Joanne, I have Bob taking the green tea capsules too. He has been testing his sugar regularly, and it isn't good. Way too high. I think going to a class at the hospital sounds like a great idea! Bob did that right after he was told that he was diabetic. Did he pay attention to what he learned? Nope. When you go to TOPS, do they have an exchange diet plan? someone here mentioned that was what they recommended. It should be the same as the diabetic plan, but you never know. Glad that your BIL is home. My father had that surgery, and I know it's much better now than it was even 10 years ago.

My last message was pretty short earlier today. Someone was at the door, and I had to get of of here.

Mima, the water aerobics class that I am in doesn't involve a lot of twisting. It is great. Glad Suzanne is feeling better, but I don't like throwing up any better. lol

We had steak and salad for supper. I told Bob that he has to do something about the sugar, so we need to eat better. I used to do great for breakfast and lunch, but supper was the killer because of the foods that he had to have. It's hard not to eat it if it is in front of you. lol

Brad's sugar was sky high in FL-his meds were't working. We need to take a reading! But he burns it up working.
I got 8 hours sleep again and I ordered a pillow top mattress cover for the twin bed from Overstock-love that website/ No tax and 3 $ shipping.
I need so much to detach from the goings on around here. Leah was upset because she was told she couldn't get the !000 $ back for her course-then Brad was going crazy because he said it wasn't fair. Then I reacted because I said I always did things on my own-pd for all my school etc-and I was fine. But i guess it's a different society. there is help out there but not everyone gets it. We did find out from someone at church who she should talk to at unemployment. It's like Social Security-everyone has a different answer. I will be so glad when this fiasco is over-she is a big help to Brad but there is so much drama. Her life has overtaken our house. I need to detach/ Then he talks about working a lot next year and getting her to help him. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will stay in FL and we won't sell the house.That's what happens-he works so hard here.
Thanks for listening-ha-I mean reading. Saw a lady in Walmart-said she never shops there etc-but needed some things for Hope House for the poor chuldren. Had some complaints.
Chiro-Auntie is sick-now walk. Bye for now Mima-fin ished the shawl-have no clue how to put it together.
Joslin Clinic in Boston has a website about diabetes. they are a leader in this. Do a search. Mima

Mima ... I just went in overstock.com and looked around. Looks interesting ... I'll go back and check them out later. I'm going to need some place to shop ... without WM - :p Plus ... to my dismay ... I just today learned that the major owner of KMart & Sears, Edward Lampert, is a big time self-proclaimed atheist! :eek: What's a gal to do? They about have us over a barrel heading over a waterfall ...

We got our pictures back today. Thought I'd share them with you.

http://www.memeart.com/images/ER.jpg


http://www.memeart.com/images/meme.jpg

The pictures are awesome and the camera doesn't lie. Actually, we had some pics taken in FL and I sent one to the little girl we sponsor for school in the Dominican Republic and she wrote back that we were so pretty and she wanted to meet us and tell us how pretty we are.
Mima

Hey There
 

Meme- What a handsome couple... The pictures are really nice...
Mima- Our son and his wife are sponsoring a boy in another country. I forgot where. I see on t.v. that the weather man is predicting a wet winter..
Tops tonight..
Tammy- In tops you can pick the eating plan that works for you... 4 years ago I was going to WW. When I joined Tops,, WW didn't seem to be working for me. I went to South Beach and that worked good. now I am trying to get back to it and it isn't helping. I will get the diabetic diet plan and see if that is better.. I think our bodies get used to something and we just need to make a change..I need something easy. I am not a patient person and I guess a little lazy sometimes..:p Although sometimes it is hard for me to be still very long.My hubby calls me a bundle of nerves lately.
Hey Happy-Snow.. I have only seen that 2 -5 times in my life.. 2 times in Florida. Even way down here in central Fl.Lasted a day..I find it hard to believe you don't want to come to Fl. In the winter about every other car tag is from Canada..They love our beachs..
Hello Candice..How are you?
Joanne

Mima, I've never checked out overstock.com. Just might have to do that! Sounds like things are pretty hectic for you. Hope things calm down. That's sweet about the little girl from the DR.

Meme, beautiful pictures! I didn't know that about KMart and Sears. I rarely shop there. The local KM is pretty dirty. Not sure why. Maybe it's cleaner now than it used to be. The only Sears we have locally is for appliances. I don't need any of those right now.

