I wasn’t well enough before then to go. I also do all the recommended things for my excessive heart rate including cold water therapy every day of the year and that really helps with lots of symptoms.

Janet, a long COVID survivor, shares her experience with the energy management techniques she uses to manage her symptoms. She emphasizes the importance of pacing, which she describes as a form of energy management. Pacing involves alternating between periods of activity and rest, mimicking the natural rhythms of the body. This strategy helps reduce inflammation, a key factor in managing long COVID symptoms. Janet also expresses her wish for more people to understand and take long COVID seriously.

I’ve learned to appreciate the little things that I used to take for granted. I’ve also learned that I can be happy without having to achieve everything I thought I needed to achieve.”

This is a powerful statement about the transformative power of illness. It highlights the potential for suffering to lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and a shift in perspective.

It’s not a linear process, it’s a series of steps, each with its own challenges and rewards. There’s no magic bullet, no quick fix, and no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a journey of self-discovery, a process of learning and growing, and a chance to rediscover your strength and resilience.