As I drove out of Vancouver on a warm sunny day in mid-February, I felt so unwell. Along with fatigue, dizziness and blurred vision I also felt a burning sensation at the base of my neck.

It was the third time in six weeks I had come down with flu-like symptoms, but this time they seemed more intense.

At 25 years of age, I was extremely busy juggling university classes, two part-time jobs and church involvement. I certainly had no time for illness.

The symptoms became more severe and I considered going to the hospital. As I approached the Port Mann Bridge I suddenly became very dizzy. I panicked! What if I passed out while I was driving over the bridge?

My heart was racing and I began to gasp for air. A progressive numbness cascaded over my neck and down my upper body. Was I becoming paralyzed? My panic increased. I thought I might be having a stroke. I began praying out loud, begging God to spare my life.

Thankfully, I was over the bridge in a minute. Relieved, I drove to the look-out station on the other side. I intended to rest for awhile and then continue on, but the numbness had already spread to my legs. I was so frightened I called an ambulance and was rushed to the nearest hospital in Surrey.

Thus began six years of confusion, questions, emergency room visits and medical testing. My symptoms confounded over 40 doctors and specialists until I was finally diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) as it is commonly referred to today.

A healthy Doris Fleck
- photo courtesy Peter Fleck

When I became sick in 1986, few physicians knew anything about CFS. It is reported that over 70 per cent of people afflicted with CFS in America are Caucasian women in their early 20s to mid-40s.

Although many see a measure of recovery and some regain complete health, others are severely disabled for a period of years. For a few, the disease never goes away. I went from being a very active, energetic, enthusiastic person to bedridden in days.

The fatigue that plagued me was something I had never experienced before. I wasn’t just tired; I felt like I had 20 pound weights attached to my arms and legs. This was combined with a litany of other symptoms that included muscle pain, heart palpitations, night sweats, cold hands and feet, numbness, intense pressure in my head, inability to concentrate, insomnia and nausea. I quickly became intensely afraid of what was happening to me.