When a friend or relative says to you... "You can talk to me about your pain."-"Tell me how you are feeling."-"I'm here for you."-"Maybe it would help you to talk about your pain."-"If you didn't keep your thoughts pent-up, you may feel better."-"How am I to understand what you deal with if you don't communicate… Continue reading The Importance of Empathy in Chronic Illness Discussions
Mind-Over-Matter
Mind-over-matter is a rough business. Back when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, my pain journey started out relatively slow. The normal things I tried to do caused me to hurt... but, I adjusted my mind to this new challenge and 'marched' on through the tears of pain. Then, the pain got progressively worse and… Continue reading Mind-Over-Matter
When Life Does Not Stop for Pain
Life does not stop simply because we want it to. Even before I was diagnosed with PsA, Fibromyalgia and Lupus, life never seemed to allow for breaks. Back then, vacations were nice, but the looming feeling of going back to the daily routine always seemed to over-shadow the vacation. Now, vacations are more about making… Continue reading When Life Does Not Stop for Pain
Driving Across 6 States
This week I have been driving across 6 states. As of today, I have one more state to go before I reach my destination. Recent blood tests show that I am in a Lupus flare. Driving with Fibromyalgia is hard enough, but driving in a Lupus flare makes things a "bit" more adventurous! The steroids… Continue reading Driving Across 6 States
When Lupus Hits Hard
Back in 2015, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and then in 2016, I had a Lupus diagnosis with positive ANA and Anti-dsDNA testing, along with the classic Lupus symptoms, but I honestly decided that was more than I needed to deal with because, at that time, my husband had blood cancer and I was already… Continue reading When Lupus Hits Hard
Traveling with CPD (Chronic Pain Disorder)
Traveling when you are in pain is never easy. When you have a CPD, it makes it even more challenging. As a sufferer of Fibromyalgia and Lupus, I can tell you that driving is a drag-even if you aren't the one driving. The seats are cumbersome, there is minimal leg room, getting into and out… Continue reading Traveling with CPD (Chronic Pain Disorder)
What to Say
Recently my husband asked me how I was feeling. I responded with "That's a loaded question because I don't want to come across as always complaining." He smiled a knowing smile of "trying to understand." Then said, "Maybe you could come up with a phrase that would tell me how you feel. For example, 'I'm… Continue reading What to Say
Being Strong and Having a Strong Will
Chronic pain sufferers WILL to "do" must be strong each day. When a person lives with a chronic pain condition they have to be STRONG, too. They are their own cheerleader, their own motivator, their own boss. These traits MUST be there for suffers to keep going. Some people possess these traits naturally and some… Continue reading Being Strong and Having a Strong Will
Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day. A time for reflection on those men and women that served The United States and died for our freedom. This day should not be taken lightly. Whether this day brings painful memories of loved-ones past, or just a silent gratitude of thankfulness, please take a moment of silence to thank God… Continue reading Memorial Day
Exercise??? Me???? Yep. You read that correctly.
Today I have been thinking about exercise. Anyone who has Fibromyalgia, Lupus or other chronic pain issues knows that exercising is never easy for anyone, let alone a person with chronic pain. Like many of you, I was once a very active human who bounced out of bed first thing, ready to tackle the… Continue reading Exercise??? Me???? Yep. You read that correctly.
May is Lupus and Fibromyalgia Awareness Month
Many people have probably heard of Lupus and Fibromyalgia before or they know someone who suffers, but they don't understand what they suffer from. Well, I hope by the time you finish reading this, you will have a better understanding of both of these horrific conditions that millions of people world-wide deal with daily. I… Continue reading May is Lupus and Fibromyalgia Awareness Month
Rainy Day Fibromyalgia Blues
April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes. April showers can also bring the blues, especially if you are a Fibromyalgia, Lupus and Chronic Pain sufferer. Today it is storming and pouring rain, which does affect one's mood. If you have Fibromyalgia, rain also affects your head, giving it a "hazy" sort of… Continue reading Rainy Day Fibromyalgia Blues
Stretching for your Mental Health
As a sufferer of psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and fibromyalgia, getting through my day can be challenging. Add a double fracture to my Coccyx, and the day becomes overwhelming. I (might have) had the Arthritis part down before my fall; my morning routine consisted of stiff and sore me (feeling like I'd been run over already)… Continue reading Stretching for your Mental Health
Do Loved Ones Understand our Chronic Pain?
We have a Chronic Pain Disorder; Now let's talk about whether the loved ones around us can understand what we deal with daily. We try not to vocalize our pains or we sound like a hypochondriac. We try not to over-do it, but then we look lazy. When we do things we shouldn't, we are told… Continue reading Do Loved Ones Understand our Chronic Pain?
