The Fierce Fibro Fighters Campaign ★WILL★ remain ★OPEN★
2
At this point in time, I have nearly 40 individuals signed up to be a part of “The Fierce Fibro Fighters Campaign” (formerly known as “Faces of Fibro Campaign”). My hope and my goal is to have the “interviews/questionnaires” sent out in the early part of next week – say sometime between Monday and Wednesday. Then I will post them – exactly as you write them/answer them – on a first come, first serve basis. Unless we have made special arrangements, I need all responses sent to me at this email address. Please. 
So even though I’m preparing to send out the first batch of emails. And even as I begin to post the first and second and third etc interviews, please do not feel that it is too late for you! It is never too late, at least as far as what I’m doing anyway. So if you read my little piece of the universe and decide that, “Hey! I want to join her Campaign too!” Just click that link up there and send me your name and email address – that’s all it takes to get started. 
T-Minus 4 days and counting
0February 22, 2012
So, some of you saw my post last week while I was at the Pain Management Clinic, which is where I have my Fibromyalgia related doctors. Basically, I asked that y’all wish me luck because I was “hoping for the best but expecting the worst”. I figured I should elaborate on that a bit.
Here’s the back story…
Maybe two years ago or so, when Emmett John was just a baby and had a ton of health issues going on, I went for one of my follow-up appointments to Dr. T, my Pain Management doctor. When he was testing to see my my grip and whatnot he touched the outside of both legs at the same time and asked if it felt the same. I told him my left leg felt lighter than my right. He continued with his exam – doing the “push up on my hands with your toes”, “push down on my hands with your toes” etc – and apparently my left leg was slightly lacking there as well. That appointment ended with an order for an EMG, a test that looks for nerve damage, occlusions etc. The EMG never happened because A) we (me, Rob and Dr. T) decided that Emmett John’s health issues were more pressing at the time and B) I was (and still am) absolutely terrified of needles (no matter the size) and I chickened out.
Fast forward to Now…
So, I had my appointment with Dr. T last week and I asked that everyone wish me luck because I suspected I was going to end that appointment similarly to my previous one. And it did. The main difference was the fact that lately I’ve been having episodes where when I sit down my left leg falls asleep to the point where it goes completely numb. That’s a pretty big deal. So my health has now been bumped up on the Food Chain.
So now, the woman who has a panic attack at the mere sight of a needle, literally, is going to have to have a bi-lateral EMG done on Monday morning at 8:45am. To say that I’m terrified, is an understatement. Luckily, the Boys have an insane number of doctor’s appointments themselves this week (and that’s another post, which is coming) so that’s helping to keep my mind off of Monday morning, sort of. Also, the newest member of the Cheerio Clan (and no, before you even think it I’m not pregnant – that’s an impossibility, remember?) is keeping me pretty busy, irritated and suffering with migraines to pick up the slack. I’m still finding time to worry, though. I wouldn’t be Obsessive Compulsive if I weren’t, right? 
So, yeah, T-Minus 4 days and some-odd-hours and counting…not that I’m keeping track or anything.
Happy 21st birthday, to my “Little” Brother Zach!
0February 22, 2012
So I’m two days late in posting this, mainly because I didn’t know what I was going to say or do. Well, our household has been going through a bit of a Disney’s Phineas and Ferb phase. We’ve seen every episode in the first three seasons (because those are what’s available on Netflix.com) except for one, which doesn’t work for some reason. There’s a song that I think fits perfectly, just ignore the fact that Candace has two brothers and I clearly only have one and he’s who I’m referring to. 
So with that I’ll leave you with my birthday message to my “baby” brother, who’s not much of a baby anymore, I guess.
Happy 21st Birthday, Zach!
Book Review: Something Different a Different Twist on Romance and a Great Read
0February 21, 2012
I was given the opportunity recently to read and review the novella, Something Different, written by S.A. Reid. You might remember I featured a Guest Post by Something Different’s author, S.A. Reid (a.k.a. Stephanie Abbott). Well, it took me longer than I would have liked to get my review written but I’m rather pleased with the outcome.
(This book is a bit more PG-13 than what I typically review here on Daily Mommy Survival, so, I’ve put the “more” code in place so that you can decide whether you are PG-13 appropriate audience.)
Honesty: Adoption: A Letter I’ve been meaning to write…
2February 18, 2012
Dear ****,
I’ve been meaning to write this letter for a while now but I always seem to find something more pressing that needs done. Truth be told, I still have more pressing matters than writing this letter to you but I simply can’t hold all that I’m thinking and feeling in, any longer. Assuming you ever read this, which you probably won’t, you’re probably pretty ticked off right now and wondering, “Why is she doing this in such a public manner?!” I know first hand how you like to keep your secrets. The problem with secrets, ****, especially the big ones is that they have a way of finding their way into the light of day. Whether you want us to or not.
I’m torn. There are two ways for me to take this letter – the emotional family route or the demanding genetic route – I’m not sure which one to cover first.
I guess I’ll start with the catalyst that brought this on. The proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back” if you will. Why HIM?! You gave us both up for adoption. Yet, him you stay in contact with. Him you love. Me? I’m just the child you tossed away. And please don’t misunderstand me here (anyone!!), I’m grateful that you did. I was grateful growing up. I’m grateful now. Was there a brief period where we had some issues and I lost sight of what family truly was? Yes, that happened. But we’ve patched things up. Things are once again as they should be; I am with my family. You, are not my family. I understand that now. What I don’t understand and I likely never will, is why he and I are different? Why you played head games with me, twice (shame on me)? Yet, he found you and it was the return of the prodigal son – after you blamed me for the upheaval it caused it your life because obviously my life revolves around you and making you suffer. What makes us so different? Is it our biological fathers? I know your story now is that I was conceived in a horrible manner – the details of which are your’s alone to claim – but I don’t believe you. How can I? And why should I? I’ve lost track of how many stories you’ve told me regarding my conception. Only God knows the truth at this point, I don’t think you even know which one is the truth anymore. Is that why he and his family were accepted with love and open arms? While my family – my sons, most importantly – were jerked around and played with like dolls in a dollhouse? Do you have any idea what it did to my sons to have you there and present – in a fairly big way, too, I might add – and then *POOF* you were gone??? But you weren’t completely gone…Gavin still saw your car down the street…so then we had to come up with some reasoning as to why you were *there* but not *here*. You try explaining that to a child some time! Then try explaining it to 3 Autistic children with other special needs on top of that. Oh, wait, you wouldn’t explain it to them. You’d just up and disappear.
Speaking of my children, do have any idea how your biggest decision regarding me effects them? How it effects me? I’m referring to the fact that you decided to give me up for adoption, rather than abort me. Which, please don’t misunderstand me here, I’m grateful that you gave me life, for the most part. Why did you lie on my “Unidentifying Information” sheet? They call it that for a reason, primarily because regardless of what medical information you give me, I can’t *identify* you based on it. Would it really have killed you to be honest, for once in your life, and tell me – tell my parents – what illnesses and diseases run in your family and my biological father’s family? There are tests that my doctors may have run sooner – like checking for ADHD before I was 15! – and some they may not have run at all. Likewise, with all of the current issues I’m having they may have known to look in a different direction – like MS – if I had some family history. Also, if I had known that bipolar and/or schizo-affective disorder run in the family I would have had a chance to sit down with Rob and discuss things before we decided to have kids. Do not misunderstand this either, I would not trade my Boys for the world; however, I should have had the chance to make an informed decision about having kids with Rob. You took that chance away from me because there’s no way to discuss something and make an informed decision without all the facts and information. I just don’t understand what’s so difficult about sharing the family medical history. It’s a list of diagnoses. I can’t find you based on any of the information listed on it. In fact, sharing it has no effect on you and your life whatsoever. However, it has a HUGE EFFECT on me and my life. There’s a chance it could help my doctor’s connect some of the dots in my diagnoses that don’t quite fit with anything else, like my tremors/shaking.
