A Small Prayer for Jerry

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to ask a favor, please say a prayer for my hubby. He has been dealing with his C.O.P.D. and this mold count has been hard on him. I ended up having to take him to the hospital. Poor Baby, his second home is the hospital.

I am feeling kinda weak today. Stress tends to leave me fatigued. I plan on taking a short nap now that I have visited some blog sites. I received a kind award and plan on passing it forward soon. I
simply need to rest for now.

I hope and pray you have a stress, fatigue, and pain free day.

Just Reflecting On Life, Change, and New Developments

Hello Everyone,

Today I wanted to post about Life, how we feel about it, whether we are less-than-satisfied with the life we are living, and what we can do to improve different areas of our life.

Our illness has lead to changes in our life and it is up to us to make the best of life. We are developing and acquiring knowledge or skills based on what we are experiencing. There are positive and important lessons learned through our journey. We realize there are areas of our life that must be complete so that we can live our best life.

While I have always been a person with a vision, my vision has changed. Please remember that the first step to living our best life is to develop a powerful, motivating vision for our life. We must understand life’s purpose and embrace our own greatness as we change and have to reframe our inner views. Do you or have you reinvented yourself in areas where you might have been blocking your own progress? Think about it, many of us were engrossed in our careers and perhaps not living a balanced life.

People have always been of interest to me and I have enjoyed the diverse beautiful individuals who have crossed my path. In many ways, I am still achieving my goals. I am passionately committed to living and focusing on the people in my life who enrich my soul. To achieve the personal and emotional success I crave, I observe, study, and embrace people. God has empowered me by helping me determine and nurture my personal vision and purpose.

I have used life’s challenges as stepping-stones to my dreams. I have dreamed of connecting with diverse individuals in deeper, broader, and more meaningful ways by expressing my thoughts and emotions. It is okay to share your thoughts and emotions, seek out friendships, and discover the benefit of other individual strengths, passions, skills, values and uniqueness. We were brought to this world to do something special and to make a difference.

Reading and learning about how people deal with their misfortunes, illnesses, and the strength they have to overcome their weaknesses has given me strength and faith I continue to have in God. I thank all of my reader’s for taking time out of their day to read my posts and comment online or via email. God wills that we share with others the joy of his boundless love and I pray that I may be generous enough to share the trials, tribulations, and joy of life with others. I may have written a whole lot of nothing, but it sure feels good to share.

I hope and pray everyone has a pain and fatigue free day.

Good Night!

Hi Evieryone!

I just wanted to say Good Night. I will try to post tomorrow. I have to take Jerry to a couple of appointments, so it may not happen.

Sweet dreams and may tomorrow be full of wonderful new experiences!

With Love,

Viv

How have you been SLEEPING?

Hello Everyone!

I would like to start by wishing everyone a great Fourth of July! I have been taking it easy today. A lazy day indeed:0

There have been studies that implied the symptoms of fibromyalgia could be due to night after night of disturbed sleep, but scientists were unable to show how poor sleep contributed to the pain of fibromyalgia.

Remember I mentioned taking care of my twin granddaughters (2.5 years old)? The first night Alessandra was suffering from nasal drip and virtually had no sleep. It was a rough night for both of us. The next morning I was able to stay awake, cook, play, and complete simple chores. I was experiencing a lot of pain and moving like a turtle. Thank goodness, my girls are on a schedule and take daily naps. I was able to rest during their nap and that evening I went to bed when they did, 8:30 P.M. I was able to fall asleep without any sleep aids.

The next morning I actually woke-up before my hubby and girls! Deep sleep made a difference in my case. I was alert and able to play with my girls. My pain level had decreased and I was mentally alert. Jerry normally has to wake me up, give me my medication, and I slowly become coherent. Personally, I believe God helps me find the strength to take care of my grandchildren and spending time with them simply makes the pain tolerable.

The next evening I ended up staying up late with my husband and had trouble sleeping. The next day my pain had increased, I moved like a turtle, and had to increase my pain medication. Once the pain medication took affect, I was back to normal (my normal).

I wish I could experience deep sleep on a daily basis. The second night was the only time I was able to go into deep sleep. It took one night of sleep deprivation followed by an active day to set my body, mind, and spirit to sleep. Sometimes I cannot shut down my mind, thoughts, or body. I must be synchronized. I mention spirit because while I am asleep I am able to hear people around me. It is a weird feeling.

Do you have trouble sleeping? At bedtime, my body is fatigued, different parts of my body start to fall asleep, but my mind will not shut down. Each morning I find myself trying to open my eyes and rise, but my body does not want to cooperate. I can feel myself trying to raise my head and open eyes the feeling is horrible.

This morning my mind woke up and I could hear Jerry while he was shaving. He had the water running constantly! It was driving me crazy but I could not open my eyes or lift my head. So what happened? I went back to sleep, actually had a dream, and later found myself trying to wake up again! I heard him come into the bedroom. I knew what he was doing; he was moving the laundry basket out of the bathroom. I wanted to open my eyes and speak. If only he would shake me and wake me, up. Unfortunately, he had decided to let me sleep in. Once he left the room, I ended up going back to sleep. He came back in to take a breathing treatment and I was finally able to let out words..."Please give me my medications". Once the medication took affect, I was able to rise and shine! He had trouble understanding what I was saying, but knew what to do. I am so grateful he is starting to understand gibberish.

