Hello everyone and to all who have arrived here for talk with those who understand(that is - been there - and either did it or are doin' it with FM)

Today my husband & I had said goodbye to our 1&1/2 yr old grand daughter. A joy to see and a joy to say goodbye. I am pooped. And my husband. We have her with us once a month from Sat at 4pm to Sun 6-7pm(which ever hour seems best for us).This is the one who's Mom(our daughter-in-law) had the fluid test for cysts found in the unborn child's(a girl)brain. The waiting is 10 days. Praying for good news and have a peace about it. Thank you to you who have prayed for her.

My back hurts right now even with my special cushion I have attached to this chair back-which usually helps. I woke with right shoulder pain starting after wearing a pain patch during the nite. My shoulder at the moment feels a little better. I'm doing it again tonite. I use to do this for my carpal tunnel. I'd put a pain patch almost every nite around my wrist until one day I noticed a difference. It's with me but not as painful. When it acts up again I'll do it again.

Barb(GA) I found my chiro helped my neck and back pain as well as my massages I get once a week. My muscles need it. There's hope for some relief I've found in most of my painful areas over time yet there was this journey each time. I didn't say it's gone completely everywhere - just more bearable. When weather acts up for instance, I see this fact and try to be compassionate to myself to know the fact and do what's best to help myself thru it. I sometimes have gotten very depressed by the pain that suicide wanted my attention. A feeling of hopelessness. Talking with someone and maybe walking or exercising got me in a different state of mind. It's like "move the body-the mind will come along". It has worked many times for me to think this and do it inspite of my body dictations.

Another new item for me is my blood work with high cholesterol and LDL. I saw my fam doc Fri. I'm on WELCHOL. Six tabs a day till the next blood test & doc visit. I have been to a nutricienist and do all other various things to reduce these levels but the doc says it must be genetic. I don't want muscle pain or weakness. Statins don't work for me for I have been on them. This is supposed to be different. If any of you have thoughts on this subject - please post. Thanks

Cheryl R

Hello everyone!

I was reading thoughts of those about cats. As I speak my Abigail (my cat) is sitting on my lap. She was rescued from the street and house trained my a girl friend of mine. Later surprized me with her on my b-day. I had another cat who I had to give up to Humane. She was rescued on the street by me. She had lived there for awhile. She worked out in our home for awhile but wanted to be out. We lived in the city then and that was dangerous for me/for her. When I walked our dogs she would blocks with me. Her name was Susie. All the neighbors and those I didn't know watched her in amazement as we walked. She was not on a leash. She would climb walls and steps just trotting right along with us and returning home again with us. Being out one day brought a neighbor's complaint that Susie bit her. I wonder why the neighbor was so close to her. I talked with her and she wanted rabbies shot info from me. I proved that. She seemed alright. Yet later she became a problem with more complaints. Susie cried soo when I didn't leave her out. My husband & I decided to let her go to not be a burden to the neighbors and hope for a home for Susie. Then came this gift Abigail.

I am an animal lover so I have 2 dogs, 1 cat, and two parakeets. I grew up with them since born. They are a comfort. When I went thru my divorce my dogs then were always there to wag a tail and say "hi, how was yr day"? With our new puppy - Pumpkin our cat & the puppy are still working on their relationship. The other dog & puppy play a lot. This too was an adjustment for Sammy(our older dog) for he just lost his long time friend on Nov 9th. Sammy is 11yrs old and acts like a puppy when they play. Animals/pet are a great diversion to things that want my attention like pain in my body or pain in my mind.

My fibro flares have had me depressed much lately and also this cold weather for I deal with SAD. I'm a walker and that isn't happenin'. I go to Curves or my aerobic dance class yet it's not enough. My right shoulder has been greatly hurting. Took time last nit (after some great distress over it after my class) to rest & put ice pack on it along with inflammatory pill & tylenol. It feels better. I have to ice it more. It has been a painful burden on & off for awhile with x-rays taken to show brachial plexis inflammed and artritis. Recently I fell slipping & hitting a porch wall. I had a bone bruise to my right hand index finger and now wonder if I hurt that same side shoulder. Maintenance is on going yet trying to focus on other things & God is my endeavor. This is my medicine more than any other pill form.

Alice I pray things go well for you. You've had a lot to endure and sound like a trooper. Cheryl R 2/08/07

I talked to a friend and fellow company driver on Saturday and learned her husband has been given only about 3 weeks to live,he went down hill really fast since Thanksgiving when he was in California with us. I was spechless...what do you say that really helps. She has no income(they had to sell their truck and trailer for the medical bills and pending funeral)no medical insurance and don't even have a home,they lived in their truck.Please pray for her for strength to face the loss of her husband and the struggles ahead...her name is JJ.

Can't stay,but wanted to pop in and say welcome to any newbies and send happy thoughts and warm fuzzy hugs to everyone. All of you in the severe cold areas of the country stay warm.