You know, I’ve said my piece. I feel better for finally having given voice to how I feel; however, none of it really matters all that much. Because in the end, even if you were to read this and not turn 10 shades of red in anger and embarrassment and you were to give me a thoughtful, well-written, fact-based response; it wouldn’t change anything. I still wouldn’t know my medical history because you’ve lied to me so many times, about both major and minor things, that I couldn’t believe anything you write/say. I’ll always have to question and be hesitant about accepting what you say/write because of our history. And that sucks, for me and the Boys because now we’ll never know and always have to go those extra steps to have genetic testing etc. done to look for and/or prove diagnoses, because of the choices you’ve made. So thank you for that. I guess that’s your final “screw you” to me. First, I get to live with the fact that I’m the “disposable child”, while you’ve “kept” the other three. And now I get to live with the fact that the only medical history I have, is my own. Even if you someday wake up feeling generous towards me and you decide to give me the medical history for your families and the name of my biological father so I can contact him and see what he says and see if he’ll give me his medical history; I can’t believe you.
You know, I could wish horrible things would happen to you. I could say mean and horrible things to you – I may have upset you, hurt your feelings and/or angered you with this post but everything I’ve written is either my opinion (which I’m entitled to) or a “fact” that you’ve either said or passed along to me through a “middle man” – but I won’t. Doing those things doesn’t accomplish anything. It doesn’t hurt you. It only hurts me, which is the main reason I wrote this post. I need to stop carrying these thoughts and feelings around with me. It’s time for me to let it go and truly move on and do my best to forget you ever exist. If you don’t want anything to do with me and mine; I don’t want you around. We don’t need that kind of negativity anyway. We have enough problems as it is.
And so with this letter, I say Goodbye to you, ****. May you have a wonderful life, filled with all the people, places and things that you love. I’m going to enjoy mine – regardless of hand I’ve been dealt because of your choices (medically speaking).
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Ann
P.S. This is a letter I wrote to my birth mother, ****. I want to be sure it’s noted and understood that *I love my family* (meaning the family that adopted me, raised me, and loved me as their own). This letter is in no way meant as an attack on my family in anyway. It’s strictly my thoughts, feelings and questions for and towards my birth mother. So I can forget about her and move on; nothing more.
The Daily Mommy Survival Family is in the Newspaper!!!
3February 17, 2012
Extra! Extra! Read all about…well, us!
Sort of.
The Daily Mommy Survival Family *is* in the newspaper. Granted, it’s our local paper but it’s still available online. And granted, the article focuses quite a bit…okay, mostly on Rob and his blog, Lost and Tired. But there’s a great picture of the Daily Mommy Survival Family. And it is a really, positive and well-written article; so, y’all should definitely head right over to the Canton Repository and check it out.
Then be sure you come back here and let me know what you think! I hate the fact that we are in the newspaper, even if it’s just the local one. Because everyone attorneys, people I don’t talk to anymore (for whatever reason), ex-boyfriends etc can read it and know what happened to me. And while I love my children and my husband and on some days even my life – insanity, chaos and all – this isn’t where I envisioned my life at 31. And now all those people will know about my life when before unless they were friends with me on Facebook or GoodReads or following me on Twitter, they wouldn’t know that stuff because my blog isn’t one you are likely to run across just out of the blue.
Oh, well. It’s out there now! Might as well go read it so you can come back here and give me your honest opinion/review. 
Would these bother you?
0(First of all let’s be clear, I’m referring to the three spots I circled in this picture…There are two in the larger top circle and one in smaller bottom circle.)
Would those three spots bother you at all?
Would they bother you enough to refuse to eat the cracker?
Would they bother you enough to send you into a full-fledged, “fake finger-snapping” (a.k.a. stimming – that’s how Mr. Emmett John has been stimming lately. I’m not mocking him. I swear.), mini-fit until someone took the offensive cracker away?
Well, they would be enough to do all of those things to Mr. Emmett John. Snack time was fun and interesting today. *sigh*
★♥Lizzeann♥★
Friday’s Fierce Fibro Fighters Interview #3: Dena Hamilton
1February 10, 2012
Welcome to Friday’s Fierce Fibro Fighters Interview of the Week #3: Dena Hamilton!
Everyone I’d like you to meet:
- Name: Dena Hamilton
- Nicknames (Online or IRL): jacksmom22002, faithblog
- Email Address: jacksmom22002@yahoo.com
- Do you have a Twitter account?Y
- Twitter name: twitter.com/faithblog
- Do you have a Facebook account?Y
- Facebook address: http://www.facebook.com/jacksmom22002
- Do you have a Google + account?Y
- Google + address: jacksmom22002@gmail.com
- Do you have a blog?Y
- Blog title: The Blog that Faith Built
- Web address: http://theblogthatfaithbuilt.com/
- What are your diagnoses? (The whole listif you please.)Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, IBS, lactose intolerance, bursitis, migraine, insomnia
- When were you diagnosed? Fibro – August 2008, Arthritis- Feb 2008
(You can list Month/Year for each Dx or just the main ones – however, you prefer.)
- When were you diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
- How long did it take for you to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? Probably years…my dr suspects I’ve had it since my teens at least
- How old were you when your symptoms began? See above
- How old were you when you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? 46
- Were you ever “misdiagnosed” before you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? yes
i. What were your “misdiagnoses”? mostly stress
- How many doctors did you have to see before you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? Too many to count
i. Which doctor eventually diagnosed you with Fibromyalgia? My now husband sent me to his Dr
- What are your primary symptoms of Fibromyalgia?Pain and fatigue
- How did your Fibromyalgia first present? Overwhelming pain and fatigue to the point that I could barely get out of bed and I was an emotional basket case.
- When did you first suspect you may have Fibromyalgia? 2008
- What things trigger your flares? Wet or cold weather, stress, becoming overtired, lack of sleep, too much physical exertion
- Has your Fibromyalgia caused you to become disabled? yes
i. If so, have you filed for disability? yes
- How old are you now? 49
- How long have you been living with Fibromyalgia? 3 years
- How has Fibromyalgia affected you and your life the most?It has humbled me and forced me to examine priorities in my life. Sometimes if it isn’t life changing important, it not important enough to waste my limited energy on.And finally, if you could share anything with the world or say anything to the world about life and living with Fibromyalgia, what would it be? (This answer can be as long or as short as you want it to be.) Don’t judge us until you walk a mile in our shoes (which may take several days to do and result in being flat on your back for about a week). You may know someone with Fibro that has been cured/helped by this or that/can do this or that, but you don’t know ME and MY FIBRO. This disease can affect different people differently. There will be times when you seeing me doing things that you have seen me struggle with in the past. This does not mean I am getting better, it means I am either having a rare good day or I am pushing through the pain and fatigue (which almost always results in a flare that will force me to be confined to bed for days at a time). And just because I “look good” does not mean I am not sick. If I told you that I had a asthma or epilepsy, would you doubt me because I can breathe sometimes or do not have a seizure in front of you? No? Then trust me when I tell you I am sick and there are things I just can’t do. Yes, I smile and laugh sometimes, doesn’t mean I am not in pain. I am always in pain, if I focus only on my pain this thing will defeat me and I will be bedridden. This is not an option. So I do what I can when I can and put all the rest in God’s hands.
