I guess it has been a long time since I have written on this blog.  I do have another one at my website  but haven't written in that one in awhile either.

Pain has been apart of my life for many years.  fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, arthritis, etc.  These illnesses have been a part of my life for more than 10 years.  There are times when I feel almost "normal" and times when I am quite ill.  This is one of the quite ill times.  Not only am I dealing with the above illnesses and several others, but I am also dealing with some very bad facial pain from trigeminal neuralgia (not sure if I spelled that right) as well as the neuropathy in my arms and legs, feet and hands.  But,the other thing is that it looks like I may have some adrenal problems and thyroid problems.  They are not working properly.  This leaves me extremely tired.  I often feel like I will pass out if I'm up too long.  I was walking about 1.5 milers 4-5 times a week and feeling better, but then this stuff kicked in and I have been in bed more than usual and in more pain than I think I have ever been in.  Except for childbirth, and maybe my ruptured appendix.  The thing is, those pains ended at some point and this pain does not.  The FMS pain is constant, the nerve pain is constant.  It has the added problem of sending electric like shocks through me when it is really acting up.  I wake up and my face is so painful, I can't sleep with it.  Just to touch that side of my face is painful.  My meds have been upped for this, both the nerve ones and the narcotics.  And they do help, don't get me wrong.  I am so thankful for the meds that for the most part make day to day living tolerable.  I know that this will get controlled to some degree and as my body gets used to it, i will be able to handle it better.  This is a newer pain for me, I have only had it a couple of months.  I hate to sit and whine about my health.  But, because it has not been good, I have not been on here much.  I just don't have much energy.  I am hopeful that once I get the adrenals and thyroid stuff worked out, that I will have more energy and will once again be able to walk and do more than lay in bed reading.  I have great hopes of painting again, not for the commercial aspect of it, but to feed my soul as it most often does.

But, what I am thinking about lately is how can I help others.  What can I do to make a difference in other peoples lives.  This will be my continued focus.  I have wanted to volunteer at Carivaca, the assisted living place here in Arivaca.  I know there are other things to do, and I will think of what I can do now and what I will be able to do when my energy returns.  Everything in life leads to this one thing.  Helping others.  At least it does in my mind.  If we can do even one thing a day to make someone elses life just a bit better.  At least this is a good place to start.  Just think if everyone did this.  Imagine the possibilities...