In 1985 I was a happy, single lawyer in Washington DC when I suddenly fell victim to what was diagnosed as aseptic meningitis. I thought that was the end of it, but it was only the beginning because I never fully recovered and experienced six more diagnosed meningitis episodes over the following eighteen months.
After much research and weekly blood tests, my wonderful doctors gave me a final diagnosis of Mollaret’s meningitis. That is now known as recurrent meningitis because it is a chronic disease that strikes full force whenever it wants to. Along with recurrent meningitis, I was diagnosed with chronic Epstein-Barr virus, chronic cytomegalovirus, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic myofascial syndrome, and a few years later, fibromyalgia.
Six years after my first meningitis attack I had to leave the workforce on disability because the chronic pain and fatigue, combined with the effects of numerous medications made it impossible for me to hold a job. Several years later I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
March 19, 2024, will mark the 39th anniversary of that first meningitis attack. I have had numerous attacks in the intervening years. I was 34 years old when meningitis first struck me. I am now 72. More than half of my life has been spent in pain and disability. However, I am positive and hopeful as I begin each day with my numerous hobbies and with the five frisky cats who always give me love no matter how ill I am.
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My experience has been life-changing in many ways. It took my legal career. I lost the man I wanted to marry. I lost the ability to have a family because of an early hysterectomy. But I didn't lose me. I found new dreams. We must be stronger than our disease and face each day knowing we can endure.