- What do you miss the most about life “pre-Fibromyalgia”? Being able to do what I want, when I want instead of what I can when my body will let me.
Just for fun J (You know, that demographic stuff. lol)
- What City, State do you live in? Greenville, Mississippi
Who ordered the pressure cooker?
2February 9, 2012
It wasn’t me. That’s for dang sure! But I’m definitely feeling it.
I’ve got the pressures from home.
The Boys each have their needs.
Emmett John has seemed intent on driving me crazy or driving me straight into the psych-ward. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care which happens or if they are simultaneously, which is a distinct possibility.
Elliott Richard has started his anti-anxiety medications. Now, obviously, it’s too soon to see any kind of results, right? Then why does he seem far more hyper now then he was before he started the anti-anxiety medications? And he’s doing this “rapid cycling” thing where he’s sobbing one minute and then laughing hysterically the next minute. It’s like “The Many Moods of Elliott Richard“. I have literally never seen anyone go through moods as quickly as Elliott Richard is. It’s dizzying, migraine inducing and absolutely sanity draining, seriously. (There’s more coming about this in another post, or 10.)
Gavin has been doing the “running dialog” of everything he does. Everything he thinks. Everything he might do. Everything he might think. And then yesterday morning, there was this…thing. Half-fit. Half-melt-down. I don’t really know what it was. All because I asked him, and here’s the kicker, “Where are your dirty clothes?” All Hell kinda broke loose from there. It was loads of fun. Not.
I’ve got Lost and Tired pressures.
Rob is working day and night to keep his blog going. To get the Lost and Tired Message Boards for Autism Support up and running and then the momentum kept up. So, of course, he wants some help. Completely understandable. I just wish it weren’t one. more. thing. on top of what feels like a million other things.
I haven’t got disability pressures.
Well, actually I have got disability pressures. What I haven’t got is the actual disability title and benefits from the stupid government. I spent yesterday on the phone with case worker who “determined my fate” . Apparently, when I thought they were looking at my medical records from 9/30/2001 to present; I was wrong. (And I’m totally serious when I say this, please keep that in mind because I made her repeat it a few times to make sure I had it.) Apparently, they looked at THE SINGLE, SOLITARY DAY OF 9/30/2001 and July 2012 to Present because that’s when I filed, in July. So records that I produced for YEARS between 9/30/2001 and Now that prove I’m disabled went ignored because and I quote, “Mrs. Gorski, they were irrelevant and didn’t fall either on 09/30/2001 or from July 2012 to present. So they DIDN’T MATTER.”
Yes, you read that correctly. My medical history was irrelevant and therefor not. taken. into. account. whatsoever. Period. Only any appointments I may have had, and there weren’t many, between July 2011 and the end of January 2012, mattered. And those appointments that I did have were what helped them, well, those appointments and my filled in questionnaires, determine that all I needed to do was, “Find a job that allows me to not work with people and doesn’t cause me any stress.” Yeah. That’s doable.
So I was on the phone with the case worker who made the determination because she was the most helpful person I had dealt with so far and she drops the bomb of them looking at a single date and 6 months of my life to try and determine my eligibility. So, I ask the next logical question…
How do I fix the date screw-up and make it so you guys have to look at the past DECADE of my life (and not just 6 months and 1 day)?
Anyone wanna take a stab at her reply? Yeah. I asked her. And she said, “Mrs. Gorski, I made my determination with the information I had available to me. I can’t tell you anything else.” Seriously???? You. Can’t. Tell. Me. Anything else???? My response, “Why?” Here’s how the rest went…
Her: I can’t answer anymore of your questions. You’ll have to call your Home Office. I can give you that number if you like.
Me: You can’t answer anymore…
Her: Of your questions, yes. Now, would you like the number of your Home Office?
Me: I called you because my Home Office isn’t helpful.
Her: Well, I can’t help you anymore. Now, the number of your Home Office is…(she rattles of the number she knows I already have because it’s in my denial letters and ends the phone call).
★Jump ahead to my phone call with the ever helpful Home Office★ (My italic use here is sarcastic in nature, like usual. Why mess with success, right?)
Me: Hi. I recently applied for disability and was denied…
Him: <cuts me off> You need to file an appeal. I assume you disagree with the ruling? (My italic use here is to show his tone of…just…disdain. I don’t know how else to put it. Also, it should be noted that I’m pretty good at remembering voices and telling one person from another. That having been said, I’m about 90% sure that “Him” is the guy I had my telephone interview with in November and the same guy who caused the whole “6 months and a day vs 10 years of my life” Oopsie. So, yeah, probably not the best person to ask how to fix it but you know what, I didn’t screw it up. He did. So own up to it. Be a man. And help me fix it. Right? Oh, so not what happened.) (Oh, and who files for disability. Lays their whole life out there. Hands over their medical history for years at a time. Gets denied. Calls their Home Office with questions about why it was denied. And doesn’t file an appeal??????? Seriously? That’s like doing ALL the research for your homework. Then actually doing your homework. But NOT turning it in. WTH??? Why???? I mean what kind of half-a$$ed question was that anyway?)
Me: (I almost said that last bit up there about his dumb a$$ed question, but I didn’t.) Yes, I am going to file an appeal. What I need to know from you is how I correct the error in the dates on my paperwork. My paperwork reads that I want July of 2011 to today and 09/30/2001 included in the my claim. That’s wrong! The guy I had my phone interview with put it in one way – the way you see there – and explained it to me a different way. I need…
Him: <cuts me off, again!> How would you like it to read and be considered? (Again with the disdain – ugh!)
Me: Anyway, I need it to be read and considered as the whole decade. I was disabled for the whole decade. I need my medical records, which I will get the rest of to date back to 09/30/2001, to be considered for the whole decade. That’s what he (You!) lead me to believe was going to take place. That my medical history for the decade in its entirety would be considered when making my determination. That’s not what happened. I need to know how to fix the date screw-up.
Him: YOU. NEED. TO. FILE. AN. APPEAL. I can’t help you any more than that. YOU. NEED. TO. FILE. AN. APPEAL. (Just an FYI, “You need to file an appeal.” is written that way because A) he made it a point to enunciate each and every word as if they were their own free-standing sentence. and B) it’s in all capital letters because per internet code, that denotes screaming or yelling and he was yelling that sentence to me at this point.)
Me: But the Case Worker who made my determination said that YOU would be the one with the answers I need. That YOU would be able to help me fix the date…
Him: <cuts me off a THIRD TIME!> YOU. NEED. TO. FILE. AN. APPEAL.
Me: I know that! But first, I need…
Him: <yeah, you’ve got his number by now, right> YOU. NEED. TO. FILE. AN. APPEAL. YOU. NEED. TO. FILE. AN. APPEAL. YOU. NEED. TO. FILE. AN. APPEAL.
Me: Okay, thank you for your time.
Him: Thank you for callin….(I hung up on him and burst into tears.)
