[Fwd: Welcome to Fibromyalgia-CFS]

[Guest guest]

Hi I am new to this list, however, I have been diagnosed with CFS since 1994

and FM since 1997. Where I am in horrendous pain and unfortunately do suffer

each and every minute of every day from these dd ... I am one of the lucky

ones. I have a fabulous husband of over 30 years ... and where it is

difficult for him, and yes, sometimes he gets frustrated with my illness (as

do I) on the whole he is the best support one could have. Our 2 grown

children and their families are always there for support anytime and anywhere

that I should need it. I have never had any trouble with any doctor (to

date) diagnosing my illnesses ... in fact, I was ignorant and hadn't a clue

what they were when I was first diagnosed with them. And frankly, over the

years, I have learned much more about them than I would have ever liked. No,

my sister refuses to believe and I have others too, however, my immediate

family and my doctors are a wonderful support system. It doesn't make it all

better, however at least that is one battle I don't have to fight.

My heart goes out to each and every one of you. This is a living nightmare

the majority of the time. My health is continuing to deteriorate all the

time, and due to CFS and the pain of FM I have absolutely no energy at all.

I cannot and haven't been able to do any housework or much of anything for a

long time. I continued to be on remote and tried to work until the fall of

1996 when I could not push myself anymore ... and I have great determination

and drive so it really took a lot for me to accept I was there. Even then, I

was sure that it was just a temporary set back. I loved my career and was at

the height of my profession ... now I cannot even pay our own bills. Thank

heavens for online bill paying ... they are our life savers. I think one of

the hardest things I have to do besides what these dd do to me, is that I

cannot be a normal wife, mother nor grandmother and it breaks my heart ... my

family is everything to me ... and I have grown old way before my time ... I

am not complaining as I am sure that so many of you can relate. It takes me

the majority of the day to drag myself out of bed and get dressed so that I

can collapse once again on the sofa ... and that is not getting out of bed

and getting dressed in all one fell swoop. I am going through a particularly

rough time right now ... absolutely no energy and indescribable pain ... so I

think that is why I turned to this list with the hope that I could get back

some of my acceptance of what I have to live with. I know that my fighting

it just makes it worse. I do not and will not complain to my family and I am

at a point that for myself I need an outlet of having someone understand. My

family really tries, but lets face it ... it seems almost unbelievable to be

as bad as it is ... each and every day. Oh yes, I will be unsubscribing

under this email address and resubscribing under FMCFSRVer@... ... I just

realize I subscribed under my screen name I use for my scrapbooking and

stamping ... the one thing I love, even though I have to be propped and I

have a lot of work arounds to make it work ... and I can only do it

occasionally ... and for a very short time ... it is my therapy ... I always

am in a happier mood when I can disappear into my scrapbooks. Doesn't stop

or slow down the pain, or the exhaustion ... but as I am doing the life of my

family and being creative ... there is nothing else I would rather be doing.

I am not sure if anyone else has tried it ... but this is a craft ... for

young and old alike, healthy or disabled ... most people someway can make

this craft work for them.

Wow, gabby ... aren't I... well my hands and wrists say they are done ...

even as I lay here supported by a zillion pillows and typing on my laptop ...

I guess I needed to let go more than even I knew ... sorry ... if this is too

much ... just delete me ... I will try to be shorter and not so into me the

next time. Looking forward to being part of this group, however.

SusieKE