So, I really want to invest more time and effort into this, and help others.

On Facebook, I belong to Gastroparesis Support and Living With Sjogren's Syndrome communities. I have done research online, through my brilliant cousin Mechell who is awesome and well-versed in Holistic Medicine among other talents. I have a family history of auto-immune disorders, though I'm still pending a formal diagnosis of Sjogren's. I use Biotene toothpaste, mouthwash and hydrating gel (at night), Thera Tears as needed, Refresh P. M. sensitive ointment (at night) and am on Neurontin for the diagnosed Fibromyalgia, though it's never really helped. I'm hoping to get my doctor to prescribe Domperidone for my stomach and maybe try Lyrica for the neurological pain. I've also considered asking for an ADD medication for my fog and inability to concentrate well. I use olive oil-based soap for my face because it's non-drying, but cleanses well and Dove Sensitive SPF 15 lotion. And for my body, I use Olay Body Butter Ribbons. I was using a steroid solution called Clobetasol for my Seborrheic Dermatitis but it isn't working anymore. And I take Lisinopril for my Polycystic Kidney Disease.

I hope to make this an open forum for others who suffer from chronic illnesses to help one another. I also hope to use what I learn as I go to help other mothers organize and figure out how to better manage their time. My lovely daughter will soon be 3!


In coping with my medical issues, I am fortunate enough to have a loving, supportive boyfriend in my life. He is the love of my life, and my greatest supporter in life. He is a fantastic partner and parent, and I am incredibly lucky.


My main entertainments outside of my family are usually craft-related, and I enjoy sharing what I create with others. I look forward to sharing that aspect with my readers also!

I wish all of you peace, strength, hope and love for the new year!

~Marsha

An Update.

So far, I've been diagnosed with Gastroparesis, and I suspect I have Sjogren's Syndrome and not Fibromyalgia as diagnosed. Through research and trial and error, I am now using Thera-Tears instead of allergy eye drops as previously advised, and a saline nasal gel which is reducing my nosebleed frequency. I am also using Biotene tooth paste, mouth wash and mouth gel at night to reduce my dry mouth (previously thought to be chronic thirst, attributed to my kidney disease) and reducing my mouth sores. Every day I'm learning and hoping to find a means of better managing these issues and modifying how I craft. I just have to keep moving and fighting this.

There's something wrong with my thyroid, and no one believes me.

I've been talking with my older cousin, who is quickly becoming a mother to me. She is a thyroid cancer survivor and has Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. And she is the only person who really understands what I'm going through. I am also lucky to have a supportive, loving, wonderful boyfriend. My issues scare the crap out of him, but he's strong and is enduring along with me.

Over the last month and a half at least, my throat has been bothering me a lot. No, I don't have a 'sore throat'. It feels like something is garroting my throat and before they gave me prednisone in the ER last night, I couldn't swallow food and was choking on my own saliva and was fearful of not being able to breathe.

After a throat Xray, a shot of ativan and a shot of prednisone, I was sent home. Diagnosis? 'choking episode'

My GI docs seem to care well, though they can't do much about my thyroid. But they sent me for an upper GI study yesterday morning and an upper endoscopy on monday. And I managed to get in with the Endo doc I saw once a few months ago, an appt tomorrow. So maybe he will listen?

Here's to hoping.

In craft news, I crocheted Joey a hat and still need to finish his scarf. But he doesn't wear his hat, so....

I am making Cori this though: http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/its-hoot-owl-hat-cape

Or at least I want to do these things. We'll see what gets done.

Ok. So I have sucked at blogging about this so far.

But, I'm learning that it is truly hard to really get organized so you can integrate the complexities of internal and external adversity in life. So what I've begun to do is print out these sheets:
* IBS and Constipation Symptom Tracker
*Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
*Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Score Sheet

I have begun organizing my medical info into a binder. I will keep these weekly evals in the binder to take to my appointments so I can show my docs what's going on. I requested that I have my thyroid tested due to my family history of thyroid issues. If I do and can get it treated, it should reduce the impact of everything else. I also took all of my lab results off of my providers web resource and compiled them into an excel document. I keep it updated on the spreadsheet and can print it off before appointments, to reference when discussing my issues.

In creative news, I'm still working on Joey's scarf, as my hands allow. I am currently taking a break to make him this hat. The colour he chose is oklahoma city green though. It's an easy single crochet and the yarn is a real pleasure to work with. It's wonderfully soft but doesn't work up too chunky. I'll try to remember to add pics as soon as I'm done!

A Reincarnation of my Blog.

Yesterday, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. A part of me knew that it was the reason for my medical issues, but I never quite realized how perfect a packaging this diagnosis is for all of the random problems I seem to have. And as a new, young traveler of this path, I want to share this journey with those of you who also share this path, or know someone who is walking this path. I hope that my experiences, coping strategies, and methods for overcoming this disease will be helpful to my audience. I will still keep posting the crafts I make, though as you may have noticed, it's seldom a steady stream of items. I am currently working on a lovely scarf for my boyfriend, and will post it when it is complete. In the mean time, thank you for following my blog. I am always open to suggestions if you have any. I hope this becomes a haven for those with chronic pain and fatigue issues so that we can help one another overcome. You are not alone.

Please Excuse my Absence!

I've still been crafting! I just lost the card for my camera, so I can't upload the photos :( And to boot, I've been in the hospital and otherwise ill lately. However, since my last craft post, I altered the pattern of the hat I made for Cori, at her request for a 'Witch Hat'. So it's a springy-green witch hat with a pale blue, star-print ribbon  hat-band, and a crocheted flower with button center for accent. I'll post pics soon!

I also made two flowers for an awesome friend, and I hope she likes them! I loved making them. I got the pattern for the flower on Cori's hat, and the two I made for my friend Jess from here

 I hope to find the card soon, so I can continue posting photos of my craft adventures!

Contest Opportunity! (Adults only)

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Have fun!