Joanne, I agree with you about our bodies needing changes every now and then. I lost more when I did Southbeach than when I did WW years ago. Even when I stuck to WW faithfully, sometimes I would have a gain at the scales. The one leader even made a comment that I had to be cheating or I would be losing. That was a bit upsetting. I also agree about needing something easy. Bob and I have been working together this week, and we're really trying to make changes. My butterfly on my tracker hasn't moved, so you can see the progress I've made. He has lost 6 pounds!!!! Of course, he stopped drinking Pepsi and Beer! Maybe I should start drinking those for a while, then stop, and maybe I'll lose 6 pounds!!!! lol

We made reservations for Jekyll Island for when Tim is home for spring break (March). We had invited Jessica to go with us, but she won't be going. It wil be the three of us, which is fine. I'll be officially retired by then, so it will be a celebration!!

I'm off of school until next Tuesday. I really do like what I'm doing. Sometimes I feel like it's too easy, and I should be doing more. After having a classroom for 29 years, I guess it's taking me a while to get used to cutting back. I've had more than one teacher say they want my job next year. They are all nearing retirment also.

It takes a while to slow down, Tammy. I heard Jekyl Island was beautiful.
PTL-Leah got a job!! Good for her and less stress here-although Brad needs someone still. But he already thought of someone and it won't feel like they have moved in. I even watched Isaiah yesterday while she went on the interview and we were waiting to go grocery shopping and starving!
I heard from the school dept-they want to do a Core check so they didn't throw my application for subbing in the rubbish.
Meme-do you know who the Needhams are? I know they are from TN-they are going to be at church tonight,
Flea market tomorrow! Bye for now, Mima

Mima, I love it at Jekyll. That's where we went last year over Christmas. No way we could ever retire there. Real estate is so expensive, but we sure have thought about it. lol Glad that Leah got a job! Wonderful!!! What is a Core check? I don't know of the Needhams.

I have slept almost the entire day away! This is the first that I've been up and don't feel like I should go back to bed. Felt good to sleep though. Bob even commented that I slept pretty calmly last night. some nights I toss and turn so much.

Anyone have big plans for the weekend? I know Mima is off to the flea market. Right now we don't have anything planned.

A Cori check-I spelled it wrong -is to see if I am a criminal!!!! Rest is good-I was awake early -I have to be at church by 7 -And it's going to be a nice day.
The Needhams were wonderful-one couple wasn;t there because they have a new baby. Even th prayer part was great and the house was packed-I mean the church. Evidently, the father of the Needhams was born in the next town to here and a lot of their relatives were there. they sing most of their own songs. Wonderful. We are fortunate because one of the church members loves Southern Gospel and is instrumental in bring many groups to this area.
Have a great weekend everyone. Mima

Mima, they can call me and I'll tell them that you aren't a criminal. Of course, it will cost you some big bucks!!!

We ended up taking off yesterday morning and going to Michigan. It's only about 3-4 hours. There's a town called Dundee, and they have a Cabellas (sporting goods,etc) there. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express right next door, spent time browsing at Cabellas, went to a Christmas shop, went to a wine outlet (didn't taste or buy), and just had a nice time. Bob's birthday is on the 22nd, and I knew he had been wanting to go there just to check it out. Sort of an early b-day present for him. Ate Mexican last night, and it was sooooooooooooooooooooo good! Back on track today.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Are you sure you want to tell someone Mima is not a criminal??? :p

Now the rest ... I could go for ... I really need that! Friday afternoon after school I got my son's kids ... overnight. They both had ballgames yesterday. Kaylyn had to be on the soccer field at 8:30 ... freshly mowed grass and my allergies do not mix well. I cried and blew my nose all day yesterday. Went to the store then ran home and changed clothes because it was cold at 8:30 but then the sun came out and by the time Garrett's game started at 12 it was HOT! I'm talking sweltering. My clothes were soaked through. We were supposed to go to Crossville (about 40 miles) after that game and then to my best friend's 14 yr. old daughter's BD party at 5 but during the game hubby got a call from my friend's hubby saying she had fallen off a ladder and was in the ER ... broken her ankle and was getting stitches in her elbow. This was at 1 ... the game wasn't over until 1:30. They needed me to go to her house at 3. She fell at 12 ... didn't have her house cleaned or any of the food ready for the party and was having 30 people over at 5. They had been finishing putting a roof over their deck outside and was putting up a TV out there. That's why she fell off the ladder and hadn't done anything inside yet. I had an hour to get home, take a shower and get my stuff ready that I was supposed to take and get up there after I had already been up since 6 and been to 2 soccer games with the kids. Then I worked there cleaning and fixing food and serving people ... then cleaning up the mess until after 9 (they have a 4,000 sq. ft. house + the deck area where we had the cake and ice cream ... pool, hot tub, 2 TVs etc.). THEN I had to come home and clean up my house from the kids and where I flew home and got ready. What a day. I will try to rest tomorrow ... at least in the morning anyway. Have to teach in the afternoon. Daughter is cooking again tomorrow night. She's fixing one of my favorite meals she says. Don't know what has gotten into that girl! BUT WHATEVER IT IS I LIKE IT! :D

