Friends

Our friends from the coast came to visit this weekend. They arrived on Friday and were able to stay until Monday morning. We have been friends for nearly 40 years. We raised our children together. They were able to see Wallowa County, fish, hunt and visit, visit, visit. Oh..we ate a lot too! We had long days, ending with a campfire and smores. :D It will take some time for my body to recoup.

My sinus infection is better, altho the phlem is thick in my throat. I will have another cup of hot tea and add vinegar and honey. The phlem is a symptom of my Fibromyalgia. The more tired I am the thicker it is. It also increases after I eat.

We are moving to Wallowa Lake State Park tomorrow. We will be park hosting for two months. It's a beautiful park. We work in the morning so afternoon and evenings are free to do as we want, including attending our grandsons' baseball games.

Our new addition, Lucy, fits in well. She doesn't allow me free time. She slept thru the night last night. We had 8 hours of sleep. I hope it is the beginning of sleeping again.

I've been living with a sinus infection and our new puppy Lucy. The combination has not been good for my Fibro. Hence why I haven't been on blogging. My body protested wildly. Usually when I have a flare I am able to be on my computer. But the combination of the three, knocked me down. I had to increase my Neurotin. But I'm doing better and so is Lucy. I'm still moving slower.

Lucy is improving with her house skills. Yesterday she went to the door twice and again first thing this morning. She is also sleeping in her crate well. Friday morning she even put herself in the crate for a nap. :) She is getting up 2x a night. I will be soooo happy when she decreases the night potty calls. :)

Our friends from the coast are here this weekend. It is good to see them. We are having a wonderful visit. Today the guys are off to see the lay of the land. The girls are going to do a little shopping. My grandkids will babysit Lucy. I've been having increased pain in my upper legs so don't know how long this shopping spree will last for me. That's ok, there are many places to sit and enjoy the busy activity of the small town of Joseph.

Here I Am!

Hi! My name is Lucy Sue. I am nine weeks old and I have been living with Dwain and Debbie for three days. I love my new home. I'm a little spoiled, but not enough to be obnoxious...yet. :D

I went to the Double Arrow Veterinary Hospital yesterday. WOW! What an experience. First the Vet Tech weighed me. I am 2.5#. I may be small, but don't under estimate the weight I can throw around. Next she used a thermometer in my little bottom. My temperature was just right. She took my picture for their file. Dr. Greenshields came in and had a big smile when he saw me. Little did I know that he was going to poke me with a needle and make me drink something that tasted like bananas. I think they are going to keep me healthy. Dr. G poked, squeezed and lifted. I had been taking a nice nap before we got to the clinic. :(

Before we left Dwain and Debbie bought me a new halter and leash. Guess what color? PINK!!!
I have some great tasting food and treats too. I also have two new toys.

Because I'm small, I get cold easily. Debbie thinks she might find a sweater for me. Our friends, Clarence and Debbie gave me a nice crate. Dwain put my food and water in the back of the crate along with a blanket. I don't mind going in the crate to have a bite to eat and drink, but they want me to sleep in there. That's going to take alot of convincing as I'd much rather sleep on the couch or on the floor next to their feet. Actually, I like to drape myself across their foot. Debbie thinks that is because I miss my five brothers and sisters. That might be, as their feet are the same size as my siblings.

They want me to sleep when it is dark outside. I would rather be awake at night and sleep during the day. What's wrong with that? Many people have this schedule, granted most are teenagers and those under 30. Just because Dwain and Debbie happen to be over 30 (he he), should I change what makes me happy? Besides, Debbie stays up with me. That won't last much longer, because she says she can't take it anymore. Her Fibromyalgia is flaring. I don't like to make her hurt, so we may need to compromise. While I'm taking a cat nap...oh...I'm a dog...they put me in my crate. I show them...I wake up immediately and come out of the crate and sleep in front of it.

I went to Josh's baseball game last night. There were kids who wanted to hold me. It was nice for awhile, but I was glad Debbie retrieved me. Patrick then came along and saved me from Debbie's lap. Unfortunately, he dropped something, bent over to pick it up and I tumbled out of his arms. That hurt! But I survived. I have a voice like my sister Heather and the whole ball field heard me.

Time for me to sleep for a couple hours more.

My Name is Lucy!

