Bill - thanks for the thought provoking essays. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia thirty years ago. During one of my first visits to a massage therapist I kind of freaked out when she began carefully massaging my feet. I think that I felt that I was not worthy, or that it was too much to ask of a person that they attend to my feet (in the background may have been a vague recollection of the story of Jesus humbling himself by washing his disciples feet). Oddly I had to teach myself to accept the kind attention of these caregivers, the only ones who could offer me any kind of help, even though I was paying them their stipulated fee. I have also had to deal with my reduced "productivity", which has been easier as my coevals have retired - now I can just say I'm "retired"! "Enjoy every sandwich" (Warren Zevon).
Thank you for this lovely and compassionate essay, Bill!
Bill - thanks for the thought provoking essays. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia thirty years ago. During one of my first visits to a massage therapist I kind of freaked out when she began carefully massaging my feet. I think that I felt that I was not worthy, or that it was too much to ask of a person that they attend to my feet (in the background may have been a vague recollection of the story of Jesus humbling himself by washing his disciples feet). Oddly I had to teach myself to accept the kind attention of these caregivers, the only ones who could offer me any kind of help, even though I was paying them their stipulated fee. I have also had to deal with my reduced "productivity", which has been easier as my coevals have retired - now I can just say I'm "retired"! "Enjoy every sandwich" (Warren Zevon).
A very good article. You really elucidated issues.