New Fibro Support Group.....

Just incase there are some people that are following this blog.....and don't yet know ....


Through this journey into the Fibro abyss.... I  had recently  made a decision to begin a local support group.
With support from my eldest who is also inflicted with this torturous condition...
We have began the journey....

This was initially out of lack of access to local support or knowledge...

As you All know if your a follower....my treatment was in Melbourne but unfortunately that's where the indepth support ceases....

I am an avid reader,researcher....and can't help but continue to search for further info relating to this condition....it is only fair that if I am blessed with the enthusiasm and drive to do this I....
Feel the need to share....and give back to others...Not everyone is as blessed as I am with loving family and friends.....or the opportunity to do this....
If fact...my gorgeous hubby will often be searching too...

Peer support will provide a sounding board for us all...and will provide opportunity
 To grow and learn from each others experiences.

In a couple of weeks we will have our first meeting.....so exited! I. Can't believe we will  actually be able to meet others in the same boat.....

Please spread the word further....out into the community....

I have also began a dedicated Facebook Page....feel free to view and encourage others to access..
It will be great to spread Fibromyalgia Awareness.....

...

This is also advertised on mycommunityconnect.com.au

And will also hopefully appear in this week's minner under community events.

Here's hoping for a successful first meeting!

Today Is Saturday....

Today is Saturday.....

I awake and finally feel free of the pain that my recent fibro visitor has been placing upon me....
This past few weeks has been somewhat overwhelming...
So within the walls of my cosy abode...I have been quite miserable....disappointed and flattened by the fatigue of this terrible illness.

My unfortunate Fibro visitor has been relentless of late, conquering his waynover and through me...turning up at the most inopportune times....

How dare he....invade my relaxation at Hydro Therapy...I tried so hard to ignore his parents and persisted with my exercises....but eventually this challenge wills I did not win....
I needed to end my session quickly and quietly.....with intense pain within my jaw,chest and shoulder I retreated back home for some medication.

I tried this whole relaxing....watching tv thing....eventually I went of to the quiet and listened to my relaxation CD.I love the beach one as it's my favorite Place in the world......

So I complete my session although I'm feeling somewhat relaxed this pain is still charging at my being....full steam ahead....I feel at a loss....The the above picture....so small...frail....weak....and feel so insignificant to the power of what's overcoming me....


I let my poor hubby know it's getting a bit much as I grab for the nasty pain meds...only second time I've ever had them at home...with all my will I am trying not to go back to hospital...

I'm stretched out...All cosy and warm on the couch....with family members wondering what will occur next....you can allways see the sorrow in the depth of their eyes....

I figure I will end their relentless anxiety  and tuck myself into bed....at least then I'm not so in their face....

I again grab for a different relaxation CD and absorb it all as best as I can....
I  open my eyes..... and....Today is Saturday.....
I've just had the best sleep in weeks and my unwanted visitor has even left.

I'm feeling so much brighter...I decide I need to get some of the positive vibes going again....I think they were misplaced this past week...

I will surround my self with the things I love..

And the people I love....
I head out....All rugged up...
The wind is so icy...and I complete my ten minute walk...AM only up to five each way with my pacing..


The wind was like ice blowing so strongly against me....it was a challenge to get back up the hill...
Muscles were becoming fatigue....

I got back home and felt pleased with myself....a sense of achievement....hadn't felt that for a few weeks...this process of rehabilitation is so challenging and slow...

I need to also now endevour to do my ball and gym stretching and exercise.....AM conscious to go extra slow now.....In hope it will prevent another flare....

Hubby offers to take me out to add to the excitment of my day....we have been going on coffee dates of late....very cute after fifteen years of marriage....He made this decision while I was in hospital having my treatment....a nice way to assist with our quality of life with all the medical stuff we'd recently endured.....for the past few years.....

I of coarse had my traditional Chai ....yum yum is so my favorite...and spending some time together was really nice....

So I have now finished my set of stretching  and ball exercises...
Yah.....I'm so far feeling like this Saturday is going so well......and its nearly tea time......I feel the best I have for weeks.....

I still have muscle pain but nothing at  all to complain about.....

I'm even going to give myself some flowers....because I feel like I have actually achieved something...

F is for Fibromyalgia.....
And fighters........ If Any Fibro sufferers are interested in joining discussion...feel free to visit my new page www.facebook.com/pages/F-Is-For-Fibromyalgia/340289886042313

Health and well being 2.......Somepeople......

