Play it again Sam...

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 30 Prompt: Play that horn. 
Today’s challenge is a difficult one because we are to toot our own horn and give ourselves props. We are to write three things we love about ourselves, things we’re great at, or just want to share without signposting (?) or undercutting self-compliments!". I have my coffee and ready to get down to the business of writing. 
Today is the last day of National Health Blog Post Month. This is the first time I have done something like this and I’have really enjoyed participating. Thank You WEGO Health for this inspiring challenge that fanned the fire under me that I needed. I am looking forward to the next challenge with great anticipation! 
As one who is not a social butterfly or a big talker yet when it comes to anyone needing a listening ear, a shoulder..I am there. I am an active listener and yes there is a difference when it comes to listening. Being an active listener is natural for some and must be learned by others. For me it is something that comes naturally. 
ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS
I am a highly empathic person and a healer. To be able to connect with others, both humans and animals is a most incredible gift, especially when connecting with animals and children. 
I am a woman who is deeply passionate in all she does. I love deeply, fight like a wildcat for the cause(s) I choose and although at times experience great heartache in my personal life I will never stop being who I am. 
Peace, Love and Light

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Greeting card post

Greeting card post! The greeting card industry is all about writing generally universal feelings in a presentable way that you can use to express yourself when you just can’t think of the words to say.
Write a greeting card for someone in your community to help them express themselves about a new diagnosis, treatment, or experience.

Front of Card: 

Welcome to the Fibromyalgia Community
You are now a member of the Elite Invisible Illness Community 

Some Wonderful sites we would love to share with you:

The Fibromyalgia Funhouse  is a support page for The Fibromyalgia Crusade 

Leah Tyler also has a blog Chronicles of Fibromyalgia and on Twitter: @FibroFunHouse

Please check out  http://www.fibromyalgia.com/  and WEGO Health  

Wondering how to explain your diagnosis, battle fatigue and daily pain to family? 

Check out Christine Miserando's "The Spoon Theory" at But You Don't Look Sick 

Wishing you more lilac than amethyst days...

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9Jhttp://www.fibromyalgiacrusade.com/

Say What?

#NHBPM #HAWMC Say WHAT?! What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve heard about health or your condition. Was there any context? What did you think at the time you heard it – and what do you think of it now?


Fibromyalgia is not a real illness. It's all in your head. You don't look sick therefore you cannot be sick. You just want an excuse to lay around in bed all day, do nothing and get paid for it. You're just an attention seeker. 


There is no blood or other test for Fibro as there is for RA, Lupus and other diseases so that makes it even more difficult for people to believe that it even exists, unless of course you are the one afflicted. I never liked being the center of attention and believe me being sick is no fun - having Fibromyalgia is No joy ride and is NOT the way I would go about getting anyone's attention. 
If there is no test for it how do you know you actually have Fibro? This is one of the hardest things to get across to those who just may never "get it" about our illness. 


To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you must have had at least 3 months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 areas, including:
Arms (elbows), buttocks,chest,knees,lower back,neck,ribcage,shoulders, and thighs.


Another really ignorant statement is that we are just lazy, want to sleep all day and get paid for it (collect disability) 
Some of those diagnosed with Fibro are unable to work and therefore do collect Disability. On our good days we can volunteer however we never know from one day to the next if it will be a good day or bad day. Pain levels are varied and meds help yet none of us want this and we sure did not ask for it. 
The truth is that we really do Not enjoy spending our days in bed, or even unable to work doing those things we once enjoyed so much. Make plans for next month? HA! Making plans for the next day is out of the question quite often.
Our activities are altered moment by moment, day to day depending on how we feel. 
I have a buddy, my walking stick, a cane. I use that from time to time to help steady me when necessary. When the pain and battle fatigue is so bad I cannot hold my head up then I spend as long as my body needs to in bed regenerating. 
It really really helps when you have doctors who believe you when you tell them how you feel, what is happening with Your body And for them to Believe you. 
The days I need my cane I have to push pride to the curb and utilize it when necessary.
I am in a place in my life where I can be an active advocate and activist for others who have been newly diagnosed and for those who are their supporters. 
Today, Thanks to a sister #spoonie I can share her theory with others and that does help them understand in part, what we go through, what we have Is real, we are in pain, have a real condition...Even though Christine Miserando has Lupus her SPOON THEORY can apply to all of us with "Invisible Illnesses" and I thank her tremendously!
Peace, Love and Light


This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

I remember when...