My arthritis & fibro is much, much worse. I'm aching all over and really swollen bad. My right ankle is so swollen I only have a couple of shoes I can wear. I need to get completely off my feet ... how do you DO that? :?: (Please don't tell me to just DO it ... none of you do it either ... you know you don't!) ;) Oh, I know I'm OCD, there's NO DOUBT about that. And I know I do too much for other people. I also know that I don't say NO enough. But even taking that all into account ... if you have any kind of life at all, you can't get completely off your feet. I say I'm going to but I never do. I either have a student or a customer or someone needing me to keep a kid or take them to the Dr. or something all the time. And ... that's my life. If you have a life you're on your feet unless you are wheelchair bound or something. Sorry ... guess I'll figure it out. Hope you all have a good Monday ... our weather is calling for rain so at least maybe I won't have customers! :D

Holy Toledo, Meme. She is very fortunate to have you as a friend.
Do you want a new piano student-go to http:www.jcarville.blogspot.com and see my Evan at the piano-he was 2 in April. He is copying his 16 year old sister of course, but who knows. Lots of pics on that ebsite-even barechested Brad on the tractor with Evan!!!!
Tammy-what a great trip. Those spur of the moment trips are great.
After church, we went to my Aunt's house to another first bd-Cailey this time. The cousins were born one day apart and the had their bds one week apart. Got another invite for Gabriella's 8th but we are going away-she is other cousin's gd. They are such a close family-they ALL live within 2 miles of each other. You should see Gabriella-she's half Hawaian -and French , Gorgeous !!!
Got up at 3 am-should have time for a nap before Brad gets up. Roofer coming this morning-Leah for a couple of days-and Sheet rocker tonight. Tomorrow, they are going to do a duct job and Wed we have to go to a funeral of a friend's husband. I was going to the church to help out with the Monday night meal but I will wait til this week is over-Fair on Sat. Gotta put together the shawl. Bye for now Mima

Hey There
 

Mima- Nice pictures...You need to get Brad back to the beaches... Or Fl. My hubby hardly ever will take his shirt off outside.. He still tans .. Down here if you are outside a lot some people tan right through the shirt.Ofcourse he wears his old threadbare shirts to work in..Now me any covered parts are white...
I found a class for diabetics at one of the local hospitals. They have classes every wed. into December. I am only interested in 3 of them.Even if I am not diagnosed Diabetic I think it may be a healthy eating plan.. Nothing short of starvation is working for me now.. I don't want to gain back the weight I have lost.I haven't been walking like I used to,but, I have been working some outside..I will see tomorrow how it is...
Hello Everybody...Joanne

Evan sure has grown... time flys I guess. How long have we been 'talking' now anyway. Seems like I have known some of you longer than family! I was just telling hubby not long ago that if I die he'd better let you all know because some of you know me better than most of my family members! :p

I did rest some yesterday but it rained nearly all day so I felt yucky. Dinner was good last night but heartburn city. Meatloaf, fried potatoes, corn on the cob, white beans & cornbread with choc. pudding cake and icecream for dessert. I'll have to say, daughter out-did herself in a 'countrified' way! :D She's a good cook ... she said she learned it all from me. I started her cooking when she was 3.

Joanne, hubby is diabetic and he eats what everybody else does. He just watches his carbs and sweets. You also have to be careful about the amounts of fats you eat. I think if they told me I was diabetic I would just formulate my own diet based on the kinds of food I enjoyed eating rather than getting a diet somebody else had made up. I don't usually like other people's diets. I've lived with and cooked for a diabetic for years and I just watch the amounts of fats I use in cooking and don't serve a lot of pastas, breads and carbs period. We eat lean meat either baked, broiled or grilled, green beans and salads. Things like stuffed peppers, grilled chicken, beef stew, roast. We eat a lot of chicken dishes or cassaroles like chicken and rice. The key I think is a small potato or a sweet potato or rice and some salad ... green veggies and not a lot. He's found, too, that the green tea pills have helped him control his a lot. He ate at our daughter's last night and had some of everything ... he overdoes occasionally ... to my dismay! Then he has to take pills to bring his under control. He takes a pill every morning now anyway. He was taking more.

