Chronic Pain

Hello Friends & Family

We are at the begining of a new Month!

Anyone who reads the daily grind is very welcome to post and join in on our little group here.
You don't have to post daily or any set schedule, your welcome to come and share your daily, weekly or even monthly issues & struggles with learning to live with chronic pain and illness.

Come on in and try us, we don't bite and would love to hear from you.

Hugs to all
Betty

Good Sunday morning all

My pain is up somewhat today, but since it's the Lords day I'm not going to worry about it and finish up recovering from our little trip to Oregon.

It's cloudy here and only 60*, so I'm a bit chilled today and staying close to my trusty heating pad. Rods still on vacation and out pulling some weeds. I've had my visit from the Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and we shared some time in prayer and visited a bit. Her husband came with her today, but stayed outside with Rod and visited with him. I'm so Thankful that she's able to come and pray with me. It makes me so sad sometimes not being able to attend church on Sunday, but her presence really helps me with the sadness and I'm so thankful for her.

Matt should be home from Seattle later this afternoon and Rod is looking forward to the Olympics starting this next week. We always enjoy watching many of the different sports on tv. I like the Gymnastics, swimming, diving & the Equestrian stuff. But the guys range of events is very large and they seem to watch just about everything. ****GO USA**** lol

I hope your all having a very nice day and enjoying your Sunday. I'm going to put a Pork Roast on and let it cook all afternoon so we can enjoy a nice dinner tonight.

I'll be back later to check in on you all
Hugs, my thoughts & prayers are with my friends
Betty

greetings all,
Just a quik note.
My son and his future wife moved to lexington on saturday and since nobody else showed up guess who got to help.
Anyway, we survived it. I'm still having trouble walking hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Have a good nite all
Chuck

Good Morning friends

I've had some troubles logging in again, but so far so good this am.
It's gonna be a scorcher today at 97*. I have to get ready in a while to take Helen to her hair apt, pay her bills, set up meds and pick up her groceries. She still seems to be having quite a bit of drama going on down at her house. Rod & I decided that she kind of keeps the pot stirred and most likely cuz she's lonely & bored. So I'll just listen to all her troubles and give her my love. She's not much for listening to any advise to get things calmed down, so I'll just listen. giggle silly girl!

It's been a pretty nice couple of days. My pain is about the middle of the scale with in waning up to 7 and back down to 4/5. So It's not too bad. Rods been on vacation all week and it's been so wonderful to have him home. We really got to spend a lot of time together talking and visiting and we really needed some time to our selves.

Ryans birthday was Sunday and that's always a hard day for us, but he and I just stayed together and survived it once again. Ryan would be 24 this year and of course we always wonder what he would be doing. He'd of already graduated with his 4 yr degree. We sure miss him and I don't think that will ever change.

Chuck; Sorry the helpers did not show up. The kids always can rely on Mom & Dad in the end. Your a great dad and work so hard for your kids. I'm sorry for all the extra pain though and hope your able to getter down soon.

Mark; I think I got locked out to post in the July forum that we are now on August, so sorry. I'll get something posted so you can come over to this one. Hope the trip was fantastic and the whole family enjoyed.

Adrian; Hello sweetie! I hope your doing alright. Have you had any more doctors apts. For some reason I was thinking that you did and your probably just beat from all that's going on. We love you honey and will see you soon or when your able.

I better get a few things done before I go to Helen's will be home later and try to check back in on the group.

Hugs & Love Friends
Betty

Hi all - Chuck , sounds all too familiar .. I did get to say , "No " , and it felt weird .. but my therapist is proud of me ..

I keep calling her Ann, but her name is Mary .. giggle .. anyway , so is Lexington far ? From one apt. to another ? Ground floor , I hope ...

I sorta withdrew a bit .. from the "call" and then my saying "no" to giving help .. it was hard , but I had to ..

Now, I cannot believe this weather ? You got up to 97 ? Holy cow .. at 93 I feel like it is hot .. lol .. but I am enjoying the warmmth while I can .. have to get digging into the suitcases and boxes soon ..

We had a huge thunderboomer come through and cool things down a few degrees , nightime is hanging at around 55 - 58 .. as the weather cools down soon, I will need my gear ..

My therapist is hooking me up with a gardening group .. strictly volunteer , and thinks it would benefit me .. make aquaintences, assert myself .. etc . .... so I am looking forward to this ..

So my "mini-vacation is in a few weeks .. and I am looking forward to it .. no dolphins , giggle, but at least rest and maybe a spa treatment or two .. whaddya' think ?