We have named our puppy Lucy! A more true statement is I named our puppy Lucy. Dwain informed me that this is "my puppy." He would've named her Pepper. He is enjoying her as much as I am, although he might not admit it. In the past it would have been the other way around. I knew he would have been ok with having a dog so when I finally got to a point where I was ready, it was a matter of keeping our eyes open for the right one. While our eyes were busy, Dwain decided we didn't want a dog...we would want to train our dog and in order to best insure that feat, was to find a puppy. He didn't want to be up in the middle of the night and we all know that someone with Fibromyalgia doesn't want to loose sleep either. If you read my last post, you know I found Lucy at Josh's baseball game. Dwain was trying to protect me when he said no to the puppy. I love him for that protection. I'm strong-willed too and I stood my ground and he let Lucy come home with us without saying another word. I was fortunate for not fighting about it. I have often read that pets in the home help reduce stress. For myself, I wanted a lap dog that I could love, enjoy and in return she might lower the tension in my body. What I have noticed is that Dwain is smiling more. He has been down this past winter and spring. So another gift. I love finding gifts during my day. The trick is to be aware that you are receiving them. Lucy is a gift for both of us. On that note I have been the one up at night with Lucy. Of course living in a 37' RV, Dwain isn't sleeping either. My Fibro is miserable due to the lack of sleep. I have periodically taken a Vicodin. Because I have lived through raising three children, I know that Lucy will eventually sleep through the night. I hope I can hold out 'til she gets tired enough to sleep through the night! We took Lucy for her first Vet appointment this morning. She weighs 2.5# and is perfect! Goes again in a month for her next shot then after two months she can be fixed.





Josh has a ball game tonight. There are no more puppies to bring home so we will go and enjoy the game. Josh is the starting pitcher of this game!

Our New Puppy

We have a cute puppy at our house! She is 8-9 weeks old. Her Momma is a Dachshund. Her Father is unknown. She has very wavey black hair. There's speculation that the Father may be a Cocker Spaniel. She has a little snout which makes me wonder about him being a Poodle. Her former owner said she was mellow like her Momma and the runt of the litter. That helped me know I wanted her to come home with us. Dwain was not receptive. We were at Josh's baseball game and the owner had brought her to the game with their family. I let Dwain know that even though he didn't want a dog, I did. Those who know me would think I flipped. As I have never been a dog person. Once she starts sleeping through the night, I will be happy. Last night, being our first night together, she played 40 minutes then slept for an hour. This was her pattern all night. Needless to say, I enjoyed the play time but going outside for her to potty in my bathrobe and broken sleep, was not so fun. I am anxious for unbroken sleep to come back to my night time already. She came from a home with seven kids and three puppy siblings still at home. I expected separation anxiety. My Fibromyalgia is flaring. :( Our friends have given us a dog kennel, which was kind. I'm hoping I come to understand the need for it. Dwain has a plan and said it will be good to have. I will keep you posted on my adventures with this "little bit."

I have a new puppy!!! More info tomorrow. :D

Dwain and spent a good part of the day helping my Aunt Donna and Uncle David empty a U-Haul truck. They have moved from the Oregon coast to the town of Enterprise in eastern Oregon. We will see them often as we spend the summer 30 minutes from Enterprise. I was starting to have break through pain, cramping and weakness in my legs and arms by the time we finished. We had a nice lunch from Heavenly's and a good visit before heading home.

David is a retired RN and volunteers his time with AARP. Donna is an RN and works at our local hospital. Donna is my Mom's youngest sister. There is about three years difference between Donna and I. We feel more like sisters than Aunt and Niece.

My body is feeling better tonight. I have a headache, but I think that is because I did not have a nap. I'm hope I don't pay for the lifting and up and down stairs tomorrow.

Feeling Fortunate

I belong to Facebook Fibromyalgia support sites. I have learned a few things from getting to know the ladies and gentlemen who frequent the sites.

Many are troubled with deep depression. Depression shows up in my life regularly but not deep like I see on the sites. Mine will last a day then I move on. I need a pity party for the day. Dealing with constant pain over your entire body 24/7 and a list of symptoms as long as your arm, your physical abilities deminished, will send anyone into depression. The ones with deep depression tend to voice issues of others not understanding or not being supportive. Some will not go for counseling to learn how to cope with their depression and pain. There have been many reasons why..they don't want to be known as someone who needs counseling, their husband doesn't want people to know his wife is seeking counseling, they don't have insurance or enough money.