A Possible Daily Scenario of a Fibromyalgia Sufferer
What a typical day looks like for a Fibromyalgia sufferer... *6am- wakes up stiff with joints feeling like they are on fire... every.single.joint. *Struggles with brushing teeth and showering, head may have that "far-off" hazy feeling of a pending "Fibro-type" migraine- (only a fellow Fibro sufferer knows what that means). *The left shoulder may… Continue reading A Possible Daily Scenario of a Fibromyalgia Sufferer
Perimenopause and Migraines
Are you perimenopausal? Do you suffer from Fibromyalgia, Lupus or another arthritic condition? If so, you may have noticed your pain levels have increased during your cycle. Perhaps you have more severe migraines, more intense pain, etc. People with Fibromyalgia get a different type of migraine than the usual kind. These migraines don't just… Continue reading Perimenopause and Migraines
Ringing Ears and Fibromyalgia
Ringing in the ear affects many people who suffer from Fibromyalgia. The ringing usually affects one ear and make that ear feel full or heavy. The ringing may be intermittent or constant. It may occur a few times a month or several times a week. It may even precede a Fibro flare!! For the past… Continue reading Ringing Ears and Fibromyalgia
Drawing a Line
This website has been sorely neglected for a host of reasons...and I apologize for that. The sabbatical I had to take was mostly in part to my husband, who was diagnosed with blood cancer and underwent a bone marrow transplant in the fall of 2021. Having to deal with my Fibromyalgia and the constant trips… Continue reading Drawing a Line
Myelofibrosis and Fibromyalgia
Dealing with Fibromyalgia and taking care of your spouse who has Myelofibrosis can be complicated, but taking things one day at a time; one moment at a time, is the best approach. Seven years ago my husband was diagnosed with MDS-Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Four years into that, a bone marrow biopsy changed the diagnosis to include MF-Myelofibrosis.… Continue reading Myelofibrosis and Fibromyalgia
Still Alive
I pretty much shelved this blog due to all the Covid19 goings-on. The drama online was enough to keep me from the internet. Nothing has been positive and all seems to be gloom and doom, political and demeaning. So here I sit, many wondering if I am still alive and kicking... Alive, yes. Kicking...well, if… Continue reading Still Alive
Advice You Dont Want About Fibromyalgia
Don't you hate it when people who don't know how you really feel offer you advice on how to feel better? Or worse, they tell you everything they think you are doing wrong and how they think you should fix it...then you would not hurt so bad physically? If you suffer from any type of… Continue reading Advice You Dont Want About Fibromyalgia
Handling Life with Fibromyalgia
I am a sufferer of Fibromyalgia...I have had a pretty crazy winter so far and this blog was not something I could keep up with. Let me backtrack... I am a mother of ten children, wife to a wonderful husband of almost thirty years. Last fall, my last two sons at home joined the United… Continue reading Handling Life with Fibromyalgia
Traveling with Fibro
For the past few days I have been visiting my Navy son in Florida. I was really hoping all this Fibro stuff would just melt off me like a dripping popsicle. Unfortunately it has not. In fact, I have learned that the south and I do not get along at all. From being overtaken by… Continue reading Traveling with Fibro
Just a Blog About Fibro
Today I am just writing a blog about living with Fibromyalgia. What does that mean? It means that I am just a normal person whose life has ups and down same as anyone. Sad days, happy days. Emotional days and steady days. I am just your average Jolene who has a life she is trying… Continue reading Just a Blog About Fibro
I try to keep my blog topics on the lighter side of pain...which is somewhat of a challenge since pain is my daily companion. Take today. I am dealing with the pains from the past 72 hours of non-stop preparing for a double going away party for our two sons who have joined the United… Continue reading
Plantar Fasciitis and Bursitis
A while back I made a post about Plantar Fasciitis and Bursitis. While I suffer from Fibromyalgia, which causes a host of debilitating pains, Plantar Fasciitis and Burstis is now among the list. In fact, the heel pain I experience has now become my constant companion. Almost two months ago I had cortisone injections in… Continue reading Plantar Fasciitis and Bursitis
Fibromyalgia Zombie
Today I am zombified. Is that a word? Well, when you have Fibromyalgia, it should be a word. My definition of zombified is when you wake up and suddenly realize your body and mind don't work. You feel intense pain in all your joints, down your spine...everywhere, kinda like the immediate onset of influenza! Your… Continue reading Fibromyalgia Zombie
Fibromyalgia and Brain Fog
When you have Fibromyalgia and your brain does not cooperate with what you need to get done, it makes getting through the day quite the challenge! This morning I set out to check off my list of " things-to-do-today" as I did them. However, I had numerous interruptions; ie, the internet man showed up earlier… Continue reading Fibromyalgia and Brain Fog
Loving Someone with Cancer When You Have Fibromyalgia
My husband has cancer of the bone marrow called Myelofibrosis. He has been receiving blood transfusions for over a year. He was receiving them about every 14-16 days until this past winter when his body began requiring them about every 9-12 days; 2 units each time. As a Fibromyalgia sufferer, I deal with the ups… Continue reading Loving Someone with Cancer When You Have Fibromyalgia
A Beautiful, Spring Fibromyalgia, Self-Afflicted Pain Day!
I awoke to a beautiful, crisp spring morning. The breeze was coming out of the NNE. I poured a cup of decaf coffee (I have a PVC Heart Arrhythmia which means no caffeine). I went outside to sit on my new wooden swing and took in the day! It almost felt like autumn! Here in… Continue reading A Beautiful, Spring Fibromyalgia, Self-Afflicted Pain Day!
Fibromyalgia and Plantar Fasciitis/Bursitis
Vionics have helped my Plantar Fasciitis
