Rainbow at shoreline

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association, a 501(c)3 founded in 1985, exists to meet the needs of patients with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or FM (Fibromyalgia), their families and loved ones. The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association works to educate health-care providers and the general public regarding these severely-disabling physical illnesses. We also support patients and their families and advocate for more effective treatment and research.

The Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association and the Central Massachusetts Area Support Group had the pleasure to host author Roger King for a book reading on August 4, 2012 in Sturbridge, MA. "Love and Fatigue in America" (University of Wisconsin Press, March 26, 2012) is Roger King's fifth novel, a sometimes humorous, but always inspiring narrative about living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), otherwise known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS/CFS).

Mroger king signing booksr. King displayed his humor and wit in explaining how he came to write "Love and Fatigue in America." Originally from England, he lived and worked in twenty different countries, primarily for United Nations agencies. He came to America on a teaching stint in Washington State when he soon fell ill. As a stranger in a new country, he thought it would be better to conceal his medical condition while trying to carve out a new life. This process led to new insights about CFS/ME, health and healthcare and countless stories from folks along the way, which ultimately led to this book - in fact, King felt it was unavoidable, being a novelist. He realized that creative writing could communicate with people in a way that scientific papers cannot—already, readers' reaction, primarily from patients, has been generous and sincere.

Words and pages came to life as King delivered these with the charming lilt of his English accent. He allows the reader, and in this case, the audience to share his thoughts on falling ill. Initially in denial and assuming he would get well as in so many previous instances, such as his bout with malaria, King struggled to figure out what was going on within his body. King's novel adeptly conveys how this insidious illness can and will turn people's lives around—in his case, from this once successful, international teacher and author to the average person struggling with getting around town and through everyday functions.

The book tries to cover a lot of ground in one hundred short chapters which often change from narratives to vignettes and lists-a format that King felt very much reflected the fluctuating nature of CFS. Near the beginning of the book, he explained how he went to the gym after what he thought was a bout with the flu, and how he got dizzy and struggled to say upright. In one line he read "The sitting down doesn't end the going down." Everyone could relate. He decided to just wait it out, attracting as little attention as possible. He was alone by the time he was able to pull himself up, looked around and thought "A good distance down to the carpet. The carpet wants me." Everyone in the room laughed as they could sympathize with the statement. He assumed that a good night's rest might be all he needed to feel better.

Several weeks later and no sign of improvement, he finally dragged himself to the doctor's office, whom he named "Grumpy." Knowing the English socialized health care system, King coined the term "hands in your pockets" medicine. Papers, insurance and otherwise, income and fees had not been part of a doctor's visit -there, the only thing a patient had to do was be sick. Here, he was faced with inordinate amounts of papers as well as costs. Mr. King thought the American medical system was inefficient. Grumpy actually diagnosed CFS, but King had never heard of it.

In the chapter "How to be Ill" King read "Sufferers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are not good at being ill. You look well, you're not dying, you're complaint is modest. You are going to be trouble for a long time." Again, knowing laughter from the audience.

He adroitly takes the reader through the complications of decision making using the measure of energy expenditure as the currency. Does he get up and go to the bathroom, take a shower or eat? How do you manage the energy needed to handle a relationship? He navigates his emotions and lets the reader into his thought process.

There was a question and answer period and it was interesting how some of the questions regarding instability of the illness, planning outings or reaction to cancelled commitments were shared by all.

He was asked what it was like the first year when he was a visiting professor in WA and he got ill. He answered "It was a blur." Although Mr. King has done a couple of book readings to the general public, this was the first to a roomful of CFS/ME patients.

Hopefully our appreciation and emotional support will carry through.

Mr. King closed out the afternoon by reading his last chapter titled "The Benefits of Illness" (used with permission).

Your choices are limited
And therefore easier.

Small achievements are automatically promoted as big ones.

You save on shoe leather.

Any woman interested in you is likely to be nice
Though you hope not too nice.

Unpleasant women stay away from you
Though some are confused as to their category.

You learn a lot about the behavior of birds at your bird feeder.

Your illness drives away those frightened by the fragility of life
That is, most men.

You are always home for parcel deliveries.

You keep up with the world news.

Your week never need be empty
While there are doctors to visit.

You watch many films, often twice
Since you forget.

The quality of patience is not strained
Since it's unavoidable.

Your dog need not feel inferior to you
Since you lie down with him.

You appreciate for the first time the pleasures of gardens.

You receive sympathy
Though actually not that much.

You no longer become angry
Because it makes you sick.

You are freed from ambition
Because it makes you sick.

You avoid heartbreak
Because it makes you sick.

You know yourself inside out.

Spiritual wisdom is forced on you
Again and again and again.

You become a connoisseur of repose.

You are motivated to think of others
Since you are so tired of yourself.

You can go to bed in the afternoon
Without a moment's guilt.

You are as sensitive to the air
As is a sailor to wind.

You have the space and time to daydream.

You always possess a perfect excuse
Though you do not use it
Since there is no end to that.

A review of Roger King's book, by Jean Zimmer, is available at our website: Love and Fatigue in America.

Notice about names

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS. 

Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.