Yesterday was FibroHaven's monthly roundtable meeting. The topic for the meeting was "Working With Fibromyalgia." The plan was to have a focused discussion and answer questions like: Are you able to work? Did you have to change careers? Do you work full-time or part-time? Are you self-employed? Do you work from home? Are you on disability? Can you work while on disability? Topics for a very interesting conversation, right? (In fact the latest edition of Fibromyalgia Aware Magazine is focused on this topic. If you are not already subscribed, I highly recommend you do and start … [Read more...]
I Am Feeling So Lucky and Supported!
Last night I had another great Fibromyalgia support group meeting. The structure of the meeting was new for the group; each of us brought books we have read that have had a positive impact on our lives in one way or another. Members brought books on topics from self-help and memoir writing to Lake Wobegon. A very clever member shared a book that has had the greatest impact on helping her with the dreaded fibro fog - a notebook! Seriously, everyone of us should have one close by at all times, and what ever you do, don't lose it like I did mine. Devastating! As each meeting does, last … [Read more...]
Embrace Your Individuality and Honor Your Contribution
Yesterday was graduation day. I cheered as my niece received her 8th grade promotion and teared watching my nephew receive his high school diploma. So proud of both of them! It was a great and emotional day filled with special moments and wonderful speeches. The valedictorian at my nephew's graduation gave a funny and moving speech. She had the entire football stadium laughing with jokes about her mixed heritage - her mother is Mexican and her father is Jewish. She apologized to everyone unable to find a seat because her mother had her entire side of the family seated in the home-side … [Read more...]
Sharing My Struggles
I am distraught today over an email I received from a member of my support group. Here is where my writing about this gets sticky. How much can I share and still honor her privacy? I guess I can just say that she is someone I reached out to individually because she was interested in getting involved in something I am doing and reaping great health benefits from, and now the whole thing has blown up in my face. I am just stunned at how my support and good intentions are now being twisted into such ugliness. It goes back to The Law of Detatchment and the lesson I learned there - "Today I … [Read more...]
Fibromyalgia Affects Everyone: An Interview with My Niece
My niece Dani is thirteen years old. I have been living with the symptoms of Fibromyalgia almost every day of her life. This is the only way she knows me. With the guidance of her mother and a naturally compassionate heart, she has always been very loving and even nurturing towards me. We have a great relationship and I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming. I love spending time with her and have her at my house often. She sees firsthand the difference between a "good" and a "bad" day. She is with me today and it gave me the idea to interview her for my blog. I thought you might be … [Read more...]