Yeah, so, I’m a bit stressed out by this whole disability thing. I really need it because it will open a lot of doors – treatment and doctor wise – for me. I also really need it because we just had to take on a car payment which is something we haven’t had in a few years. And any hopes of us moving, rest on me getting disability. I don’t know what more the government wants from me. I sleep nearly 50% of every day away – thank you sleep disorder. I have a migraine headache more often than not. And even when I had a job, way back when, I was calling off sick for migraines and stuff that I didn’t know then was Fibromyalgia 1-2 days a week! It’s a wonder they kept me on at all.
I’m just feeling a little pressured – from all sides – like I’m in a giant pressure cooker or something. Hence the title. And my night time medications have obviously kicked in because I’ve gone from knowing what I’m talking about. To incoherent rambling. Oh, but wait! There’s one more I’ve just remembered!
I’ve got house and critter pressures.
Yup, in our attic we have squirrels nesting. Making tiny squirrel babies. (Which would be cool since, you know, no one ever sees the babies. That’s because the babies are living in my damn attic!) At night, they sleep and they’re quite. During the day, it’s a whole different ballgame! They are chewing on my house! And I swear to y’all, I do not possess enough Ativan or Klonipin to keep me calm and sane should one of those critters chew their way through my attic floor/bedroom ceiling and land in here.
And with that, I leave you for my Nook, a book and my comfy bed.
My three ★polite★ Boys, Autism and all
3February 6, 2012
For those of you who have been following my blog, Daily Mommy Survival, you know about my Boys: Gavin, age 12 years, Elliott Richard, age 5 years (almost 6), and Emmett John, age 3 and 1/2 years. I’ve been asked – quite a few times actually – how I’ve managed to get my Boys so polite.
It’s not that anyone expects my Boys to lack manners because they are Autistic or anything. It’s just that others were struggling with teaching manners to their children and they wanted to know “my tricks”. (lol)
So, here is my Top Secret Trick to teaching your children manners. Are you ready?
★♥♦There isn’t any Trick. 
★♥♦
Children will do whatever they see. Especially when they are younger, children idolize their parents. Some idolize Mommy. Others idolize Daddy. If you use that to your advantage, by using good and proper manners around and with your children then they will in turn (hopefully) use those manners with you and others.
Take my Boys for example; Rob and I often call them “sir”. It is not at all uncommon to hear our Boys then refer to their Grandpa (my Dad), Pa-Pa (Rob’s Dad), or Rob as “Sir”. Now people some times look at us as if we run our homes like a boarding school or reform school but we don’t. Rob and I just happen to feel that it is respectful to refer your male elders as “Sir”. Heck, even I refer to my Father-in-Law or my Daddy (some times, usually he’s still Daddy lol) as “Sir”. The Boys learned this by watching and listening to Rob and I.
Likewise, if you don’t say “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me” etc. then your children aren’t likely to do it either. It may sound cliché; however, children are going to do as you do before they do as you say. More often than not, in my experience anyway.
Keep in mind though that there are certain phases which will make some manners next to impossible. For example, Mr. Emmett John is currently going through the “potty humor” phase. So getting him to say “excuse me” after he passes gas is next to impossible sometimes. In fact, rather than saying “excuse me” he has taken to proudly (and loudly) announcing to everyone within ear-shot, “I tooted!” And then he just giggles and grins.
I have tried to ignore him. Often, ignoring a negative behavior like that will cause it to “disappear” because children often do behaviors like “I tooted!” simply because it gets a reaction – good or bad. Yeah, that didn’t work.
I’ve tried nicely correcting the behavior. (i.e. He announces “I tooted!” and I nicely tell him that we say “Excuse me.) No luck there either.
So, for now, it appears to be a phase that we will have to live with and get through. On the bright side, it could be so much worse. (lol)
So there you have it, I have now shared my “Big, Secret Trick” for how Rob and I managed to teach the Boys manners. I figured y’all might like to know; since others have asked and all.
Guest Post by author Stephanie Abbott plus a book feature
0As part of my getting re-acquainted with all things literary, which I’m hoping to use to ease me back into writing, I volunteered to be part of a Book/Blog Tour for an author I’ve found and fallen in love with recently – even if her writing is a bit unconventional.
I hope y’all will give her the chance she deserves and also fall in love with her writing.
★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦★♥♦
English Lingo
Compiled by Stephanie Abbott
England and America are two countries separated by the same language. – George Bernard Shaw.
Here’s a fun little glossary for those who might find English usage “across the Pond” amusing:
- Fag: a cigarette. Respectable usage: “I just need five minutes to suck on a fag.”
- Cider: a mild-to-moderate alcoholic drink currently more popular than beer in some parts ofEngland, especially with underage girls.
- Pouf: a soft place to sit, e.g., an ottoman. Also, a male homosexual.
- Slag: an unattractive and or dirty woman of ill repute.
- Wank: how a male pleasures himself. Common insult: “You wanker!”
- Sacked: Fired.
- Footballer: a professional soccer player and (usually) national hero.
- Football Hooligan: someone who uses his or her support of a sports team to bully, insult, or physically threaten those who support other teams.
- Panda cars: black and white police cars.
- Rent boy: male prostitute.
- Page Three Girl: A beautiful topless female featured in a British newspaper as a sort of daily confection, like horoscopes or the crossword puzzle.
- Dog-end: a cigarette butt.
- Row: argument, loud quarrel.
- Mate: friend.
- Detached house: a house unattached to any other, with a surrounding yard. In some parts of urbanEngland, most homes are “flats” – one-level apartments – or “row houses,” each dwelling literally attached to the next. For some people, the ultimate middle-class status symbol is a house that doesn’t touch either neighbor’s.
- The Tube:London’s underground subway system.
- Tosser: person who masturbates. More commonly, a despicable person.
- “Gagging for it”: desperate for sex.
- Bugger off: go away
- Flannel: a washcloth
- Ginger hair: red.
- Gastro-pub: a bar that serves food.
- NHS: National Health Service, universal healthcare inBritain.
- A.A.C.D.: AmericanAcademy ofCosmetic Dentistry, because “American” denotes a white smile and cash up front.
- Top-Drawer: the best.
- Take the Mickey: to make someone feel like a fool.
- Open University: education open to all adults seeking career training or self-improvement.
- Ward sister: head nurse.
- Top yourself: commit suicide.
- Pudding: any dessert.
- “In the club”: pregnant.
- Scarper: run away. Also known as “doing a runner.”
- Screw: prison guard.
- Winging: whining, complaining.
- Pensioner: senior citizen, also called an Old Age Pensioner, or O.A.P.
- “Put you in the picture”: fill you in.
- Petrol: gasoline.
- Braces: suspenders.
- Dustman: garbage collector.
- Boxing Day: traditionally December 26th, the day when service people – post carriers, dustmen, etc – are presented with a gift of money.
- “Early days yet”: too soon to tell.
- Lady Day: March 25th, Mary’s Feast of the Anunciation.
- Doolally: insane.
I think the above sample proves we have a way to go before we comprehend our English cousins. For more about the similarities and difference between our language, please check out three of my favorite reference books: British English A to Zed, 3rd Edition, by Norman W. Schur; Watching the English by Kate Fox; and The Anglo Files by Sarah Lyall.
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Here’s a small sampling of Stephanie Abbott/S.A. Reid’s literary works, for those of you who would like to read more about her works.
