Martine McCutcheon has revealed that she was hospitalised for husband Jack McManus’ birthday last year as she made sure to make the most of this year’s party.
The EastEnders’ star, 47, has suffered with CFS – chronic fatigue syndrome ME – for over 10 years and has been very open about her symptoms.
Sharing some photos to Instagram on Wednesday, Martine admitted that Jack’s birthday this year ‘was a big deal’ after she was left ‘feeling dizzy and could barely stand’, last year – so was forced to miss out.
The actress looked sensational in the update, as she wore a glitzy gold dress and smiled beside her husband.
Showing off her tan from her recent Marbella trip, she explained how grateful she was and explained how debilitating the condition can be.
‘Grateful’: Martine McCutcheon, 47, has revealed she was hospitalised for husband Jack McManus’ birthday last year as she made sure to make the most of this year’s party
Alongside the photos Martine wrote: ‘Aaaaah I just found some more birthday spam! Oh what a difference a tan makes! We look so well!
‘Thank you Mallorca, because it certainly doesn’t seem like August here in Blighty does it?! I wanted to share these as my husband’s birthday was kind of an extra big deal for me this year – Last year was terrible.
‘I was so dizzy I could barely stand, I had been in hospital with my CFS and to say Jack held the fort is an understatement. His birthday was pretty rubbish, so I’m SO grateful and glad we got to enjoy this one… And that we got to see some friends!
‘I’ve missed them so much! I don’t know about you but I have to plan things pretty last minute as I don’t know how my symptoms will be and I hate letting people down – We all live all over the uk too.
‘So now, I only surround myself with people who understand that if I need to cancel something (& that can happen often) it’s not a choice I want to make and that they go ahead and book something and if they see me rocking up, it’s a bonus!
‘I also ask my friends to google CFS /fibro symptoms. If they love you, it’s the least they can do! Understanding helps with support. So thank you to our friends who came with a few hours notice!
‘I forgot my sensory ear plugs Dammit! They are amazing if you are dealing with sensory overload or feel or feel like everyone is shouting (which is often the case with CFS and fibro etc…) But I just keep grinning that we did it.
‘Don’t get me wrong I slept like a log after but it was SO worth it! I wanted to share this, as people only see snippets on insta and life isn’t all fun and games… But I’m not going to wait till things are perfect to live and love my life. Grab what you can! Glad this birthday was better baby love you @jackmcmanus.’
A better year: Sharing some photos to Instagram, Martine admitted that Jack’s birthday this year ‘was a big deal’ after she was left ‘feeling dizzy and could barely stand’, last year
Last week she jetted to Mallorca earlier this month with husband Jack and their son Rafferty, eight.
Despite the Echo Beach star appearing to be happy and relaxed, she told her followers that she had in fact suffered a flare up of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
She penned: ‘Mallorca life. Love it. Had a big flare up of my CFS lately and the travel was tough but waking up in the sunshine, feeling the hot heat soothe your aches and pains along with a warm gentle warm breeze is just heaven!’
Later that day she told her followers that all the travelling and walking had made her legs feel like she was lifting a ton of weights.
She added that she was ‘shuffling along slowly’ taking her time time and that swimming in the pool was relieving for her joints and muscles.
Her followers flooded to her comment section, with many thanking her for speaking out on the issue.
Suffering: Martine who has CFS – chronic fatigue syndrome ME – for over 10 years also opened up to her followers on Instagram last week, telling them that she had suffered a flare up
One wrote: ‘Please keep spreading awareness….invisible illnesses mean the simple things like walking can feel like climbing a mountain with ton weights as you say….it’s not easy and admire you for being able to be a parent.’
A second said: ‘I love how you talk about ME/CFS on your page. It really does help with awareness so thank you so much for that. Also, enjoy your holiday’.
A third called her an inspiration saying: ‘How honest you are and how real you make the condition I feel listened to.’
At the time of her diagnosis, Martine told The Sun on Sunday: ‘I want to give hope to ME sufferers, even people who don’t know what they have got. I want them to know that they are not going mad and that they can get better. You can live a normal and good life again.’