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 26 Prompt: I still remember… 
Free write a post that starts with the line “I still remember…”


I still remember the doctors I visited as a patient years ago. When I Knew I was entering peri-menopause I was told by my then Primary Care Doc that I was too young and therefore it was not possible for me to be going through peri-menopause. In effect, he was telling me I did not know my own body. The last four years I have resided in the wonderful world of Menopause and love it!
I still remember off the charts pains in my joints and muscles I was experiencing back then as well as the fatigue was kicking my tail even then. I don't believe too many doctors have a handle on what to look for, listen,the signs of Fibromyalgia when a patient is sharing with them what is happening within their bodies. We need more exercise  eat better, sleep better and the list goes on.......
IF either of the doctors I had before moving to where I am now, had a clue about Fibromyalgia then I know my diagnosis would have been made so much earlier and I would not have had to suffer the last five to six years in misery and pain so bad it brought me to tears. I would have been referred to a Rheumatologist, examined properly, given my diagnosis and proper meds. 
What I have learned from this however is that sometimes you have to crawl through the pain pile on hands and knees to get to the really great doctors. That is where I am now. Blessed with a fabulous and through Primary Care Doc and a super Rheum Doc. My care Team is awesome-:)
Peace, Love and Light
This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Never have I ever...

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 25 Prompt: Never Have I Ever. 
You stick to your guns – now tell us about what. What is something you’ve never done but want to. What’s something you’ve never done and won’t budge on?


BLACK FRIDAY: Never have I put myself in the middle of the insanity of the masses of sale sharks on land and I Never ever will. At age 51 I still remember the story momma told me of going into the bargain basement sale at Woolworths and women were actually fighting over a pair of freakin underwear!!! There were wall to wall shoppers and you could hardly move. It was like salmon fighting to go upstream. Nope, you will not catch me in any store on Black Friday. I may be a little crazy but momma sure didn't raise no dummy. Bungee Jumping is another thing I absolutely will Never ever do....


Something I want to do is have a working vehicle, preferably a minivan, since I have two Chihuahuas, and go on an extended road trip.  I would love to be able to visit old friends and places where I grew up. My two fur kids would definitely travel with me. I love to drive and I would have a fabulous time! 
Peace, Love and Light
This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days:http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

The Phoenix

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 24 Prompt: My Mascot!

Give your condition, community, or self a mascot. 

Who is it? What do they represent? What is their battle cry?

The legendary Phoenix has been my Mascot for many years. I proudly sport a Very special Phoenix tattoo on my back right shoulder. The Phoenix represents rebirth and renewal as it rises from its own ashes anew each time refreshed and ready for the next five hundred years. 
Living with Invisible illnesses or any chronic ailment we are beaten down and battered like solders at war yet we are never down for long and like the Phoenix we rise from the ashes of our pain each tme, refreshed and renewed ready to go forward again for a spell and travel the next leg of our journey.
Like the Phoenix we who live with Chronic illnesses will also rise from the ashes and continue to be renewed. We may be down for a bit but never completely out. We Will Always Rise again!
Peace, Love and Light

Photo Link to Phoenix Story

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

A peaceful place

Be present. Describe something peaceful with as much sensory imagery as you can. What are the sights, sounds, scents, and feelings?

My peaceful times are in the middle of nature's beauty. Surrounded by her glory I am always in awe. Bright yellow butterflies dance and glide past me in playful chase of each other in the uplifting gentle breeze as I sit in comfort on my wooden porch in the white wicker chair with it's worn green padded seat. Branches of trees bend and bow in their dance with the cool wind in afternoon greeting. Grey squirrels playing tag chase each other round the big oak trees and bright blue-jays forage for grub on the ground. Echoed in the background is the Pleated woodpecker family travelling from tree to tree in search of lunch.

Peace, Love and Light

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Rescued Treasures...

