ME Association: “Get Well Soon” – Guest Blog by Louise Shepherd

[Eagles]

ME Association: “Get Well Soon” – Guest Blog by Louise Shepherd

https://www.meassociation.org.uk/2019/11/get-well-soon-guest-blog-by-louise-shepherd-22-november-2019/

I was recently sorting through some of my belongs and came across my “Keepsake box.” As I dug my way through it, I found a small pile of cards and letters.

Some were for passing exams or my driving test but a number of them were from when I began to get really sick and was eventually diagnosed with Anaemia and Hypothyroidism back in 2006/2007, and a few others were from when I was later diagnosed with Moderate/Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in 2013.

Almost all of them contained those three words that no-one with any chronic illness wants to hear or read…

“Get Well Soon.”

Such small but powerful words – for right and wrong reasons. The sentiment behind them is fine when you have a cold or even broken a bone; colds clear up and bones heal. But when there’s no chance of becoming 100% better, hearing or reading them can really drag you down to the dark places of your mind…

 

[Lisa108]

Only marginally related, but HERE are some honest empathy cards for "major illness, grief and loss".
I wish I'd get some of these instead of the random "get well soon".

One example:

 

[Wits_End]

Yes. A while ago, I was looking for a card for someone who was seriously ill. How insensitive would it be to send them a "Get well soon" card if you knew they were terminally ill?

 

[Mithriel]

My father died a week after his 50th birthday. He got lots of cards and it was obvious that people had taken great care not to send one that wished him a great year. The exceptions were the obvious ones like my scatty aunt and my granny who meant well but often missed

I used to make a lot of cards for charity and always used "sorry you are sick".

With my ME fogginess I worry I am not as careful with things as I used to be. I hate to give offence or upset anyone but I can't guarantee it any more. My only defence is I never intend any harm and it is not deliberate - also willing to apologise if it is explained to me.

 

[Trish]

I tend to choose cards with a nice picture of nature, and no printed message. Then I can tell people I'm sorry they are ill and that I'm thinking of them without having some card company providing me with inappropriate words.