Josh is here!

I have a permanent smile on my face today. Grandson Josh, 11, is here for the day. Grandchildren wear me out. My fatigue and Fibromyalgia pain are increased because of the activity, but I'll take it on the chin any day. My grandkids are the good parts of my children without the daily work of having children. Make sense? Rite now we are watching Tom & Jerry before turning the TV off. Dwain and Josh may take an over night hike. That will be nice for them. The advantage for me is I don't need to worry about cooking meals. Everyone wins!

Final Gifts

I want to recommend a book I enjoyed after my Dad passed on. The title is Final Gifts. It was written by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley. The ladies are Hospice Nurses. It's a wonderful read if you have lost or are loosing a family member or friend. The book gives you insight to the death process.

Here is a poem written by Debbie Short, Hospice Nurse in Tillamook County, Oregon. Debbie shared this poem with our family the day before my Mother-in-Law passed away. We included her poem in Mom's funeral pamphlet. I thank you Deb, once again for sharing your heart.

"My Collection

Folks tend to save things all their lives

Collecting various stuff

From teaspoons to toasters, to teddy bears

To outrageous Hollywood fluff.

Others covet old maps and books

And pour over each one with zest

Or sigh, reading brittle love letters of old

Timeless messages to those cherished best.

I too, have keepsakes that are dear to me

That would mean nothing to somebody else

Things, that when I am gone, will be gone too

Or sit draped in dust on a shelf.

But the collections that mean the most to me

Are painstakingly built over time;

Friends that are clearly hand-picked by God

And family ties that gently still bind.

My collection surely won't fetch a price

On the market of world-woven pleasures

But here, in my heart, it is priceless indeed

A treasured gift, with worth beyond measure."

May you enjoy your family and friends. Keep in touch often. I have been blessed with my collection of family and friends and they are my greatest supporters, whether we are talking about my FM or life situations.

How Positive R U?

I work VERY hard to stay positive during my day. To be honest, by dinner-time my positive attitude is beginning to fade. My patience is short. My fatigue has increased, which increases my Fibro Fog and my pain. If I have an issue that kicks my anxiety into gear prior to dinner-time, I'm in trouble the rest of the day. When I'm feeling really rotten, I'm usually quiet. I need to work harder when I open my mouth to be nice. I'm sure everyone has these experience that has constant chronic pain and fatigue.

Because I have been dealing with Fibromyalgia continuously for 6 1/2 years, I have come to a place that when pity party thoughts enter my head, I dismiss them or replace with something I need to do. Depression would be easy to entertain if I didn't constantly work at being positive.

I try not to talk about my FM symptoms in a complaining manner. Who wants to listen to me complain every time I open my mouth. On the other hand, when I say I can't participate in something, I'm usually asked to explain why. I do not enjoy explaining my limitations. Reminds me what I am missing. There again, is a pity party comin' on...gotta work to bring positive thoughts into my life. Because I know when I can't participate and am accepting of the joy of watching.

Shoes

I've added a link to The Walking Company. The Walking Company is a shoe store that was recommended by a Physical Therapist I saw about a year ago. In fact, she gave me a 10% discount coupon. One thing I appreciated about the salesman was that he "talked to me." He wanted to know if I knew the style of shoe I was looking for, what would I be using the shoe for, such as dress, work, recreation, did I have any known problems with my feet. I explained I was looking for a shoe that I could mostly use with my jeans, but also casual slacks. Also that I had Fibromyalgia which included balance problems and neuropathy. He directed me to the Clark's Unstructured brand of shoes and gave me the option of only a few shoes. None of the shoes had raised heels. They were all level, with good soles. assume he would have sold me any shoe I wanted but I took his advice and tried on the suggested shoes and selected a pair from his advice. I have been extremely happy with the shoes. I would recommend The Walking Company to people with FM and anyone looking for shoes.

We Are Fibro!