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 21 Prompt: Ekphrasis post. Ekphrasis (writing about another art form) – Find a Flickr Image in Creative Commons that inspires you in some way (positively or negatively) and free write about it. Give yourself exactly 15 minutes to write without stopping. Don’t think! Brave bonus: Publish to your blog without editing! (You can include a disclaimer)

Below are photos I have rescued from TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA and there are over one hundred all together. I chose these for today's blog post...
Faded photographs, rescued treasures. I wonder what would have become of these treasures if I had not spoken up and asked to take them home with me. The small shed like building they were currently housed in with so much trash and a few other likely goodies were going to be taken to the dump. So many books were mildewed and old clothing strewn about, broken glass from picture frames that would have hung upon walls behind couches in living rooms at one point. So sad to see these lovely pieces of time frozen among them all. 
I was given the green light to bring the photo album home. I was elated! To me this was so important and I cannot understand how it meant nothing to others, never will understand. 
So many questions swirled in my head. Who are these people in the photos? Where were the taken?  I saw a few place names and researched those. MOUNT MAJOR - That is in New Hampshire. The SECOND ADVENT Campground I am not familiar with. This was a goldmine and I wanted to get it returned to some family member of the whoever was in these photos as soon as possible. I had visions of a website, putting the photos up and circulating them for all to see in the hopes of reaching a relative of someone in the photos. 
I have had the recent blessing of reuniting a set of most awesome photos with relatives not long ago. It gives me a wonderful feeling to do that. They are all some folks have to their family and family history. We all, of most of us, have this desire to know where we come from, who do we look like in our families, who is related to who and the list goes on....
Maybe I can reunite them this Christmas...a gift for someone...That would make my day<3 

Postcard Below addressed to the MURPHY FAMILY of PITTSFIELD, NH from CHAS ROGERS. 

 VERY INTERESTING HOUSE BELOW...My personal guess is that it was Very near water and therefore built up on stilted foundation to keep from being flooded during storm weather.

 PHOTO TO LEFT TAKEN AT MOUNT MAJOR, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Mount Major is a mountain located in Alton, New Hampshire, south of Lake Winnipesaukee 

LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE MOUNT MAJOR

PHOTO ABOVE TOP LEFT: SECOND ADVENT CAMPGROUND ~ UNSURE OF LOCATION.


This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Humour, the best of medicines...

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 20 Prompt: LOL post. 
Write a post about a moment that made you laugh. Or a video, picture, blog post, or something else that made you laugh.

Ok I could go in so many directions with this one as there are countless photos and videos that have brought laughter into my life...Sharing a few photos and then a video that has brought me to tears laughing so hard....I hope you enjoy them at least s much as I do<3
Humour ~ I love a good laugh, a real knee slapper, gut buster, one that will make you wet your britches and spew your drink out your nostrils...
Humour is almost the best medicine there is...almost-:)

Peace,Love and Light
This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

The Ride...

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 14 

Prompt: 

If you were in an elevator with someone 

and they asked about your blog, your writing...

What would you tell them....

*Paperback Writer* by The Beatles plays in the elevator
30 second ride:
Rider: Excuse me Miss, did I hear you are a writer?
Me: Yes, I am. I write daily about Invisible Illnesses and Mental Health. If you like I would be happy to share the link to my blog with you. I am working in a couple books as well.


One minute ride:
I live with the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, one of the "Invisible Illnesses" and I share my journey on my blog. I also share education and help create awareness on mental illness as a stigma buster with NAMI. Here is the link to my blog, please stop by and feel free to comment, follow and share along. Thanks for asking!


Two minute ride:
I live with an autoimmune disorder called Fibromyalgia, also known as an "Invisible Illness" as well as surrounding health issues. As an Advocate and Activist I wish to share education and knowledge, along with my experiences with others out there in the hopes something I share may help another. Daily blogging on these health issues allows me to be a an active voice for others who are not able to speak out for many reasons. Thanks for your interest. here is the link to my blog. Feel free to stop by, read, leave comments and share! 


This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Online communities - Life line of Hope

#NHBPM #HAWMC Day 11 
#HAWMC PROMPT:

 If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. What is working well in your community, healthcare, blogs, social media, or your work in particular? What do you like about it?

I Love the online communities. They are an absolutely vital link and life line of Hope and life preserver for an incalculable number of people. Within our online communities we are able to gather and rally as support systems for each other any time of day or nite. Support is crucial no matter what your diagnosis is. We need that uplifting group of friends and/or family around us. The option to remain anonymous in forums using a pseudonym allows for individuals who are not ready to shout to the world their condition(s) or experience extreme anxiety upon leaving the home to attend support groups. This can be both pro and con however in a better moderated forums this is very much a plus and the support is awesome. All to often, the online community is all the family and support some folks have.


There are countless individuals who are, due to varying conditions and illnesses are home-bound and unable to utilize any available resources in their geographic communities. The interaction for some, being able to just get online and connect with others is what keeps them going, propels them forward or just helps them stay afloat on a monumentally bad day. 


