Nature and nurture

Megan was seen at Paediatrics again yesterday. The Paediatrician has come to the conclusion that she is now suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The process of recovery is still the same as for the original glandular fever: tiptoe-ing in baby steps, lots of rest, lots of fluids, lots of painkillers, not much else.

For now, we should be aiming for three afternoons a week at school. And five minutes of walking a day. Then gradually building up, minute by minute, half day by half day to eventual normality.

We decided - made a little deal with each other - yesterday, that we would think positively and try to see this as an opportunity to spend time together and do some projects. We started the first one straight away - Megan chose some plants for her own "patch" yesterday, and this morning she spent some time planting them in a trough, marking her "patch" with pink stakes and adding gnomes. The image shows her happy and smiling, nurturing her plants.

She's worn out now. Pale and listless, she's resting in front of the television. She's going to school this afternoon, so needs to rest first, then force herself to eat.

We need to let nature takes its course with her illness. It's frustratingly slow, but can't be rushed. For now, she is my little project to nurture and tend, to guard over, water and feed, until she blooms again.