Later the story appeared in Chameleon magazine, and she also kindly gave me permission to post it here. Sometimes I find it helpful to relate some of my experience, as this often encourages people to share their own experience and, sometimes, their desperation for help.
Silent desperation is deadly.
Think about it. The person you love so dearly is suffering constant severe pain - and you often feel that there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. You may feel helpless, frightened, agitated etc. So remember that pain reaches well beyond the boundaries of an individual. CFS and FMS patients all experience pain in one form or another.