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.

Patrick is 14

Our grandson, Patrick is now 14 years old. His birthday was yesterday, April 28th. It seemed like yesterday that he was born. As it does with his Mother, our daughter, Heather. She will be 35 years old on May 8th.



We had birthday ice cream last night in between birthday telephone calls. Friday there will be a birthday BBQ with friends and family.

I had my follow-up doctor appointment this afternoon and tests show that I've healed from my bladder/kidney infection. I'm pleased as Dwain and I are to take Patrick's younger brother, Joshua to Pendleton, Oregon (two hour drive) for the weekend to play in a baseball tournament. Heather, her husband Matt and Patrick will be helping with the funeral of their Pastor's son this weekend.

Patrick and Joshua's birth Dad and his parents will be at the tournament. I'm not looking forward to seeing their Dad. He makes me tense. My Fibromyalgia symptoms increase with tension. I will work to stay calm ... It's to everyone's advantage.

It is cold today. It has snowed off and on, but does not stick. Typical spring weather. I hope it warms up for the weekend!

A Month?????

WOW!!!!!! It's been a month. My intent the end of April was to get back to daily posts. Ha Ha!

We commuted 7 hours to LaCenter, Washington. A few days after arriving, I came down with a flu virus that Dwain had prior to leaving Wallowa. It was uncomfortable but I was able to be up. Then I started feeling like I had a bladder infection. Both the bug and the bladder infection had similar symptoms so I waited for a couple of days. Eventually I went to a pharmacist and inquired about OTC medication for the bladder infection in hopes it would take care of the infection. In a couple of days the left side of my abdomen hurt. It then traveled to the left side of my back. I assumed my kidneys were now involved. On Monday I started with a fever. I hurt enough I was going to ask Dwain to take me to an ER, then didn't. I thought if I could wait until we returned to Wallowa and my see my own doctor on Wednesday.

Wednesday we drove to Wallowa and I got an appointment on Thursday. I was diagnosed with a bladder and kidney infection, which was no surprise. What did surprise me was the doctor's comment that I was borderline for being admitted to the hospital. He gave me a prescription and sent me home. The medication and all the water and cranberry juice I had been was drinking (I thought I was going to drown for two weeks) helped. Within a day my fever was gone. I see the doctor again today for a follow-up appointment. I am feeling better. Of course the virus and infections affected my Fibromyalgia. My pain level increased and my energy level decreased. It will take awhile to get back to what "normal" is now.