"But you don't look sick?"
I'm sure people think this a lot when they see a (what seems to be) normal person who on the outside doesn't appear to have anything wrong. A friend of mine once said: "Try living in this body, and then you will understand."
Fibromyalgia is a REAL disease. And the worst thing for fibro- patients (or any chronic pain illness) is thinking we have to proove to people just how bad we are really hurting. I stopped worrying about that a long time ago. God knows how bad my pain levels are. He knows just what I have to do to keep them under control.
There are alotta good products out there, and my doctors' do a wonderful job keeping my pain levels and other health issues stable. But sometimes when "stress or circumstances" get outta my control, my body will react the way it wants to. This also causes my other health issues to act up, and sometimes it ain't pleasant.
I completely rely on God. I know He and only He can heal my body 100% of all pain. I find the only time I feel "no pain" what so ever is when I am In The Spirit, dancing and rejoicing before the Lord at church.
I will believe and continue to believe my God will heal me one day. Until that time, He has given me wonderful doctors, an awesome support group, and helpful tools to work with.
I do what is right for me. I know what works for my body. And I take those steps when necessary. The Lord has always given me that "doing things in moderation" motivation. And that is just what I do.
So with the holidays approaching, "The Spoon Theory" has become a daily mind-set. Although I would LOVE to do everything on the calendar (christmas parties, christmas dinners, shopping with friends, dining out with loved ones);---and this don't even include me running errands and go to doctor appointments (which also are like 5 spoons taken right there). I have to pick and choose which "spoon" I will use that day, and save the rest for another activity maybe that's coming up later in the week.
It's hard to explain to people just the "getting ready" part exhausts me. Moving too much, going from here, there and everywhere literally makes me feel like I've been hit by a freight train.
I could sit here all day and explain to you in detail about my daily rountine; but this young lady (who've I've attached at the end of this blog) explains it to a "T". **please disregard one slang word she uses**.
Even if you don't have this disease or any chronic pain illness, but know someone who does, please watch this video. So then you will beable to understand a little better of what a loved one, who does have a chronic pain illness, is facing on a daily basis.
So as I close this blog, please remember "Choose your spoon wisely". If I've saved a spoon for you, that means I think you're pretty special. And even if you are already special to me, but I have no more spoons left, please don't be offended when I have to sit this one out. (That's when a text, email, call, or coming over and watching movies together will be more helpful for my body). :O)
And remember "laughing" is the BEST medicine there is!
Make wonderful memories this holiday season!
Don't get discouraged!
Pray for one another!
Be positive and hopeful that God will not leave you, as long as you cling to Him.
In Him,
Rebecca
https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.johnsonsmith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn5IBsm49Rk&list=FLk2QhPXfqRGjdveu8Ws2DHQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/
