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.

To Many "Speed Bumps"

I've missed being here. To many "speed bumps" this last month. My blog took the way-side. I hope to be here daily as it helps to discuss my day in writing.

We left Yuma, Arizona and traveled to Wallowa, Oregon. Wallowa is located in the NE corner of the state of Oregon. Like Yuma, Wallowa has a desert landscape. Best of all, our two grandsons live here. We will be here for a week before traveling to LaCenter, Washington to spend time with our 17 1/2 month old granddaughter, Lyla.

It snowed off and on today, but didn't stick. Expecting wet weather for several more days. I miss the sun of Yuma, but the sun will be permanent in Wallowa soon. My Fibromyalgia feels better on cooler days, so not in a hurry for high temps to arrive.

I didn't take a nap today and now in late afternoon, I'm regretting the decision. I do have dinner ready for the oven. Not much preparation...just the way I like it. :D

"Give Yourself a Fresh Start"

A Moment for You, Woman's World

"....that's all behind you now.

Regrets only weigh us down,

so why take them with you?

Instead, let hope lift you up

as you step forward...."

You get the diagnosis. Fibromyalgia. What's that? You do search after search, reading everything you can. This disease has taken over your body and your life. Who are you? You feel like a different person. Has someone invaded your body and taken over? How do you handle yourself? It is hard to remember who you were. The pain, fatigue and cognitive issues control you.

From this point on you are learning who you have become. How you fit your former life into your new life. The diagnosis "is behind you now." If you dwell on the negative issues of your new life, you are headed for depression. Yes, it happens, but you must continue to move forward...no dwelling! "Regrets only weight you down."

"Let hope build you up as you step forward....

What A View

We are 20 miles north of Yuma, Arizona, behind the Yuma Proving Grounds, which is an Army base. We are on BLM land, boondocking. The photo above is what I see from my window. In fact, I took the photo from inside my house. The Chocolate Mountains are darker than the usual Arizona Mountains. I enjoy the light contrast against the dark and when the sun rises in the morning, they are beautiful. It took me some time to see the beauty of a volcanic desert. Looking out each windows gives me a different view. These views are to my southwest.

Sometimes we look out our windows and get lucky to see critters that live in the desert. Most are too small and you don't see them because they blend with the natural color of the desert. A few days ago, I looked out my large picture window in the back and saw coyotes. I took photos through the window. Because they were on the move, I couldn't focus fast to get a clear picture. There were four traveling together. You could tell their personalities even though we saw them for less than five minutes. There was a leader who moved quickly, no stopping. Then the want-to-be leader who stayed on the Leader's tail. There was the pokey puppy who sniffed everything while moving quickly but was aways back from the leaders. And then there was the old guy who sat on the hill and scratch 'til the last possible minute before moving on. There are many mesas and valleys between us and the Chocolate Mountains, so the coyotes disappear quickly.

I haven't had a chance to walk in the desert. A camper in the area reported seeing a Diamondback Rattlesnake so it has been warm enough for them to come out. Makes me nervous, but Dwain made me a walking stick and told me to use it on my walks. I had planned to go this morning but the wind is blowing 20 to 40 mph and has a nip to it. So will put off my walk 'til tomorrow. I enjoy looking for rocks and there are a zillion here, so never board. In the past we have seen different birds, jack rabbits, and lizards. There are not many but the desert flowers are starting to bloom.

My only concern, besides snakes, is that there are many hills, mesas and valleys. That equates to alot of up and down walking. My Fibromyalgia doesn't like up and down walking and uneven surfaces. All of which will be on my walk. I go slow and try to watch where I'm stepping. I take a small backpack with a snack and several bottles of water. This leaves my arms free of weight except my walking stick. I look back to pin point our RV or another one I recognize for reference so I don't lose my way. I wear something bright so to be found easier and I take my telephone.

Can't walk long, but enjoy the quiet and beauty of the desert.

My Friend Judy

My friend Judy came for a visit today. We haven't had more than 5, 10 minute visits at a time. So this was fun to catch up. Judy is ten years older than I am. So does that mean that Judy thinks younger or I think older? We meet on a level playing field. We made a "play date" in two weeks. We will go to the Farmers' Market, have lunch, then we will shop 'til we drop!

We had rain and alot of wind yesterday and through the night. Arizona needs the rain. We could have done without the wind.

My Fibromyalgia feels better today. I was able to work on the taxes for a couple of hours..until Dwain decided to work on his harmonicas...I had to be done. To much extra sensory noise. By afternoon through the evening noises (including nice music) become louder and shriller. Lights do the same thing..the brightness is intense. The list of Fibromyalgia symptoms is as long as your arm.

I have enjoyed the Olympics. The athletes' work ethic to be selected for the Olympic team and then their performance at the Games are inspiring. Not that I'm going to go straight out and learn to ice skate or ski. How about Curling?