Somepeople....


Are judged if there housework is not all completed.....

Are thought of as lazy by some family members.....

Appear to allways be resting....

Somepeople.....
.
Are thought of as being hipercondriacts.....

And make a lot of visits to the Doctor....

Somepeople can't take as much effort in their presentation as they would possibly like....

And.....

Somepeople find every day tasks such a challenge.....to go shopping is painfull.....literally....
Holding a hairdryer or straightener is really painful...To push along a broom or mop is not only exhausting but so strenuous.....it will lay somepeople up in agony for this one task.....
For the rest of the day.

Sitting in a car or movies,theater is painful and will call for immediate pain in most of the joints.

Somepeople can't wash their hair as regular as they would like......its so painful to hold your arms up like that....

Somepeople rely on others for transportation as they cannot safely hold a steering wheel.....it's painful....and they often do not have adequate strength in their hands...

Somepeople have a dedicated disability sticker for their car....and yet they look like nothing is wrong with them.....

Somepeople awaken all night long due to pain levels through their entire bodies....

Somepeople are grumpy and seem unhappy due to lack of sleep ,pain levels and sometimes isolation.

Somepeople are often judged....as the  condition is invisible.....
Somepeople would like some other people to be more giving.....understanding. And non judgemental.....

Somepeople are just like me and I have Fibromyalgia.......

We......still like to actively participate in life...
We love to go out with friends and family....

We enjoy being active.....swimming,walking.....
We would really above all else like to be able to do the things we once did.....at the pace we once did....with the strength....we once had....and as often as we once did it......

Unfortunately our Fibromyalgia has slowed us down....
  that's all,...

We are still the same person....who loves....who has aspirations.....dreams and goals.....
Just like someothers...that don't have Fibromyalgia......

Wellbeing for me is about a holistic approach to health....mind...body ...and spirit.....


I endevour to eat a very high level of nutritional food to support my Fibromyalgia....
I now go to Hydro Therapy three times a week and  do gym and particular stretching on the alternative days.....

I endevour to listen to my relaxation CD with my earplugs each have night.....
So for me I'm thinking of an overall approach to wellbeing being....and allways find time for family and friends,and supportive and protective networks....

It's not about if I am a size eight....Ha Ha....to those who know me....
I don't really care too much about my weight.....but My priority lies with my true wellbeing....and positive approach to life and....its about the journey Nd what happens along the way......not just all about the end result....


Mental health is very important.... I am very conscious of this....don't ever see anything promoting relaxation with the beautiful size eight models in their licra suits....where does the balance and equity in wellbeing lie there......hmmmmmm.......



F is for....Fibromyalgia....

Health and well being.......

So upon  recent reflection...... I have decided that when the general public think of well being, they actually think of just that.....A being that is well........or in my case.....
Generally unwell.....

The infrance around well being is thought,and particularly during winter is predominantly around people within the population being unwell....

That's not to say some don't  think more in depth about the topic..... But for those with possible less education or. Ignorance round the topic of nutrition  and exercise probably don't have a good understanding of the term "Health and Wellbeing".......

As someone with a chronic medical condition I have decided to blog about what I feel health and wellbeing means to  me....

Firstly....I am not healthy......and have not been since the age of 28 years of old after, suffering a very unexpected heart attack following with a triple bypass.From this horrific  moment on I have never felt well, healthy or energetic.....

I have Fibromyalgia and Chrones disease.....and I'm pretty sure my parents didn't put an order in for that at conception....

 Nor did I during these years.........I was allways an exerciser....as a teenager....playing...hockey,competitive diving....gymnastics...Athletics.....weekend horse ridding....and am pretty sure there were a couple of other things along the way......As I grew up my mother was quiet particular with what  I was able to eat....our home did not consist of "junk " food and the treats thy I did have were allways home made.

As I grew and becme a young mother my self....I actually didn't even get a licensed until child three came along......so walking was my mode of transportation.....and again I participated in physical activity.......badminton,and light gym exercise......By this time I had recooperated from heart surgery....

By this time in my life I began to eat less processed food and began growing our own  herbs vegetables.Eating. Very balanced, nutrition meals was really important to us......as was trying to get enough fresh air, outdoor exercise with a pretty positive approach to life in general.