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Past Lives Series - Rachel written by: S.A. Reid
The silver Porsche must have been doing eighty when it hit black ice. I couldn’t swerve, couldn’t get out of the way. There was nowhere to go as the Porsche whipped around, skidding toward my little car. Headlights rushed toward me, flooding my windshield, obliterating the night. And then I was someplace else. A home that once belonged to me. A place I’d loved, the only safe refuge in an increasingly dangerous world. I recognized my surroundings – Belgrave Square, London. But not modern London, with its funky cars, punk rockers, and Virgin Mobile billboards. No, this was Victorian London. Cobblestone streets, iron fences, gaslights glowing through thick yellow fog. And I was myself again, my former self …The memory stream jerked, flickering like an old zoetrope camera. Images flew by, pulling me deeper. Past the big oak tree shedding its leaves … past the front step whitened by a maid each morning … past the red-lacquered door with lanterns glowing on either side … Beyond it all – wallpapered foyer, brass spittoons, coat rack, maid and butler – I saw myself.
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Protection by S.A. Reid
When Gabriel MacKenna enters Wentworth Prison in 1931, he promises himself two things: never to be buggered and never to turn prison queer. Tough, smart, and ruthless in a fight, he quickly makes a name for himself inside. But Gabriel is serving two life sentences. And life is a very long time.
Enter Joey Cooper. Trained at Oxford as a physician, the young doctor is innocent of prison culture and too handsome for his own good. Joey cannot hope to survive Wentworth without protection. And protection is just what Gabriel MacKenna offers. At a price…
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Something Different written by: S.A. Reid
Unhappily married Michael Maguire decides to do something different. Setting out to hire a female prostitute, Michael instead finds blue-eyed, beautiful James Campbell. Tempted in ways he never imagined, Michael embarks on a sexual adventure with a rent boy from London’s East End. No form of pleasure is off the table. Not even love…
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Ice Blue written by: Emma Jameson
Anthony Hetheridge, ninth Baron of Wellegrave, Chief Superintendent for New Scotland Yard, never married, no children, no pets, no hobbies, and not even an interesting vice, will turn sixty in three weeks. With the exception of his chosen career, too sordid for his blue-blooded family to condone, his life has been safe and predictable. But then he meets Detective Sergeant Kat
e Wakefield – beautiful, willful, and nearly half his age. When Hetheridge saves the outspoken, impetuous young detective from getting the sack, siding with her against Scotland Yard’s powerful male hierarchy, his cold, elegantly balanced world spins out of control. Summoned to London’s fashionable Belgravia to investigate the brutal murder of a financier, Hetheridge must catch the killer while coping with his growing attraction to Kate, the reappearance of an old flame, and the secret that emerges from his own past.
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Author Stephanie Abbott
About the author – Stephanie Abbott is the face behind the popular pseudonym, S.A. Reid. Well-known for her “real and likeable characters”, she also writes paranormal fiction (a new series titled Past Lives is currently being penned), fantasy, and sci-fi. Additionally, she also pens cozy mysteries as Emma Jameson.
For more information about the Orangeberry Blog Tour!
Be sure to check out Stephanie’s other pages:
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Thank you, Stephanie! For giving me the opportunity to showcase your works on my blog. And for the glimpse into the differences between American English and British English. That was very cool!
Good luck with your newest book, Something Different. 
Honesty: Denied!
10February 3, 2012
by Lizzeann
in Call for Change, Change, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Clinical Depression, Crazy Me/OCD, Deep Thoughts, Depression, Disability, Fibromyalgia, Freelance Writing, Honesty, Hysterectomy, Life, Medical Testing, Medical/Health, Medications, Migraine Headaches, Nightmares, PTSD, Restless Legs Syndrome, Sensory Integration Disorder, Sleep Issues, Spoonies, Stress, Stressed/Exhausted
So after hearing from all of my doctors that I should apply for Disability. That I would absolutely be approved. So I finally swallowed my pride – what little bit I had left after birthing 3 Boys and all the medical testing I’ve been through – and filed. My Case Worker in Columbus, Ohio even gave me the impression – without saying out-right of course – that I was going to get approved.
Imagine my surprise when my letters came stating that I had been DENIED!
Any pride I had left at that point, gone.
Disability stated that I was denied because (and I’m quoting here – seriously, I am) they felt that all I need to do is, “Find a job that allows me to not work with people and doesn’t cause me any stress.” I’ve asked everyone I know - including my Neurologist’s Physician’s Assistant, C, at my appointment today (but that’s another post) – if such a job even EXISTS and no one knows of one. In fact, everyone keeps asking me to let them know of this fictitious job when I find it because they want it. If I do that it would totally kill the point of me having the job in the first place because I’d be surrounded by people.
Just to clarify, they say I need to find a job without contact with other people because of my PTSD. I can’t handle being around groups of large people without having a panic attack. It makes me feel claustrophobic and panicky. I can “tolerate it” on holidays and at family functions because I know them. But there are still times, depending on where I am emotionally, that I need to take medication to even go to family functions. So that’s why I need to find a job where I don’t work with other people.
Then I’m supposed to find a job without stress because stress causes some of my migraines and makes others worse. It also makes my Fibromyalgia worse. Too bad there isn’t a job in existence that doesn’t come with stress. My mom had even suggested that maybe NOW is the time for me to pursue my writing career like I’ve dreamed of since I was 10 years-old – so like 21 years now. Then I pointed out that not only can writing itself be stressful when the ideas just won’t come and my Muse seems to have taken an extended vacation. But if I were lucky enough to write something and have a publisher pick me up then I would have deadlines and everything that comes with dealing with a publisher. See? There isn’t a job without stress?
So yeah, I put myself out there. I bared my soul, my medical everything to the government (not to get all government conspiracy on you – because that’s not what I mean) and ended up shot down.
I’m going to fight it!
I did not bare my all out there to be denied and leave it at that! I know – I may not like it – that I am physically disabled whether some people believe it (you know who you are) or not. I know it. So I’m going to fight it! I think part of the problem is that I didn’t give them enough medical records – I didn’t go back far enough when I gave them my records. So if that’s part of the problem, I’ll fix it. I’ll bury them in my medical records! All of which will do nothing more than support my claims.
So it’s on now United States Government.
Since your ridiculous idea of a job doesn’t exist. Even if it did, I still couldn’t work there. Despite the endless paperwork I filled out explaining in embarrassing detail what is wrong with me, why I can’t do…well, anything…and on and on. You know that little paper trick you like to play with people when they ask for information or a few pages of a record? The tables are about to turn. I’m seriously going to bury you in my medical records from the past decade.
It’s ON!
(PS For the record, I don’t feel that it should have to be like this. But what did I expect from the same Government who refused to pay for my hysterectomy even after 3 different doctors told you the surgery was necessary?)
Honesty: Fierce Fibro Fighter Friday Interviews Update
0February 1, 2012
Well, I had a pretty awesome turn-out of people who wanted to be a part of my “grass-roots campaign” – nearly 50 men and women with Fibromyalgia sent me messages stating they wanted to be included.. And yes, in part I dropped the ball – I take full responsibility for my part in The Fierce Fibro Fighters’ apparent failure. However, I sent the ‘Interview/Questionnaire/Surveys’ out around the Christmas Holiday. Again, probably a boo-boo on my part because everyone was probably either busy visiting family or traveling to family or avoiding family (hehehe).
