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Hi, I'm Carolyn



 Hi, I'm Carolyn and I have fibromyalgia. 

I was diagnosed with fibro in 2016. Who knew five years could seem like such a long time? Yes, fibro is real. No, there is not a cure. In fact, at best, doctor's can only hope to alleviate about 35% of the pain that someone with fibro deals with. For those of us with fibro, that means we will be in pain for the rest of our lives. Every. Single. Day. 

Sometimes, it's not the pain that is the biggest problem, but being in continual pain that never stops. Even in my dreams, I dream that I'm being tortured as my body tries to process the pain I'm in while I'm sleeping. 

Having fibromyalgia has meant changes and making adjustments. Friends used to call me the Energizer Bunny, now people don't understand why I can't do more. I miss my Energizer Bunny days. I miss having energy. Now, I have to be careful and spread out tasks with rest breaks in between so I don't overdo. 

Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia triggered a grieving process that still asserts itself when I have to make yet another adjustment. 

But pain is not necessarily an enemy to be defeated. In some ways, perhaps it is just a well-meaning albeit completely clueless friend. Pain reminds me every day to slow down, take a breath, and let go.

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