Now I do not think of wellbeing as one of those  women with the size8-10 with extremely toned bodies wearing matching licra exercise  clothing.....and they usually even look like they are radiant....and have perfectly brushed hair pulled flowing hair in  a perfect ponytail.......What is with this.... It is what we are exposed to regularly by the media outlets All around the world.
I was once, after heart surgery.....tiny and waif like....
It wasn't fun,I had no energy....
Lots of bones on display.....
And....of coarse when I was like this...
It was not cool....and infact people whispered their dreaded words about anorexia......

But for me I was this size due to multiple medical conditions and a near loss of life ....and none of these things were due to any fault of my oto
Now in our real world....when you see real people.....they don't quiet look as fantastic...

There faces are bright red....
Hair damp with sweaty looking....
Puffing and panting and or grunting or possible loud freaky breathing...

And this is okay....
We all know whenever get our hearts pumping that these things occur.....

I'm just against all the fake images we have to be regularly  saturated with.....it's no wonder some people don't fully understand the following,....

Some people can't allways participate in. Vigorous exercise....

Some people move around slowly or cautiously......

Some people don't offer to help move or carry things.....

Some people don't look like anything is wrong with them.......

Some people arnt very old...

Some people never except invitations out.....

Some people allways have quiet weekends or don't appear  to do anything exciting....

Some people have a high level of fatigue....

Some people allways seem sick.....


Some people are just like me and have an invisible condition called Fibromyalgia...


F is for all....  Fibromites....and their Fibromyalgia......

Eyes......

Well....I have just discovered out something new about Fibromyalgia,it's not often that I am glad to hear my extra little things are associated but....when it came to my vision.....and how my eyes have been feeling I could only be greatful it was nothing more.....

Fibromyalgia dries the mucus membranes within the eyes,nose and mouth.
It can be very painful,uncomfortable,and create blurry vision and associated headaches.

Some sufferers find night driving very difficult with the glare of night lights,and some are challenged with flurorescent lighting.


Some will need to always use dark glasses to assist with sensitivity and some will just use sun glasses to lessen the glare.

Fortunately for myself I only had a lot of discomfort every day,it felt like cotton wool was in behind my eyeballs.
Upon visiting my Optometrist it was clear I had very dry eyes....also associated with my Fibromyalgia.
This was great news. I was so worried about how they felt......so I am really glad and only have to put eye drops into template regular.

So for any other Fibromites.....If your having difficulty with your eyes...... It may be due to your Fibromyalgia.....best to always seek medical advice though.

Finished my morning at work and felt  the fatigue fill my body.Needed to rest for a while......and with all my might....mustered the strength to head off to hydro......feeling good about my decision.....Hydro was great...and very relaxing.Decided I will now note how my pain levels are on my Hydro night....with the past week being challenging with multiple flares....I think it will be worthwhile to compare my days.....I can't encourage anyone enough with fibro to pace yourself with any physical activity ......this is essential.....

F is for Faith.......

Sunday sunshine.....

The most exciting thing occurred.....and my beautiful  daughter ended up having a normal evening....
So by the time her friends had arrived I was feeling brighter....I just pretended all was well and went along as if I was okay and watched some Olympics.....we are very into this at my home.

But things went smoothly....and the girls finally left looking radiant for a night on the town....
I took advantage of the fact my body was feeling okay and was able to enjoy some Olympics with hubby.....so nice....

So sunday......the sun was peeking out from behind the clouds and I was feeling no pain....
I took my nine minute walk.....down to the bottom of street....and oopppsss may have gone off coarse into the bush....perhaps more than four and a half minutes...but can justify this..... I wasn't braking my rules....I just modified them to suit on the day.So proud actually because I then just sat for a while in the bush......and followed my strict pacing protocol.......

The sun's warmth was so uplifting and I could see the shimmers of the near by dam sparkling in the breeze....

I picked some Johnquils and then finished my walk back home...

So was feeling great....still no pain...

Just a head and heart full of greatfulness for what I was able to enjoy,achieve and participate in....Today.........

So some of the other benefits of sunshine I was thinking about.....

The beautiful sun encourages and fruit and vegetables and grains to grow....and be healthy.

The sun gives us a better completion,and assists in repair from acne,ezcema and other skin complaints.utra violet rays can act as an antiseptic and can kill bacteria,spores and mould.

