Thursday, July 22, 2010

Yesterday's Adventures

(Side note: This is my 50th blog post, go me.)

So yesterday, Dan and I went to Gorham to visit Kyndra and Mike. It was pretty warm out so we went swimming at the neighbor's pool. Not long after we got in, we heard thunder. We decided to risk our lives until it got really bad. So it was pouring and thundering and lightning, and we were still swimming. (Yes we are insane.) After about an hour or so, we went back inside and played some Wii. We had planned on having a barbeque and since that's still we had to eat, so we had one anyways. Poor Mike was out grilling in the pouring rain and thunderstorms. Afterwards, we went downstairs and played more Wii, until the power went out. Kyndra's mom called and told her that a tornado had touched down not far away at all. I checked the weather on my phone, and sure enough, we had a tornado warning. So we stayed in the basement til it passed. We were all ok, but it sure was scary! It was my first ever experience with a tornado, and trust me, it was enough for a lifetime!

So that was my adventures from yesterday. All the weather changes and such have sure wreaked havoc on my body. Pain is through the roof, and I've had such a headache from the pressure changes. Gotta love it, only not.

Not much else to say today really, just wanted to chronicle my eventful day.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is:
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Asthma, Migraines, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Hypothyroidism, TMJ, Anxiety.

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
Migraines 2004, Anxiety 2005, Chronic Fatigue 2007, Fibromyalgia 2008, Trigeminal Neuralgia 2009, Asthma 2009, TMJ 2010, Hypothyroidism 2010.

3. But I had symptoms since:
Some of them for as long as I can remember. I can't remember them all now though.

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
not being able to go out and do things I used to be able, not being able to do the things my friends do, etc.

5. Most people assume:
that it's all in my head, that i'm making it up, that it's not real, etc.

6. The hardest part about mornings are:
Waking up and actually staying awake, getting out of bed, getting ready for the day.

7. My favorite medical TV show is:
Grey's Anatomy and House.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
My blackberry.

9. The hardest part about nights are:
not being able to sleep, being in pain.

10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
I take 11 different prescription meds.

11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
go to acupuncture and the chiropractor when I can afford it, I also love reiki but can never afford it.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
I'm not sure.

13. Regarding working and career:
I've tried and failed. Looking for something easier on my body.

14. People would be surprised to know:
That I DO NOT like having to rely on other people for things.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
that it's not going to go away. That this is something I have to accept and live with for the rest of my life. That life is never going to be the same again.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
still have at least a bit of a life.

17. The commercials about my illness:
makes me so mad. They act like this medicine cures it and then you'll be fine. WRONG!

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
going out and doing something with my friends or whoever. I can barely do it now, and when I do, I sure pay for it!

19. It was really hard to have to give up:
my life. Or at least the way it was.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
talking more to my friends and family. Not really a hobby, but its true.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
Hang out with friends and family and have a BLAST!

22. My illness has taught me:
to live life to the fullest, treasure every moment, and help others the best you can. Sometimes all someone needs is a helping hand.

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
You just have to (insert something crazy). It's all in your head. (Insert something else here) will cure it.

24. But I love it when people:
when believe I am sick, and treat me that way.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
I don't know, I have a few.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
to do lots of research because doctors DO NOT know it all. And find help and support, it's what will get you through this.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
how hard it is, and yet how it's changed me. And how I've made some amazing friends through the ordeal

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
just believe me, know I'm not making it up, and helping me in any way possible.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
I want people to understand that just because someone doesn't look sick, it doesn't mean that they aren't!

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:
really good. I hope you understand better now. Thanks.