Hi all... sorry I haven't been on or around as much as usual. I think i posted that I took a tumble (not the fun kind) over a retaining wall & managed to badly break my right foot, which required surgery... I had surgery on the 4th and the bandages came off about 10 days ago... so now I have a hard cast.

My surgeon and my primary chatted it up and decided that I was to be on full bed rest... and we know how much our bodies love that...not. I've been doing leg lifts in the bed...and using my arm weights from the wheel chair... I will switch to a walker when I get the walking cast... fun fun. The FMS pain and chronic fatigue are working overtime to say the least....

The confinement is causing panic attacks, which I so dont' need...but I'm mostly dealing...and am incredibly blessed by my friends and family...including many of you who have reached out to me...with so much love and kindness...it makes me cry (the good crying).

I am coming up on my 4th year anniversary of being on tribe...I joined this group about a month after finding tribe...and three months after that I was made moderator...which, silly as it sounds...was a bit a bit scary.... .... I had to do some "cleanup" which was hard... we changed some rules etc....

FMSA has become an important part of my life and thanks to the wonderful caring people here I have been able to recreate my life - around chronic illness - and find a happiness I never knew before.

As most of you know I'm starting my own business as a Wellness Coach for others who have ICI's like FMS and CFS and the rest... and I can honestly say that without all of you...I would have never had the confidence or courage to try....I thank you all.

For the new folks who have joined us recently .... you have come to a good place here... a place of caring and understanding... a place where we can cry and laugh together... and isn't that what every human being, sick or otherwise, needs?

Some of the "hidden' symptoms of FMS, like losing friends and family who don't understand, like getting those looks and hearing the ubiquitous "You don't look sick" can really wear us down...those symptoms drive a wedge between us and all that we knew before.... it can be incredibly hard to NOT feel sorry for ourselves...and all to easy to just give up and give in....

However thanks to all of you.... I don't have the give up option...you've all shown me... that it's worth it to keep fighting ...to keep caring for and about myself and others... and to count my blessings....

It says we have 338 members.... which means I'm gifted with the 338 blessings right here. I also have my wonderful daughter, my mom and pop, my Mate and a few lovers...real world friends who "get it".... each and everyone a blessing as well....

Which means...at the end of the day...everyday... I'm a woman who is lucky as hell and I promise to always do my best to honor the love and the kindness that enriches my life.

Thank you all....