Richard was that you I spun around along the sid eof the road? LOL Maybe next time I will get stopped in time for coffee.

Lee Ann,thank you for the uplifting e-mail. I really appreciate it.

For those who have discussed ending it all DON"T !!! Don't do it and don't even think about it !!! Come to us and vent,talk with us,cry with us,talk to others....but ending it all is not the answer.The pain we suffer here is nothing compared to enternity in hell if we take our own lives. We here at the wall have all been where you are and we understand what you are feeling and dealing with. I am in a funk now with nearly no income and bills up the wazoo I can't pay. I am in danger of losing my medical insurance and truck and trailer if things don't improve soon.I have a sister and a very close friend with terminal cancer and I have been in alot of stress and pain lately.I don't mean to complain,I am just saying we help each other through rough times and I have already received e-mails of encouragement.I would be lost without this room,it has been a eal blessing to me over the years.

Welcome back Bex...have missed you.

Gotta run,am spending the weekend at my son's in North Carolina.

Welcome newbies and warm gentle hugs to everyone...stay warm.

I do not wish to offend anyone and I certainly do not wish to force my beliefs on anyone, but I feel that God led me to this book. I also know that God is doing things in my life - it is way too complicated to go into but my ability to handle the boss and the office has moved into a whole new stage

Several years ago I read Why Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Kushner. Recently I also read Where Is God When It Hurts by Philip Yancy. Both of those books have helped me to cope. I also gave a book my Dale Galloway. He talks about accepting things in your life that you cannot change. That does not mean you are giving up. It means you do not waste energy fighting against something you cannot change and instead you move on to the next phase. He also talks about forgiveness of yourself and he makes a powerful statement - God loves you. Who are you not to love what God loves?

My co-worker who just recently found her way back to God gave me a card the other day when I was really down. It said don't just tell God about how big your mountain is, tell the mountain how big your God is. I have it hanging on my desk

I do not mean to preach here and do not mean to offend anyone of any other faith, I just know that that I know that I know that God is taking care of me right now and things are happening in my life I cannot explain. The job and the crazy boss and the fibromyalgia and the diabetes and the arthritis are all still there - I'm the one who is moving on mentally and emotionally.

I agree about the sleep issue - I keep reading more and more about how important sleep is. Unfortunately for me I cannot take sleep meds. I am allergic to Ambien and some of the others so I am trying other things. I also agree about the "addicted" foolishness. I have to go see my doctor every month now to get my script for hydrocodone (because of her malpractice insurance requirements) but at least she is willing to prescribe it for me and I am grateful to her for that

I need to go. I was at the funeral home this evening. A 43-year old friend of mine died in surgery the other day from complications. Today was her 23rd wedding anniversary. It has been a very long cold week but at least we do not have the snow you have in other parts of the country. I admire all of you who are coping with whatever you have going in your lives.

About the pets - I have lost many loved dogs and cats over the years, mostly to old age, and I find great comfort in The Rainbow Bridge. Also, there is a book called The Littlest Uninvited One that is a great help. It is a children's book written by the same man who wrote The Littlest Angel.

Deep sleep and gentle hugs to all.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! Love with grace make good medicine. To love myself as God loves me and to give myself grace when I don't get it or wonder how to fix it.

My daugher-in-law's DNA came back good. So my 2nd grand daughter will be born healthy on June 23rd(or around that). Thanks for yr prayers.

Rachel I read about divorce and that's a trauma let alone a stress. Trauma kicks it off most often-FMS with CFS. Divorce is like someone dying but they're up walking around. The ending is long and too drawn out especially on the nerves. I went thru one with the finalizing in '89. Free is what I felt and then to focus on me and learn to enjoy my new life. About four yrs and then I met my current wonderful & understanding husband. A gift from God which tomorrow I will let him know.

I have been experiencing a lot of right shoulder pain. Been to chiro and using heat in am and ice in pm. Helps some. Also pills. Exercise is my other help. The chiro said do it. Today lots of snow with wind. I do believe like this storm and it's passing so will the storm in my body pass. I just want to fix it and get on with life and that's where patience comes in with grace. Some close friends remind me too. I have had some gastro yuk too. It went eventually with anti-acid and gingerale. Like a storm in me this morning it passed. I feel much better. Had this a few wks ago. Hear others are dealing with it also.

I read the posts and see a lot of pain. My prayers are with you. Cheryl R 2/13/07

Richard came through there Wednesday night and golly was it busy. I realize it was 6:15PM,but darn people drive crazy there.

Pain level has been very high lately,but we are still on the run. Need to deliver in Oakland,Ca. in the morning and Seattle on Monday morning.

Stay warm...gentle hugs

I must get going I have my daughter Nicole home sick today from school, & she needs me. Until tomorrow Gentle Hugs from Richard in Tucson...