But here we are, over a month since I’ve sent out the “Interviews/Questionnaires/Surveys’ and I’ve received maybe 15 of them back. This is all understandable since I sent them out at one of the busiest times of the year. But it’s also very frustrating because I really want to find a way to make this work. I really want to find a way to bring more awareness to Fibromyalgia through our stories but if I don’t have the number of stories I need to make it to the end of the year.
So, please, please, please I’m sincerely begging you here, if you asked to be invovled in the Campaign and you haven’t returned them to me – please return your “Interview/Questionnaire/Survey’ to me ASAP!!!!!
Until I have more ‘Interview/Questionnaire/Surveys’ returned to me, I’m going to start posting “Fierce Fibro Fighter Friday Interviews” every other week. Otherwise, I’m going to run out of them by the middle of February. So to help them last longer, I’m going to move from weekly postings to bi-weekly postings. Just wanted to beg for your finished ‘Interviews etc’ and let you know why they suddenly aren’t posted weekly.
Thank you so much!
Bad Girls of the Bible a Bad Fit for this Reader
2January 29, 2012
Bad Girls of the Bible a Bad Fit for this Reader
Book Title: Bad Girls of the Bible, and What We Can Learn From Them
| Author: Liz Curtis Higgs | Series: Bad Girls of the Bible |
Ratings
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How likely I am to re-read it. (0-10) |
How likely I am to read the next book in the series. (0-10) |
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0/10 |
0/10 (How likely I am to read next in series.) |
Review
I was given this book months ago to read and review. And I tried. Really and truly, I did. However, there are simply some books and people that are like oil and water and just don’t mix. With that said, after so many months of trudging through this book; I could trudge no more.
With each chapter, my faith in Bad Girls of the Bible was renewed because of Ms. Curtis Higgs unique take on the various Bible stories. The way she told the Bible stories in her own words was both interesting and entertaining. It was those stories, told her way that made me want to read the book. Then she would shift gears and finish each chapter after her take on the events and move on to the formal, bible-study version of events. She would also move on to what could and should be learned from each Bible story. I simply could not move past the bible-study version portions. They were too dry and formal for me.
While I did not enjoy this book, I believe those who are serious about their bible-study and faith would find this book to be up-lifting and helpful in any bible-study. However, if you are not involved in a bible-study group and/or you are not looking for a book to assist you with your bible-studies on your own this really isn’t the book for you. This is definitely a book more geared toward an actual Bible Study Group; as opposed to just one person attempting to study the Bible alone.
| Main Protagonist(s): | n/a |
| Main Antagonist(s): | n/a |
| Main Relationship: | n/a |
| Genre: | Religious, Bible Study |
Brief Synopsis
Ten of the Bible’s best-known femme fatales parade across the pages of Bad Girls of the Bible with situations that sound oh-so-familiar.
Eve had food issues. Potiphar’s Wife and Delilah had man trouble. Lot’s Wife and Michal couldn’t let go of the past. Sapphira couldn’t let go of her money, and Jezebel couldn’t let go of anything. Yet the Woman at the Well quenched her thirst for the truth, while Rehab and the Sinful Woman left their sordid histories behind, proving Bad Girls can have a gloriously good future.
Let ten sisters show you why studying the Bible has never been more fun!
| ISBN#: |
978-1-57856-125-4 |
| Author Website: | |
| Book Website: | |
| Book Site on Amazon: | |
| Book Site on Barnes & Noble: | |
| Number of Pages: |
288 pages |
| Date Published: |
08/28/1999 |
| Publisher: |
WaterBrook Press |
| Forms available in: |
Trade Paperback, Hardback, Nook (epub), Kindle |
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
Things I Never Thought I Would Hear as a Mom
0January 29, 2012
Okay, so I’m stealing borrowing this little number from my darling husband, Rob. Something I feel I am more than entitled to given all the plugs I give his blog, Lost and Tired. Never mind the fact that once he said “I do” (or was it “I will”…anyway) everything that was his from that point on became OURS – 50/50 split because Ohio is a “shared marital property state”, which is something my ex-husband learned the hard way…but that’s a story for another time. (lol)
Anyway, this little ditty is called:
Things I Never Thought I Would Hear as a Mom
I guess I didn’t completely steal borrow it since mine is from the viewpoint of being a mother and his is from the viewpoint of being a father. But still…anyway…Keep moving forward!
So, here is my “Thing I Never Thought I Would Hear as a Mom” for today:
Emmett John: Gavin! I wash my penis. I use your lillow (pillow) case. <grins rather pleased with himself>
Friday’s Fierce Fibro Fighters Interview #2: Lexidh Solstad
0January 27, 2012
Welcome to Friday’s Fierce Fibro Fighters Interview #2
Everyone I’d like you to meet:
- Name:
Lexidh Solstad
- Nicknames (Online or IRL):
Lexidh used to be my nickname, but I changed my name to make my life easier for everyone, no one knew my real name anyway ;P
- Email Address:
- Do you have a Twitter account?
No
- Do you have a Facebook account?
Only in Norwegian
- Do you have a Google + account?
Yes https://plus.google.com/110377574376023356069/
- Do you have a blog?
No (I use Google+ as my blog, you can link to that if you want to!)
- What are your diagnoses?
*Fibromyalgia (suspected since the late 80ties, final diagnosis in 2005) *Gout (2003) *Fractured spine with nerve damage (happened in 2009)
- When were you diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
2005
- How long did it take for you to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
Forever and a day! I wasn’t really interested in getting a diagnosis, I knew what it was, but I also knew that I wasn’t going to get any help with it, and I moved around a lot.
- How old were you when your symptoms began?
My mom says that it started when I was about 8-9 years old, complaining of backpain. I don’t remember a damn thing about that, what made my life miserable was when my right arm started to hurt a couple of years later. Since then it’s just gotten worse and worse.
- How old were you when you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
I was really tired of doctors, tests and “she’ll grow out of it”, so I waited until I was 25 until I bothered with demanding a hospital stay
(3 weeks of tests and “treatments”!), where I got my diagnosis for real.
- Were you ever “misdiagnosed” before you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
Nope! Not unless you count the “she’ll grow out of it”-crap.
- How many doctors did you have to see before you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
I have no idea. I know I saw a lot of specialists as a kid, but they where mostly physiotherapists and such. They are the ones that gives the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia here in Norway!
- Which doctor eventually diagnosed you with Fibromyalgia?
A whole team of therapists and doctors at the hospital I stayed at for 3 weeks in 2005. Their mission was to find out what was wrong with me, and it wasn’t a very hard job ;P
- What are your primary symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Back pain, fatigue, joint pain.
- How did your Fibromyalgia first present?
If you ask my mom it was as back pain, I remember the pain in my right arm that prevented me from writing with a pen and playing the piano.
- When did you first suspect you may have Fibromyalgia?
Before I was 10 years old. I come from a long line of Fibromyalgia sufferers.
- What things trigger your flares?
Being cold/cold weather, emotional stress, too much activity (not much, but too much for me)
- Has your Fibromyalgia caused you to become disabled?
Yes. I’m in the final stages of getting my disability pension.
- If so, have you filed for disability?
Doesn’t seem like I have to, it seems like they are just going to give it to me when they have enough paperwork. I have no idea how the system works right now, it’s confusing for everyone. But my case is going forward at least =) Got a message from my caseworker not long ago.
- How old are you now?
31
- How long have you been living with Fibromyalgia?
More than 20 years
- Do you have any family members with Fibromyalgia?