I must sound weird to all of you. Anyway, please let me know about your sleeping patterns and experience. I hope it is not anything like mine, if so, may God Bless us forever and ever!

My body is yelling at me so I have to stop writing. I probably am not making any sense whatsoever. I am too tired to edit this post, I hope it makes sense tomorrow.

I hope and pray you can achieve deep sleep. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. May God give all of us the strength we need to achieve our dreams, literally, our dreams!

Fibro Viv

Keeping Busy

Hello Everyone!

I am sorry I have not posted lately. I have been to my nephew's wedding, and spending lots of time with my grandchildren. The twin girls! They live a little outside of Austin, in Kyle, Texas. My son had some out of town business for a week and my daughter-in-law had a wonderful opportunity mentoring teacher's, so my Hubby and I were more than happy to help out. Those two little girls are so loving and energetic.

Anyway, just checking in with everyone and wanted to say hello!

Stress Management Basics and Tips

Hello Everyone,

I hope I am not repeating myself on various topics. I am all about enriching our lives and finding ways to recognize, cope, promote, and encourage strategies for remaining resilient amidst the relentless demands of life, work, unending personal responsibilities and unexpected setbacks. If stress seems to be causing such problems for you, it's a good idea to learn how to reduce these symptoms before they get worse.

Stress is a normal part of life that we can't escape and we are all well acquainted with stress. Maybe you are late for an appointment, pushing to meet a deadline, putting off reading the mail or pile of bills, or stuck in the wrong line at the bank or grocery store, it will all work out.

Sometimes we encounter a greater degree of stress, when we have to cope with emotionally fraught events like divorce, the loss of a job, chronic illness, or the death of someone dear to us. Believe it or not stress accompanies even the happiest occasions in life, like getting married or having a baby.

We experience stress as physical and emotional tension, and each of us experiences stress differently. Too much tension can be unhealthy, resulting in everything from occasional tension headaches to high blood pressure and heart disease. These symptoms are the body's way of letting us know that something needs to change.

Of course, it's impossible to eliminate stress from our lives completely. But we can find better ways to deal with it. These techniques can help minimize stress and make it more manageable:

* Planning for major changes ( I know our body and mind don't always cooperate)
* Eliminating wasted time
* Setting attainable short- and long-term goals
* Allowing yourself time to adapt to change
* Making good nutrition and regular exercise part of your daily routine

People with chronic illnesses have to find ways to deal with unexpected changes and new demands. I know that planning doesn't always work because our mind and body doesn't always want to cooperate! Therefore, it is a good idea to have some sort of release strategies that work for you. I believe in repeating a phrase or quote to assist me with relaxing. A hot bath is very soothing, listening to music, reading, or taking advantage of quiet time can make a big difference. Just know that you are in control of your emotions and can work at reducing the physical and emotional effects of stress in your life.


Mental Strategies: Start with getting your emotions under control. Start thinking about ways to avoid stressful situations. Try to find a good time to shop or bank, during odd hours and not on a payday! What a mistake. I went to the grocery store on the 15th, bad idea. If you need assistance completing your tasks, don't be afraid to ask. Gratitude, admiration, and generously go a long way. Be honest and express your appreciation, there are many ways to reciprocate.

Try writing everything down. I am a big advocate of writing things down. I know it takes a bit of energy and time however, the end result is great. My memory isn't what it used to be, so what? I am still enjoying life. Stimulate your brain and broaden your horizons by investing time on hobbies and even continued education. I know that sounds crazy, but taking a class in something that interest you will keep you mentally charged. Keeping a good sense of humor is a great stress reliever.

Physical Strategies: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. I have had to switch to very light weight clothes, shoes, purses. I have even changed the pots and pans I use. Meditate, try simple yoga moves, gentle stretches, and posture scans. Move, don't sit or stand for long periods of time. Rotate your head, shoulders, arms, and legs. Just be silly and wiggle around. It releases tensions, circulates the blood and ultimately improves your health.

Drink plenty of water, increase your intake of fruit, vegetables, and grains.

Did you know that physical contact with the people you care about helps to relieve stress? Soft hugs, pats on the shoulder, and if your lucky enough a massage goes a long way. A good diet, movement, and personal contact are simple ways to handle your stress.

Planning simplifies my life, making short and long-term realistic goals and forgiving myself for missing a planned task, chore, or event relieves my stress. Don't overdo, keep it simple.

The first step in dealing with stress is acceptance. Keeping a sense of humor, adapting to change, learning how to cope, and focusing on the positive promotes our overall health and well-being.

I hope and pray you have a fatigue and pain free day and continue to focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Advice & Tips on Dealing with Anxiety

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to share a few tips on dealing with anxiety. People deal with all types of anxiety, some people do not want to admit they suffer from anxiety. Personally, I believe it relieves stress when you are able to accept and deal with any anxiety issues you may be experiencing.

