Sari drops in for another social call, just to let us know what is up with her.
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaa!
This is your old friend, Sari Annike Gustaffssenn, writing all the way from Ivalo, Finland!
I just wanted to let you know that I have found out what has been wrong with me. Remember the last time I wrote, when I said that I was feeling tired, rundown, and achy all of the time? Well, the pain and aches didn't get any better, so I went to my doctor, Dr. Elven Kohelmainen, to see what was up with my body, and he said that I needed tests at hospital. Well, I had those tests, and the tests concluded that I have something called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia, he told me, is like having arthritis of the muscles; and I would have good days and bad days with the pain. He said the only thing that could relieve the pain or other symptoms is rest, and also inflammatory drugs, to help with the pain. He said that it is chronic, meaning it will be around with me a very long time, and he also said that it would be something that I would have to get used to. He gave me some stuff about fibromyalgia, and so I am spending time reading up on it and learning all I can about it.
I am having a very hard time with the pain and aches, and it has made me very grouchy at times. I don't mean to snap at Mother or my brothers when they come to see me, but sometimes I can't help it because I feel so bad; and I am having a hard time dealing with the pain and my feeling so tired all the time. I used to be so active; now it seems any little thing wears me out, and it isn't long before I am thinking of going to bed and sleep for a WEEK! School is also hard, and I am looking forward to finals, then I will be off until the fall; and I can concentrate on my disease and trying to help myself get better somehow!
Mother has been eating a little; and she is coming back. She is starting to laugh or smile again; but her happiness is soon tempered by memories of Father, and she turns sad again. I am still sad too about his death, and I honestly think that this was something that started this mess with my body acting up. Dr. K. says that this sometimes happens. It takes something traumatic to set off something like fibromyalgia or any chronic disease, and he says that stress makes it worse; so it is best to try to alleviate as much stress in my life as possible. So I have been looking into going to yoga classes, as a way to help me relax and focus more on my health and to help myself feel better.
I start those next week, after university ends and after finals.
Helvig is doing well; I heard from him earlier today, and he misses me. I miss him, too. I also miss Louisiana Sandusky and her family, and I hope that they are okay. I usually hear from her by post, and so far I haven't heard anything from her. That isn't like her to not write to me. Something must be wrong...
I am going to have to write to Louisiana, to see if she is mad at me in any way; I certainly hope I didn't do or say anything to offend her somehow...
Since the lights have left, I have been bored. Not much to do since the snows have melted. I have been trying to keep up with my running, but with my aches and pains, it is so hard to do, so I spend more time in the sauna, more than usual; and my skin is going to end up wrinkled! I am going to look like a PRUNE!! LOL I have been writing poems and stories, and also reading; anything to try to keep my mind busy!! Which is one reason I have been doing a lot of journaling or writing letters to my friends!
Well, this isn't much of a letter, but I wanted to let you know what was up with me, and I also wanted to let you know about my symptoms and what is going on with me, healthwise. Now that I know what is wrong with me, I can concentrate a LITTLE better; but my problem is chronic, and so I have to learn to live with the symptoms and try to help myself whenever the pain or tiredness acts up. I can't do as much as I did prior to the dianosis of my illness, and so I have to learn to make changes to my life and try to make the best of it.
For a while, I thought I had cancer, but since I don't, I can now breathe a lot easier and thank God that it wasn't anything like cancer! Still, fibromyalgia IS a serious problem, but with help and understanding, I WILL get through my bad days, and I WILL make it through this illness!
Wonderful story! I agree-Fibro is no fun but you
have to make the best of your life, day by day!
Keep up the excellent work!
Love ya! Thanks for reviews left!
Becca Henry
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaa!
