I may have fibromyalgia, but fibromyalgia does not have me.

I have a life to live.  My kids, my husband, and taking care of them is my number one priority in my life.  I will do everything humanly possible to ensure that they are happy.

Sometimes, though, my fibromyalgia has other ideas.  There are those days where I can hardly drag myself out of bed because the pain is so bad; it's all I can think about.  Thank God for the medications I take and for the understanding, sympathetic doctor who knows that the pain is "not in my head" and that my disorder is very real (and it IS).  If it were not for my medications or my doctor, I would be a lot worse off than I already am.

I used to work, but my fibro has worsened; I had to go on disability (waited five years for that, finally got approved three months ago, which has been a huge blessing!).  At first, I was extremely depressed, but found taking care of my family very rewarding.

My husband and kids are very supportive and understanding.  If I am hurting, they will do everything to help me out, which I greatly appreciate.  If there are those days where I am in tears, my husband and kids will comfort me and try to encourage me, as will my friends and my church family.  I don't know what I would do without them; they are my world!

I am thinking of going back to school: I would like to be a teacher.  I think I can do that; I would like to bring a little extra income.  Unfortunately, my disability will get cut if I do get hired, but that's better than staying home and feeling sorry for myself.  As I said, I have a life to live; I don't want my fibromyalgia to be my main focus in my life.

I don't know what the future will hold, but the world is my oyster; as long as I shall live, I shall embrace it and do all I possibly can to succeed, even with living with fibromyalgia.

~To be continued!~