A sociable weekend leads me to reflect on the impact of fatigue on my daily life. Yes, we’re all tired, but is this normal?!

This post isn’t for those of you desperate for s night out, in bed by midnight. It’s for those of us longing for bed as soon as it gets dark.

By the time my third play date of a recent weekend ends I’m longing for the friends to go. My husband finds me, in tears, surrounded by piles of washing to sort at 7pm, just overwhelmed by it all. I want to be sociable, to have a normal life, but cancer keeps reminding me this isn’t possible. Must be the medication!

I can’t believe it when the morning alarm goes. Brave face. I have to catch my breath on the way back from school. The thought of chores is too much but coffee gets me through. Thank goodness I’m not well enough to work! Back from the second school run, I admit defeat and get the wheelchair out as my ankles are throbbing. Final school run complete: everyone’s always telling me to rest but this is the first time it feels acceptable. Bedtime at last. Take my sickness tablet which helps me sleep. Try not to start watching TV. I must sleep now or I’ll never get up tomorrow!

Tiredness is everything. Without it, I can conquer the world. Otherwise, I dread everyday life. I’m not sure how or if I can fix this.

This week’s poem