Talk later .. A

Greetings all,
Hope you've had a good tuesday. It was HOT here to 96-97 in most places. My pain is some better today I was able to get a sweaty walk in this morning.
Adrian, well done on saying no. It will get some easier as time goes on. Vacation sounds good mini or maxi!!
Mark, I'm glad it wasn't the other kind of fins! The kind that are connected to sharp teeth! I'm glad you're enjoying the family outing.
have a good night all, time for house.
Chuck

Hi , it's late and I missed House - got into sketching and got a phone call, oh yeah, I decided I need a phone .. so I have a landline .. feel like connecting again ...

Anyway , a man named Carl fronm the committee of the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens called .. my chest is a little tight, but he gave me some info on volunteer work ... I am to look at the websit ,, and I am shaky but I am going to take it slow , and not over extend my abilities ..

Anyway, wish me luck, this is a huge step for me ... and yes, Chuck is right , I didn't think about that , ooh .... youch ... goodnight all --
Adrian

Good Day All (Wednesday)!

My brain (or fibro) fog made me forget about us being on a new thread for August. Ocean City, Maryland, just like all other vacation spots, has way too many things to do and see.

I'd be happy just swimming in the ocean but the family wants to go to outlets and water parks, etc. I got pulled over by the police for doing 38 mph in a 25 mph zone and the police asked me if I had a reason for speeding. I said that I had to go relieve myself asap and that I could do it in the spot where they stopped me or they could let me go to a public toilet in town. The police officer said that this was the most "bizarre" story that he'd ever heard and said he doesn't usually do this but he was letting me go without a ticket.

Adrian, I've been sketching too ... I find it to be very relaxing.

Check you all out later,

Mark

That is cool , Mark - yes, I like to sketch flowers , trees , no big deal ... just a distraction of pleasure ...

Awesome how you got out of hat ticket .. lol .. have to remember that one ..

Hope everyone is having a good morning, woke up groggy , from the anxiety .. darn that anxiety .. but I make no decisions until I speak with my therapist .. I did my homework , which was to contact the lady , Lynn .. as it became more involved my brain diffused .. or short circuited , lol ..

I have filled out the volunteer application, and will talk with Mary first .. it is a beautiful day out, and I put together lists of things to do, hope I do something , well, I am , laundry ..

Anyway , I have to use my free car wash coupon soon .. and also received coupons from a program at my grocery store , you swipe a card and get savings instantly, but earn points for discounts on gas, food and more .. so I have a shopping list ...

But that attack last night left me tired today .. so I really have to get motivated .. will do my phone work , then see how I feel ... one little job ata time ..

Enjoy what the holds, and use those BT's if need be .. hope all is okay .. A

Good Morning gang

Glad to see you've all made it over here. Sorry for the lack of a message to let everyone know. After Adrian Reminded me, I came back to the site after I looked at the calendar, I guess I was surprised that we were already that close to August. I also was kind of trying not to think about the first few days of August, as the 3rd would of been Ry's 24th birthday and you know how that goes.
I think we did better this year than we have the past 6 yrs, but it's still hard.

It's a little overcast with some high clouds this am, but the skye is bright and it's already 74*, so it's going to get very hot as soo as the sun burns through the clouds and I predict that will be shortly after noon. We got up in the high 90's yesterday and boy it was hot driving Helen around. She normally sits in the car with my honey dog when I go in to get groceries, but I took them home and told her it was way too hot to leave my girls in the car. Honey yaps when I first shut the door and then runs over and jumps on Helen's lap and sits with her till I get back, so it's kind of nice for Helen. She really enjoys holding honey in her chair and petting her. Her dog is way too big for her to hold, so she enjoys my little girl.
I got all Helen's chores done and her bills paid & mailed, so I was very thankful for the day. My pain stayed pretty much undercontrol till it was nearly time to head home, so when I got here had to take something for BT, and lay with my heating pad, but it was better by bed time and even though I had a little insomnia, once I fell asleep, I slept really well til 8:30am and when I woke up felt very rested and that's really nice.

Last night while I was laying in bed watching True/Crime TV. Investagators was on and it was an episode about "Ocean City Maryland" I sat up and said, that's where our Mark is! It was about a murder back in the 90's. The good part about it, I got to see numerous shots of the town and thought it looked like a great place to go on a ocean side vacation. Looked like great restaurants, activities and just lotsa fun.

Rod back to work, of course had to start back on the Graveyard shift, so he's sleeping right now and won't be up till about 2pm. I've nothing planned, as usual on the day after Helen's, I don't plan anything but rest. My FM is feeling much better, but my spinal pain is up and I'm having that nerve pain or sciatic pain that runs down my left leg right through the cheek of my buhind. I really hate that pain and it's really hard to get into a position that relieves it. Oh, well, it could be worse and I'm happy to feel rested and out of bed early for me.

