Is there a connection between Fibromyalgia and IBS? Hmm...well I've often wondered if there was a connection between the two...have you? Have you ever experienced bouts of IBS? Do you live with fibro? What about other "functional disorders"? 

I've read many comments on the Facebook page and I know others are experiencing this too, so I thought I would look it up and see what I could find. For me personally, I do experience both and for me...the IBS wasn't diagnosed until many years after the injury and pain. I have found over the years that the IBS was worse when on some medications and also with certain foods such as greasy foods or even fast food. My stress levels played a big part in it too as did my pain levels. Have you ever noticed that in your experience too? If you live with this too...what is it like for you and have you spoken to your doctor about it? 

As always...please keep in mind that the following article is not shared to replace the conversation with your doctor...but to start one. If you live with IBS or fibro or any other "functional disorder"...it's worth having a chat with your doctor. The following article is not meant as direct medical advice, but shared for your personal information and entertainment. If you have any questions about what you read here...go talk to your doctor or other health care professionals.

Well here we are...the last day of 2015. The last year seems to have gone by in a blink of an eye and what a year it has been. 

For me, the last year has been filled with some incredible memories and laughter, some tears, some pain and even some growth too. I've had some bad moments and even times when I've questioned whether I can keep going...but for the most part...I'd say the past year has been a good one. 

What was the last year like for you? If someone were to ask you...how would you respond and what moments in the last year would you give thought to? Would your pain come to mind? Would the memories you've made make you smile again? What would you think about and how would you answer the question?

Well you see...the thing is...no matter what happened in the last year...you now have the chance to get it right...you can make changes in your life moving forward. Tomorrow, when you wake up, it will be a brand new year...a brand new beginning. What will you do with it? Will you leave behind the things that don't serve a healing purpose in your life? What do you want different in your life moving forward? Do you have goals that you want to reach? Dreams you want to chase? What will this new year bring for you? 

Cheers to a new year and I hope you take the chance for you to get it right...to build the life you want for you moving forward into 2016....HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

take good care of you 
Tammy 

​



Happy Wednesday to you...hang in there...
the weekend is coming 

Hello good morning and how are you? Happy Wednesday to you. It's been almost two weeks now since the surgery and the stitches finally came out yesterday...the word Frankenstein still comes to mind. Overall I would say the healing has gone well though I wish I could say the same thing for the pain levels. (OUCH!)

I'm still pretty tender and have had a wicked face and headache everyday since the procedure. Learning how to cope with and manage this pain has given me a run for my money and has challenged my coping skills too...what works for my body is not working for my head and often I'm left fighting the tears of the pain. I was given a narcotic after the procedure and although it helped with the pain, the side effects are just too much so I'm trying to take myself off it and am struggling too.

I've been very grateful for the break and the time to heal, but I'm hoping that maybe getting back to my routine of the Facebook page and coming here might help me work things along. I will do my best as I am able but I may need some extra ME Days to help me through it. I will work through this and it may take some time...I appreciate your patience. 

I'd like to say thank you for all the thoughts wishes and prayers...each has felt like a big warm hug and it's greatly appreciated and needed too...HUGS back to you. 

For my daughter Emily...I can't thank you enough for all you've done to keep the page going while I recovered. You've seen me through every step from beginning to now, and to share it with you means a lot to me. Thank you babe! xo 

Take good care of you and please...take the time to soothe yourself and your pain when you need it. It's okay to let your world come to a stop till you can manage better...you and your needs are important... and they require your time and your attention too...so please...take the time for you and do what you need to help yourself through. All I ask is that you do it without leaving scars behind.

bye for now

​Growth is simply learning how to suffer gracefully, elegantly, and not letting your pain completely tear you apart.

~~Nikita Gill~~


Picture taken on the pond.

It's been a week since the surgery and since I've been here  and I've missed this. I have checked in on the Facebook page but I can't manage both just yet. I'm trying to check in on Fb at least once a day when I'm able but I can't stay for long. Thankfully Emily is helping me out.

I just wanted to pop in here and say I'm fine and healing okay...though sleeping a lot. The surgery seems to have gone fine and I will know more next month when I see the doc for the follow-up. Considering all my fears prior to the surgery I think I'm fairing a lot better than I thought I would be. Although I'm still numb and swollen and it hurts when I eat, there doesn't seem to be any paralysis or drooping face muscles.

The stitches come out in five days and then I'll see what kind of scar I'll be left with. When I look in the mirror the word Frankenstein comes to mind...but one thing that also comes to mind is that this is yet another scar to prove I survived whatever tried to bring me down...and that is how I am choosing to look at it. I won't hide the scar in shame and it won't stop me from putting my hair up again either...I will not hide.

Thank you for all the thoughts, wishes and prayers! they mean a lot and I do believe they're working too.
I'll be back again soon but until then....
please take good care of you
​Tammy 

In less than 3 hours I'll be walking through the doors of the hospital. I've waited three long years to have this taken care of and now I'm scared. My thoughts have me all over the map and I wish I could hide...but I can't. 

I know I'm safe and in good hands and my doc is the best Head & Neck surgeon...but my fears of "what if" have me playing the game again. I'm worried about the after affects of having the lump removed. My thoughts are going to what I'll be like afterwards. My thoughts are rapid and they're not helping me much. I've had to stop myself several times and to have a good long talk with me too. I'm worried about the things I can't control. 

Many of you have left some very thoughtful messages on the FB page and I do appreciate that! Each have felt like a hug and they are greatly needed. Thank you! I'm going to miss doing this every morning and "talking" with you too but I will be back. 

If I could before I go...I'd like to ask somethings of you...

please...take some time each and every day to appreciate the life you have..the things you're able to do and those you have to share life with

please...take some time each day to do the things that make you smile...to make you feel good...the things that help you to live beyond your pain...soothe and care for your needs

please...take good care of you

​Tammy