I have come upon the site of WeAreFibro.org. I have been unable to spend much time there. Will need to do it in increments of time. They have pages of communities, including one for Grandparents with Fibromyalgia. I am a Grandma so realize the challenges FM imposes. I am very thankful for my older grandchildren who always remember why I can't do something and notice when I am hurting. My youngest, who is only 10 months old will grow up with it too. They also have forums. I read a few this morning and gained interesting information.

Check em out!

Forgot My AM Fibromyalgia Medication!

Josh now has 3 blue ribbons, 2 red and 1 white. Proud of this young man for his accomplishments. He has worked hard to learn new skills and building a relationship with Badger.

I rode into the fair activities with Josh and his Mom, our daughter, Heather this morning. They picked me up at 6:30 am. I take my AM Fibromyalgia medication after breakfast so took them with me. I planned to eat breakfast at the fairgrounds in the 4-H Snack Shack. Because of the different scheduling to my day, I forgot to take my meds. The day was heating up and my body was hurting so didn't identify it largely from no meds instead of the heat. I got home at 1 pm. Went to take my after lunch meds and realized my forgetfulness. Since my FM became a full-time nusiance, I've had trouble when my regular schedule is altered, remembering usual plans. When plans are changed my anxiety usually kicks in. I took the meds and laid down.

Anyone else have forgetfulness or anxiety when your schedule is altered? I'm sure they do.

Blue Ribbon!

My Josh brought home a blue ribbon for showmanship. This was his first 4-H fair experience. He also did judging, but don't know how he did yet.

The weather was hot, but a nice breeze blew. I kept in the shade and did well. As expected, fatigue was a factor, but the heat wasn't as bad as it has been.

Back to the fairgrounds by 7 am and a full day of competition. This time Josh will be ridding.

Off to the Fair!

Grandson, Josh, 11, competes today at the Wallowa County 4-H Fair with his buddy, Badger. This is Josh's first year in 4-H.

Temps have been at 100 and expected to be the same today with possible thunder and lightening. I'm preparing myself to watch his events today and tomorrow. I have a fan/mister and hope that helps. The fan puts out alot of wind by itself. The grandstands are covered, for which I am equally thankful.

Weather Changes/Pain Changes

I was reading a Facebook blog today and was happy to discover others that were experiencing increased Fibro pain because of the hot summer weather. I haven't talked to anyone who had increased pain because of the hot weather. Everyone I've talked to feels better in the summer and worse when the rainy season begins. I thought I felt better during the cooler weather because I was raised on the cool, Oregon coast. But it seems it is the luck of the draw, a part of my journey.

It's a Hot Summer!

It's been a week since my last post. We've been on the road, traveling between NW Oregon to NE Oregon. Visited our park hosting friends, Sonny and Mary in Ilwaco, WA. Also our son and family, Adam, Carrie and baby Lyla, who is almost 10 months, in Ridgefield, WA. Very much enjoy our visits and always hate to leave. However, it was 101 and 102 the two days we were in Ridgefield. It was 95 when we arrived in Wallowa, OR. Heat is not my body's friend. Most FM suffers feel better in warm weather. Not I! It not only lugs me down, but my Fibromyalgia pain level increases. Anyone else have more trouble with heat than cold weather?

I have another book to recommend. "The Fibromyalgia Help Book". The authors are I. Jon Russell, MD, Ph.D and Jenny Fransen, RN. This was the first FM book I acquired. I read it before I was diagnosed. When I went to the Rheumatologist, I told him I had read the book, thought I had FM and wanted to be checked for it. Of course, he ruffled a bit. No one likes to be "told" especially a doctor. But sometimes we are so desperate for a diagnosis, our research provides what we think is the answer. In my case, I fit the information. I needed a doctor to confirm my suspicion and help me. Help me he did. Dr. Valentine practiced in Astoria, Oregon. To my sadness, he passed away four months after my diagnosis. He got me on medication and a good start to feeling better. I wish I could have learned more from him.