The Invisible, Baffling, Excruciating, Nutty World of FibroI ran across a book........

..................There is a book written by Janet L. Black, RN,FNP,MSN,MPH

The neat thing about the book, "Fibromyalgia for Family and Friends - What you need to know to support your loved one with fiibromyalgia, is that she is unfortunately in our club. I recommend the book. It is a quick read, and a good reference when wanting to feel extra support.

She shares about having to give up her career because her "brain simply no longer works correctly!" Boy does that sound familiar!!!

She describes the inability to remember words, blurting the wrong word, no memory, inability to concentrate. The worst one that she describes is not being able to learn anymore! Oh, that just drives me crazy!!! And unfortunately I feel sad at the same time.

My family loves to play games, and we will be playing charades. No matter how much that I beg and plead that I do not want to play, they insist! So there I am on stage in front of a lot of family, unable to think of the clues, much less how to play the darn game!! It's another one of the misunderstandings of this mess. The do not want to leave me out! They mean well! I say, "But, I can't think!" And the say, "Neither can we?!" Yeah, right!!!!!!!

If only they would leave me out!!!!! But then the flip side is that I am the only one that tries to sit out on certain activities. I feel embarrassed about that!!! It's vicious cycles just spinning, and spinning! OK, it is not fair!!! I think that I have said that before!!!! hee hee And will say it again, no doubt!!!!

Ms. Black continues to share about her dealings with the Invisible Illness! She explains that she is used to hurting, it is our normal; but other people don't know that.

She had to give up her work as a nurse. I remember running into a fellow counselor, and I told her that I had had to close my practice. Before I could say anything, she said "oh you are so lucky", "I can't wait!" I sure did not take it that way. In fact, I could feel myself back in the grief stages, the 5 stages of grief. I feel that I will always deal somewhat with those stages relative to that loss. It was so much of my identity. But that is ok. We unfortunately deal with losses throughout our lives. We hopefully just develop healthier ways of dealing with the losses! Humor, as I keep sharing, is part of my best medicine! (Once I was in a Walmart talking with a client on my cell phone. I dashed into the restroom, into the stall. You know, people can hear toilets flushing real distinctly while on a cell phone!!!!!!!!! It's better to laugh than cry!!!!! )

And when I hear that the paperwork is so much worse now, that is a small blessing in disguise!!!!! Not to mention unending naps, movies, grandbabies, cuddling with fur babies etc!

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Hope you have a blessed day!

Hang in there!!!!

From Me to U