RE: Re: Family & Fibro../Gene

[Guest guest]

Gene,

In my case getting voted out of my family - if you read the response I sent

to prior to this one - it will give you some insight on that.

I am sorry you're dealing with this - but if it helps, we are here for you

too. And yes, adding you to my prayer lists and appreciate you adding me.

This group is a Godsend - and I personally am thankful for everyone here.

Teri (central Wisconsin)

Re: Re: Family & Fibro....AIMEE

Pardon me, but how in the blue blazes does one get voted off a family, your

own family!??

I go through a lot of pain and heavy fatigue. My dear wife, who really is a

good helper to me when I'm facing severe pain or fog. Still, she forgets

because, as she says, you hold the pain in well. I spent two years in combat

running deep recon patrols. Out there in enemy-land, you sucked up the pain

or you will most likely die by giving away your position. I know because in

one op I hyperextended my left knee and caused so much damage that I

couldn't even walk on it. It took nearly a week to get us out (6 days after

insertion), and another two months before I could walk without crutches or

cane.

So, unless I make it really clear how I'm doing, what my pain level is, how

fatigued I feel, and how foggy my head is, she simply sees me and thinks I'm

doing great.

I think what helped her to finally understand the pain was to ask her what

the pain was like when she gave birth to our son. She said she really

couldn't remeber it clearly, but she remembered that it was very painful. I

said, " Okay, hon, imagine that pain in the center of your back, not just

once a year, but for days in a row. Or imagine that pain all over your body

for prolonged periods of time. Imagine suddenly not remembering things that

you know that you know, but you can't remember, like the word " next. " That

was one of those fun days when the word disappeared on me. Or the day when

you and I went to lunch, we ordered and then I went to the car to get a

catalog I wanted to show you. Between the time I left and the time I got

back, I was in a real fog. My words came out weird, I couldn't remember what

I had wanted to do. Shoot, Hon, I couldn't even remember that I had eaten! "

Well, that helped, and every now and then, I remind her gently that my world

is no longer normal and natural, by her standards or that of most people.

All of this fibro mess and PTSD from my time in combat -- folks, this

roller-coaster is a hard ride at times.

So, add my to your support lists. And if you will permit me, I will pray for

anyone who wants my prayers.

The one thing I have learned to do is to go to my hidey-hole and get alone

with my own thoughts. I am blessed in that my kids are all grown and have

kids of their own. More, they all live back east while I live in the great

northwest (N. ID). So, I've taken over the smallest bedroom and turned it

into my space, my man cave, as it were. I have several hundred books in

here, my new computer, my TV, and most of the DVDs and VHSs that are worth

watching. My wife does come in to keep me company from time to time, which

is fine.

Before this, we lived in the one bedroom cabin that I built out here. That

made things a bit tougher, but when there wasn't 6-feet of snow on the

ground, I'd go for a walk during the daylight.

Anyway, just remember this -- no one knows what you are going through except

maybe another person with fibro. While I need some friends to walk with me,

I love those who are walking under a similar load and like walking with

them.

Kindest regards,

Gene