Dropping a Note to Say Hello

Hello My Dear Readers,

I have been very busy with my dear husband chronically ill with COPD. He has been in and out of the hospital and this last visit was from May 30, 2008, then transferring to another extended care hospital until yesterday. Thank you for your prayers and notes. It has been very touching and more importantly helpful. As I have always said, "People need some type of support, even if it is from strangers." Thank you and God Bless You All!:) He is doing good for now and I pray he will continue to do so.

On another note, I have not been practicing my own tips...such as "PACING", it is so important to pace and take time out for yourself. If you do not take care of yourself, you cannot help others. Please remember that. I have already slapped myself on the hand for not slowing down. I am going back to therapy.

One thing I always do is stay positive because that helps me survive every new challenge in my life. I feel stronger and better as a person each time I take time to pray, meditate, and most importantly forgiving myself for not being able to do everything perfectly. Small reminders from my youngest sister on saying no, plus not placing so much pressure on myself has helped me. I thank my God for my family, friends, other people that suffer from chronic illness, doctor's, etc.

Take care and know that I want to continue posting, I have just been slowed down for awhile. Do not give up on me and please continue to read old tips, notes, etc.

I pray and hope you have a pain free day,

Fibro Viv

Just a note-found a site on "Disability"

Hello Everyone,

I am sorry I have not written anything lately. However, I was notified about a blog site that offers information on disability and the site includes questions and answers on Social Security SSI Questions and Answers. I hope this site helps you! Just click check out my blogroll list.

I was just asked about the site, sorry for not adding a link. Here it is: Disabled Not Mislabeled

Here is another disability blog site: My Disability Blog

Thank you for asking about the site Cheryl:)

Soft hugs and God Bless!

Fibro Viv

Are you Credible?

Hello Everyone,

I have not posted for awhile. I thought I would just write a few words about credibility. I started off with my title: Are you Credible?

Credibility makes or breaks an individual. You must be honest and upfront about everything in your life. I have tried to be honest with my viewers to help them understand how difficult it is to deal with a chronic illness. This is why I share my own experience, tools, and information.

In order to start feeling good about yourself you have to learn to be honest and upfront about your illness. I know some people have had to deal with criticism, judgment and sometime even loose their jobs. In the end those that are judging them will have to deal with their actions.

It is difficult to accept we are ill, but we cannot start the healing process until we are honest about how we feel. Yes, I have heard many woman state their spouse is not listening or yells at them. Try the following:

1. Go get brochures about your illness and place it in front of them, tell them to read them.

2. Ask them, why were we married? I am suffering from an illness that many people do not understand, please take the time to try and understand what I am dealing with. If my own family does not support me, what am I to do?

3. Do not get angry, sincerity and openness while informing them lays out a solid foundation of credibility.
If your own family does not believe you, seek out friends, doctors, etc.

4. Do not make any promises you cannot keep. If you cannot do the laundry, clean the house, etc., then just let them know. Eventually they will understand and hopefully they will start helping you out.

I just want people to understand that the healing process starts with you acknowledging your illness and sharing that information with your loved ones.

I hope and pray this post has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

Cheer You Up Award

Hello Everyone!

I just started to look at some sites and noticed I was awarded the You Cheer Me Up Award! Wow!!!

I know there are many bloggers' that make people laugh, write comforting information, and inspire us to continue on our quest to help people. I know I will miss some people, and for that I want to send my sincere apologies.

An honorable mention to the individual who started this award:


A Nice Place In The Sun

THEN THERE ARE OTHERS:

Bangsboy

Facibus On Blogging

Speedcat Hollydale

Love is a Four-Legged Word

Fossforous

My Passion for Fashion!

Battling For Health

Revellian Dot Com

PoeARTica

Snoskred's Blogroll | Snoskred - Life in the Country

terri terri quite contrary

antibarbie.net - Delightfully Demented Musings

Fighting Fatigue

Make Money Online with Rhyan

The ICI Experience

TechTreak.com

Sephy's Platzish

I just know I have missed so many, but I am late in doing this and a bit worn out. I just happen to notice I receive this award.

Pass the award to the bloggers you have an opportunity to thank for cheering you up. Here are the rules or instructions:

If you are a recipient of the You Cheer Me Up Award, please find the blogs that cheer you up, copy the code to post on your sidebar and pass Ethel and Lucy across the blogsphere. In order to do this you must go pickup the code for the award picture and leave a comment on the award post so they can add you to the list of award recipients.