On Thursday we spent most of the day in Yuma running errands. What a tiring day. I did laundry, while Dwain went to the hardware store across the street. I thought my arms were going to fall off taking the clothes from the washer then folding it. The muscle exhaustion was intense. I hope next week, I think to have Dwain help me.

We got home at 7 pm so didn't hang the clothes until this morning. Amazes me how fast they dry here. Did a few household chores then BAM! My body was done. I knew I had done too much yesterday. Tried to push a little further to complete my project and nausea kicked in. I immediately sat in my recliner. Nothing will seat me faster than a sick stomach. :D After missing my nap for two days, I was ready. Just as I fell asleep, Dwain came into the house and that was the end of my nap (he is not quiet). I have been a slug all afternoon.

These events are a pattern with Fibromyalgia patients. If you over due your activity, you are bound to crash the next day. When this is your pattern prior to Fibromyalgia permanently in your life, you are in double danger. It is so hard to break the habit. There is a fine line between exercising enough to help your Fibromyalgia pain and too much exercise. All you can do is rest to feel better.

I hope a flare is not in the cards and I wish for a better day tomorrow, Saturday.

I need help

Does anyone using Blogspot have trouble with your "published blog" looking different than your "saved blog?"

A good example is my "Friends and Neighbors" blog from yesterday. The photos were the same size (medium) and my type was distributed evenly. When I checked the preview prior to publishing, it looked great.


The end result is one photo is large. The type moved around and several paragraphs are cramed together rather than a space between.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

Day of Frustration

Two years ago I received my Social Security Disability. Starting this January, Medicare kicked in, providing me with medical insurance. I also signed up for Med Advantage through Blue Shield/Blue Cross.

On Friday I received a phone call from my Chiropractic office telling me that Medicare is not paying their billings. I couldn't call Medicare until today. I spent time reviewing my Medicare Book off and on all day, trying to understand it so I could speak intelligently. The more I tried the less I understood. About 11 am I felt like I was going into an anxiety attack. My friend, Judy, who I met two years ago, (she is from Gresham) came by for a visit. She saved me at the best possible time. We had a nice visit. I then fixed lunch and took an hour nap. Finally, at 4 pm I called. The first gentlemen I spoke to, tried quoting the book. I got the impression that he was new. He finally forwarded me to a billing specialist. He was equally as enthusiastic, but was able to answer my questions.

It looks like my Chiropractors' office was billing the wrong Blue Cross office. I called the office and gave the correct information. I do remember the secretary copying my insurance cards. Who knows, hope it all works out as I do not want the bill. :(

I wish I could function as not to cause anxiety. I know it is part of my Fibromyalgia, but I really dislike how it makes me feel. I feel weak, not in control of myself, and scared. When the anxiety subsides, I feel like I've accomplished something big, even when it is not much. And I'm tired. When I return to Wallowa County in the spring, I plan to talk to my doctor about how to help control the anxiety. I don't want to take another pill. My son, Seth, thinks I can talk myself down from the anxiety. This is what I do now and it is increasingly getting worse. The attacks are coming more often. What to do, what to do ......

Friends and Neighbors

One of the things I enjoy about full-time Rv'g is getting to meet our friends and neighbors, whether they are of the furry variety or those on two feet. Here are a few photos I've taken ...




I believe this colorful bird is a House Finch. My books show that male House Finches have red markings rather than orange. I have not found a bird that looks like this guy. He lives in Quartzsite, Arizona.

This little guy is only 4" in length..he has breakfast at a feeder on the back of our RV. He eats off and on during the day but spends more time here in the morning. He is a Broad-Tailed Hummingbird.

I find it very relaxing to hear the birds in song, to watch them in a tree or shrub, hoping from limb to limb. The Hummingbird and their quickness of flight is amazing.

We have a small lizard living in a rolled up carpet we keep under our RV. He is approximately 3" long and gray. He runs so fast on his little tiny legs. Lizards do not relax me!

There are donkeys living in the desert too!

There is a photo posted in the Welcome Center of a Cougar that was spotted not from where we are parked. Dwain got a photo of a Great Horned Owl a couple days ago.

We have reconnected with a couple from Gresham, Oregon (near Portland) that we met two years ago. It has been nice to have visits with them.

We are living in the desert just north of Yuma, Arizona. The weather has been perfect for me until yesterday when it reached 85. My Fibromyalgia rebels in the heat. Today it was 84. I do ok until after lunch when the temperature starts rising. It doesn't cool off 'til about 9 pm. So sleeping hasn't been a problem.

It is quiet where we are parked, with the Chocolate Mountains directly behind us. That has also helped with relaxing.

Changes?

I'm thinking of making visual changes to my blog and I would appreciate your comments.


Would you like to see a rotation of quotes in my Something to Think About? I like this quote as it states that we need each other for support and that is so true with Fibromyalgia.

I am considering changing my Iris picture. Should I rotate a nature picture or something more personal?