Well, gotta go, time to teach again. Have a good day everyone.

Meme, I just read your post from yesterday! Wow is all I can say!! Is the swelling in your ankle down today? Not fun. It is hard to just sit back and put your feet up sometimes. We had rain on Monday too, and I hurt the entire day. Today was dry but cool, so it was much better.

Mima, that does sound like a close family. Some of my mom's family was like that. I had 4 aunts (my mom's sisters) who lived within 3 miles of our house while I was growing up.

Joanne, I'm so glad you found some classes to take! I know you will learn alot from them. I know Bob learned alot when he took them a couple years ago. I went to one session with a dietician, and I went back to my doctor and told him that I knew more about it than she did from living around so my mother. She wasn't diabetic, but she followed the plan because so many of her family members were diabetic.

Meme, now I've read today's post. I agree about letting others know! I've thought about that different times when I haven't heard from someone that I've met online. I worry alot. That meal sounds delicious!!! Bob would have been in heaven with that meal!! I have told Bob that he can keep eating "normally" with being diabetic, but he just has to watch it in certain areas. I think maybe he might be a little bit more convinced now since we've been trying things "my way". lol

We have an offer on our house! The couple has to sell their house first though. We also have another couple looking at it tomorrow. It will sell to the one who comes up with the $$$ first.

I sure hope you sell it-Leah got a job and starts today-Part time-Brad will sure miss her but selfishly, I will say I won't miss the stress of having someone around ALL the time. The roofer was here yesterday but he didn't even come in the house, I felt rotten yesterday-I think it's sinus -took 2 antibiotics last night and will take some more today. My sinuses get infected so easily.
Funeral at 10 this morning, Seeing old friends.
My Aunt is allergic to red dye 40 and it gives her symptoms of gout and arthritis-they call it pseudo=gout. Well, doc told her to take metamucil caplets-was aching for days-guess what-red 40. Regular metamucil doesn't have it. I get symptoms of arhritis when I eat dairy. She also has severe diverticulosis like me. We are a pair.
Sure hope you get that sugar thing under control.
Yes, I want to be in FL. After Thanksgiving. Need money first-Brad made some on Monday.
Bye for now, Mima

Mima, I can understand the relief you'll feel with not having Leah around all the time. Glad she was able to get a job. Hope your sinus problems are better. I have problems with mine too, and it isn't fun. Pseudo gout- I've just heard of that recently, and I can't remember who was talking about it.

Off to get ready for school!

It's Friday for you, Tammy. Rats I woke up early again. And i slept in the den!
Can't blame Brad.
Went to a funeral yesterday at Brad's old church-it was nice to see everyone. The deceased had Alzeimers.At least he didn't suffer,
Tea party at 1 today-hope they have some food I can eat-sometimes she does.
Went in a nice store after the funeral and got a lime green twin set to go with my new earrings and a robin's egg blue shirt-all for the gift certificate my son gave me. Yeah.
The roofer is going to help Brad next week hang the sheetrock. A little over 2 months to get that done and some other work Brad needs to do. FL is looking good.
Bye for now. Mima

I was up early too. I am hurting so bad. I already emailed those that I work with that I won't be there today. I feel kind of guilty since I'm only going 3 days a week, but I just don't think I can do it today.
Your shopping trip sounds nice! It's always good to find things you like. Sometimes I go and find absolutely nothing.

Back to bed.

Where is everyone today? I ended up sleeping most of the day. I took a shower, and that wore me out. Pitiful.

It was another beautiful day. sunny and cool.

The 2nd couple interested in the house called us last night, and the man and his FIL went to the house and did some measuring. We have no real interest this whole time, and now we have 2 very interested couples. The 2nd couple hasn't made an official offer though.

I was up all night last night. Was still up this morning when hubby was getting ready for work. Hadn't slept any. I finally went to sleep around 6 and slept until 11. I feel awful when I do that. Hope tonight is better. I always do this when the seasons change.

New CSI tonight and it's nearly time here!

Meme, at least I've been sleeping, even though it's been in spurts. Hope you get more sleep tonight!! I'm heading to bed soon.