Whether anxiety rarely rears its ugly head in your life or is a frequent, unwelcome visitor, you can benefit from the following suggestions for overcoming or relieving stress, anxiety and worry. Choose the strategies you think will work for you, and give them a shot! Remember, there is no one "cure" for anxiety, but the more coping skills you have, the better you will be able to eliminate its impact on your life.


Special Note from Fibro Viv:
Of course, these cannot replace the help of a qualified therapist - if you feel you are unable to deal with your anxiety on your own, take that important step and give one a call.


With Yourself


* Get to the real root of your feelings. If you feel extremely anxious about work, for example, chances are thin that your stress will simply disappear on its own. You may have to dig deep to find what is bothering you - could it be a fear of failure, unhappiness in your current position, or too much pressure? Once you find the cause of the problem, you can take constructive steps to alleviate it.

* Practice positive self-talk. Anxiety is often a vicious circle and eliminating (or at least cutting down) the negative thoughts that start the chain is sometimes enough to get you out of the trap.

* Keep things in perspective. Think back to other times that you felt this anxious - did they always warrant such a strong reaction? This is not to beat yourself up about the past, but to realize that you have and can again survive situations that you thought were too much too handle.

* Reminder: Worrying does not change anything. Only constructive action can bring about results. And there are some things we just can't control. Remember the old mantra, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"? Whether you believe in an almighty maker or not, this little prayer carries a powerful message and a worthy goal.

* Be in tune with yourself. Know when you are beginning to feel anxious and have strategies to avoid a full-blown attack.

* Evaluate your self-confidence. Anxiety can often stem from feelings of inadequacy. If you discover you could boost your self-esteem, take active steps to do so - there are some great books on the subject.

* Forgive yourself. Anxious does not equal weak. Everyone gets stressed, and it's not your fault if you can't handle it sometimes. It is, however, your responsibility to take steps to change. Believe that things CAN get better. Because they can!

* Take small steps. If, for example, you are anxious at the mere thought of speaking in front of a group and you have to do a presentation, try practicing first in front of the mirror, then with one friend/family member, and work your way up to a larger group of friends. During the entire process, visualize yourself doing it in front of a larger group. Build your way up.Sometimes just being around a big crowd of people can be overwhelming for people that suffer from chronic illnesses. You can and will be able to improve any personal bubble you might be experiencing.

* Talk to a professional. Don't be afraid to seek help from a medical doctor or a therapist (look in your local phone book for a list of therapists in your area who may help you).

* Talk to a loved one, a close friend, and share your experience. You will find you are not alone!

* Educate yourself.


When you are with Others

* Get it out. Talk to friends, family or someone you know is a good listener. If you aren't close enough to anyone, consider joining a support group or even a hobby club to meet like-minded people.

* Give someone the squeeze. Physical affection and touch are great stress-relievers. If you don't have a partner, friend or family member that you feel comfortable touching, even a pet can do the trick.

* Learn to put your foot down. Sometimes you just have to say no, for your own sake. It may surprise people at first, but being pulled in a million directions is a major contributor to stress.

* Ask for help. That may mean asking your kids to help in the house, or a friend to support you in stressful situations.



Day-to-Day Habits

* Keep a journal. Use it to vent your feelings, but don't leave it at that - write the positive side of every experience (even if the only thing you can find is "developing inner strength"), and brainstorm ways you can work towards eliminating some of the stresses you feel.

* Shake that body! Exercise is a great stress reliever, whether it's smashing a tennis ball, bowling or doing stretching exercises at home. The body and mind are strongly connected, and neglecting either will have negative consequences. You may want to take up yoga or meditation. Listen to music, it is uplifting!

* Eat your veggies. Take a look at your diet - are you getting all the essential minerals and vitamins? Make sure you keep your blood sugar level stable and cut down on nasty habits (smoking, over-eating); you may think that they are comforting you and helping you deal with stress, but it's actually the opposite.

* Let go and laugh. When you feel stress building, seek out the things that make you laugh - a funny movie, a joke, a favorite website, a goofy friend.

* Pamper yourself - you're worth it. Make a list of things that relax you and make you feel good - a bubble bath, a movie, a magazine, playing a game, going for a walk, a certain CD, comfy clothes, watching a certain sport. Keep the list handy for the next time you feel the stress building. Don't use these activities to avoid difficult situations, but they may calm you enough to be able to handle them better.

* Connect with nature. Whether it's taking a stroll in the park and looking at the trees or going on a weekend hike in the mountains, getting out in the great outdoors can be calming and strengthening at the same time.

* Avoid anxiety triggers. If there are unhealthy people or places in your life, consider decreasing their role. If however, you are anxious about situations that are not damaging and are in fact useful/necessary (ie. talking to your boss about a new idea, or traveling in a car), you should form a solid plan to deal with these feelings.

* Create comfort zones/times. To avoid stress from building up, have scheduled times for you to unwind (before bed is a good time, so your mind is at rest and you can get a good night's sleep). The comforting activity should be something you enjoy; something you know will make you feel good. The comfort zone is a place where you can escape and unwind - it could be a corner of your living room or a spot in the park.


I hope and pray everyone has a fatigue and pain free day. God Bless