Yes, my mom, and other older members of the family. Wouldn’t surprise me if some of the younger cousins of mine has it either.
- Do you have any children with Fibromyalgia?
No. I have no kids, and I won’t have any.
- Have you found anything that helps with your Fibromyalgia?
Yes!
- If so, what?
Good painkillers is THE most helpful thing for me. Without them I don’t sleep well, and if I don’t sleep well I’m completely useless. I take Tramagetic Retard, that’s 12 hour pills (taken twice a day) that lets me sleep for more than the usual 6 hours working period of painkillers! I also listen to relaxing whispering when I go to sleep, that puts me under really quick. Heat pads, electric blankets and big fluffy socks are also a big part of my life =)
- Do you belong to any online support groups that have been especially helpful to you?
No, not anymore. I grow tired of the complaining, and all the new “cures” that show up every week.
- How has Fibromyalgia affected you and your life the most?
My life would probably be 100% different if I didn’t have fibromyalgia, except my education, because I did what I wanted to do until I was finished with it. After that I had to make better choices for my health. I had therapists that wanted me to quit school when I was 15, to concentrate on therapy, but I refused and just quit therapy. I wasn’t ready to give up on a regular life, and didn’t until I passed 20.
- What do you miss the most about life “pre-Fibromyalgia”?
My childhood sucked, so I don’t miss it at all. This is my life, and I do what I can and want to within the limits I have. My life is probably way more free and careless and fun than most peoples!
- And finally, if you could share anything with the world or say anything to the world about life and living with Fibromyalgia, what would it be? (This answer can be as long or as short as you want it to be.)
Imagine waking up every morning with the flu. Try that for years at a time, with no rest. Welcome to my world!
- If you do not live in the United States, which City, Country do you live in?
Norway (Northern Europe)
Have you ever wondered….
0January 25, 2012
When you are eating popcorn or dry cereal (you get the idea) and you drop one. It seems to disappear into a black whole?!?!?!?! Until one of two things happens:
Either I stand up and they all fall out of their black hole, straight onto my floor. (Where Maggie Sue promptly gobbles them all up like a starving mouse. We don’t starve her. Nor thanks to our Many Minions do the mice in our house. lol)
Or I stand up and they remain missing.
Gone forever – where ever it is that they all go to. Do they hang out with the missing socks? I mean, seriously, where do they go?
(Yeah, just one of the random things that goes through my head when I’m left with 5 seconds to myself with a book, some art or my besties to keep me company. (lol) What sort of random things do you think about when you 5 seconds to yourself?)
MCP: Photo Week 3/Year 1: Thursday, January 19, 2012
0January 22, 2012
by Lizzeann
in 1 year, 12 years, 52 MCP Project, Aspergers, Autism, Birthday, Crazy Me/OCD, Gavin, Pictures
In honor of Gavin Alexander Gorski, my first born baby, who did not make things easy for me in the end and his 12th birthday, which was Wednesday, January 18th, I give you…
My MCP Photo for Week 3/Year 1: Thursday, January 19, 2012
(It also just so happens to be one of my favorite pictures of him, EVER.)
Gavin in DayCare at 18 months
Fierce Fibro Fighters Campaign Interview #1: Patti (a.k.a. FibroXpress)
0January 20, 2012
1.) Name: Patti
2.) Nicknames (Online or IRL): FibroXpress
3.) Email Address: fibroxpress@hotmail.com
4.) Do you have a Twitter account? N
a.) Twitter name:
5.) Do you have a Facebook account? Y
a.) Facebook address: fibroxpress@facebook.cpm
6.) Do you have a Google + account? N
a.) Google + address:
7.) Do you have a blog? N
a.) Blog title: dont know how to do all that yet
b.) Web address:
c.) Do you want your blog listed as part of the Daily Mommy Survival Blog Roll? not sure what that is, but sure, why not
8.) What are your diagnoses? (The whole list if you please.)
fibro, diabetes, myofacial, hypertension, corpal tunnel, rhmatorathritis, chronic fatique, migrane headaches, sleep disorder, chronic sinuitus, PID, chronic yeast infection, gum disease, depression, anxiety disorder, obesity, skin cancer, bunyuns, stroke, light sensitivity, vertigo, irritable bowl syndrome, barensasophigus, diverticulisus, loss of hearing, hot spots, fainting, and much more
a.) When were you diagnosed? fibromyalgia diagnoses in december 1999, dr. valentine, astoria oregon (been to so many doctors cant list them all) other diagnoses came over a period of about 8 yrs after the diagnoses of fibro
(You can list Month/Year for each Dx or just the main ones – however, you prefer.)
9.) When were you diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
a.) How long did it take for you to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? about a yr
b.) How old were you when your symptoms began? 38 yrs old
c.) How old were you when you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? 39 yrs old
d.) Were you ever “misdiagnosed” before you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? yes
e.) What were your “misdiagnoses”? blamed my pain on depression and/or unexplained
f.) How many doctors did you have to see before you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? as many as 10
g.) Which doctor eventually diagnosed you with Fibromyalgia? internal medicine doctor sent me to a rhrumatorathritis doctor apon my first visit with him after doing a bunch of tsts on me to rule out anything else it might be
10.) What are your primary symptoms of Fibromyalgia? physical pain everywhere, cant sleep, fatique
a.) How did your Fibromyalgia first present? band around my stomach area
b.) When did you first suspect you may have Fibromyalgia? i didnt suspect, didntknow what it was
c.) What things trigger your flares? bad rest, over doing it
d.) Has your Fibromyalgia caused you to become disabled? yes
e.) If so, have you filed for disability? yes
f.) How old are you now? 51 yrs old
g.) How long have you been living with Fibromyalgia? 13 yrs
11.) Do you have any family members with Fibromyalgia? Y
a.) If so, which ones? 2 sisters, no in contact with most family
(You don’t need to give names or anything – just like “Mom”, “Dad”, “Grandma” etc. Also, please feel free to pass along the information about this Fibro Project to your family members; I’m not shutting down the “Fibro-mites intake” for this Campaign/Project. The more the merrier. lol)
12.) Do you have any children with Fibromyalgia? N
a.) If so, are they sons or daughters?
b.) How old are they?
c.) How long have they had the signs and symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
d.) How old were they when they were diagnosed?
e.) Were they misdiagnosed with anything else first? Y N
13.) Have you found anything that helps with your Fibromyalgia? Y
a.) If so, what? good rest, sunshine, some meds short term
14.) Do you belong to any online support groups that have been especially helpful to you? N
a.) If so, what are they?
b.) What are the web addresses?
c.) Do you remember how you found them?
15.) How has Fibromyalgia affected you and your life the most? it took my life away, in aspect affected
a.) What do you miss the most about life “pre-Fibromyalgia”? being active, relationships
16.) And finally, if you could share anything with the world or say anything to the world about life and living with Fibromyalgia, what would it be? (This answer can be as long or as short as you want it to be.)