The sun stimulates appetite and digestion,even though we all feel like it the opposite..and want to eat more in the cold.Sun stimulates circulation which I also stimulates red blood cells, which increases our oxygen levels...

And of coarse the sun shares its magic with improving our moods by increasing our endorphins and serotonin levels ,which leaves us feeling much better......

I love all that  nature brings to share with us........

F is for.... Freedom.....

F=P+P= Fibro = Perseverance and Persistence.....

So the above is my mini equation for today.....

So mentioned a few days back I had been recovering from yet another visit from that pesky  unwanted guest within my body.

Since.....I have had a couple of mornings at work.....seen smiles and heard welcoming words...enjoyed being back in the human race,if only for short but brief moments of time.

I have recently heard from friends and neighbour's....About New babies born into our world....and new pregnancies to bring joy....Wakeful nights......and morning sickness.....radiating smiles and the pure joy that spreads across a face while sharing such news.....more Wakeful nights with teething babies and seen the beauty......and touched by the spell a sleeping baby casts over  ones self and  others around.

The beauty of life from the beginning.....

My mother who passed away some twenty seven years ago now.....It couldn't have ever been imagined as she held her daughter........me...... in her arms for the first time....or watched me grow and learn to walk.....talk....choose my own clothes to wear.....
Make my first sandwich.....learn to skip with a rope....enjoyed watching the goldfish in the outdoor pond....play in the sand....climb trees....meet  new friends..both male and female...overcome shyness...finally start bringing friends home.....and all that comes with some  of teenage years....unfortunatly her life was cut too short.....and she was only able  see the first 16 years of her.....my....teenage years.

I can't ever image she would think I in this day, at this age.....be so overwhelmed by a chronic medical condition...that has effected every facet of my life....everything I do each and every day....it cannot be escaped....it is silent and invisible.....unpredictable and is very strong willed.It commands an overwhelming presence not only by me but others in its presence....It is fortunately not terminal but is chronic and does not appear to go into remission very often.

I can only hope if nothing else....I raise some awarness of Fibromyalgia.....as I begin the journey to start a local support group that the word spreads....and at some levels people are acknowledging this invisible disease at the medical levels needed to assist with further research......education for some GPs and other professionals.....

Anyway.....that will be the persaverance and Persistence I will need for the future.....I'm wishing no new mothers.....or  future mother

 to be  will EVER have to watch their loved ones suffer with such a condition that partly enters the unknown.....

I will hope that there will be  Further down The track more acknowledgement...  Support....treatment....or even a cure awaiting some where in the future.....

So.....as you can see by today's readings today is also an emotive day....I endured a terrible onest of Fibro pain within my chest last night.....my visitor arrived so unexpectantly with what you could call....a grand entrance...... I had taken my normal meds but after a couple of hres I had to take the dredded one....

.the one I have never yet taken at home.....they give it to me at hospital...

So to avoid whT would have been another trip to the ED this week I very humbly took it,went to bed and read until the words became blurry within my book...

I was greatful when morning arrived and my visitor had left me....my home and our street behind....

I have todY treated with absolutely caution..decided I would make some home made wholemeal gluten free pizzas.....my daughters friends are coming this evening and maybe......just for once she can have. Normal night....with friends....getting ready for a fun night out.......they are going to order Pizza in so we will have a nice night catching up with them......

How far from that it seems sometimes....

By the time I was nearly finished putting on my pizza toppings....I again could feel that sneaky unwanted visitor....

Yes.....sneaking into the top of my spine and working his way down...with a heavy pressure ache.... Did not have the stamina to stand anymore......I have gone off to a warm bed......I have been a bit sneaky....

Like the visitor of mine.....and hidden myself away.....what they can't see...

They won't know...I don't want any fuss...

Just a lovely evening for my daughter.....once they have left the house I can show my true pain and go from there....for now.....Shhhh.....will see how this strategy goes....

AM keeping fingers and toes crossed.....

Here's to all beautiful children ...who all deserve nothing but love and everything....Warm....gentle....inspiring...encouraging .....good health and all  else special in their lives.......for as long as they live.....and grow into grown ups....

Even then you still wish for all the best life can bring to them...

Here's to Persistence and Persaverance.....

Bringing myself flowers tonight to brighten my space....

F is for Fibromyalgia....and the lessons in life it has taught me......