Well, I went back to sleep after I woke up at 3:30. That feels so good-this sleep business and achiness is terrible. Affects your whole day.
Went to the tea room with my sil and my friend Betty-I had some kind of lentil soup amd some apple cake-mostly apple. I sure miss eating a nice Courtland apple this time of year. Have to cook them first,
Have to bake for the Fair and then I have an eye appt. She just tells me my eyes are dry.
I have to go to the Podiatrist=now I have a pain in my heel in the other foot and both sides of my toenail are ingrown. It's hard to be able to wear shoes although my sneakers work. I will have to wear them or my black sandals if I get called to sub. They are probably just getting your lettes about my criminal activities.
Everyone feel better-I be it's the change in seasons. It's beautuful here but cool. Mima

Newbie
 

Hi everyone. I am Chris and have fibromyalgia...as well as a long list of thing..some related to FM and some aren't. I am doing Weight Watchers at home. Thanks to the help of forums and email groups, I am staying on track with the diet. I am on SS....not for the FM or the 6 or 7 other ailments but for the depression that accompanies it all. I do bowl a couple times of a week. Not a good bowler by any means....but it does get me out of the house. Other than bowling, and a few trips to the store (most of the time I do shopping on my way home from the bowling center), I don't leave the house. I have a treadmill and walk 5 minutes at a time. I am hoping to increase that to several times a day. Just can't seem to do it yet. I am married. Look forward to hearing from others on how they are doing on dieting and pain.

~~chris
Biggest Loser
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Welcome Chris!!!! I used to bowl for many years. I had to stop when I was pregnant (son is now 18), and I've never gotten back into it. I was diagnosed a couple years ago with fibro, and there is not way I could bowl now. It hurts too much. Good for you on doing the treadmill! Every little bit helps. I get walking in most days, and I do water aerobics a couple nights a week at the Y. I have been on WW in the past, and I did ok with it. I know if I'd get my mind made up, I could lose some more weight, but I just don't seem to have the willpower. My slider shows that I'm aiming for 10 pounds because I'm trying to lose in 10 pound segments. I need to lose 40-50.

Mima, the tea room sounds nice. Bob and I went to Bob Evans this morning for breakfast. He ordered blueberry pancakes. They were mushy, not done, and icky. They took that off of our bill. Bob went to the kitchen to get our waitress. After she served our food, she never came back to check on us. Not a pleasant visit. I'm making spaghetti for supper, his favorite meal for his birthday.

Welcome Chris and Happy BD to Bob!

Didn't sleep again last night. It rained all night & most of the day and we are under heavy thunder storm watches, etc. all around us. It has cleared off some here right now so I'm going to try and go to the store in a few minutes while I can. It's supposed to rain most of the day tomorrow, too and even some Sunday, so the weather man is saying. I had only been to sleep for about 2 hrs. when hubby got up and was trying to find the dog ... wind blew the door out of his hands and slammed it back against the wall and woke me up. I finally went back to sleep about 8 and slept for about 4 more hrs. Sleep like that makes me feel almost drugged when I get up. I'm just aching all over like I have the flu. I think I'm going to get my groceries and stuff in and camp out in front of the TV for the night.

Thanks for the welcome, Meme and Tammy. This weather is doing a number on me too. This time of the year always gets me bad. I hate the upcoming months....all the holidays and all. I have no family other than my hubby and the holidays are all about family. Was suppose to bowl tonight but told hubby to go without me. I am in such a funk. Not like me at all. There have been nights I haven't bowled, but I always went to the bowling alley anyways. Hubby made golash for dinner. I ate about 5 bites and said that was enough. Oh how I hate feeling like this

~~chris
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http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar009...0/160/283/.png

I know just how you feel, Chris, but even though I feel too bad to move I promised myself I would accomplish SOMETHING every single day no matter what ... even if it's just a couple of loads of wash or cooking dinner. Yesterday I did both and taught piano, too. Today I cleaned out some magazines and got in all my groceries for the next week. If I just sit down and do nothing, I will pretty soon lose my desire to do anything at all and ... well ... first thing you know, there goes my life! I've seen too many people with only half of what I have do just that. I have osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and anemia. But ... as most of the ladies on the message board can tell you, I live a very full life. (With an occasional setback from being a little too full.) And when that happens ... I go to bed for a couple of days. The point is, not to let the disease(s) take away your life if you can possibly help it. I take pain pills so I can do things I want to do a lot of times and then sometimes I go to bed at night crying because I did too much of what I wanted to do! :p Went to dinner with friends tonight. My best friend who fell off the ladder last weekend was there and was talking about how bad her ankle was hurting. Well, I had just slipped my shoe off under the table because I couldn't stand it on my foot anymore ... my foot and ankle was killing me. It had hurt so bad last night I couldn't sleep all night long (again). I couldn't help thinking that I was probably hurting as bad if not worse than she was but no one there knew anything about it ... my whole leg and hip felt like it was on fire ... didn't say a word. What's the point in making everybody else feel bad? When people ask how I am I just say, fine, and leave it at that. They don't need to know all the details of my maladies ... it would just bring them down or make them uncomfortable. People don't usually know what to say or how to act when you start telling them about how bad you feel.

