Hal, I know we're pretty much strangers (you probably don't remember me from NU days, I was friends with your sister Julia) but I follow your story and so admire your tenacious, creative spirit. I hate to be this person, but I want to offer you an idea about what might be going on with the shifting symptoms...Have you ever heard of Tension myositis syndrome (TMS)? For some of us with sensitive nervous systems (including me), there's a thing that can happen in which the brain sends pain (very real pain) and symptoms (very real symptoms) to the body and nervous system because it's trying to keep us safe from feeling difficult stored-up feelings from old traumas, etc. I know it sounds far-fetched, but I urge you to check out the work of Nicole Sachs (she just wrote a book called "Mind Your Body") and Dr. John Sarno. I'm working my way through it now, and it's been a huge revelation to me who has struggled with chronic migraine for decades. Or disregard this and please forgive me for being one of those annoying people who think they have the right to recommend random shit to someone who's suffering. It's just that, on the off-chance that this might be useful to you, I thought it was worth the risk. Hang in there.
Hi Hal. Thanks for sharing your view. I think you are the world's best ME/CFS research assistant and need to be paid more. There were a lot of fascinating connections in your story. I'm sorry your mouse didn't have the same presumed happier ending than it's English counterpart. The caption on one of your photos made me chuckle. "My mom and me in some city back in the 90’s". lol
You always spin such a good yarn. RIP surreal American Sipsworth ❤️. I reckon you might have some magical, ninja level manifestation skills. Loving your work as always, story time with Hal is my hearts desire. Can't wait until next week. ❤️
Hal, I don't have any idea how to react to this article. Very interesting of course, but quite puzzling. I'm reading a book named "God Winks" which is about happenings we call coincidences but are actually happenings God has allowed in our life. Always for our good by the way, that are meant to help us in some way. Definition of coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances that have no apparent casual connection with one another. Whatever is going on I am really glad you are getting some relief from ME/CFS right now. Keep writing you creative, remarkable little brother.
Thanks for letting us into your life. Your writing is so vivid - you can make anything interesting - including a dead mouse! I hope the lessening of some of your symptom is continuing.
Hi Hal—Thanks for this episode. I too have had strange “coincidences” in my life, and have spent (or wasted) time trying to figure them out. I’ve posted a few of these in previous comments. The best thing I can say is: 1) stuff happens. 2) sometimes you can figure it out. 3) a lot of the time you can’t. 4) worrying about it gets you nowhere. 5)the universe of stuff you understand is dwarfed by the stuff you can’t understand.
I try to follow the example of Iris DeMent, who sang: “I’ll let the mystery be.”
Hi Hal! I’ve had the same experience with my migraines when other problems flare up, and a doctor once explained that the nervous system can indeed be temporarily distracted in this way. Enjoy your arthritic vacation from MECFS 😂 Btw, I love the painting with the circles.
Hi Hal - Enjoyed your mouse story. For a minute I didn't realize the photo was a toilet and thought it was a mouse on a mouse. I guess you befriended him/her by giving it a place in your story. I found a few maybe droppings in my car recently, but ignored them, and then one day opened the back to get my Aldi shopping bags out and there were bright green droppings all over! I also found a pair of leather gloves the mouse had chewed up - probably why the green - but my little visitor never returned. Probably figured that if all I had to offer were leather gloves to eat it wasn't worth it.... Hope to see you soon!
Hal, I know we're pretty much strangers (you probably don't remember me from NU days, I was friends with your sister Julia) but I follow your story and so admire your tenacious, creative spirit. I hate to be this person, but I want to offer you an idea about what might be going on with the shifting symptoms...Have you ever heard of Tension myositis syndrome (TMS)? For some of us with sensitive nervous systems (including me), there's a thing that can happen in which the brain sends pain (very real pain) and symptoms (very real symptoms) to the body and nervous system because it's trying to keep us safe from feeling difficult stored-up feelings from old traumas, etc. I know it sounds far-fetched, but I urge you to check out the work of Nicole Sachs (she just wrote a book called "Mind Your Body") and Dr. John Sarno. I'm working my way through it now, and it's been a huge revelation to me who has struggled with chronic migraine for decades. Or disregard this and please forgive me for being one of those annoying people who think they have the right to recommend random shit to someone who's suffering. It's just that, on the off-chance that this might be useful to you, I thought it was worth the risk. Hang in there.
Kind of amazing, but understandable that your body changes to meet the demands of the arthritis and eases up on the fatigue.
I like all you weave into this one. A mouse and a giant wave. Thank you, Scheherazade, telling us stories of staying alive and awake.
Hi Hal. Thanks for sharing your view. I think you are the world's best ME/CFS research assistant and need to be paid more. There were a lot of fascinating connections in your story. I'm sorry your mouse didn't have the same presumed happier ending than it's English counterpart. The caption on one of your photos made me chuckle. "My mom and me in some city back in the 90’s". lol
You always spin such a good yarn. RIP surreal American Sipsworth ❤️. I reckon you might have some magical, ninja level manifestation skills. Loving your work as always, story time with Hal is my hearts desire. Can't wait until next week. ❤️
I love this. Well not the poor drowned mouse, but the questions that you have raised. Coincidence or preordained experience? Hmm
Hal, I love your accent… and mouse fist bump skills.
Hal, I don't have any idea how to react to this article. Very interesting of course, but quite puzzling. I'm reading a book named "God Winks" which is about happenings we call coincidences but are actually happenings God has allowed in our life. Always for our good by the way, that are meant to help us in some way. Definition of coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances that have no apparent casual connection with one another. Whatever is going on I am really glad you are getting some relief from ME/CFS right now. Keep writing you creative, remarkable little brother.
Wow, Uncle Hal!
Thanks for letting us into your life. Your writing is so vivid - you can make anything interesting - including a dead mouse! I hope the lessening of some of your symptom is continuing.
Hi Hal—Thanks for this episode. I too have had strange “coincidences” in my life, and have spent (or wasted) time trying to figure them out. I’ve posted a few of these in previous comments. The best thing I can say is: 1) stuff happens. 2) sometimes you can figure it out. 3) a lot of the time you can’t. 4) worrying about it gets you nowhere. 5)the universe of stuff you understand is dwarfed by the stuff you can’t understand.
I try to follow the example of Iris DeMent, who sang: “I’ll let the mystery be.”
Hi Hal! I’ve had the same experience with my migraines when other problems flare up, and a doctor once explained that the nervous system can indeed be temporarily distracted in this way. Enjoy your arthritic vacation from MECFS 😂 Btw, I love the painting with the circles.
Hi Hal - Enjoyed your mouse story. For a minute I didn't realize the photo was a toilet and thought it was a mouse on a mouse. I guess you befriended him/her by giving it a place in your story. I found a few maybe droppings in my car recently, but ignored them, and then one day opened the back to get my Aldi shopping bags out and there were bright green droppings all over! I also found a pair of leather gloves the mouse had chewed up - probably why the green - but my little visitor never returned. Probably figured that if all I had to offer were leather gloves to eat it wasn't worth it.... Hope to see you soon!
I immediately searched for Sipsworth on Libby and listened to 30
minutes.
Glad your ME/CFS symptoms are less but sorry your psoriatic arthritis is screaming. It’s one damn thing or another but luckily not all at once.
Fascinating stories of your life.
( Book is calling me to listen a while longer!)
I hope the crashes stay away. I like hearing your Substack, Hal.