My Life - My Fibro

It’s twenty six years this month since I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and a lot has happened in my life since then, but not a lot has changed in the treatment of fibro, it, or acceptance of it, and  I’m still experiencing new symptoms. It’s quite a complex illness and may be part of the reason that most people find it hard to believe it exists, and that invariably makes me seem to be a hypochondriac. Friends are the kindest, but family think it’s all in my head, I’m sure.  When I look at the list of problems I’ve encountered, I guess it’s not surprising that people find it hard to accept, but I’ve never been a lazy person and if people really thought about it, they might realise that I’ve never given in to illness. I’ve always worked hard to support my children and enable them in their goals, whatever they were,  and they’re both now in skilled, professional and worthwhile positions.  I am proud of that. It’s been a hilly road and I’ve had many ups and downs along...

I received an email from a friend who had seen a photograph of myself and my family on Facebook and she commented on how happy we all looked.  I smiled at how easily we can fool the camera. It was an afternoon out with the family and every other family seemed to have the same idea, so patience was a little bit frayed, but as soon as the camera came out for a selfie, we all laughed at the appropriate time. I'm not saying that we were unhappy, but if we had been, the smiles would still have been there for the camera. It really made me think of how I have lived most of my life, as do many others. Having said that, I am so grateful for my smile. yes, I make myself smile a lot of the time, because I can; because I'm alive; because it makes me feel better; and because a lot of people smile back. and isn't that a good reason :-) However ill I become, or how unbearable the pain; or how annoying the IBS is sometimes; or when the fog stops me from thinking properly or forming sentenc...