Well. I figured it was time for an update....nearly 2 years later!! ;-)

Just about a year ago, I hit that mile marker called "The Big Three-Oh" (and may I just please emphasize the "OH" hehe.) While I must admit that I had been dreading this milestone, I have to say that I have never been so blessed. Thirty has been my best year, by FAR.

There were a few stumbles, a broken heart or two, but man-oh-man how things get made up for.

After a long, drawn-out, two-plus year battle, I was successful in receiving disability from the Government. Shock of all shocks!! I had an incredible attorney, which is the biggest part. I also had a fantastic doctor (he retired recently! *sob*). He put me on an Arthritis drug last year called Relafen. It changed my life! I have since gone back to work full time, bought a car ('99 Trans Am!! Woohoo!!!) and am also going to school to earn my MCSE certification.

To backtrack a little, let me explain what happened: once I went back to work, I phoned my attorney and told her that since I was working, she could go ahead and cancel my disability case. She laughed and said that was sweet. ;-) She also informed me that just because I was working Now didn't mean that I wasn't still entitled to money for the two year period that I was unable to work. I asked her to remember that I was blonde and to please explain it to me with that in mind. She said that I did not have to drop my case. I could still go to court and request what is known as a "Closed" period of disability. Meaning that we go in and say that, yes, I am now working thanks to a wonderful doctor and a great medication (non-narcotic, no goofy side effects), but that for two years I was destitute. Lost it all. House, job, car, insurance, husband, you name it. If it could be had, this ole' girl lost it! I figured I had nothing else to lose and said "Okee Dokee". I figured it would be a joke, that they would deny me and I would just get over it. Boy was I wrong. They granted me my 2 years back pay right there in court! (Supposedly that's practically unheard of). I thought they were joking. My lawyer hugged me outside the hearing room and said "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" I thought perhaps she was high. I had no idea why she was so thrilled. I had to have it explained to me (hey! don't forget the blonde comment from earlier!) that I had, in fact, won. So, I put money away for my son's education, invested for my blissful retirement and got my happy fanny back in school.

I say all that to tell you that even though it may not seem like it to some of you who are going through what I went through, there really is hope. Some may hurt worse than I did, some may win, some may lose, etc., etc., etc., We're all different and life is subjective. But I do know one thing: I have never felt better! I still have moments, days, sometimes several in a row where the medication just doesn't take it all away, but I'll take that over what I previously experienced ANY day. And I don't care what anybody says (mostly those that are not yet fed up with hurting and popping narcotics all day long and are just plain scared to death), it's all about attitude, honey. Until you get yourself on top of yourself, so to speak, it ain't gonna change. It'll suck out loud until you decide it just isn't going to anymore.

...And trust me on the sunscreen.

8^)

Froggie....Out.

Final update, November 2003: Even more good news. I have not only been lucky enough to get a fantastic job in Engineering and nearly tripled my salary, but I was even further blessed with meeting the most decent, funny, incredible guy on the planet and we were married a year ago in Las Vegas (who says tacky can't be fun??)

I have also started a new website that is more in line with what I wish to focus on (humor instead of pain) and you are welcome to check it out and get a daily laugh. Come on over to American Angst.

I tell you all of this to show you that being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia doesn't mean your life is over, unless you choose to view it that way. I still have pain, I still have trouble sleeping, and I still sometimes lament over things I can no longer do, but I chose to live a full life and set about taking control over myself and my body and I am living proof that a wonderfully satisfying life is absolutely possible, regardless and in spite of FM.