By Theresa Blume
Women love to have control. Men love to be in control. Whoever has control of the remote has control of the house!
But seriously, I have worked hard to gain control over my life for a long time. I was raised to respect authority, and took it to the extreme, in my young adult days, which turned out badly in my early adult years. I met with abuse and people took advantage of me leaving me with zero self-esteem. Then I met my husband, Danny who helped me understand that I could do anything I wanted to, and I learned that I was in charge of my life. I became a strong woman, doing the shopping, paying the bills, making family decisions, cooking home-made meals, keeping a clean house, even having guests over.
My faith told me to surrender my will to God. I didn't like the word "submissive" (especially to men!), but I gave God a little bit of my life. I did what I thought I was supposed to do and tried my best to be faithful. But I still ran my house with strength and confidence.
As Fibromyalgia became more and more severe, I had to give up a few things-like vacuuming, and then dishes, and sometimes even cooking on bad days. Then I had to ask my husband to do some errands on his way home from work, and my daughter started doing the laundry. I didn't want to do driving with taking medicine, so I started getting them to drive me. I hated to admit that I needed help with Avon, but my customers are the best and pick up their orders, and sometimes I get helpers with big projects.
After getting our taxes done this year, I told my husband he is doing the bookwork because my brain doesn't focus on long-term things like it used to. I give him papers that need filling out and even some phone calls about our bills or whatever.
Losing control has not been an overnight process, but a slow subtle one. At first it looks like help, and then it becomes a need. I like to think of it as a choice to GIVE up control, but the reality is I don't have a choice. My choice would be that strong independent woman in my early days. Instead of rebelling to being a submissive wife, I now treasure my husband for staying with me through sickness and health.
I finally get the message about surrendering to God. Because He is the One who gets me up in the morning, and gives me people who help me just at the right times. God is the One whose in control of my life now. At night I can't wait to do my Bible study because it gives me such comfort and hope and reasurrance.
I have a lot more time to talk to Him now that I am not as mobile as I used to be. I have to rest a lot, so I lie down and talk to Him. I don't sleep too good at night, so I talk to Him in the odd hours of the night. He's always there, 24-7, never too busy, never on hold.
Losing Control has been a hard lesson of life, but it's also been a gift. As my body gets weaker, my soul gets stronger, feeling the pull of my God, knowing someday I won't be confined in pain. It doesn't matter if I have to be driven to an appointment or can't clean my house. God loves me all the more and makes sure that whatever does matter gets done. He doesn't see my pride that has fallen on the floor next to me. He sees me whole and perfect, as His child. I think by losing control I've gained something immeasureable and eternal. And this time I didn't have to lose my self-esteem!
"The more we depend on God,
the more dependable we find He is."
—Cliff Richard
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
To help promote Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, I wrote this piece and shared it with local newspapers. I thought maybe it would be a good thing to share with you since many of you do not live in central Wisconsin.
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is May 12th.
Are you aware that an estimated 10 million people in the U.S are being affected by something that you can't see? It also affects an estimated 3-6% of the world's population!
Are you aware that prominent Fibromyalgia researchers and specialists estimate the costs in the U.S. to be between $12-14 BILLION each year accounts for a loss of 1-2% of the nation's overall productivity?
Are you aware that annual medical care costs to the patient are $3700.00, EXCLUDING the cost of managing overlapping conditions, such as these symptoms:
1) Severity of fatigue, particularly in the subject of non-restorative sleep.
3) Cognitive malfunctions.
4) Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Restless Leg Syndrome or Raynaud's Disease
5) Migraines.
6) Chronic anxiety or tension.
7) Depression.
8) Environmental sensitivities, such as chemical, light, noise or weather.
9) Pain modulation by physical activities.
10) Pain modulation by anxiety or stress.
Are you aware that Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally, and socially, and for those with severe symptoms, Fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating and interferes with basic daily activities?
Are you aware that 75-90% of the people who have this are women, but it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups?
Are you aware that this disorder is often seen in families, among siblings, mothers, and their children?
