Another challenge for Geraldine

MORE than a decade ago, Ennis woman Geraldine Sharkey didn’t know if she would ever walk again. Now, she is training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro along with 15 others in aid of Clare Crusaders this September.
While a climb like that may be daunting for even the fittest individual, for Geraldine, it presents an even greater challenge as she suffers from the often misunderstood illness Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
“When I was very sick, my legs went completely and I swore if I got them back, they were never going to go again. When I was given the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro, I checked with my doctor and as long I’m well prepared, I should be ok. I don’t have the energy to run marathons but the slower pace of this climb suits me. I never in my life thought I’d ever do anything like this and I might never get to do something like this again, so I’m going to try. I’m very determined to do it, to be on the top and just to say that I did it. Fourteen years ago, I never thought I’d walk again, now look where I am,” she said.
Geraldine believes that by speaking out about her condition, she can help others. “If only one person suffering from ME gets a little inspiration from this article, I will be delighted. To those sufferers out there, I say don’t give up.”
Geraldine said she first began to show symptoms back in 1998 while she was working in the Temple Gate Hotel as accommodation manager.
“I was at work when I felt pains in my neck and shoulders and they became very stiff. Suddenly my whole body was aching, shaking, sweating, I felt very cold and I wasn’t concentrating properly but I carried on working that day,” she said.
Geraldine’s doctor believed her symptoms and soaring temperature were the initial stages of meningitis and she was given antibiotics. However, her condition did not improve and she was sent for blood tests.
“At this stage, my sleep was decreasing so much that I sometimes would only have two or three hours a night if I was lucky. I was given sleeping tablets to help me but all they did was make me drowsy. After some time, they took me off the sleeping tablets as I was only able to walk about 50 yards when my feet would turn inward and my legs would buckle. My appetite at this stage was very poor and I was beginning to fall asleep when eating my food and even when sitting having a conversation with someone,” she remembered.
Geraldine then went to see a specialist, who said she had a hidden virus and that it would take time to recover. As her condition worsened, Geraldine began to explore other options including a spiritual healer and while she did see some improvements, they were shortlived.
She then began to experience memory problems. “I would go into town and forget what I went in for. Some of the pains came and went, others like the neck pain and headaches were with me all the time. I was unable to talk or even think. At times, I would have to avoid people because I would not have the energy to talk and even had problems holding the phone. I couldn’t lift clothes on a coat hanger in the shops.”
Geraldine attended various hospitals, sleep disorder specialists and had numerous tests but they failed to show anything. “Things gradually began to get worse, with my legs giving up altogether. For four full days during the August Bank Holiday weekend, I knew I was in serious trouble when the power in my legs went completely and I had to be carried everywhere. It was the most terrifying time of my life, with my family panicking and no one able to tell me if the power would return. I thought I would never walk again. Imagine the anger when the agony in your legs prevents you from moving them and you can’t get any sound medical advice,” she added.
It was then that Geraldine’s late mother, Nora, took over and began massaging her legs, working every few hours. “Following many weeks of massaging, she then decided I should sit with my legs out of the bed,” she recalled. After a while, her mother encouraged her to stand up and move forward a few paces at a time. This continued for almost two years until Geraldine could walk up and down the stairs unaided. “My mother, who was a wonderful nurse, then decided I should go to a physiotherapist so I ended up going every three weeks for almost two years. If it hadn’t been for my mother, I don’t know what would have happened,” Geraldine said.
Gradually, Geraldine’s condition continued to improve and she could once again drive her car, although she never went out alone. “At this time, I was beginning to think that I might, after all these years, be able to lead some kind of normal life,” she said.
From an early age, Geraldine had been involved with the Marian Athletic Club and Community Games and she said, “It was a big shock to end up as I did”.
“One of the most unfortunate happenings was when friends would call to ask you out and you had to refuse. They then would not return and I am sure they thought I was going mad. It was then that I realised who the real friends were.”
Keen to get back to work, a chance meeting with family friend, Councillor Tommy Brennan, led to Geraldine working at the Council Garden Centre for two years. Then, after seeing an advertisement in The Clare Champion for an Ennis company looking for people with knowledge of IT, Geraldine was interviewed by company owner, Dominic Considine. “I started working there for nine hours a week and increased my hours as my health improved. I am now able to work 25 hours a week and have been with the company for 10 years. I have to acknowledge the help of my supervisor, who has been so considerate and understanding at all times. I offer a big thank you to Mr Considine and Mr Brennan.”
She explained that the one person who never gave up on her was her GP, Dr Paddy Buglar. “He at all times treated me as a person who was physically sick,” she said.
Geraldine now knows she suffers from ME, the main symptom of which is utter exhaustion often to the point of collapse. The condition affects the central nervous system and immune system and there is no specific diagnostic test. It is only through taking a detailed patient history identifying certain characteristics and eliminating others.
She has been learning to deal with the condition, saying that at the moment she is feeling quite good, “but I do not know that I will ever be 100% again”.
“I have learned to pace myself and know that I suffer from ME, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as it is also known, and that I am going to have physical limitations for the forseeable future.”
Geraldine now holds a position as secretary of Ennis St John’s Community Games, along with helping her brother at Irish dancing classes. “For any person who may be suffering from ME, I would suggest that you watch what you eat and learn to avoid yeast, sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Set easy, attainable goals so you can feel a sense of achievement. Learn to relax and avoid stress and most importantly, never forget to take your medication as it really does help. The only cure in my opinion, is time.
“One of the big things I have learned, and it has taken me along time, you can only do what your body tells you and no more. If I know I have to do something, I will try and rest beforehand to build up my energy. Afterwards, I would be tired – so more rest.
One of the best ways to start the recovery plan is to recognise the need for proper rest and sleep. A friend told me very early on, the first night I get a full night’s sleep, we would open a bottle of champagne. That person is still waiting. On a good night, I would be lucky to get five hours’ sleep but I realise now even if I don’t sleep, once I am in bed for eight to 10 hours it will make a difference.”
Geraldine thanked all of her family and friends who have stood by her and never given up. She says that along with climbing Kilimanjaro, her other major ambition is to be able to work eight hours a day.
She believes her positive outlook in life has been instrumental in her recovery.
“A lot of people get very, very depressed about it and can’t get out of it. But the one thing I never got was depressed; I always had a good outlook, no matter how bad I got. I was always going to come out the other side. You have to fight it; you can’t let it eat away at you. There were some days where I would only get out of bed and go as far as the chair but at least I got out of the bed and got dressed. I’m still here and I can still get up. It’s not going to kill me,” she concluded.