Because Fibromyalgia is a silent disease, meaning there are no visible signs, they have trouble with family members and friends who think they are lazy. When my Fibromyalgia came to stay with me full time, I told Dwain that I should paint little red dots on my face so he would know I didn't feel good. Another comment often given to Fibromyalgia sufferers is, "You must be feeling better. You look good." If someone spent enough time with a Fibromyalgia sufferer, they would see physical signs of the disease, slow gate, a wince, sigh, trouble swallowing, anxiety issues, exhaustion.

Many can't find a medication that relieves their symptoms. They go from one medication to another. Others can't find a sleep aide, so they are not sleeping, which increases their pain level. I have been fortunate that every medication given to me has worked. I would like them to work better, but at least they work. I understand that until there is a cure, I will always have symptoms. To the degree the medication works, is how I will feel.

Finding a balance of Fibromyalgia symptoms is a personal journey. Every one is affected by Fibro differently, we require different levels of medication. We must find a balance of the amount of energy we can expend. My Fibromyalgia is balanced between my pain, medication and rest periods.

I am saddened by the posts that are written. I pray for these ladies and gentlemen daily. I am more fortunate than many.

Happy Mother's Day!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day!


My weekend will be full. My oldest kids, Seth and Heather, will celebrate their 35th birthday. When did I get so old??? Seth lives too far away in Chicago. Heather lives in NE Oregon in the small town of Wallowa. I wish we all lived near each other so we could be together often. I don't like not being with my kids when on their birthday. We celebrated their birth together until after they left home to create their own adult lives. I still get sentimental about their births. I guess it's a Mother's right.

Josh has a baseball game Saturday afternoon. After, we will do a little shopping in Joseph at Mad Mary's birthday celebration. Mad Mary's is a great store for shopping. Then to dinner.

Sunday, we will celebrate Mother's Day by going to church then to Heather's to spend the afternoon and have BBQ chicken for dinner.

On Monday I need to send the kids back to school and the grown ups back to work so I can rest!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!!

Slow Days

I've had a couple nice days at a slower pace. I can see where I need to vacuum, dust, etc. These won't leave. They will be there when I finally get busy.

I made two trips to the post office. The first trip was tuff. My legs were giving out as I got home. I headed straight for my chair and got my legs up. After lunch I took an hour and a half nap. I made a second trip to the post office which was easier than the first.

After dinner we went to Matt and Heather's for a short visit. When we returned I noticed walking from the car to the house, the cold weather hit my forehead from my eye brows to the middle of my forehead. It feels like a brain freeze. It's been hurting for almost two hours.

Boy am I complaining!

I've Lost A Friend

Sunday morning the sadness and pain in Michelle's life took over in a deep depression that I hope I never know. I met Michelle on-line in a Facebook Fibromyalgia support site. The loss is unique to me and many others on the site. It is the first time I've lost a friend that I've known only through her words. We communicated daily concerning our Fibromyalgia health. Our symptoms, whether our pain had increased or we were having a better day. The medications we took, what worked for us and what didn't. We discovered the names of medications in the United States had different names in other countries. We laughed at the different sayings from other countries. We talked about our families, our blessings and our worries. We all talked about how we were coming to the end of a month and money was tight. We talked about everything and sometimes silly nothings. Like today, we are learning how to make hearts.

Michelle and her family will be in my heart. Michelle's pain has eased. Her family will miss her dearly as will I and my Fibromyalgia sisters.

We had a baseball weekend. Took our grandson, Josh to Pendleton for a baseball tournament. We loaded up our small RV which we refer to as "the little house" on Friday and started our two hour drive at 6:30 am on Saturday. We were at the ball field most of the day. The wind was blowing hard and cold. I was able to keep my body warm. However, by the time we returned to the RV my left upper leg was hurting and had little strength. I'm sure I tensed the leg while shifting on the bleachers. When I woke up this morning it was fine.

We got home Sunday afternoon feeling exhausted and I took a two hour nap. Then slept ten hours over night. This afternoon I slept an hour and a half. Trying very hard not to be frustrated with the diseases of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. I've been given these diseases for a reason so need to buck up and go with the flow.

I lost an online friend yesterday. Her name is Michelle and we met on a Facebook Fibromyalgia site. We chatted daily with many others. Because I'm on this site at least once a day, you get to know each other. My heart is broken. Her medical condition caused depression. Sometimes it is difficult to get yourself out of the depression. I will miss her input to our medical discussions and her sense of humor.