Go to : A Nice Place In The Sun.

God Bless Everyone and soft hugs to those in pain

Fibro Viv

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I've been away, I have been dealing with the flu and when you have fms/cfs, the symptoms are a million times worse! You know what I mean. My husband had to find a ride home from the hospital, just to find me at home curled up in pain, running a fever, etc. Poor baby. He was still having difficulty breathing and he had to deal with taking care of me. I just came back to life today! Mind you, I am still in pain, dealing with fever, aches, you know the rest.

The fact is I have been running on adrenalin! I had just finished babysitting my nephew, then my twin grandchildren, then I took my youngest son to Best Buy and before you knew it, I had to run home and change. You can imagine why??? Then, I took a bath, got dressed and went back to pick him up and returned home just on time to hit that ladies room. That was close!! Then my oldest son came home sick, poor baby.

The good news is, I continue to loose weight! You see....something positive always happens.:) I guess I am not posting anything helpful today...just updating you and letting you know I am not giving up. However, I may have to quit this blogging for a few months:(

Please continue to review old tips and my experience. I honestly believe it will help you gals and guys that suffer from chronic illnesses. You are not alone. Keep the faith and know that things can only get better. Really:)

Let's see...good news is I no longer have high blood pressure, I have lost weight, I am more active (exception, this week), and we have a new member in our family. Her name is Nadia. My oldest son had to have his own dog, so we gave in. I will have to take a picture of her, she is truly sweet and potty trained!:) So, you see, I have a reason to smile:)

I wish you no pain, send you soft hugs, a smile and God's Blessings:)

Fibro Viv

The Consequence of Chronic Stress

Hello Everyone,

I feel the need to take the time to post something today because I believe it is very important to keep this information on hand and remind yourself at least twice a month. Place it where you know you will see it and remind yourself about the consequence of chronic stress.

The Consequence of Chronic Stress

Chronic stress weakens our immune system and increases the risk of coming down with a range of illnesses. This could be heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, among other illnesses. If you are already dealing with a chronic illness, you must try not to stress out. I know it is easier said than done, based on my own experience. Stress can be toxic, if you let it take over.

What can stress drive people to do? A person can eat too much or too little, sleep too much or too little, stop exercise or stretching routines, and can also cause an individual to not have any fun in their lives.

Some stress is necessary to survive because just a little stress can help an individual get focused, improve memory and heighten their emotions. Stress responses within an individual causes them to swing into action or better yet, react in a way that can help. The key is to find the balance and understand the need, but not to make it toxic.

As I think about my life within the past few months, I have had family illnesses, hospital trips, doctor and pharmacy visits that were necessary and I had stress. I was dealing with trying to keep my family healthy, laundry, housekeeping, cooking and not to mention the cost of all the medical requirements within my own home. Yes, this has caused me to stress.

How have I dealt with it? I accepted what was happening without question, and just tried to complete each task as it came up. If I allowed my emotions to get out of control, my stress could become toxic and my pain would increase. Somehow, God gave me the strength I needed to deal with everything I needed to do.

I could start feeling guilty about not posting on my sites, but then I practiced self-talk and told myself everything would work out. I have come to the conclusion that I cannot be everything to everyone, and be there for everyone. I am in control of my own feelings and thoughts and I must only allow good thoughts to take over my emotions.

I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and friend. However, I know I cannot be there for all of them. I have my limitations and I must understand them and accept them.

I pray this post and my own personal experience has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

I wanted to mention new site and friends

These pages

I joined a new community in November and met some very nice people. I wanted to mention their sites and ask that you please check them out. These are great people with big hearts. Some are chronically ill, survivor's of cancer, a positive influence with faith and hope, and many other interesting types of people.

Tea with Tiffany's Page
Mad Goat Lady's Page
Audra Silva's Page
Kelly's Page
Mrs Kiwi's Page
KiniWoman's Page
Maartje Van Horn's Page
Elizabeth Coplan's Page
Sweetisu's Page

I enjoyed everyone's sites and hope to continue reading them.

God Bless to everyone and I hope and pray those that still suffer have a pain and fatigue free day!

Fibro Viv