I suffered with fibromyalgia for 8 1/2 yrs, was homebound and pretty much beddridden, and reclusive for 5 yrs. of it, the other part of it put me in 3 1/2 yrs of homelessness, and life was a living hell. I wanted to die, and tried to take my life many times. Medications didnt work for me so I finally gave those up, along with giving up on doctors, and any hope I would ever get my life back, I was ready to meet my maker, made peace with life, and stayed home most of the time to myself. I went to over 100 doctors in 6 different states over an 8 1/2 yr time period to learn they all agreed I had Fibro with no known cause or cure, so I finally received a disability check where at least I could get off the streets and suffer pain in the privacy of my own home, which I did. Then, I found my real grandma in oregon in 2005 who asked me to come live with her,and see her family doctor who has the fibro care center of oregon, so I did. That was almost 5 yrs ago, and she showed me the way out of Fibro. I have been symptom free of Fibro for almost 5 yrs, and also I dont have any of the other illnesses either, plus I am on no meds, and I live pain free, as long as I stick with the program, which is a strict diet of natural foods, with periotic chiropractic adjustments, and I am dealing with emotional issues currently because stress is also a killer. Life after Fibro is incredable. I journaled my treatment for the last 5 yrs I have turned into a booklette to share with my fibro friends who are interested in seeing how it works. Hopefully soon I will have that ready to share with others. My hope is to help others get well too. I am here for anyone who wants to join me in the fight for Fibro.
Just for fun (You know, that demographic stuff. lol)
• What City, State do you live in? Oregon, Eugene
(PS This is Lizze now. I apologize for being a “day late and dollar short” on posting this. I promise I will try my best to keep up with them from now on.)
My Alphabet Baby Boy, Mr. Emmett John
0January 16, 2012
by Lizzeann
in 3 years, Adorable Kid Tricks, Aspergers, Autism, Emmett John, Fun, Life, Little Victories, Movies
Mr. Emmett John has recently become obsessed with the alphabet and counting. For a while he would watch the PBS television show, Super Why, endlessly! Now he’s stuck on, Dora, the Explorer. I liked it better when he was stuck on, Super Why. (lol)
MCP 12: Photo 1: Month 1/Year 1: January 2012: Resolutions
0January 12, 2012
MCP 12: Month 1: Resolution: Allow the Boys to BE kids more. ~ Mr. Emmett John being a kid at McDonald's.
One of my resolutions is to allow my Boys to be Little Boys more.
With each of their special needs (medical and then Autism), I tend to turn into a helicopter Mom, which I hate by the way, in my desperate mothering-OCD need to protect them. In the end, I don’t think I allow them to BE Little Boys enough.
camera: SAMSUNG Stratosphere 5.0MP
MCP: Photo Week 2/Year 1: Thursday, January 12, 2012
1January 12, 2012
I have been having issues because of my birth family lately. Wrong beliefs that are held and as much as it bothers me that these wrong beliefs are held; it’s not something that I care to correct. This person holds her beliefs. They are wrong. And(repeat after me) it’s also another post.
Anywho…so I’ve been having various issues. The issues because of the wrongly held beliefs. Plus issues because of my genetics, which is a HUGE post I’ve been working on, in my head.
My (adoptive) family loves me. I don’t question that. Period. However, my family doesn’t end with them. My family also includes Rob’s family and their close friends, a few of our neighbors and, of course, my besties Yvette and Nikky. If you are friends with me on Facebook, then you’ll notice that I have two sisters on there that in real life I didn’t grow up with – unlike Mr. Zachary.
Well, while I was venting to Vette about what I’ve been feeling and what’s been going through my head about my whole disastrous biological mess, I asked her, “Why couldn’t her parents have given birth to me?” – rather than the biological genetic grouping that I have. She said that, “From now on we consider you part of my family. The other family never happened.” (While that’s an awesome thing to say. I couldn’t see how it would work. Sorry, this MCP is long but it’s cool in the end – I swear – at least I think so.)
Let me make it perfectly clear that I was not and I am not in any way looking to replace or “get rid of” my current family (a.k.a. my adoptive family). They are fantastic and practically perfect in every way and I love them to bits! Let this be know! Let this be CLEAR. Period.
So anyway, I got off the phone with Vette and looked down at Mr. Emmett John’s bag of Jelly Lifesavers that I was “carefully doling out to him” (a.k.a. “2 for me, 3 for you” since they were his candies and all). When I looked down at the bag I saw today’s totally cheesy MCP Photo of the Week! 
And now I Welcome you to Week 2 of MCP Photo 2012!
(PS Yes, I know Grapes are actually berries so this pic is accurate. However, it’s more the idea behind the Red Jelly Lifesaver saying she “read it online” so that the White Grape Jelly Lifesaver would feel included that I was going for here. Not whether or not it was or is accurate. 
lol)
♥★♥★Give-Away: Handvibes Rings and the WINNER IS!!!!!!!♥★♥★
0January 12, 2012
The Give-Away ended a little while ago and I haven’t posted the winner yet. Yeah, that was shame on me. (lol)
So, without further ado…I present to you…YOUR WINNER:
Susan O.!!!!!
Yay!!!!!
Congratulations, Susan O.!!!
(All I need from you is for you to email me your contact info – email and home address so that I can have the company send them to you.)
★I’m BACK baby! ★
0January 11, 2012
Oh yeah baby, that’s right! I’m back!
Now don’t get me wrong here, I’m still in pain – bucket-loads of it, in fact. My joints have been killing me – I swear I have RA and the blood tests are wrong (but that’s another post) – and my left hip had me close to the point of tears for most of the day, something Rob doesn’t know. Carrying Emmett John feels like a death-sentence a lot of the time but he doesn’t ask for much and things with his health just keep getting more and more complicated (again another post) so really, how can I tell the little guy no?
My sleeping patterns have been all screwed up and I don’t even know why. Of course, I was lucky enough to get in to see my Sleep Neuro without waiting 3-6 months. Then I got the stupid-stomach-flu from Hell, which I kid you not had me praying for death most of the time. Seriously. If you see this flu coming – RUN! (lol)
Anywho, back to the sleeping patterns. Even with my sleep disorder, my sleep patterns have been all screwed up. I’ll go to bed. Sleep for a few hours. Wake up randomly. Then I’m either up for a few hours, at which point I can go back to sleep after reading for a while. Or regardless of what time I woke up – 11pm, 2am, 4am – I’m up for good. Only to have to take the Boys to school at 7:45am. And then half the time anymore at nap time, it’s…nap time for Mr. Emmett John and I just lay there wide awake. Praying for sleep.
Life for me. Is just life.
I’m working on my blogging schedule to find a balance with all the things I want to add to the blog and whatnot.
But I’m BACK baby!
(So if you’ve got those “Interviews/Questionnaires” so that you can be posted here to the blog as part of The Fierce Fibro Fighters – get ‘em filled out and sent in to me at lizze@dailymommysurvival.com so I can add you to the list! 
elighted: Likewise, if you haven’t already signed up to be a part of the “Interview/Questionnaire” fun on the blog BUT you would like to be, email me at lizze@dailymommysurvival.com. Or you can use the handy “Contact Me” page that my lovely hubby put up for me to help out.)
MCP: Photo Week 1/Year 1: Monday, January 2, 2012
2January 2, 2012
Elliott Richard's Kindergarten Picture 2011-2012 School Year
Gavin's 6th Grade School Picture from 2011-2012 School Year
MCP Photo Project: Photo Week 1/Year 1: Monday, January 2, 2012
This Week 1 of MCP Photo of 2012 year.
Heck, it’s my first MCP Photo period. (lol) I’m excited to get this started though. I miss taking part in memes during the week. I get that they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they’ve really helped me to make some wonderful friends over my blogging years. (Like my dear friend Jessica, whom I miss so much!)
Anyhow, Welcome to Week 1 of MCP Photo 2012!