Supposed to rain more tomorrow and Sunday. Really cool here. Guess I'm up with 'Arthur' (& fibro - instead of Fabio) ;) again tonight.

I guess it's going to rain here today-can feel it. And today is the Fair-you should see the scarves that have been made and donated. Wish you guys could be here.
I am fortunate that I have family here and in Fl but I also have a church family here and in Florida-at times, they can be better than family. Welcome , Chris. I am Gail and have had fibro since I was in my 20's. And now I am 68 . So I have a few other things in the mix. Pain can make you depressed and so can some meds.
Finally made an appt with the podiatrist for my ingrown toenail which is ingrown on both sides now. And I have a sharp pain in my left heel.
I sure hope the rain holds off. Everyone has worked so hard. Brad made a wreath holder from a piece of lattice he got from the dump and put a stand on it. He carries out the stuff and puts it back at the end of the day. What a guy.
Sure hope they have the apple crisp-it's the only thing I can eat there. Bringing a sandwich.
Fun at the eye doc's-They didn't pull my chart-so I wasn't called til I went to the desk. Had to feed a meter. Then my appt took 10 minutes-she told me I didn't have dry spots on my eyes anymore-I lied and said I used drops 4 times a day like she told me but I actually forget. You should see this doc-a little Asian woman-she must wear a size 2. And she has such beautiful clothes!!
Bye for now Mima

Thanks for the welcome, Gail. Good luck at the fair. Hope the rain stays away for you.

Meme, I know exactly what you are talking about. Guess we are good friends to those who complain of aches and pains. So many times I have listened to friends complain and I think "if only you knew what it was like to be me". My hubby knows how much I hurt but no one other than him.

This is from a list I belong to. I have given to my closet friends....but I don't think any of them remember it.

A Letter To "Normals"

Having FMS/MPS/CFS means many things change, and a lot of them are invisible.
Unlike having cancer or being hurt in an accident , most people do not
understand even a little about FMS/MSP and its effects, and of those that
think they know, many are actually mis-informed.

In the spirit of informing those who wish to understand......

These are the things that I would like you to understand about me before you
judge me....


- Please understand that being sick doesnt mean I'm not still a human
being. I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion,
and if you visit I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm
still me stuck inside this body. I still worry about school, and work and my
family and friends, and most of the time I'd still like to hear you talk
about yours too.

-Please understand the difference between "happy" and "healthy" .When you've
got the flu you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for
years. I cant be miserable all the time , in fact I work hard at not being
miserable. So if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy.
That's all. It doesnt mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely
tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things. Please, dont say
, "Oh, your sounding better!" I am not sounding better, I am sounding happy.
If you want to comment on that, you're welcome. Please understand that being
able to stand for ten minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up
for twenty minutes ,or an hour. And, just because I manage to stand up for
thirty minutes yesterday doesnt mean that I can do the same today. With a
lot of disease you âre either paralyzed, or you can move. With this one it
gets more confusing.

-Please repeat the above paragraph substituting "sitting", "walking",
"thinking", "being sociable" and so on.... it applies to everything. That's
what FMS/MPS/CFSdoes to you.

-Please understand that FMS/MPS/CFS is variable. It's quite possible (for me, its
common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back, while the next
day I'll have trouble getting to the kitchen. Please don't attack me when I'm
ill by saying "But you did it before!" if you want me to do something then
ask if I can. In a similar vein, I may need to cancel an invitation at the
last minute, it this happens please do not take it personally.

