Chelsea and England forward Fran Kirby says she is now “feeling more like a human being” after a rare heart condition left her bedridden for up to 15 hours a day. Following Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in November, Kirby, 26, was diagnosed with ­pericarditis: an inflammation of the pericardium, the fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart. The National Health Service advises that, while it is difficult to ascertain the exact cause of pericarditis, it is ­typically caused by a viral infection and results in sharp chest pains, ­fever, nausea, shortness of breath and lightheadedness. Most recover within one to two weeks, but for some sufferers ­recovery spans several months. Kirby, who is yet to return to training, but is back with the Chelsea squad at Cobham, said: “I am feeling 100 times better compared to when this started. I was struggling with understanding how it happened. I was feeling good with no injuries. It was frustrating at the time. “When I became ill, the frustration went away as I didn’t even have the energy to be frustrated. I had no emotion as I was too tired. It took over my life in a negative way. I couldn’t even get up to make food. “Now that I am feeling more like a human being, I can smile again and be in a room with people again. Before, when people were having conversations with me I couldn’t acknowledge them. I was just sitting there thinking, I am so ill. It was just constantly on my mind. “Now I am coming to the other end of it, I am back around the girls more. I have the energy to come in or go to the pool when they are ­doing recovery. “I also know it will take time and I am not going to heal overnight. I want to make sure when I come back I am 100 per cent with no symptoms and I am ready to go. “I am getting there. I have more energy and fewer symptoms, but I need to go slowly.”