Are you aware that Fibromyalgia is the second most common musculoskeletal ailment after osteoarthritis, but Fibro patients submit more medical claims for psychiatric diagnosis's and utilize the emergency room more than rheumatoid arthritis patients!
Are you aware that the theme that the Wisconsin Fibromyalgia Network is presenting for 2012 is
"Walking in Another's Shoes"
From Sarah Carter-Founder of WFN, "The belief that walking in another's shoes stems from the hope of Fibromyalgia patients that one day their loved ones and members of society will understand the depth of it's severity and effect, without actually having to experience the affliction itself.
This year, the WFN encourages all of Wisconsin's residents to take a moment to speak to a Fibro patient who may be a co-worker, a friend, a daughter, a grandfather, or a neighbor, and find out not only the difficulties the person faces-but also the joys and lessons learned that may have enhanced that person's life. You never know; you may learn something new. You may have enriched your own life...just by walking in another's shoes."
FINISH LINE
Fibromyalgia does not stop my progress.
It changes the way I progress.
My progress may not be where your progress takes you.
And that's OK.
We each have a unique path and a set pace.
In a race, no one arrives at the exact same time,
but all who are destined, will finish.
I am not racing against any person,
only the moments and breaths and days of my own earthly life.
I pray that I too am destined to reach the finish line.
(Poem written by Theresa Blume)
Those looking for more support may go to these websites for more information:
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain http://www.fmcpaware.org/
Wisconsin Fibromyalgia Network http://wifibromyalgianetwork.webs.com/
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is May 12th.
Are you aware that an estimated 10 million people in the U.S are being affected by something that you can't see? It also affects an estimated 3-6% of the world's population!
Are you aware that prominent Fibromyalgia researchers and specialists estimate the costs in the U.S. to be between $12-14 BILLION each year accounts for a loss of 1-2% of the nation's overall productivity?
Are you aware that annual medical care costs to the patient are $3700.00, EXCLUDING the cost of managing overlapping conditions, such as these symptoms:
1) Severity of fatigue, particularly in the subject of non-restorative sleep.
3) Cognitive malfunctions.
4) Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Restless Leg Syndrome or Raynaud's Disease
5) Migraines.
6) Chronic anxiety or tension.
7) Depression.
8) Environmental sensitivities, such as chemical, light, noise or weather.
9) Pain modulation by physical activities.
10) Pain modulation by anxiety or stress.
Are you aware that Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally, and socially, and for those with severe symptoms, Fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating and interferes with basic daily activities?
Are you aware that 75-90% of the people who have this are women, but it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups?
Are you aware that this disorder is often seen in families, among siblings, mothers, and their children?
Are you aware that Fibromyalgia is the second most common musculoskeletal ailment after osteoarthritis, but Fibro patients submit more medical claims for psychiatric diagnosis's and utilize the emergency room more than rheumatoid arthritis patients!
Are you aware that the theme that the Wisconsin Fibromyalgia Network is presenting for 2012 is
"Walking in Another's Shoes"
From Sarah Carter-Founder of WFN, "The belief that walking in another's shoes stems from the hope of Fibromyalgia patients that one day their loved ones and members of society will understand the depth of it's severity and effect, without actually having to experience the affliction itself.
This year, the WFN encourages all of Wisconsin's residents to take a moment to speak to a Fibro patient who may be a co-worker, a friend, a daughter, a grandfather, or a neighbor, and find out not only the difficulties the person faces-but also the joys and lessons learned that may have enhanced that person's life. You never know; you may learn something new. You may have enriched your own life...just by walking in another's shoes."
FINISH LINE
Fibromyalgia does not stop my progress.
It changes the way I progress.
My progress may not be where your progress takes you.
And that's OK.
We each have a unique path and a set pace.
In a race, no one arrives at the exact same time,
but all who are destined, will finish.
I am not racing against any person,
only the moments and breaths and days of my own earthly life.
I pray that I too am destined to reach the finish line.
(Poem written by Theresa Blume)
Those looking for more support may go to these websites for more information:
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain http://www.fmcpaware.org/
Wisconsin Fibromyalgia Network http://wifibromyalgianetwork.webs.com/
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