-Please understand that "getting out and doing things" does not make me feel
better, and can often make me seriously worse. Telling me I need a treadmill
, or that I just need to loose (or gain) weight, get this exercise machine,
join this gym, try these classes... may frustrate me to tears, and is not
correct....if I was capable of doing these things , don't you know that I
would? I am working with my doctor and physical therapist and am already
doing the exercise and diet that I am suppose to do. Another statement that
hurts is, "You just need to push yourself more, exercise harder..." Obviously
FMS/MPS deals directly with muscles, and because our muscles don't repair
themselves the way your muscles do this does far more damage than good and
could result in recovery time in days or weeks or months from a single
activity. Also, FMS/MPS/CFS may cause secondary depression (wouldnt you get
depressed if you were hurting and exhausted for years on end!?) but it is not
created by depression.

-Please understand that if I say I have to sit down/lie down/take these pills
now, that I do have to do it right now...it cant be put off of forgotten just
because I'm out for the day (or whatever). FMS/MPS/CFS does not forgive.

-If you want to suggest a cure to me, don't .It's not because I don't
appreciate the thought, and it's not because I dont want to get well. It's
because I have had almost every single one of my friends suggest one at one
point or another. At first I tried them all, but then I realized that I was
using up so much energy trying things that I was making myself sicker, not
better. If there was something that cured, or even helped , all people with
FMS/MPS/CFS then we'd know about it. This is not a drug company conspiracy, there
is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with
FMS/MPS/CFS, if something worked we would know.

-If after reading that, you still want to suggest a cure, then do it, but
dont expect me to rush out and try it. I'll take what you said and discuss
it with my doctor.

In may ways I depend on you....people who are not sick....I need you to visit
me when I am too sick to go out....Sometimes I need you to help me with the
shopping, cooking or cleaning.

I may need you to take me to the doctor, or the physical therapist. I need
you on different levels...you're my link to the outside world...if you don't
come to visit me then I might not get to you .

..and, as much as it's possible, I need you to understand me, and still love me.
I miss my former life...I miss everything I used to do that I can't now. I grief for
those things.....in a way you cannot understan.
Please just be there.....

Meme, I agree with you about feeling drugged when the sleep is so haphazard. This morning I couldn't get moving for the longest time.

Chris, believe Meme when she says she leads a full life! She makes me tired just thinking about all that she does. I like that letter to "normals". I may have to print that and take it to school. Might give some people a clue as to what I'm going through.

Mima, I didn't know your name was Gail! Where have I been????

Hoping the rain holds off. Football game tonight, and if it's raining we aren't going. It's 100 miles round trip, and if I sit out in the rain, I know how I'll be feeling tomorrow. If I could just go and watch the band for pregame and halftime, I'd be satisfied. They have a concert tomorrow afternoon, so we'll be going over for that and spending time with Tim afterwards. Looking forward to seeing him.

Hey There
 

Welcome Chris- So far I am the oldest of the group,although oldest is a bad word.. I guess we are as young as we feel.. I don't have fibro. Just osteoarthritis a some heart problems and probably diagnosed diabetic after my next bloodwork. I am working hard on that . I reached my goal weight 2 years ago and still am not satisfied with the weight I am.. Another 5 lbs or so and then we will see. It was a long hard struggle to get there. I was overweight for more than 30 years. Still everyday there is pain. We just learn to live with it,with advil and Darvocet n 100.
I went to my first class for diabetics. It didn't tell me much more than I already know. The next one is on the eating plan. Hopefully it will be more informative.Meme ,gave me some good advise. My Dr. said S/B was the way to go. Cutting the carbs is good. The only thing is the IBS.. Too many veggies and I have to pay the piper..Yesterday was awful. More pain and cramps than ever..My abdomen feels like someone beat on it today.
Mima- No rain down here for a few days.. No big storms to speak of this year and we may not get any..That's good.Oct 19 is my turn at the eye Dr. surgery on left eye and 2 weeks later right eye..I hate waiting!
Hello Happy..I guess you have snow about now..
Tammy... The system up there must be different than Fl. When my hubby retired from teaching it was cut and dry.. One day he was working next day done.. He wasn't well so that made a big difference.He sat around for several years going to a Dr that said he was going to grow new arteries until he almost died and got a new Dr who had him get a quad bypass.. That was over 10 years ago.. He is fine and probably will live to be a 100. His mother was 94 when she died..
Have a Grea Weekend Everybody...Joanne

JoAnn, I know the IBS pains and cramps all too well. I, too, have it. It is a fine line we have to walk with the veggies and fruits. Sorry to hear about the diabetes. My hubby has it. He lost 40 pounds (and I found them) and he is now diet controlled. Speaking of my gaining what he lost...in the past 6 years I have gained 100 pounds. But in the last 6 years I have a hysterectomy, the fibro came to a big head and let itself really be known, and the rest of the ailments just followed along for the ride. Now I have found out that their is MAJOR cancer in my family. (I am on the outside of the family looking in....we aren't close at all). Grandma died from breast cancer, one of her sons and one of her daughters died from lung cancer, another of her sons died shortly after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his neck, and another son (my dad) has had prostrate cancer. My dad is the only one of them still living after dealing with cancer. That is the reason I have decided to loss some weight. I have enough risk factors and genrics working against me....I don't need the weight to add to it.