There is a mini "Monk A thon" on USA today, so I'll be entertained for the next few hours. I have to be quiet for Rod to sleep, so it's best I just stay at this end of the house, keep the dogs from barking at their shadows and just watch the tube and play on my puter. hehe

Mark; It's good to hear/read your words so upbeat. So glad your having fun. Did Audrey get pics of you swimming with the dolphins? That would of been cool. Too bad you did not see them. Did it startle you when you felt fins hit your legs? it would of scared the heck outa me. Enjoy your time!

Chuck; Good to hear your recovering from the move. I cannot imagine carrying boxes and loading the van or truck up too. OMGoodness. I'm sure the kids appreciated it. How far are they away from you now? Hope not too far to visit. Stay cool buddy

Adrian; I hope your anxieties have calmed down. I have some social anxieties and they have really bothered me for many years. They used to be worse and I would tremble from head to toe, cold sweat, dry mouth and loose my train of thought. They have gotten better, but I also take meds that help with anxieties too, so who knows. It's hard to go meet new people, especially when your alone. Your going to do great and I really hope it turns into something nice. Do you worry about what they think of you or do you worry about not being able to keep up with your health and no one will understand? those are my big worries and they can really get too me. I have a bridal shower to go to this weekend and I'm already having anxieties about it. I just don't like functions like this anymore, don't know why, but I feel like people are watching me and worry about what they are thinking of my illness and such. Don't know why, I just do. I hope it goes well, let us know how your feeling honey.

Well, I've got a few other things to do online and will get back later. Do any of you ever get out to the shareposts. Dr. Borignini had a good share post on FM and the two different kinds. Just thought you might be interested.

Hugs & love to you all
Have a wonderful Day
Betty

Hey Betty , you know how I feel then .. so thanks , thanks for sharing that side of you I never knew ... and yes, meds help .. and I also called my therapist today , and thanked her , and expressed some concerns and some good things ...

This is a huge step for me .. and so you know, I feel the same way, but I keep thinking the people if they are staring , it isn't because of my ilnesses in a bad way , it is that they are amazed that I just do it, whatever it may be .. and that I must take it one thing at a time, the walks with the dogs helped calm me down too ...

Anyway, no committing until I speak with Mary .. funny .. Mary, I keep thinking about the Virgin Mary ... patience and love ... wisdom and knowledge .. I don't know , but thanks for sharing .. the lady Lynn , that was my homework, has FMS , and spritually is lost .. she told me .. and I told that to Mary ...

But one thing at a time, as this is the pattern, and I don't want to be hurt again .. but I am taking my time, like I said .. and the good thing is you guys here , and some friends that care ... my real support team ... being able to say what I felt like that while it was happening was hard .. but I just had to get it out ..

There is nothing to fear, but fear itself ... for sure .... love ya's ! A

And yes, I sometimes read them when I am on, and comment here or there .. I read Dr. Gross' mostly ... he has a brunt way of saying things , I like it ... anyway .. tatafn ... a

Hi Betty,

it startled me to have the fins brush against me but I read that sharks can sense when humans are scared so I tried to remain calm. Audrey wasn't prepared for the porpoise show, so she didn't have a camera handy. So many of our activities are near the ocean or by water parks, which makes us paranoid as far as ruining our cameras. I wish we had a water-proof camera.

Talk to y'all later,

Mark

Greetings All,
Quite a bit better today pain wise, I keep having troublesome spasms in my left leg beside my knee.
The heat pad will loosen it normally but, it's been waking me up lately at 330 or 4 in the
morning.
My son moved to Lexington its about 100 miles away, not too bad. He's still job looking so, he's kinda anxious about that but, I think he'll be find. His girl friend is an LPN so she walked into a good paying job, so keep your fingers crossed for him.
Adrian, I think it's good what you're doing.
I've never really had much anxiety over stuff like that(boot camp has a way of takin that from ya) although I don't like crowds anymore I don't really shy away from them. Just take it slow and you'll be fine. I was in sales for many years so, I was usually the one starting the conversations. ya know what they say" If ya cant intriqe (sp?) them with intelligence baffle them with bs".
I think I'm rambling--I'll check back later
chuck

Lol ... yes, slow is better , and it's understanding why and stopping the emotion or controlling it better .. locking myself away for over a year didn't help .. but I am working on it ...

When I am with people , I can carry on a conversation, I think got anxious, as I know me, so when I do this it has to be something where I am not asked to make too many decsions , as I end up volunteering for things that are more than I can handle ...

Shame , as I used to be able to handle anything , and Mark, a waterproof camera is good , are they expensive ??

That would have been nice to have , but you have the story anyway, right ? What fun it ended up being for you and Audrey .. swimming with dolphins is luck in Corfu !!

Always - A