I don’t dislike Mondays

Meniere’s and weather/atmospheric pressure

Unlike the Boomtown Rats I’m not bothered by Mondays. The month August, however, can’t stand it. The roots of the dislike go back to the impending doom of returning to school. After leaving education it was the change of season and move towards winter that made me dispirited. Spring, however, puts a smile on my face and boinnggg in my step.

Since Sue acquired Meniere’s Disease August has been a month to avoid as, for the past 10 years, the change in air pressure has brought on severe spin and drop attacks for Sue. It’s not quite as bad as it was, but the threat is always there and August’s sudden and dramatic weather fronts bring barometric changes that can put Sue (literally) on the floor.

We used to go camping over the last week of August and start of September, but when Sue became too ill to leave the tent we gave up that holiday. I’ve got to say that she never complained, but it’s a challenge to far to enjoy a holiday when your partner is clinging onto the ground in an attempt to stop the world spinning – and being ‘unwell’ at the same time.

And holding your partner up whilst she struggles to walk doesn’t enhance that pleasant sunset walk along the beach. Got to say though, what are the chances of camping in the same place three years running, on the same dates, and experiencing near-hurricane weather each time? We did, the tail of a hurricane hit the same campsite each year and being in the tent was like sitting in a wind tunnel.

Last week Sue began experiencing the early stages of spins and over the weekend she struggled to keep going. I know when spins are building up as she goes very quiet and sits as straight as possible – the white knuckles on the chair also give a clue. I’m not complaining about missed hols though, my problem is that there’s not a damn thing I can do when she’s suffering attacks apart from look concerned and hold a hand.

Oh, ‘cleaning up’ is a help, of course. Of course, I worry about Sue, despite the situation not being threatening to her wellbeing – you’d have to be utterly heartless or really hate someone a lot not to be concerned. Got to say, she gave me a new description of a ‘light’ spin attack yesterday – it’s like turning your head quickly but when you stop turning the world carries on moving.

Sue’s got to cope with the problems, so therefore she has the most to cope with. I just feel ineffectual. But it’ll be September in a few days.