Biggest Loser Challenge
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Ultimate Goal
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Joanne, I hope you learn something at those classes that will benefit you.
bob has been doing pretty good watching his diet lately, so hopefully when he goes for the bloodwork and the appointment, the doctor won't say medicine. He said it once before, and Bob stopped taking it. He is so stubborn!!!

Chris, I thinking losing weight will help in so many areas! I really need to stick to the WW plan, and I know I'd do better. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Right now I'm trying to drink more water each day. I should read the SouthBeach diet book again. There are so many good ideas in there. I did lose when I did that, but that was before all my health issues started.

Too much rain to go to the game. Tim said he understood when I called. We'll see him tomorrow, so I think that made us all feel better about it. They have a game next weekend too, and we have a hotel room. If it rains, Tim can come over after the game and we can visit, and we can be together on sunday morning. That's the last home game for a few weeks. I'll have to make a visitation run sometime during those weeks. We're keeping my nephew one weekend, and I thought we might take him over to see Tim's room and to see the college. He's an 8th grader.

Hey There
 

Tammy- I don't blame your Bob.. I don't want to take medication either.. Once you get on that stuff there is no getting off. I want to go the healthy food plan way.. I wish I didn't have to take the meds I do take.I am sure that I will get some good out of the class.. Have fun with your son at the football game. Our son was in the band too. I refused to sign for him to play F/B . I told him the closest he was getting to a F/b field was the band. I had a friend whose son was paralized (sp I'm too lazy to look it up)from the neck down from F/B.My G/son played and I was a basket case everytime I went to a game.
Hello All...Joanne

May I join this group? My name is Vicky and I have had fibromyalgia for over fourteen years now. I was seriously overweight before I developed FMS, but having FMS outbreaks have hindered my attempts at weightloss. In the past year or so, I have begun developing all sorts of physical illnesses asthma, gall bladder problems, etc. Of course this all sets off the FMS. But I have recently started a new diet and I am determined now. I am not going to let any of these illnesses or FMS stop me from my task.

I have been reading many of your notes and what you are all experiencing, I have gone through too...both physical and issues in dealing with well people who don't understand this illness. It is hard to explain that I am never going to 'get better' that I just have good days and bad.

Anyway, thanks for reading this.

Vicky

Good morning-talk about rain-we were set up outside and the rain kept getting worse-The plastic I had on kept blowing off-then a decision was m
ade to go inside so everything had to be moved-what great people to move all the tables and materials. 2 and a half hours later, we opened and it turned out to be great, I am sure some people didn't come because of the rain but lots did. I hope my table made good money-it's for thee church,The teeny boppers bought those fun fur scarves-seems to be the rage here. Who knew? I won an afghan!!

Joanne, you actually do grow new paths to the heart-husband's doc told him he had them but people still need surgery. He is so active now. I am sure that helps his diabetes. He does take glucovance.
Chris-when my fibro was severe, I had it in my whole body, had 3 kids, was working full time, and going through a divorce. I was that way for 2 years. I felt like Job. Finally I started to get better, Now I have some meds , walking, massage and acupuncture and chiro. Today I am hurting from being on my feet for almost 12 hours but I will get over it. I also take naps-especially when I haven't slept at night. I hope you take an antidepressant to sleep.
I was up at 4 but I went t bed at 8:30. And today is a church day so no work to do except empty the dish washer.
By the way-the ponch was a waste of time-it looks weird.
Have a great day Mima-Gail Alice . Gd named me Mima.

Hi again-I was on the wrong page-just wanted to say hi to Jaleni. I bet the weight loss will help with the Fibro. One pound at a time!!! Mima

WI day. I am now down to 279. Woo Hoo. I can only hope that the weight loss will help the FM and OA. It certainly couldn't hurt it.

Welcome to the group, Jaleni. I am new here myself but am loving it.

Hope you did well yesterday, Mima.

~~chris
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