Finlay Games

"Its Never Too Late To Be Who You Might Have Been"

Tag: chronic fatigue

11 Years Post Top Surgery: Reflections on Gratitude and Growth

By

On 02/21/2025

In Top Surgery

A still image of Finn, shirtless, 11 years post-top surgery, smiling confidently. Text beside the image reads '11 Years Post-Top Surgery: Reflections on Gratitude and Growth.

I am now 11 years post top surgery. It has been 11 glorious years with my chest. Most men go through life without giving much thought to their chests, but as a transgender man, I think about mine almost every day. Unlike in the past, when my thoughts were consumed by the pain of gender dysphoria, they are now filled with gratitude. I hadn’t realized how much pain I was in until it was gone. It’s only in the absence of pain that I can truly understand how unbearable it was before. Perhaps that’s why gratitude will always be a part of me.

Read More

2025 Intentions and Wintering: Letting Go and Leaning In

By

On 01/29/2025

In Chronic Illness

hands wrapped in jumper sleaves are cupping a mug of coffee. In the background is a book covered in three crisp red autumn leaves.

As we settle into the new year, I’ve been reflecting on where I am in life, what I want to focus on, and how I can embrace the practice of wintering in 2025. Wintering isn’t just about the colder months; it’s a powerful metaphor for those times in life when we need to pause, rest, and reflect. It’s about embracing stillness and giving ourselves the space to heal and rediscover who we are. This year, my 2025 intentions are centered on taking the time to truly slow down and focus on self-care, allowing myself to let go of old expectations and embrace the quiet.

Read More

Chronic Illness Acceptance -Mastering Being Sick

By

On 08/09/2024

In Chronic Illness

A man is lying n bad with an eye mask wrapped around his head and smiling. The text over the image reads, mastering being long term sick

It’s been a long time since I have written anything for my blog. It’s all a bit of a mess over here and in need of a refresh! I really would like to be writing here again. To do that, I need first to write an update, to bring you up to speed on where I’m at in terms of my chronic illness. Where I am at is an interesting place. I’ve reached a level of acceptance with my health, where although there is still a sense of loss, there is also a much greater sense of peace. Although it seems like strange terminology to use, I feel like I am finally mastering how to be sick!

Read More

Why I Began Using a Mobility Scooter and How It Helps with ME/CFS

By

On 04/18/2022

In Chronic Illness

I am known for my incredibly open and honest sharing, on all sorts of stigma-related topics. I have many identities, which messages from society tell me I should be ashamed about. I’m transgender, I’m gay, I have mental health challenges, and I am an alcoholic and addict in recovery. My way of overcoming shame has been to share my story proudly. Why then, have I been struggling with shame and embarrassment about using a mobility scooter, and not talking about it?

Read More

Receiving a Diagnosis of ME/CFS

By

On 03/15/2022

In Chronic Illness

After almost four years of struggling with debilitating fatigue and distressing physical symptoms, it has been a relief to have a GP thoroughly investigate my health. It should also be a relief to have all his investigations come back negative. However, it doesn’t feel like a relief. This is because the only option left that explains my fatigue and physical symptoms is a diagnosis of ME/CFS.

Read More

Making Sense of Chronic Fatigue | Finding Answers

By

On 02/22/2022

In Chronic Illness

I am very much behind with my content, especially here on my blog. I have been updating about my progress with my chronic fatigue (or Fred, as I affectionately call it!) over on my YouTube channel. Today though, I thought I might do a summary blog post of all that has happened since I last updated.

Read More

ME/CFS and A Virtual Walking Challenge

By

On 01/05/2022

In Chronic Illness

A couple of years ago, whilst living in Dawlish in Devon, I decided I wanted to walk the South West Coast Path. My plan was to do it in sections, over the course of a year.  Unfortunately, life had other plans for me. My mum became ill, and I had to leave Devon to support her.

Read More

Unexplained Chronic Fatigue | Searching For Answers

By

On 09/04/2021

In Chronic Illness

A koala asleep in a tree

I have learned to live with many challenging health issues over the last decade. Through my addiction recovery, my gender transition, and managing complex mental health challenges, I have become an expert at self-care. I have a rock-solid wellness plan. I have a well-practiced flexible routine that allows me to keep my self-care at the center, and still live a successful life around it. However, when it comes to the crippling chronic fatigue I am currently experiencing, I am stumped as to what to do for the best.

Read More

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén

Privacy Policy