Due to health reasons I had to retire too early in my life. I was less than happy. I felt so alone in the beginning. Over the course of my personal journey and forced early retirement I discovered the rewards and blessings of volunteering. I also discovered online forums and there I spent a great deal of time for support and offering support.
My volunteering has been in the areas I have vast life experience in. I am able to relate to others in a capacity that brings them comfort, lifts them up and lets them know they are not alone. Social media, communities and forums can be very helpful. Blogging is a different approach and not the same interaction yet still sharing information, education and spreading awareness in another form. If you journal you can blog.

It is a huge comfort for someone to know and hear they are not alone in what they are experiencing and that the person advocating for them has been there, knows the trail to walk and guides them through it.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

The future of online activism

 #NHBPM Day 10: The future of online activism. 

Our favorite social media sites are constantly undergoing renovations to become quicker to navigate, easier to interact with, all encompassing, mobile, and everywhere. Imagine the same thing about your community – how will they evolve, improve, and grow?

Before the Internet we were so limited with sharing information with getting the word out and education the public as well as being able to offer support to others. The Internet has opened up a new world of opportunity for activism and they sky is the limit. We can literally reach anyone who has access to this technology. 


How will my communities evolve, improve and grow? I see the community growing and evolving daily reaching countless people in the sharing of knowledge, educating and exchanging of information. Working to help shatter the silence and break the stigma that is so ingrained within our society today. Ignorance is not pretty. We must spread the seeds of education, watering them with kindness and love. United as activists we journey forth helping these seeds of knowledge and truth to grow until ignorance and myth exist no more. 


Online activism is here, growing, evolving becoming stronger and the online communities are ever busy with the presence of those who are searching for ways to help support their loved ones, share knowledge of their illnesses and of activists working to help break the stigma and educate the world. Online activism is growing and evolving as patients become their own advocate and activist seeking what is best for their health they take to the Information Highway. Some in the medical profession are less than thrilled with the knowledge we hold when we enter their offices...We are our own best advocate, activist and knowledge is power. 
Peace, Love and Light
This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J




 

3 Truths and 1 Lie about Fibromyalgia

#NHBPM  #HAWMC Today's Prompt: 3 Truths and 1 Lie. Tell us three truths about your condition and one lie. Do think we will be able to tell the difference?

Fibromyalgia is blanketed with misconceptions. Fibromyalgia is not a real illness many say.There are many even among the medical community who hold to the belief that Fibromyalgia is not a real illness and simply in our heads. It is an "Invisible Illness" therefore it must not exist. Let's pull back that blanket and look at the facts, the realities of Fibromyalgia and how it affects those of us diagnosed with it. 

For many patients with Fibromyalgia the journey to our diagnosis is a long and winding trail of doctors and tests not to mention the years of suffering in silence with pain in our joints, muscles and other symptoms because no-one believes us when we tell them our symptoms yet they can see nothing wrong. 

First task is to locate a doctor who knows the condition IS real, Does exist and who will treat us as such. Then follows the testing - the blood-work for other disorders must be ruled out first; Lupus, Rheum, and others...

Specific criteria - Tender Points - must be met in order to be given this diagnosis.  

Those diagnosed with Fibromyalgia experience a heightened sensitivity to pain and for me, what pain I used to be able to tolerate now sends me to the moon in tears. Our brains and spinal cords process pain differently than those without Fibro.

Many of us are unable to work and hold regular jobs knowing not from one day to the next how we will feel. Some days a grocery shopping trip will put me down for the rest of the afternoon. I used to be a strong worker, security and nursing aide were my main jobs yet now I am remanded to go from day to day, moment to moment and I hate it. 

"You don't Look Sick." is something we as Fibromites hear a lot. Simply because we live with an Invisible Illness. Just because it cannot be seen, doesn't mean it isn't there...

My life has changed drastically because of this diagnosis. Eating habits altered to promote healthier eating as my body has become allergic to so many foods and preservatives. 

I am still grateful for the diagnosis because it has helped me in changing my lifestyle for the better. 

FIBROMYALGIA: 

3Truth and 1 Lie ~ You Decide

A) It is a Real Illness

B) It is an Invisible Illness

C) Fibro affects approx 4% of the world

D) Fibro affects only women

Peace

 This post was written as part of #NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: 

http://bit.ly/vU0g9J